The Flip-Flop as Traditional Japanese Design: The Surprising Origins of a Beach Classic
The humble flip-flop is a staple of summer, serving as easy, breezy footwear all around the world. Its genesis lies in a surprising collaboration between footwear creators from Japan and the United States, soon after the two countries ended their war against each other. A look at the history of this iconic sandal.
The story of modern flip-flops, or bīchi sandaru in Japan, began in the years following World War II in 1945. It started with American industrial designer Ray Pastine who visited Japan on reconstruction projects. He was impressed by traditional Japanese footwear, such as the geta and zōri sandals with thong straps, which did not exist in the United States. These sandals captivated Pastine due to their simplicity and ease of use. He envisioned developing these designs into a product for the American market.
Ikuta Shōtarō, the chief engineer of Naigai Rubber Industry in Kobe, played a crucial role in turning Pastine's vision into reality. After the war, Ikuta developed a lightweight, elastic, and non-absorbent closed-cell sponge rubber. This material, initially created for military use, was ideal for flip-flops because of its comfort and water resistance.
After several refinements, the world's first pair of rubber flip-flops was created in 1952. Named "Beach Walk," these sandals quickly gained popularity overseas, with 100,000 pairs sold in Hawaii within a single month in 1955.
Naigai Rubber Industry introduced the flip-flops to the Japanese market in 1956 under the name "Blue Dia" and made improvements to suit Japanese users, like thicker toe posts for durability. The retailer Genbei in Hayama was among the first to carry the product, and it still sells Beach Walk sandals today, becoming a store specializing in flip-flops.
The secret to Beach Walk's success lies in its natural rubber material, which provides comfort and conforms to the wearer's feet after use. Unlike cheaper alternatives made from synthetic materials, Beach Walks develop a comfortable fit over time, making them a durable and beloved choice for beachgoers and casual wearers.
Written by urgent.news from Nippon.com's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
