Mandarins and boots mature over time.
Mr. Wakamatsu recently acquired a new pair of "Brand Stone" shoes. The leather is still stiff and shiny, a stark contrast to the six years it has been worn.
The pair I wore was stiff at first," he said. But as you continue to wear them, they become more comfortable on your feet. That process is fun, too.
For his next pair of boots, he chose the "ORIGINALS" side gore boots in gray waxed suede. He plans to wear them in town first, and then use them for farm work.
Every time I talk with Mr. Wakamatsu, I feel that he and "Brand Stone" share a common value of "time.
They say that a tangerine tree grows slowly over time, and good tangerines grow after 20 years. The same is true for "Brand Stone," although the years are different. As you continue to wear them, they will gradually conform to your feet and become your own unique pair. Worn wrinkles will be carved, the color of the leather will change, and it will have a unique expression.
Maturity, not exhaustion. I felt that these words uttered by Mr. Wakamatsu said it all.
Just as citrus grows, so does leather.
With his wife Minaya, their child Rakuno, and their dog Ame.
While shuttling between the fields and the city, Mr. Wakamatsu is searching for a new form of agriculture. While tending to his mandarin orchards, he is also trying to convey the excellence of Uwajima's mandarins through the brand "Tangerine. Throughout his journey, the "Brand Stone" will continue to support his footsteps.
Who and where will we see this pair of shoes and life next? I can't help but look forward to it now.
[Claire] Brandon Stone.ORIGINALS Steel Gray ¥29,700(Brandstone)
A pair from the standard "ORIGINALS" series with excellent lightness and cushioning. The gray waxed suede upper is water-repellent and soft, while the TPU outsole is highly durable and grippy.
