Production Method
Carrying on the traditional method; One of a kind, handmade sandals
Tsukumo sandals are all handmade. Since the 1950’s, sandals have been created for utmost comfort. The craftsmanship has been continually passed down, until today.
1.Creation of the rubber sheet
The sole and the thong make up the beach sandal. The sole initially is a thin rubber board. By adding heat and pressure, the rubber expands and becomes a sheet. The craftsman needs to pay close attention to the rubber’s expansion rate since this changes according to the weather or the color of the rubber, creating a subtle difference in the thickness between the toe and heel areas.
2.Cutting out the sole
When the rubber sheet is ready, the sole needs to be cut out. From one rubber sheet, depending on the size, approximately 20 beach sandal soles are cut out. However, the location of the cut out needs to be determined carefully, otherwise there may be varying thicknesses between the toes and the heel, which ultimately affects the overall comfortability. This is again something that is determined by the craftsman’s distinct abilities.
3.Anaguri (Hole Punching)
This process is called Anaguri, where the hole is widen a little bit to ensure the precise fitting of thong to back of the sole. This seems like an easy step, though if the depth is not handled properly, the thong comes out from the bottom or the sole itself becomes thin and without enough material strength, may break. This is also a process that is completed by the craftsman’s hand.
4.Creation of the thong
The thong is made from natural rubber, from a mixture of rubber with varying dyes to create numerous colors. The rubber mixture is put into a mold, and the thong starts to take its shape after heat and pressure are applied. (At this point, it does not look like a thong but is all connected.)
5.Shaping into a thong
The connected rubber is cut up in order for the thong to take shape. This also looks like an easy process, but can only be done by hand. If the cut is not done well, the customers’ feet will hurt. It may seem like a miniscule detail, but requires a lot of attention and speed. (There are so many that needs to be produced.)
6.Sugeru (Putting on the thong)
The process of putting on the thong to the sole is called “Sugeru”. With a specific metal tool, the thong is put into place onto three holes of the sole. This also seems quite straightforward, but actually requires a lot of strength. If the thong goes in very easily, that means the hole is big and the thong may come out easily, so this needs to be done carefully.