This summer a young employee from the Japanese sports fashion brand Onitsuka Tiger travelled to Kobe. At its place of origin he wanted to delve into the label’s history and vision. So Mutaurwa Mapondera interviewed five men who have been there right from the start and who work closely alongside founder Kihachiro Onitsuka.
Their stories can be seen in the three-part film series, which has the Japanese title ‘Genten’ meaning ‘starting point, origin, first steps’.
The films show how closely linked the company’s legacy is with the big south Japanese city. A sense of community, workmanship, sport and nature are what distinguish Kobe and the influence of this city still lives on in the brand’s products.
The first film of the series focuses on the relationship of Onitsuka Tiger with its hometown. The other two films will follow in 2012 and deal with Olympic athletes and innovations.
