Japan's First Western Shoe Brand [Sakuragumi Seika] Revives Trademark After 150 Years; Limited 300 Pairs Conveying the Spirit of Sakura Samurai Nishimura Katsuzo to the Present Day, Crowdfunding Starts June 30

Limited Edition Shoes with Revived "Sakuragumi Seika" Logo Available for Pre-order in 300 Pairs

The Sakura Samurai Archives General Incorporated Association (Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture) has begun accepting pre-orders for limited edition shoes (300 pairs only) featuring the revived logo of "Sakuragumi Seika," Japan's first authentic Western-style shoemaker. Crowdfunding will also launch on June 30, 2026 (Tue), with applications closing on August 21 (Fri). The shoes will be produced by Regal Corporation, which inherits the lineage of Sakuragumi.

The Roots of Domestic Western-Style Shoemaking Lie in Sakura

Statue of Katsuzo Nishimura in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture

The origin of Japan's leather shoe industry began with a single Sakura domain samurai.

Katsuzo Nishimura (1836–1907) was born into a family of Sakura domain samurai and lived through the turbulent Bakumatsu period. In the second year of Meiji (1869), after meeting Masujiro Omura, he became convinced that "self-sufficiency in military boots is an urgent national necessity" and embarked on a path of industry. In the third year of Meiji (1870), he founded "Ise-katsu Zo-kutsu-jo" in Tsukiji, Tokyo, the first facility in Japan to manufacture authentic Western-style shoes. With the support of Eiichi Shibusawa and others, he expanded his business, and later renamed the company "Sakuragumi Seika" with his affection for his hometown, Sakura.

In 1902 (Meiji 35), Sakuragumi Seika merged with four other leading companies to become "Nippon Geta Co., Ltd.," and its lineage has been passed down to the current Regal Corporation. These limited edition shoes are a special pair that revives this history and spirit across 150 years to the present day.

Product Overview

Sakuragumi Seika Revived Logo Limited Edition Shoes

- Product Name: Sakuragumi Seika Revived Logo Limited Edition Shoes

- Quantity: Limited to 300 pairs

- Price: Special Pre-order Price: 36,000 yen (tax included)~ * Varies depending on the delivery method. Please check the information flyer for details.

- Sizes: 24.0–27.0 cm (half sizes available) * We recommend choosing a size 1–2 cm smaller than your usual sneaker size.

- Material: Italian Kip (cowhide/skin from cattle aged 6 months to 2 years. It has a dense fiber structure, offering both suppleness and durability, and develops a beautiful luster with wear.)

- Construction: Semi-Blake construction

- Country of Origin: Made in Japan

- Manufacturer: Regal Corporation Iwate Factory (Oshu City)

- Benefits: Leaflet with serial number / Original box with revived Sakuragumi logo / Repair service by Regal Corporation

- Design: The "Sakuragumi" trademark from the era, featuring a cherry blossom crest, is reproduced with foil stamping on the insole.

- Product Delivery: Sequentially from January 2027 onwards

Photos of the product development process for this project (at Regal Corporation headquarters). The modern trademark of "Sakuragumi Seika" from that era has been revived as a logo and foil-stamped on the insole with a double name from Regal Corporation.

How to Pre-order (Choose from three options)

For Sakura City Residents: Via online form *Pick-up in Sakura City Click here for the application form https://forms.gle/Y586Ha4y2nyDGeDP7

For Sakura City Residents: Via application form attached to flyer *Pick-up in Sakura City (Please fill out the application form and send it to sakurahan.archives@gmail.com. A staff member will contact you with further instructions. Flyers are also available at the Sakura Chamber of Commerce and Industry, City Hall, and Sakura Tourism Association.)

For Nationwide Customers: Via crowdfunding *Delivery to your specified address (June 30, 2026 (Tue) – August 21, 2026 (Fri). Various return options are available.) Click here for crowdfunding https://camp-fire.jp/projects/945844/view

Flyers with application forms are being distributed at various locations within the city.

About Trying On

As size changes cannot be accepted after ordering, we recommend trying them on in advance.

You can try on the shoes at the following two locations in Sakura City (※ Try-on times are subject to the business hours of each facility).

Sakura Chamber of Commerce and Industry (3-3-10 Hyomachi, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture, 285-0811)

Sakura Healthy Terrace (Inside Sakura Herb Garden, 158 Kino ko, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture, 285-0801)

Application Deadline

August 21, 2026 (Fri) (Application and payment must be completed by the deadline)

About This Project

This project was launched with the desire to "allow the citizens who love Sakura to wear the spirit of the Sakura samurai along with their love for their hometown." It is being undertaken as the second phase of the "Enjoy Sakura" project promoted by the Sakura Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The support received from everyone will be used for the production costs of the shoes with the revived trademark logo, and at the same time, the profits will be directly returned to Sakura City for festival events, children's cafeteria operations, and historical preservation activities.

<Representative's Comment>

Hitoshi Tazaki, Representative Director, Sakura Samurai Archives General Incorporated Association

We want to revive Katsuzo Nishimura's challenge and pride on the feet of us living today.

The history of domestic Western-style shoemaking began with the challenge of Sakura samurai Katsuzo Nishimura. We want to revive that pride on the feet of us living today. Sakura has wonderful "history, nature, and culture." Despite this, we are not fully capitalizing on these assets for tourism or commercial value.

Therefore, we wanted to revive "Sakuragumi Seika," founded by Katsuzo Nishimura, not as mere past history, but as a "Sakura brand" for the modern era.

Through Sakuragumi Seika, we want to convey Sakura's history, which supported Japan's modernization, and Japan's manufacturing spirit to Tokyo, to the whole country, and to the future. That is the origin of this project.

Organization Overview

Name: Sakura Samurai Archives General Incorporated Association (Sakurahan Archives)

Location: Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture

Business Activities: Inheriting the spirit of the Sakura domain and working to create a sustainable local community through the recording, preservation, and utilization of regional historical and cultural resources.

Inquiries and Contact for This Matter

Sakura Samurai Archives General Incorporated Association Contact: Kawabata

Email: sakurahan.archives@gmail.com