A journey through shoe shine in Singapore

Just four days after returning from Paris, I thought to myself, "I should get some rest," but my next destination was Singapore, where I was heading to serve as a judge at the Asian Shoe Shine Championships. However, I was in terrible shape. Jet lag hadn't subsided, my cold had gotten worse, and my energy meter was flashing red. I was determined to get up at 4 a.m. and catch the first train to Narita, but as I was changing to the Keisei line at Nippori, I suddenly realized something.

"...passport, house."

It was the first time in his life that he had made a mistake. The price of leaving home in a daze was high, and his flight for that day was immediately terminated. This man couldn't even leave the country, let alone take part in a revolution. He returned home with dignity and recuperated in bed. It was a turbulent start. The next day, he started afresh and made it safely to Singapore. He arrived late at night, the humidity high, but somehow the air was comfortable. The next day was the start of the actual tournament.

I started afresh the next day and made it safely to Singapore. I arrived late at night, and the humidity was high, but somehow the air was pleasant. The next day was the start of the actual competition. The venue was the "Super Trunk Show." It's a leather shoe festival held all over the world, and it's a memorable event where I won first place at the London competition. The Asian version of this event was being held for the first time.

Before the tournament, I, Hasegawa, also held a shoe polishing seminar. With the help of an interpreter, I spoke with all my heart about the Japanese philosophy of shoe polishing. Polishing is a skill, a gesture, and a spirit. The enthusiasm alone overcame the jet lag.

The Asian Championship finally began at 3 p.m. on January 31st. There were three competitors: Brift H Sapporo representative Hayashida Naoki, a female craftsman from Singapore, Nico, and a young, talented craftsman from Vietnam, Ma. The rules were to see how beautifully they could finish one foot in 20 minutes. All products used were Saphir products. All participants were allowed to bring only a brush and cloth, making it a serious competition under almost identical conditions.

As I am a judge, I wait in the waiting room while the polishing is being carried out. After the polishing is finished, the seven judges discuss this and that, meticulously checking the gloss, uniformity, three-dimensionality, and beauty of the finish.

Then the results were announced. While I was praying in my heart for Hayashida to win, he ended up in third place. The winner was Ma from Vietnam. The balanced luster and high level of perfection were impressive. Hayashida fought well, but the world level has definitely risen. It was a competition that left me with a mixture of regret and pride.

Afterwards, we took a stroll around the city with some suit-loving Singaporean gentlemen and took some commemorative photos. It seems that a love of fashion is a universal language.

The next day, the "JAPAN CRAFTS MAN" event was held at the famous shop "MASON & SMITH," which is also a fellow judge. In addition to shoe polishing by Brift H, Japanese craftsmen from Shinki Leather, renowned for its cordovan, Asakusa shoemaker RENDO, and luxury sock maker IDE HOMME gathered. The event was a huge success from the moment it opened.

The first customer was a woman. She was wearing GUCCI bit loafers. When finished with a soft, deep luster, they shone like a mirror, slightly changing the atmosphere in the venue. Shoes really do speak volumes.

After two hectic days, the Japanese team went to a party. We toasted at a Chinese restaurant recommended by John. The food was so delicious that we forgot about fatigue and the jet lag. I'm sure we'll be invited back as judges next year. Don't forget to check your passports when you do.

With Japanese-style shoe polishing, we will continue to "revolutionize the world's feet"