| IWATE, Mar. 16 – Shoes made of leather from Iwate Tankaku cattle, a rare Japanese shorthorn breed that accounts for less than 1% of beef cows in Japan, have made a debut. This is the first time that domestic cowhide has been used as shoe material by Regal Corporation. The long-standing shoemaker in Japan began producing them at its two factories in Iwate Prefecture. The all-new leather shoes are made entirely in Iwate, from the materials to the making.
Iwate Tankaku cattle are raised on pasture with their parents from spring to autumn in a low-stress environment. Therefore, its leather has an excellent texture, a lower fat content, and quality firmness. The shoemaker has established standards for durability and comfort in their cowhide leather, and Iwate Shorthorn Cow Leather has become the first domestically sourced cowhide to meet these standards. Iwate Shorthorn Beef Leather is produced by Iwate Gawa, a domestic leather product manufacturer based in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. “We hope these leather shoes will also convey the passion of Iwate Tankaku cattle producers,” the company representative said. The number of the first offering is limited to 52 pairs. The collection features four different types: wing-tip shoes and chukka boots, available in black and brown. The sizes range from 24 to 27 centimeters, and each pair is sold at 66,000 yen on Iwate Gawa’s e-commerce site. Preparation for the adoption of the shoes as a return gift from Morioka City and Oshu City in the hometown tax donation program is also now underway, as the shoes are produced at Regal Corporation’s plant in the two cities.  The representative of Iwate Gawa, Toshiyuki Nakamura, holding a pair of the all-Iwate Tankaku cattle leather shoes (in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture) |