Onitsuka Tiger the Brand
Hit hard by World War II, Japan was definitely at a low point in 1949. Spurred on by his years in the military, Kihachiro Onitsuka, decided to tackle Japan’s melancholy, post-war youth by rebuilding their self esteem through sports. Inspired by the Kobe High School basketball team, Onitsuka set about designing a basketball shoe that could be worn by the team’s young players. His first attempt produced a sandal like design, made of straw. Unsurprisingly, this first concept was greeted with bemusement and mockery by the team. He named the shoes Tiger shoes.
Then one day in 1951, a plate of octopus legs inspired Onitsuka to create one of the greatest concepts in the history of sportswear. He realise d that the suction caps an octopus has on its legs could be an ideal design to aid the basketball players in their stop- start motions. After convincing school basketball teams to wear his designs, soon Onitsuka was distributing his shoes to sports stores throughout Japan.
Now doing successful business with his basketball sneakers, Onitsuka began to turn his attentions to running shoes. Working alongside marathon runner Tooru Terasawa, Onitsuka managed to design one of the industry’s first breathable trainers, thus for the first time preventing blisters for long distance runners. In addition to enabling the feet to breathe, the shoe also included a two-layered sole to cushion the impact.
A master in self promotion, Onitsuka spotted a great chance to get his brand noticed when he decided to persuade Ethiopian Olympic runner, Abebe Bikila to wear his shoes. Previ ously Bikila had run all of his races barefoot, but in 1957, at the Mainichi Marathon, he wore a pair of Tiger running shoes and won the race. From then on Onitsuka’s Tigers gained a reputation of their own, as the elite in sports footwear.
In 1972 Onitsuka would create sportswear history with a merger that would lead to one of the world’s most recognised sports brands today. GTO a producer of sportswear and equipment and knitwear manufacturer, Jelenk, teamed together with Onitsuka to create global brand ASICS. Now one of the most highly respected sportswear manufacturers, the name ASICS comes from the Latin phrase Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, meaning a sound mind in a sound body.
Today the Onitsuka Tiger is as loved for its retro style as it is for its high performance, with fans ranging from style conscious celebrities to serious Olympic runners.
Classic Styles
Sleek, lightweight and with a perfectly cushioned, suctioned sole, Onitsuka Tiger trainers remain top of their game in terms of performance. However, their bright, often rather kitsch colour schemes mean that Tigers are always a key contender in the sportswear style stakes.
Popular styles include: Onitsuka Tiger - Ultimate 81, Mexico 66, Mexico Midrunner, Fabre 74, Seck Lo, Mexico 66 Baja, Saiko Runner, Coolidge, Fabre DC, Fabre BL, Coolidge LO, Aeka 002, Aeka 901, Aeka 399, Court VC, OK Basketball HI, O K Basketball LO, Iki Look, Injector DX, Kanuchi, Mexico Baja Lauta, Rotation, Runspark, Tai Chi, Vikka Rock, Seck MT and Mexico Velcro.
