Arab News Japan

American lifestyle brand Converse pays tribute to Japanese Ukiyo-e artists Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Kuniyoshi with a brand new ‘All Star Hi’ footwear duo.

Ukiyo-e is a type of Japanese art characterized by the use of woodblock prints. It gained popularity from the 17th to the 19th centuries, with pieces that depict various themes such as travel scenes, landscapes, and sumo wrestlers.

Founded in 1908, Converse is one of the most popular casual fashion accessory brands in the world, with revenue exceeding $2 billion in 2023. The Japanese-inspired shoes follow All-Star’s theme of ‘POP-UP JAPAN’.

The first pair, titled ‘All Star Ukiyoe Print Hi Wave’, showcases Hokusai’s popular painting ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’. Painted in 1831, the drawing shows three boats moving through tidal waves with Mt. Fuji in the background. It is considered one of the most popular artworks in Japanese history.

Additionally, the second pair, titled ‘All Star Ukiyoe Print Hi Skull’, showcases Kuniyoshi’s ‘Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre’, which depicts a princess summoning a giant skeleton.

Both pairs are now available on Converse Japan’s website for ¥12,100.