We visited Tokyo’s best shirt store

How did your relationship with football begin?

I came to football through playing. I started when I was five years old and continued through high school. When I was ten, my parents gave me an Inter Milan shirt as a Christmas present. That shirt is still on display in my store.

Why did you choose to specialize in vintage football shirts?

Four years ago, we opened our first store as an American and European vintage clothing shop. At that time, the trend of wearing football shirts as streetwear had just been introduced to Japan from Europe, and we followed that movement.

What's the overall idea behind your shop's interior and decoration?

I want the store to feel like a football toy box, but not a simple one. Our location in Tokyo is great, so the space isn't very large.

For you, what makes a "beautiful" football shirt?

It's about design and history. I think older shirts are more beautiful, and I'm influenced by memories. Japanese customers tend to prioritize fit. The 90s shirts are popular because of their square silhouette. I think current shirts are too long for Japanese people, we're not very tall.

Do Japanese customers look for the same shirts as European or international customers?

That's a very good question. Japanese and Asian customers usually prefer big European clubs and legendary players. They want the famous pieces, and they lean toward the collector side. They don't wear Japanese national team shirts very often.

Europeans tend to prefer good design and their own country's shirts. I think Europeans are proud of their national teams and clubs, and they wear those as streetwear too. In Europe, wearing football shirts is more advanced than in Japan, so design is also important.

Do you see football shirts as fashion items ?

At first, it was fashion. I loved wearing the Beckham 2002 England long-sleeve shirt to elementary school. But since I started the store, the collector side has become stronger. I've seen so many shirts, and I find it interesting to compare them

Is there a particular era or decade you prefer in terms of football shirt design? Why?

It's the 90s Umbro shirts. The design, silhouette, and collar are great. But my personal favorite is the 2001-02 Inter home shirt. The snake pattern on the sides, the collar, and the yellow line on the front are perfect. Well, I guess I'm influenced by memories. :)

How do you see the evolution of football shirt design today compared to the past? Have we lost something, or gained something?

The cost-effectiveness of making shirts has improved, which is good for suppliers and clubs. As a result, there have been more opportunities to collaborate with famous brands and designers, which I think has made football more accessible to many people.

But the shape of the shirt, the heaviness, the fine details, they're not coming back. I think that's the way of the times. This has happened in all clothing industries, not just football shirts. It can't be helped.

Do you think that in 20 or 30 years, people will feel as nostalgic about today's shirts as they do about those from the 90s and 2000s?

I think young people feel the same way. Just like we feel when we see 90s and early 2000s shirts.

Can a football shirt exist independently from its club and colors, as a purely aesthetic object?

Design alone is difficult. I think there are cycles of trends. Football shirts have elements of club history, players, events, etc. That's why they are unique.

Which shirt in your shop tells the best story, in your opinion?

For sale: Our shop has over 10 Nakata shirts. Maybe my store has the most Nakata shirts in the world. They sell often, so we keep getting them.

Not for sale: I have a Zanetti signed shirt on display. I'm Nerazzurro. Nothing more to say.

f you had to create your dream shirt?

It would be a mix of the 2001-02 Inter and the 1997-98 Inter.