LIGHTBULB International Catalogue

~ About LIGHTBULB ~ LIGHTBULB is a bespoke leather shoe brand operated jointly by Tatsuya Noguchi, a prosthetist, and Hirokazu Sotobayashi, a shoemaker. Our concept is to achieve an unprecedented balance of comfort and aesthetics through the fusion of cutting-edge technology and traditional craftsmanship, combining the expertise of a prosthetist and a shoemaker. Our top priority is to express the "Beauty of the foot" through our shoes, derived from the functionality and aesthetics of the human body. In addition, we are pioneering a new bespoke shoe ordering system based on the latest technology and medical knowledge, continually striving to preserve and evolve the wonderful culture and essence of bespoke shoemaking. ~ Characteristics of LIGHTBULB ~ Our shoes are fundamentally classic leather shoes, ranging from cost-effective factory-produced Channeled insole Goodyear welted shoes to Fully handcrafted shoes that pay meticulous attention to detail. What stands out the most is our approach to shoe last design, which is fundamentally different from traditional shoemakers. Tatsuya Noguchi, our shoe last designer and prosthetist, felt dissatisfied with the shoe last design experience within the shoemaking industry. He realized that shoemaking and shoe last design are completely different fields and that a deep understanding of human anatomy, biomechanics, and medical experience is essential. He then became a nationally certified prosthetist and has been actively working on the front lines as a foot specialist for 14 years. Throughout this time, he has specialized in shoe last design and finally launched LIGHTBULB. His last design, which we call the “Total Contact Theory”, incorporates medical insights from anatomy and biomechanics, focusing not only on the static aspects of the foot but also on the dynamic ones. By dividing the last into the upper and lower surfaces and further segmenting the medial and lateral into toe shape, forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot, he has incorporated details that accommodate movement in each phase of walking. This ensures that the shoe supports the foot in all directions, both when standing still and while walking. Customers and shoe enthusiasts in Japan have praised our shoes, saying, "I've never experienced such comfortable leather shoes before." Currently, we offer shoes based on this design in MTO (Made to Order), MTM (Made to Measure), and Bespoke options. ~ LIGHTBULB's New Initiatives ~ As you may know, shoes are unique among clothing items because poor design can directly cause pain and discomfort. The extent to which the design incorporates the elements of the wearer's foot is crucial. Therefore, we believe it is essential to provide shoes that are properly assessed and tailored to the individual's foot, although not everyone needs bespoke shoes. This requires collaboration between various professionals focused on the foot, rather than working within the narrow confines of the shoemaking industry. Historically, bespoke shoes have been difficult to order without direct, face-to-face interaction. Considering recent developments, we aim to deliver the benefits of well-crafted bespoke shoes to more people worldwide, even in remote locations. We believe that the key to breaking down these barriers lies in the widespread adoption of IT and 3D technology, and the collaboration with foot specialists who can interpret the information gathered from these technologies.