BOYS
Katsuya Tokunaga Atelier Tokyo
Button Boots "BOYS"
A photograph capturing everyday life in New York in 1916 shows a child wearing cloth button boots. Button boots appear to have been worn on a daily basis until around 1933, indicating that they were widely popular among children.
When we think of button boots, we tend to imagine them as slim, beautiful boots worn by glamorous women in the Victorian era of the 1800s. However, it is very interesting to note that by around 1910, they had been designed to be more practical and had already become established as a fashion item. "BOYS" was born from this one photograph.
It features a chunky shape not found in men's shoes, which is a result of its motif being children's shoes. However, other elements of the shoe faithfully retain the characteristics of men's button boots, which evolved from traditional gaiters.
For example, the straight vamp that continues to the heel, the punched cap toe, the leather sole, etc. In this design, the existence of a zipper may seem like a "bad idea."
It is true that button hooks make it possible to put on and take off button boots in the same way as lace-up shoes. However, in the Japanese living environment, it would have been somewhat difficult to wear button boots on a daily basis like children did at the time (this may be one of the reasons why button boots did not become popular in Japan).
To solve this problem, we decided to use a zipper for practicality. We chose YKK EXCELLA®, which combines strength and beauty. We also paid particular attention to the smooth feel when sliding, and selected the highest quality material. We also attached an original cover to the pull tab, which not only enhances the design but also improves operability when pulling.
Rather than simply hiding or ignoring parts that are considered "unorthodox," we have succeeded in elevating functional beauty to the utmost and elevating it to a sensual level by designing it from every angle.
Since its debut in 2009, BOYS has continued to evolve through several minor changes.
And the BOYS starting in 2025 will be built to the highest quality specifications of this era.
The upper is made of BOXCALF from the German company WEINHEIMER, which creates a durable yet elegant luster. The shaft is made of baby calf leather from the Italian company INCAS, which ensures a soft feel. Each pair is then handcrafted by skilled dress shoe craftsmen in Asakusa.
Also, please take note of the beautiful sole, which has a vermilion core and a black crow finish, reminiscent of lacquered tea utensils.
The elegance and beauty of this finish will make you feel the pride of being MADE IN JAPAN.
In this way, BOYS, which combines historical background with practicality, continues to evolve into a shoe that adapts to modern lifestyles while inheriting its traditions.
Style: KT-B01
Model: Button Boots "BOYS"
Upper Material: Weinheimer Boxcalf x Incas Calf
Linning Material : KIP LINNING
Outsole & Heel : Leather
Heel Height : 28mm
Process : Good year welt process
After Process : Cream and Wax Finish
Size: US 6h - 9h
Price: 180,000 +tax
⚫️Available at THE BOOTS SHOP in Tokyo.
Online store sales are scheduled to begin around summer.
We are also planning to hold sales events at our retailers on a regular basis, so please look forward to them.
Katsuya Tokunaga Atelier Tokyo
Katsuya Tokunaga Atelier Tokyo
Button Boots “BOYS”
A photograph taken in New York in 1916 shows a child wearing fabric button boots—a snapshot of daily life at the time. Button boots appear to have been a staple until around 1933, and their popularity among children indicates how widespread they once were.
When we think of button boots, we often picture the elegant, slender silhouettes worn by fashionable women of the Victorian era. However, by the 1910s, these boots had evolved into more practical designs and had become firmly established as fashion items.
Inspired by that 1916 photograph, the “BOYS” model was born.
Its most notable feature is its slightly rounded, fuller silhouette—unlike typical men's shoes—because it takes its cue from children's footwear. However, apart from the shape, the design faithfully inherits the elements of classic gentleman's button boots, which evolved from traditional gaiters.
These include a straight vamp that runs to the heel, a punched cap toe, and leather soles. Some may consider the addition of a zipper to such a design unconventional or even heretical. Indeed, with a button hook, these boots can be worn much like lace-up shoes.
However, in modern Japanese lifestyles, wearing button boots daily—as children once did—is somewhat impractical. This challenge may explain why button boots never gained popularity in Japan.
To address this, we incorporated a zipper purely from a practical standpoint. We selected the YKK EXCELLA®, known for its exceptional durability and elegant finish, offering a smooth glide. The zipper pull features a custom-designed cover, enhancing not only its visual appeal but also its ease of use.
Rather than simply hiding or dismissing an “unconventional” element, we embraced and refined it from every angle, elevating functional beauty to a sensual aesthetic.
Since its debut in 2009, the BOYS model has undergone several minor refinements.
From 2025 onward, it enters a new era, built to the highest standards of quality.
The upper features box calf leather from Germany's WEINHEIMER, offering both robustness and graceful luster. The shaft is made with baby calf leather from INCAS in Italy, providing a soft, comfortable feel.
Each pair is meticulously handcrafted by seasoned dress shoe artisans in Asakusa, Tokyo.
A final detail to note is the exquisite sole, finished in black lacquer with a vermillion-red core, reminiscent of traditional Japanese tea utensils. This refined finish radiates a sense of dignity and elegance—one that embodies the pride of MADE IN JAPAN.
“BOYS” combines historical depth and modern practicality. It continues to evolve as a timeless pair of footwear, bridging heritage and contemporary living.