Marugo Co., Ltd. Manami Yabuki - Revitalizing Kurashiki's manufacturing through tabi shoes created by a long-established company (Kurashiki Work Stories Woven by Young People Vol. 1)

Interview with Yabuki Manami

Encounter with Marugo and Tabi Shoes

Please tell us how you first learned about Marugo.

Yabuki

To be honest, I first learned about Marugo during the D-Internship. I had heard the name because a senior from my university had joined Marugo, but at that time, I wasn't particularly interested in shoes...

However, that senior had told me beforehand, "Marugo is a good company", so I was curious about what kind of company it was. That prompted me to directly negotiate with the management office before starting the D-Internship, asking, "Can I be in charge of Marugo?"

So it wasn't that you particularly liked Marugo's products... What was your impression when you first saw Tabi Shoes?

Yabuki

I had never seen Tabi before, so when I first saw them, I remember being surprised and thinking, "What is this! There are such interesting shoes!" I thought Tabi Shoes were cute and a wonderful item because of their unique appearance.

As I participated in the internship and listened to the explanations about Tabi and Tabi Shoes from the employees, I learned that they are shoes with many good qualities. It was shocking to know that such manufacturing exists in a local company.

While in the D-Internship, did you have any memorable experiences while working with Marugo?

Yabuki

I worked as a sales representative for Marugo at an event called "Dragon Work Exhibition," where various companies promote and sell their products.

The customers who came were of various ages and professions. It was refreshing to talk one-on-one with people I wouldn't normally interact with in my student life, and I realized for the first time, "Delivering something to someone is so much fun!"

It was a valuable experience where I could think about how to convey the appeal of the products, not just by displaying them at the booth and waiting, but by coming up with ideas to attract customers and suggesting shoes tailored to each individual.

What made you decide, "I want to join Marugo!"?

Yabuki

The deciding factor was actually not the shoes, but the atmosphere among the employees and the company.

Seeing the seniors who were in charge of the internship and the other employees freely exchanging opinions and respecting each other while working made me think, "Marugo is an environment where you can work freely." I had the impression that the employees were close to each other in a good way, and that it seemed easy to work there.

Has that image changed since you joined the company?

Yabuki

The closeness among employees that I felt during the internship was just as I had imagined before joining the company.

Even for younger generations like us, it is easy to express our opinions in various situations, and the supervisors and seniors listen flexibly to even the smallest things, so I find it interesting that there is a sense of everyone creating something together. Ideas and plans keep expanding.

They respect what you want to do and say, "Well, let's try it," so I feel that it's an environment where you can take on various challenges.

Creating Better Products Together: Marugo's Work

I heard that you majored in flat design during your student days, but is designing three-dimensional items like shoes completely different?

Yabuki

Yes, three-dimensional design requires a scientific way of thinking and knowledge of materials beyond just design, so there were many differences from the flat design field I studied in university.

However, after joining the company, I have been diligently taught about fabrics by my seniors and have been asking friends who majored in textiles during university, so I am trying to increase my knowledge in my own way. There are also seniors with qualifications as Jeans Sommeliers in the company, which is reassuring.

You are involved in various tasks such as design, photography, and planning. What is your favorite job among them?

Yabuki

My favorite task is coming up with shoe ideas. It's a preliminary stage of planning, and I do it quietly by myself.
I enjoy sketching out ideas like, "It would be nice to have shoes like this" or "How about shoes like this?" all at once. I have sketches all over sketchbooks, copy paper, and notepads.

Sometimes, sales employees ask me for shoes that can be used in certain situations, and I also take that as a hint to sketch carefully.

In your third year with the company, the first shoe you sold was "coppelia lily." What did you focus on?

Yabuki

The "coppelia lily" is a Tabi shoe designed based on ballet shoes, created with the thought that "I want you to feel a slightly dramatic everyday life like the characters in a ballet story."

I combined the famous ballet piece "Coppélia" with the flower Lily to create the name "coppelia lily," which is full of a youthful feeling.

The biggest focus was on the material of the fabric. I really wanted it to have a brushed texture, so I went through a lot of trial and error.

The coppelia lily uses domestically woven velveteen from Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture. I was particular about achieving the right thickness and a soft nuance that isn't too shiny, to match my vision.

The color variations were chosen based on a survey conducted on Instagram, asking customers which colors they preferred. I was surprised and delighted by the unexpectedly high response from customers.

Yabuki's Present and Future

When do you feel joy and fulfillment in your work?

Yabuki

We also sometimes stand at the store as sales staff, and I feel a great sense of fulfillment and happiness when I receive actual feedback and impressions from customers.

I was really happy when a customer who saw the Tabi shoes I designed said, "They're cute!"

Are there any current efforts you are focusing on?

Yabuki

I am currently working on planning new shoes and collaborating with a factory in China for production.

Until now, I could discuss things with the factory adjacent to the office, but with overseas factories, I can't communicate face-to-face. It has been quite difficult to create things according to my vision, as I sometimes struggle to convey correction instructions effectively and can't confirm things during the process.

I have been repeating failures and reflections with each interaction, and while I often feel troubled, I am careful not to repeat the same mistakes, taking advice from experienced supervisors. I will do my best to deliver wonderful shoes to everyone.

Please tell us about your future goals.

Yabuki

I want to aim to be able to consistently handle shoe design, planning, and development, starting by becoming a full-fledged member of the team.
When I created the coppelia lily, it was all new to me, and I was able to create it with the help of many people.

My knowledge and experience are still shallow, so I will continue to work hard to create shoes that can brighten customers' lives.

Finally, please give a message to the young people of your generation who are working hard.

Yabuki

I love both Kurashiki and Okayama, so I have a strong desire to "promote good manufacturing in Okayama."

I think we are in an era where prices are rising, and many people are holding back on shopping, but let's energize Kurashiki's manufacturing with the power of the younger generation!

Conclusion

I had a vague idea that Kurashiki is a manufacturing town, but this was the first time I heard directly from a maker involved in manufacturing.

During the interview with Mr. Yabuki, a supervisor from the Wellness Promotion Department was present. I was listening to their conversation right in front of me, and it was conducted in a friendly atmosphere with jokes exchanged, making me realize, "So this is the relaxed environment Mr. Yabuki was talking about..."

Marugo's corporate message, "make it new" (co-creating value that connects to the future), can truly be realized because of the environment where both parties can easily express their opinions.

Marugo, which constantly evolves and creates new tabi (traditional Japanese footwear) that supports people's lives. Let's continue to look forward to the new value of tabi created by Marugo, starting with Mr. Yabuki.

Young People Weaving the Kurashiki Work Story Back Issues

Marugo Co., Ltd. (MARUGO) Data

Organization Name	Marugo Co., Ltd. (MARUGO)
Industry	Footwear Business, Industrial Goods Business
Representative Name	Masahiko Fukuda
Year Established	1919
Address	1680-1 Chayamachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
Contact	086-428-0230 (Sales Department)
Website	Marugo Co., Ltd. (MARUGO)

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