Onitsuka Tiger at Hype Onitsuka Tiger is one of the most traditional brands from Japan that has endured thanks to its retro charm. Onitsuka Tiger may be a brand that dates back to the 1940s, but its footwear continues to keep step at the forefront of fashion. Onitsuka Tiger manages to combine innovative styles with retro vibes around its edges. And Onitsuka Tiger has a lot of history to draw on. Its rich sporting heritage dates back to 1949 when founder Mr Kihachiro Onitsuka decided to dedicate his skills to building a healthy lifestyle and bring up a sound youth through the spirit of sport. The result? The birth of the basketball shoe. Onitsuka Tiger: A Roaring Success Onitsuka Tiger became synonymous with innovation and technical developments in sports footwear history. Basketball grew in popularity throughout the 40s when most students played barefoot. Mr Onitsuka knew perfecting the basketball shoe was the start of an innovative approach in sporting apparel that helped boost performance. Onitsuka Tiger have launched some of the most iconic shoes in its sporting heritage, with its classic styles born on the basketball arena. An Innovative Approach Mr Onitsuka’s sport shoes were said to inspire the post war youth of Japan. He studied players for months to perfect his designs and took inspiration from the world around him. In the 1950s the first suction cup sole for extra grip was inspired by the octopus suckers he spotted in his salad. And the Onitsuka Tiger brand prides itself on drawing on inspiration from the world around it – incorporating holes into their long distance running shoes to keep feet cool was a move inspired by observing a motorcycle engine. Sporting Fashion Mr Onitsuka went on to provide the delegation shoes for the Olympic teams in the sixties and in 1966, the ASICS stripe design began, dubbed the Mexican Line after the Japanese Olympic team wore the shoes at the Mexico Games – a stripe that has become a trademark of the footwear brand. In 1978, Onitsuka Tiger launched the iconic Corsair shoe with a thicker heel for great shock absorption. The comfort of the show saw its popularity soar after the new craze of jogging took over the world. If you’re looking for some authentic Japanese heritage, Onitsuka Tiger is the classic brand. Find a collection of the latest footwear at Hype.