Takashi Murakami is launching his own footwear brand.
On Wednesday, November 13, the legendary contemporary artist revealed Ohana Hatake, a footwear brand inspired by Murakami’s unique style, forward-thinking design, and traditional Japanese influences. Ohana Hatake, which translates to “field of flowers,” is launching with two different designs.
The brand’s name, per Murakami himself, takes inspiration from a feeling he had in connection with the flower motif in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. One scene in particular saw Murakami “moved to tears,” thus eventually setting him down the path toward Ohana Hatake.
The first drops featured different takes on the Ohana Full-Blown, with one of the pieces being designed in collaboration with K-pop superstars Blackpink and released via Complex Shop. The second design is the Surippa Ohana. Other models are set to drop in 2025.
The Full-Bloom takes on Murakami’s signature flower motif and is crafted from durable EVA foam, while the comparatively paired-back Surippa Ohana is inspired by the classic Japanese house slipper.
“I would love it if those who wear these sandals could sense how this team managed to craft something wonderful out of my quirky, off-the-mark ideas,” Murakami said in a statement.
Get a look at the collection, which will include two new colorways of the Ohana Full-Bloom, below. Via the brand’s official site, a raffle has been launched for two new colorways of the Ohana Full-Bloom, Apricot and Raspberry Rose. Additional releases are slated to be revealed soon.
Ohana Hatake will be making its IRL debut at ComplexCon 2024 in Las Vegas later this week on November 16 and 17, complete with an early release of the Surippa Ohana in the Rust color way. If you have yet to do so, you can get tickets to the event, which will see performances from both Travis Scott and Playboi Carti, by heading this way.
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