Mizuno Provenance
Spring/Summer '23
Welcome to the wonderful world of Mizuno. If you’re looking for a new trainer from a brand with historic credentials, performance chops and a certain under the radar credibility, look no further.
History
Founded by brothers Rihachi and Rizo, Mizuno started life in Osaka in 1906, selling Western baseball wear in an effort to promote Japanese interest in the brothers' favourite American sport. By 1913 they were producing their own branded equipment and sports apparel. By 1933 they were making golf clubs (which remain a core part of the business today). Their commitment to innovation is key to Mizuno’s enduring success. The establishment in 1938 of the Select Scientific Laboratory (now known as the Technology Development Division) made clear their intention to marry science, function and design. Subsequent iterations of the company saw them producing gliders (I know, talk about brand extension) to celebrate their 30th anniversary and military artillery to support Japan’s war effort during WWII.
Global Expansion
Founded by brothers Rihachi and Rizo, Mizuno started life in Osaka in 1906, selling Western baseball wear in an effort to promote Japanese interest in the brothers' favourite American sport. By 1913 they were producing their own branded equipment and sports apparel. By 1933 they were making golf clubs (which remain a core part of the business today). Their commitment to innovation is key to Mizuno’s enduring success. The establishment in 1938 of the Select Scientific Laboratory (now known as the Technology Development Division) made clear their intention to marry science, function and design. Subsequent iterations of the company saw them producing gliders (I know, talk about brand extension) to celebrate their 30th anniversary and military artillery to support Japan’s war effort during WWII.
1906 - 1940's
1906
Rihachi Mizuno and his younger brother Rizo found MIZUNO Brothers Ltd. in Osaka.
1907
Rihachi Mizuno, impressed by the baseball culture of the United States, began producing baseball wear in an effort to spread this sport in Japan.
1910
This is the first pair of baseball shoes Mizuno worked on. Initially, they did not have spikes as the current models do.
1928
Start manufacturing of track and field cleats. The materials used were leather and long, heavy pins used as spikes.
1906 - 1940's
1906
Rihachi Mizuno and his younger brother Rizo found MIZUNO Brothers Ltd. in Osaka.
1907
Rihachi Mizuno, impressed by the baseball culture of the United States, began producing baseball wear in an effort to spread this sport in Japan.
1910
This is the first pair of baseball shoes Mizuno worked on. Initially, they did not have spikes as the current models do.
1928
Start manufacturing of track and field cleats. The materials used were leather and long, heavy pins used as spikes.
1940 - 1990's
1940
Mizuno's type 301 Soarer glider sets new records for altitude and flight duration.
1947
Start manufacturing of tennis rackets. Immediately after World War II, Mizuno started producing tennis rackets on a trial basis at its own plant.
1972
Launch of M-Line shoes, which made a big splash around the world.
1981
First appearance of the Runbird. Called "Runbird" for its shape, it is currently used as Mizuno's corporate logo.
1940 - 1990's
1940
Mizuno's type 301 Soarer glider sets new records for altitude and flight duration.
1947
Start manufacturing of tennis rackets. Immediately after World War II, Mizuno started producing tennis rackets on a trial basis at its own plant.
1972
Launch of M-Line shoes, which made a big splash around the world.
1981
First appearance of the Runbird. Called "Runbird" for its shape, it is currently used as Mizuno's corporate logo.
1990 - Now
1991
These cleats helped establishing the then new world record of 9.86 seconds for 100m in Tokyo.
1994
Three-time Formula One World Champion was introduced to Mizuno.
1999
FIFA World Player of the year and Ballon d'Or with Mizuno. Engineered boot specifically created for the 2002 World Cup.
2011
Mizuno partners with the Osaka Marathon.
1990 - Now
1991
These cleats helped establishing the then new world record of 9.86 seconds for 100m in Tokyo.
1994
Three-time Formula One World Champion was introduced to Mizuno.
1999
FIFA World Player of the year and Ballon d'Or with Mizuno. Engineered boot specifically created for the 2002 World Cup.
2011
Mizuno partners with the Osaka Marathon.
The Logo
Without wishing to sound too shallow, trainer brands often rely quite heavily on their logos (it’s pretty hard for anyone to use stripes without the Germans getting quite litigious and the Americans are generally strong in their deployment of the tick police). Prior to RunBird, Mizuno had used a large ‘M’ but (perhaps there was a touch of lawyerly advice) felt that it was a little similar to a competitor’s parallel lines. A statement from CEO Kenjiro Mizuno clarified the brief:
"The universe expands boundlessly and stores and radiates energy. I hope that sports would expand wider and wider and that Mizuno also would store energy and bring its capabilities into full play, the final design is inspired by planetary orbits and representative of the Japanese concept of a universal approach to sports with unlimited space and energy (Hmmm. Unlimited. They haven’t seen me run!)."
Men’s Styles:
THE WAVE RIDER BETA
The Wave Rider Beta is a tribute to one of Mizuno’s true icons: the Wave Rider (a proper running shoe for everyone from recent adopters and enthusiastic marathon eventers).
THE CONTENDER
(An archive silhouette that comes straight from the 1995 running catalogue). This is a lightweight style characterized by stability and support, originally created for entry level runners who were looking for a well cushioned shoe suitable to run on or off road.
Men’s Styles:
THE WAVE RIDER BETA
The Wave Rider Beta is a tribute to one of Mizuno’s true icons: the Wave Rider (a proper running shoe for everyone from recent adopters and enthusiastic marathon eventers).
THE CONTENDER
(An archive silhouette that comes straight from the 1995 running catalogue). This is a lightweight style characterized by stability and support, originally created for entry level runners who were looking for a well cushioned shoe suitable to run on or off road.
Women’s Styles:
THE WAVE RIDER BETA
The Wave Rider Beta is a tribute to one of Mizuno’s true icons: the Wave Rider (a proper running shoe for everyone from recent adopters and enthusiastic marathon eventers).
ML87
From Mizuno’s 1980’s archive and is a reproduction of the “AIR MEDAL SX” running shoe which first hit the market in 1987. All the colour ways perfectly represent the Mizuno mood of that time.
Women’s Styles:
THE WAVE RIDER BETA
The Wave Rider Beta is a tribute to one of Mizuno’s true icons: the Wave Rider (a proper running shoe for everyone from recent adopters and enthusiastic marathon eventers).
ML87
From Mizuno’s 1980’s archive and is a reproduction of the “AIR MEDAL SX” running shoe which first hit the market in 1987. All the colour ways perfectly represent the Mizuno mood of that time.
