Let’s talk about what happens when ancient Japanese craftsmanship collides with one of the most elusive sneakers in the game. The result? A pair of shoes that costs more than most people’s monthly rent, and somehow, that price tag makes total sense.
New Balance Japan just announced a collaboration with Sashiko Gals that’s turning heads for all the right reasons. They’ve taken the legendary 1300JP and transformed it into something that exists somewhere between footwear and functional art. And before you dismiss this as another overpriced sneaker collab, hear me out, because this one’s different.
Designers: Sashiko Gals and New Balance
For those not deep in sneaker lore, the New Balance 1300JP is basically the Bigfoot of running shoes. Originally released in the 1980s, it only drops once every five years in Japan, making it the kind of shoe that serious collectors set calendar reminders for. It’s got that classic grey suede aesthetic and Made in USA quality that sneakerheads obsess over.
Enter Sashiko Gals, a community of Japanese artisans who are keeping the centuries-old tradition of sashiko embroidery alive by dragging it, stitch by careful stitch, into contemporary culture. Sashiko is that traditional Japanese hand-stitching technique where artisans use running stitches to create intricate patterns on fabric, typically indigo-dyed. It’s slow work. Meticulous work. The kind of craft that makes you appreciate the human hands behind every detail.
What these artisans did to the 1300JP is nothing short of remarkable. They covered the entire upper with hand-made sashiko patches, stitching them with white, orange, and indigo-blue thread. The decorative patterns create this visually rich tapestry that screams Japanese heritage while somehow still respecting the sneaker’s classic silhouette. And because these artisans apparently don’t believe in half-measures, they even stitched the running patterns onto the ends of the laces. Every. Single. Detail. Matters. The collaboration also includes a Made in USA varsity jacket that gets the same treatment, blending American sports heritage with Japanese craftsmanship in a way that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.
Now, about that price tag. The sneakers clock in at 363,000 yen, which translates to roughly $2,330 USD. The jackets? Try 990,000 yen, or about $6,300 USD. Yeah, you read that right. These numbers are stratospheric. But here’s where things get interesting. New Balance and Sashiko Gals are only making two pairs of the 1300JP and four jackets (one in each size from small to extra-large). They’ll drop via a charity-based lottery at the New Balance Harajuku flagship on December 12th, and here’s the kicker: every single yen from the sales goes to MOONSHOT Co., LTD., an organization dedicated to developing future sashiko artisans and funding the launch of something called the SASHIKO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.
This is what makes this collaboration actually matter. It’s not just two brands cashing in on hype. It’s a genuine effort to preserve and promote a traditional art form that’s at risk of fading away in our mass-production world. The Sashiko Gals are literally expanding the possibilities of their craft, proving that ancient techniques can still resonate in our modern, sneaker-obsessed culture. The “Crafted for the Future” partnership name suddenly makes sense. This isn’t about churning out product. It’s about creating a sustainable model where traditional craftsmanship can thrive, where artisans have platforms to showcase their work, where slow fashion and meticulous detail aren’t just marketing buzzwords but actual values worth paying for.
Will most of us ever own these sneakers? Probably not. Only two pairs exist, and the lottery system means even having the money isn’t enough. But that’s kind of the point. This collaboration is proving that sneakers can be more than just footwear or even fashion. They can be vessels for cultural preservation, fundraising tools, and tiny rebellions against our disposable culture. We’re living in an age where fast fashion dominates and sneaker collaborations drop every other week so the Sashiko Gals x New Balance 1300JP stands out by doing the exact opposite. It’s slow. It’s expensive. It’s impossibly rare. And somehow, that makes it one of the most exciting sneaker releases of the year.
