Nike Koinobori Day “Japanese Kite” Package

For several years, Nike celebrated culture through sneakers for the Chinese New Year, Puerto Rico, and West Indies Air Force Ones. This year, Nike is celebrating several symbols of Japanese culture through sneakers. Last weekend, the Maneki Neko “Lucky/Money Cat” Dunks SB released and now Nike has released a package of four shoes honoring Koinobori.

Koinobori are kites flown on Children’s Day in Japan which is May 5th. The kites are made to look like carp (”koi”) and are flown to honor the children of the family.

Aside from the cultural lesson these shoes have brought, the shoes are a very nice, yet unique colorway. I cannot remember the last time I saw that shade of purple go with that shade of light blue. With accents in the shoe laces, bright orange on the tongue, and the transluscent sole make these shoes a definite grab.

Unfortunately, it doesnt look like these will make their way to the US for release. Better call up your boy stationed in Japan! Pics thanks to Mita Sneakers.