Learn shoemaking from professionals.
The world’s first “online specialized school.”
“The Shoemakers Guild” is a monthly subscription-based, fully online “shoemaking school”
designed for anyone who wants to take on the challenge of making shoes.
Just ¥3,000 per month!
With just this flat fee, you can learn shoemaking at home through video lessons supervised by So Tsuchiya, a lecturer at a shoemaking school and a top-7 finalist in the World Shoemaking Championship.
After joining, you’ll receive a skill level certification—Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced—based on your individual ability.
You can watch the video lessons corresponding to your certified level anytime.
Over 100 video lessons are already available for Beginner and Intermediate levels.
Hand-sewn welted shoe making (Plain Toe Derby edition) is available starting from the Intermediate level.
If you have prior shoemaking experience, you may be certified as Intermediate right after joining.
(Just share images of shoes you’ve made in the past to qualify.)
Chat support is also available, so you can easily ask questions whenever you’re unsure.
Even complete beginners can learn serious shoemaking at home.
No tools? No knowledge? Think you might be clumsy? Don’t worry.
Start here and enjoy the fun of making—and the joy of improving.
*Please note: English translation of the content is currently in progress.
At this time, full English support is not yet available.*
What You Can Do as a Member
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After joining, you’ll be certified as Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced based on your experience level.
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Unlock unlimited access to “Guild Member Video Lessons” for each level, which you can watch and review as many times as you like!
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The Beginner course includes pattern templates in a wide range of sizes—perfect for first-timers with a step-by-step design.
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The Intermediate Hand-Sewn (Derby Edition) course is designed to be done entirely by hand—no need for sewing machines or other equipment!
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Ask questions anytime via chat—our staff will respond with care and attention.
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All content is fully supervised by So Tsuchiya, a top-7 finalist in the World Shoemaking Championship.
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Participants are welcome from Japan and overseas. Learn freely—anytime, anywhere.
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Available for just 3,000 yen per month (pre-release pricing).
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No binding contracts—you can join or cancel anytime!
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Long-term subscription options are also available, offering discounts on additional paid content.
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Separate video lessons are also available for purchase to help you master even more advanced skills.
[About Guild Member Unlimited Video Access]
◆ Beginner
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Full access to three production videos: 1. Babouche, 2. Baby Shoes, 3. Derby Sandals
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Pattern templates for each Beginner item are gradually released for free. Once you’ve completed one item, the pattern for the next becomes available.
◆ Intermediate
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Hand-Sewn Welted Construction (Plain Toe Derby)
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Viewing access is granted after Intermediate certification
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Pattern tutorial is sold separately
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◆ Advanced
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Currently in production
[Promotion from Beginner to Intermediate]
You can be certified by meeting any of the following conditions (experienced makers may be certified as Intermediate immediately after joining):
Condition A:
Make all three Beginner items and submit photos via the web form (recommended for beginners)
Condition B:
Make the Derby Sandals first and submit a photo via the web form (recommended for those with leathercraft experience)
Condition C:
Submit a photo of shoes you’ve made in the past via the web form (recommended for those with shoemaking experience)
[About Additional Paid Videos]
◆ Beginner
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Under consideration
◆ Intermediate
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In production
◆ Advanced
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Pattern Tutorial: Hand-Sewn Welted Construction (Plain Toe Derby)
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Additional content in progress
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For details, please refer to the content roadmap at the bottom of the page.
*Please note: English translation of the content is currently in progress.
At this time, full English support is not yet available.*
Free Video Lessons
02. Sharpening the leather knife
08. Upper hand-skiving
22. Upper lining assembly
34. Insole preparation / Sharpening the welt needle
36. Temporary lasting / The basic 12 points
46. Thread end preparation
60. Outseam stitching / Outseam awl sharpening
66. Heel stacking / Heel height adjustment
74. Edge ironing
Each process is clearly divided into its own dedicated video,
with detailed, step-by-step explanations for every task.
Other available projects include baby shoes, derby sandals, and hand-sewn shoes—
offering satisfying content for everyone from beginners to advanced shoemakers.
(*Advanced-level video content will be released in the future.)
*Please note: English translation of the content is currently in progress.
At this time, full English support is not yet available.*
"Intermediate Hand-Sewn Welted” is available as a free sample!
Curious how easy it is to follow? Have a look and see for yourself.
(The video is in Japanese. English subtitles are currently in the works!)
”Pattern videos” is available as a free sample
Pattern videos now on sale
The core of shoemaking, “pattern making,” is not simply the process of copying shapes, but rather
the “art of thinking” involved in designing the structure of a shoe.
The Shoemakers Guild has
released a systematic textbook on this most essential and difficult technique.
The regular price is 120,000 yen.
Guild members can learn at a discounted price (or free of charge under certain conditions).
When you're unsure, just ask.
Learn with confidence thanks to real-time chat support.
Ask questions anytime, as often as you need—directly in our dedicated chat.
Get help right when you need it, even while working through a lesson.
Access a searchable archive of past questions and answers for quick solutions.
Our support team responds with kindness and care—perfect for beginners.
When words aren’t enough, we’ll guide you with images or videos.
By removing the stress of “struggling alone,”
you’ll enjoy the creative process even more.
*Please note: English translation of the content is currently in progress.
At this time, full English support is not yet available.*
Contents Rodemap
