Mizuno's "Noh Men" Pack Celebrates Its Japanese Heritage

Japanese brand Mizuno has been making waves in the footwear scene this year, and for good reason. Founded in 1906, the brand has always focused its efforts on creating progressive products, with sustainability, elevated materials and performance tech at its core. And, although it's been around for quite some time, it's the brand’s latest releases that have really seen it gain some traction, with this new “Noh Men” pack solidifying it as one of the most exciting labels to watch right now.

Encompassing a trio of Mizuno’s cardinal silhouettes, the “Noh Men” pack is inspired by three Japanese Noh masks, which date back to the 14th century. Traditionally used in dance-drama performances, these masks are usually made from wood and come painted with natural pigments to display different expressions. Here, each model comes inspired by a different mask, which dictates the colour palettes and details to be seen in each style.

The Mizuno Wave Rider 10 draws from the oldest mask in the series - the Okina mask - and arrives in an “Opal Grey” colourway. Here, the model comes crafted from a combination of mesh and suede, and comes with all the Wave Technology you’d like to see from the retro runner silhouette. In line with the pack’s theme, the pair comes decorated with the Kenji word “翁”, which represents wisdom.

The second pair in the series is the Contender S model - which was revived in 2021 after a 26-year hiatus. This pair comes inspired by the fox-faced Kitsune mask, which represents both good and evil. Finally, the brand’s signature Sky Medal silhouette takes on the style of the Tengu mask, and arrives in “Ketchup” and “Black Oyster” hues - referencing a concept that’s said to warn off evil spirits.

Peep a closer look at the pairs right here, and look for them to start landing at retailers from the 31st of March. Up next, here are the other brands you should be watching this year.