Like skateboarding, matcha is a way of life.
That is the idea behind Yuto Horigome’s next collaborative sneaker with Nike SB. Their second go-around on the Nike SB Dunk Low is meant to evoke the patience and pride that comes with the perfect cup of matcha. From the bubble details throughout the sneaker to the eyelets meant as a subtle nod to matcha grinders, the sneaker celebrates the process of creating the cultural drink—a drink that has exploded in popularity far away from where it originated.
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That same patience, hard work, and love of the process is what has made Yuto a superstar. Introduced to the sport before he could even walk, the son of a street skateboarder, Yuto was destined for greatness. He honed his craft within the confines of Tokyo’s Murasaki Park and boldly decided to move to the United States at the age of 16 to chase his dream of becoming a professional skateboarder. That decision would prove to be the right one, as it allowed Yuto the opportunity to master his art. It allowed Horigime the opportunity to blossom into one of the best skateboarding prospects in the world. That hard work, ultimately, allowed him the opportunity to return to Tokyo to earn the first ever Gold Medal in Olympic Skateboarding. Yuto would then repeat this feat, earning the Gold Medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Introduced to Japan in the 1100s, matcha, found its popularity through “the way of the tea”. In other words, the preparation and almost devotion of crafting the best possible tea, allowed it to become a tradition throughout Japan. Soon, it became part of the daily lives of many Japanese people. With its roots deeply engrained in Zen Buddhism, the ultimate goal was to celebrate and find the beauty in the every day life routine. Matcha ceremonies soon became a part of the matcha way of life, as well. Its vibrantness, and it’s health benefits, allowed matcha to expand outside of Japan.
Today, matcha is a staple among coffee shops in North America. A scroll through TikTok will yield results showcasing how the tea has become so popular- so much so that we currently find ourselves in a global matcha shortage. The long celebrated honor and tradition of making matcha tea has expanded to a world where you can go to a local cafe to get a strawberry matcha latte with oatmilk with a sweet pastry as a complement.
Seemingly, this pattern of change can be found in the evolution of Nike SB. Originally finding itself as the place for performance skateboarding sneakers, Nike SB evolved to become the pinnacle of sneakers and streetwear fashion. Gone are the days of wearing an SB Dunk because of the outsole traction or material usage. Today, wearing Nike SB Dunks is all about telling your own story through your footwear choices. It is about celebrating your favorite band (Grateful Dead Dunks), or embracing retellings of Nike’s lineage (Safari Dunks). At it’s peak, Nike SB releases, too were at a shortage. In the early 2020s, skate shops often struggled to meet the demand and the exploding fan base of Nike SB Dunks. The brand evolved beyond the initial target audience. And though the demand has began to calm, the impact is unmoving.
The explosive nature of the popularity in both matcha and Nike SB Dunks could be perceived as problematic- rightfully so in the case of matcha, at least. But the parallels are there. The world of sneakers has evolved, and so has the tastes of cafe enthusiasts.
Yuto and Nike SB’s intentions, though, are clear. The art of matcha is worthy of celebration. It is an honored tradition in Japan. It is a way of showing your appreciation for life and for those around you. The patience required for crafting matcha was the same patience Yuto had to display before his jump to America. The careful grind of matcha leaves are embodied within Yuto’s life story as well- represented in the countless hours he spent mastering his skills on a skateboard.
All in all, matcha is the best way for Yuto Horigome and Nike SB to celebrate their second collaborative sneaker. The rich history of this important drink embodies the hard work of one of skateboardings biggest superstars. The sneaker is a temperature check for where both the popularity of Yuto’s favorite drink and Nike SB find themselves in 2025.
The Yuto Horigome and Nike SB Dunk Low “Matcha” will officially release at skate shops globally on April 3rd. A release via SNKRS will soon follow on April 5th.
You can track the latest raffles for the Yuto Matcha Dunks with the DROPS app. Sign up or learn more about SoleSavy today!
