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What's On 2023
BSM x Music Gallery Presents: Shoe Horn
Peruse the Museum while getting serenaded by the sounds of some of Toronto’s best improvisers
HOT DOCS Podcast Festival x Articles of Interest ft. Aurora James and Elizabeth Semmelhack
See Elizabeth Semmelhack, Aurora James and Avery Trufelman LIVE!
Botanical Inspiration + Footwear Panel Discussion at the TBG
Panel discussion on October 11 at the TBG.
In Bloom
Our new exhibition is now open.
Obsessed
Discover how society became obsessed with shoes.
Future Now
Explore over fifty futuristic footwear designs.
Media Room
Find our latest press releases and more information on media images and interview requests.
Follow Us @batashoemuseum
Raymond Moriyama, designer of some of Canada`s most iconic buildings including the Bata Shoe Museum, Ontario Science Centre, and Toronto Reference Library, has passed at the age of 93. A visionary and leader, Mr. Moriyama was an integral part of what many refer to as the golden age of Canadian architecture, helping transform perceptions of diversity and inclusion through his expansive, welcoming spaces.
Born October 11, 1929 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Moriyama’s highly acclaimed career focused on humane architecture with the pursuit of true ideals, democracy, and unanimity of all people. After years of working independently, Moriyama established his Toronto-based firm in 1958 and in 1970 was joined by Ted Teshima to form Moriyama & Teshima Architects.
The recipient of many prestigious awards, including being named a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2009, the same year he won the Governor General`s Award in Visual and Media Arts, and the Sakura Award for contributions to Japanese culture in Canada and abroad in 2010, Moriyama is renowned for his extraordinary contributions to the landscape of contemporary Canadian life and culture.
It took more than 15 years to find the right site for the Bata shoe collection’s permanent home. Commissioned to design a “small gem of a museum”, Moriyama achieved precisely that. Learn more about Raymond’s work with the BSM in the link in our bio.
Raymond’s legacy is timeless. Our sympathies to his family.
OBSESSED: How Shoes Became Objects of Desire will guide you through the story of how we have become a society obsessed with shoes. This exhibition features highly coveted shoes in our collection that represents how industrialization drove shoe consumption transforming footwear designers into celebrities and shoes into high value collectibles. On view until April 2024. #GetCultured #museumtok
These lacquered wooden pokkuri were designed to be worn by a young girl. Pokkuri typically feature wooden platforms with hollow interiors into which small bells are placed so that each step is accompanied by a gentle tinkling. The striking black lacquer is the perfect background for the flock of golden cranes that seem to fly across the base of these pokkuri. Both gold and cranes are symbols of longevity and these pokkuri may have been worn for a special occasion such as Shichi-go-san, an annual Shinto celebration for children aged 3, 5, and 7. The use of gold brocade fabric for the toe thong adds another touch of elegance to this treasured pair. Japanese, 1980
One of the most difficult and time-consuming steps in shoemaking is sewing the sole to the upper. In the early 19th century, wooden pegs began to replace sewing to speed up production. Even though this accelerated production and lowered costs, pegged soles were not durable. Midway through the 19th century, sole-sewing machines were invented, which greatly improved the quality of mass-produced footwear. This pair of men’s slippers features beautifully hand-pegged soles.
English, c. 1860s
Photo: Darren Rigo
