JLB TRADITIONAL MAEKAKE

Protect your clothing during your boot and shoe care ritual with the John Lofgren Bootmaker maekake, a traditional Japanese worker’s apron made from heavy-duty cotton canvas.

For this apron, we partnered with a historic workshop in Sendai, Japan, that has practiced the art of textile dyeing for over 130 years. Each apron is sulfur-dyed using traditional methods associated with Japan’s Meiji and Taisho eras.

The maekake features an engineer boot, topped by ジョン・ロフグレン ブーツメーカー (John Lofgren Bootmaker) in katakana and framed by kanji panels reading 日本製 (Made in Japan) and 仙臺 (Sendai), the city where our company was established. We use the historic spelling of Sendai to complement the apron’s traditional design, while 二千十年 創業 marks our founding in 2010. Woven waist cords finish the top edge, pairing vivid orange stripes with a classic black-and-white weave.

Like the boots it was made to care for, this apron gains character with use. Over time, the sulfur-dyed canvas develops distinctive fading that reflects your own routine.

A Piece of Japanese Workwear History The maekake—literally meaning “hanging in front”—has deep roots in Japanese workwear. Worn by generations of merchants, sake brewers, rice dealers, and warehouse workers, these thick cotton aprons became an enduring symbol of everyday working life. Their durable canvas helped protect clothing from dirt, stains, and abrasions.

Crafted for Your Boot and Shoe Care Ritual We created our maekake for customers to wear while cleaning, conditioning, and polishing their boots and shoes. The heavy cotton canvas helps shield clothing from leather creams, oils, and polish, providing a practical layer of protection when resting a boot on your lap to brush or buff the leather.

Dimensions
Apron is approximately 25.5 × 18.5 inches
Waist cord length is approximately 98.5 inches

• International orders under $150 will be $30. Orders over $150 will be $60.
• Free shipping for all orders within Japan.
  
• We use DHL Express for worldwide shipping. Delivery is usually between 3 to 5 days. All shipments include 100% insurance coverage and a tracking number.
  
• For more detail please check Shipping and Return or FAQ page.