It was just over ten years ago the Jordan 12 “Rising Sun” was officially released, and boy, did it cause some controversy.
Officially dropping on October 24, 2009, this particular colorway was meant to pay homage to Japan’s Rising Sun flag. Regardless of these honest intentions, the colorway was not well-received. Just taking a quick glance at the shoe, you wouldn’t be able to detect any major flaws with the design; the predominantly white shoe is simplistic and clean, and red accents give it a little something extra.
Take a look inside the shoe, however, and the issue becomes immediately apparent. The rising sun flag on the insole of the shoe offended a great number of people. Enough people, in fact, that sneakerheads and activists petitioned its removal -- to which Jordan Brand and Nike complied. As far as why the rising sun on the insole of the shoe was perceived as being so offensive, well, to some, the Rising Sun flag “represents the Japanese military, ultranationalism, their imperial era and connotations to Nazi Germany” (Nicekicks.com).
Yikes. The good news is that, with Jordan Brand ultimately discontinuing the specific model with the rising sun insole, some are still available and in circulation. Talk about a cool collectors shoe!