Below are the two Spring '08 designs that first became available for pre-order in February '08. Kiku was based on design and symbolism from the Nara period, while Ashioto's design dates are unknown. The design is old and dates back quite a ways, though I'm uncertain as to the exact era in Japanese history.

Kiku

Kiku is the first open-back style to hit the Onmyodo line. It's very simple in both design and color, and is meant to evoke a feeling of spring. The flower design is taken from the chrysanthemum. In the 13th century, this flower became associated with the imperial family, however, it has been celebrated for its beauty and elegance since pre-Nara Japan.

The colors of the shoe relate to spring time in Japan: white, green, and pink...the colors you primarily see on the trees at that time of year.

The name Kiku means "chrysanthemum."

Ashioto

Ashioto is one of those shoes with something of an odd design. I'll be the first to admit that when I was going back through all the designs, to write up this entry, I looked at the shoe and then looked at the piece of art it was based on and went, "...huh?" It took me a while to figure out what was going through my mind when I designed the shoe. All of the lines in the shoe are based on the pictures below. The colors, the style, and lacing...none of that has anything do with the pictures. It was all about the flow of the lines and trying to imitate the flow of the water that is seen in the pictures.

The name Ashioto means "the sound of footsteps."