Jordan 12 Retro Rising Sun

Inspired by Japan's Rising Sun flag and a woman's 19th-century shoe's high heel (yes, you heard that correctly!), the Tinker Hatfield-designed Air Jordan 12 made its debut in 1996. MJ wanted a comfortable, durable heel that was also stylish, so he took his cue from a woman's shoe profile.

The OG Jordan 12 originated with five colorways in 1996 and 1997. The Air Jordan 12 Retro series was later introduced in 2003 and continues today. From OG colorways like "Taxi" and "Flu Game" to exclusive Retro collabs with OVO and PSNY, Air Jordan 12 sneakers are sought after for their bold silhouette, sharp color combos and long-wearing durability.

Jordan 12 Retro Rising Sun 2009

Named after Japan's flag, the Jordan 12 Retro Rising Sun features a white leather upper with a ribbed texture. There are perforations on every other rib. A red Jumpman logo appears on the tongue, and the black heel pull tabs have red stitching. The outsoles feature black herringbone pods on the forefoot and heel. There is also an exposed carbon fiber spring plate that increases the responsiveness of the sneakers. Other parts of the cushioning system include full-length Zoom Air and phylon enclosing the Zoom Air. The Jordan 12 Retro Rising Sun also features a quick-lacing system. This colorway was released on November 21, 2009 — about 13 years after the first release of the Jordan 12.