In the world of Japanese streetwear, few figures carry the quiet influence and authenticity of Mano Katsutada.
As the founder of RATS, Mano has carved out a space that reflects both his personal history and a broader cultural lineage, one rooted in rebellion, refinement, and relentless forward movement.
Mano’s journey began in the vibrant subcultures of 1980s Harajuku. Drawn to the fusion of Rockabilly, punk, and metal kids who transformed the streets each weekend, Mano was especially taken with the energy and self-expression of the scene. He ran with a crew called The Gamblers, who dressed in ‘50s Ivy style and hung out in places like the iconic Bar Leon, which would later become a reference point for his own dreams.
By the 1990s, as the Urahara movement took shape, Mano became part of its early core.
He opened Hide and Seek, a bar that quickly became a hub for the scene. Regulars included soon-to-be heavyweights like Jun Takahashi (Undercover) and Shinsuke Takizawa (Neighborhood), alongside Nigo and Hiroshi Fujiwara, who were then launching A Bathing Ape and Goodenough respectively.
Mano, too, began experimenting printing T-shirts under his own name. But something didn’t sit right. The pace, the lifestyle wasn’t sustainable. He stepped back, closed the bar, and reassessed.
RATS was never about trend-chasing. Mano focused on the classics drawing from 1950s and ’60s rude boy style, the rugged aesthetic of American workwear, and the raw energy of the Tokyo scenes that shaped him. The brand became known for its high-quality materials, precision construction, and understated graphics. In 2011, he opened Jolly Roger, a store that doubled as a window into his world filled with motorcycles, surfboards, musical instruments, and martial arts memorabilia.
Today, RATS continues to grow without compromise. It stands for authenticity, craftsmanship, and the unshakeable belief that no matter the setbacks, we keep moving one step, one crawl at a time. Just like its founder.
