Key Details
Price: $215Style Code: IW1218-098Release Date: August 23, 2026
- The Air Jordan 12 "Sumo" commemorates Michael Jordan's first trip to Japan in 1996, when he played basketball with sumo wrestlers.
- The pair features a black leather upper with regal purple accents and laser-etched wave graphics inspired by Hokusai's The Great Wave painting.
- The shoe replaces the traditional tongue 23 logos with Japanese Kanji characters and includes special packaging for the Japan-exclusive release.
Jordan Brand has dug into their archives for another Michael Jordan career moment to highlight through sneakers. The Air Jordan 12 “Sumo” releases exclusively in Japan this month.
Michael Jordan’s NBA career is chock-full of iconic moments, many of which have been immortalized in sneaker form in the four-plus decades since he first stepped on a professional court. The Free Throw Line 3s and Flu Game 12s are obvious standouts, but the brand has had to dig a little deeper in recent years to source new inspiration for fresh sneakers. This month, they are taking us back to 1996, when Mike made his first trip to Japan, and ended up playing ball with a few sumo wrestlers during the campaign. Jordan Brand is using that trip as a jumping off point for their “Sumo” Air Jordan 12, which pays homage to the country with a series of carefully selected details. The model comes in a black leather upper with regal purple accents along the mudguard and soles. The side panels are laser etched with a wave graphic, evoking Hokusai’s The Great Wave painting. Japanese Kanji replaces the 23 logos on the tongues, while printed insoles and special packaging complete the look.
AIR JORDAN 12 “SUMO” RELEASE INFORMATION
Jordan Brand’s upcoming special-edition release has been scheduled to arrive this month, on August 23rd, 2026. The “Sumo” Air Jordan 12 is currently a Japan-exclusive drop, with no global release planned. Celebrating Mike’s first trip to the country in 1996, the pair features a black and purple leather upper with laser-etched wave graphics, the number 23 in Kanji, and special packaging. Pairs will be available strictly through retailer atmos, for $215.
Air Jordan 12 “Sumo”
Color: Black/Night Purple-Metallic Gold-White
Style Code: IW1218-098
Release Date: August 23rd, 2026 (Japan)
Price: $215
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