Asics is a Japanese sportswear and footwear brand known primarily for its high-quality running shoes. The history of Asics begins in 1949, when it was founded by Kihachiro Onitsuka in the Japanese city of Kobe. The company was originally called Onitsuka Co., Ltd. and specialized in making basketball shoes for Japanese players, which was relatively new in Japan at the time. The name "ASICS" is an acronym from the Latin saying "Anima Sana In Corpore Sano", which means "A healthy mind in a healthy body". This slogan became the basis of the company's philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of the harmony of body and mind in sports.