Does anyone have an article or source that documents the origin of the “Red wing Heritage” line we know of today?

I swear I read an article a few years back how it was basically started by some avid Japanese collector who then worked with the company back in the states to start the modern “Heritage” line. Maybe he just inspired them and wasn’t exactly on the business front.

Anyway, I can’t find anything on the internet, from red wings site or anywhere about that original collector and the birth of the heritage line. Does anyone have any more information about this Japanese man, or the origins of red wing heritage?

Thank you