Japan’s traditional culture has a history spanning thousands of years with numerous distinctive and defining cultural “pieces.” Among them, Japanese sandals significantly influenced the development of a culture with the greatest national identity on the globe. How many different types of Japanese sandals are there? Take a moment to read the article below to discover more about the unique and odd sandals made in Japan; it is certain to include facts you will find interesting.
1. Waraji
The Japanese traditional sandals called Waraji are woven from a rope made of straw. These were worn during Japan’s feudal era by samurai and foot soldiers. The construction of these Japanese sandals can also be done using other materials. Hemp, myoga, fibers from palm trees, and cotton thread can all be used to make Waraji. Only traditional Buddhist monks wear this in modern times.
The Japanese people wear shoes with a protruding edge, allowing their toes to show. Using these Japanese sandals is truly not subject to any rigorous regulations. Depending on the user’s preference, these Japanese sandals may be tied. A farmer, warrior, or townie will knot it one way, a monk another. It is worn, to put it simply, however the wearer finds most comfortable. Buddhist monks can have sandals with beads woven into the soles specifically for them.
The straw Japanese sandals called Umagutsu, which resembled the Waraji, were worn by even horses at the end Muromachi era. The strength of the horse’s legs is increased by using this type of horse footwear. With the aid of these candles, navigating over muddy terrain was simple.
In the Edo era, Waraji rose in popularity. Running, battling, or even climbing walls will be possible for them to do while wearing this footwear with protruding toes. It is tight over the region behind the big toe, which is understandable given this. Every time it begins to dry up, they should be immersed for at least ten minutes. It will take some getting used to for individuals who are wearing this for the very first time before they feel safe enough to wear it.
These were regarded as Japanese-style flip-flops. Even in the wet season, Waraji is outside and has a firm hold. When using this pair, one can traverse the muck. Because of its portability, Samurais often carry spare pairs of these sandals on their belts. These sandals provide a secure hold on rock and even mossy terrain. This is why people who were mountain climbers at the time wore these shoes.
The drawback of wearing these Japanese sandals traditional kind is that they aren’t as sturdy as shoes or boots. In comparison to other types of footwear, these also require less time to create.
2. Geta
Traditional Japanese footwear is rarely seen in modern Japan because it is typically only paired with other traditional attire. Raised wooden Japanese sandals known as geta are worn with the casual yukata. These days, geta are most frequently found on the toes of sumo wrestlers. Since they produce a unique clacking noise when the wearer walks, you will probably have heard them prior to seeing Japanese sandals. One of the noises that elderly Japanese people miss the most in the modern world is reportedly this one.
Depending on its intended usage, geta designs vary widely. Young girls use Pokkuri geta, which has indented bottoms and a pleasant sound when used. Other geta include Koshi geta, which are used in the rain, Yuki geta, which are made to not catch or hold snow, Niwa geta, which are used in gardens, and nori geta, which are used by people who collect seaweed in the water.
Various Styles of Japanese Sandals
- Ashida: A geta variation made in accordance with the above-described method, known as Ashida, in which the sole’s bars are raised above those of a regular geta. It was used exclusively in wet conditions and was used from the Heian through the Edo periods. During the first half of the twentieth century, they were also a requirement for high school students’ uniforms, solidifying the association of high geta with college students when worn with a jacket and worn hat.
- Yama-geta: A variation in which the bottoms and orthotic insoles are seamlessly constructed from another piece of wood. Carpenters created and provided it, particularly during the Edo era. The footbed is frequently fashioned from bluebell tree wood and is rectangular in shape.
- Yoshiwara geta: Comparable to the Yama-geta mentioned above but constructed of scythe fir wood is the Yoshiwara geta. Bamboo fibers are used to make the strap. When it rained throughout the first part of the Edo period, businesses in Yoshiwara, Edo’s arts district, lent their customers these geta.
- Pokkuri geta: The concubines of Yoshiwara and Shimabara were known to wear geta known as Pokkuri geta. Additionally, during their training, teaching geishas (maikos) wore this geta variant. Today, young girls are still the ones who typically wear these Japanese sandals. Pokkuri geta are extremely tall structures with a bottom that is often covered in tatami and colored black or white. Other names for them include Okobo, Koppori, and Kobokobo.
- Robō: Geta has soles that are varied shapes and are attached to the footbed via nails. During the early Edo period, they were worn.
- Yanagi geta: A geta known as a Yanagi geta has a magnolia wood sole and a willow wood footbed.
- Ba-geta: A square footbed with variously shaped soles that was fashioned of sickle fir wood and is the direct predecessor of modern getas. The tone the slanted soles create when they make contact with the ground inspired the moniker “horse-geta.”
- Koma-geta: The ba-geta was developed further into the Koma-geta, which is intended for usage both in wet and dry conditions. In the first half of the seventeenth century, both men and women used them as casual Japanese sandals. They were the most prevalent variety of Geta up until the start of the Meiji period.
- Kiri-geta: Shortly after the Koma-geta was introduced, a pricey geta version called the Kiri-geta – made from the wood of the bluebell tree – emerged as luxury Japanese sandals. At first, they were painted black; however, later on, they were generally sold in their natural state.
- Odawara-geta: A type that first appeared in the early 1800s in the fish markets of Tokyo and served as the model for later dry-weather Geeta. When their soles wore out, they were incredibly simple to replace, and the leather strap added a touch of enticing beauty. The fish market traders wore them the most because of their worth as status symbols.
- Ipponba-geta: Geta typically feature a two-part sole, however, there is a variation called tengu wear that only has one transverse bar per footwear. These geta were initially worn by acrobats and street performers to demonstrate their ability to balance. Due to claims that this geta variety is good for one’s state of balance, body equilibrium, and leg muscles, this model is now becoming more and more popular in the health and chiropractic professions.
The excellent thing about using geta is that they are no lacing, ties, or fasteners, so they are quite simple to put on and off. Being able to slip on your shoes without bending over is a relief because kimonos are focused on tying knots. After you put them on, the challenging part begins since Japanese sandals take some getting accustomed to.
Since one of the Japanese sandals is more difficult to maintain balance when the geta’s teeth are higher (5 to 10 cm), lower types naturally tend to be more prevalent, with 20cm tengu geta being reserved for skilled players. Geta footwear bends and moves with you step by step, so the trick is to slip ahead rather than expecting your foot to roll. The distinctively short steps of that “kimono-walk” are, in fact, caused by geta.
Although some varieties of geta, such as the Okobo, do call for split-toe socks, tabi is not always necessary. Ensure your toes don’t stick out the front of geta when you try Japanese sandals on, but there ought to always be some room, at least 1 cm, behind your heel. In order to avoid skin chaffing if no tabi is used, place some baby powder in the space between the big toe and the middle toe. Choosing a geta whose thong matches the color of your obi-sash is also more stylish.
>>> Read more: Japanese Kimono Types – All You Need To Know about Kimono
3. Zori
Geta are constructed of wood, which makes them more like to clog, whereas zori is softer and frequently covered in fabric, leather, or even plastic these days. Zori, which refers to Japanese sandals made of straw, reflects the original construction. Grass-woven zori was initially flat, but modern zori – especially the formal variety worn with ornate kimonos on special occasions – tend to have a thick base that is frequently tilted to give the appearance of having a high heel.
Nowadays, zori is the most popular option for formal kimono attire since they are comfier than geta. In order to safeguard the floors, restaurants and hotels prefer zori, and even the geiko community in Kyoto is gradually going over. Zori is never worn without tabi socks, therefore when tabi socks are absent, yukata outfits rarely feature them.
Zori slippers are contemporary Japanese sandals created from the Nuno zori style, a traditional kind of Japanese sandal that is frequently spotted in rural areas of Japan. These slippers are well-liked for their coziness and sandal-like style, making them a popular option for indoor comfort. In the warmer months, their open shape keeps you warm while the soft fabric shields your feet from chilly flooring.
4. Ashinaka
The Kamakura era pictorial scroll “Kasuga Gongen Reigenki” mentions ASHINAKA, a historic type of Japanese footwear, indicating that it was already in use 700 years prior. Since they are little and barely extend halfway up the foot, they are a type of straw sandal. The foot is (ASHI) and half is (NAKA).
These Japanese sandals have long been a common source of labor in farming and fishing communities, and they are still employed today for cormorant fishing on the Nagara River. This practice dates back to the Edo era (1603–1868). The shoes are slip-resistant because of their short length, which permits them to fit snugly against the bottoms of the feet and keep out mud and rocks.
5. Setta
The 16th century saw the first rise in popularity of this sort of traditional Japanese sandal. They are supposed to have been invented by Sen no Rikyu (1522–1591), a medieval tea teacher, who invented flat, thinged shoes with leather soles that are comparable to zori. The Setta, with its clicking sound, was seen as fashionable by the late 18th century as it had gained popularity among the general populace. The popularity of European-style shoes in Japan during the mid-twentieth century, however, led to a gradual decline in demand for Setta, as well as a decrease in the number of production facilities.
Prior to Setta, the two most popular shoe types were zori and geta. The zori and geta aren’t particularly suitable for tea rituals, though. Traditionally, a teahouse would have a little garden with a road that leads to the tearoom. The tea host sprinkled water along the route before the ceremony begins to purify it; if one is wearing a straw-made zori, the water may seep into the soles of the footwear. Visitors at tea ceremonies also frequently enjoy seeing the garden when it is gently covered in snow throughout the winter. If they are wearing geta, which are wooden shoes, their enormous imprints on the walkway could deface the surroundings.
The specialist knowledge of Setta artisans is now appreciated more highly, and the Setta produced in Nara is gaining popularity. When wearing kimonos for formal occasions or during traditional holiday events, ordinary people in present-day Japan also wear Nara-made Setta. Japanese sandals are also being seen in modern Japanese design, with teenagers adopting Setta with a basic t-shirt and jeans.
>>> Read more: Convert Japanese Shoe Size To US With The Standard Table
Conclusion
Even in Japanese fashion, footwears are necessary to complete the appearance. There are several varieties of famous Japanese sandals, including numerous distinct types of traditional sandals, but the geta, a wooden sandal, is the most well-known. These are the 12 crucial factors you need to know if you want to choose the greatest Japanese sandals for your outfit.
Website: https://janbox.com/en
Email: support@janbox.com
