Geta: Difference between revisions
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A '''geta''' (下駄) is a kind of [[Japan|Japanese]] [[shoe]] with a flat [[wood]]en sole (台 ''dai'' 'stand') raised by one or more 'teeth' (歯 ''ha''). The [[foot]] holds the ''geta'' between the [[toe]]s via a [[V]]-shaped length of [[fabric]] (鼻緒, ''hanao''). They are often worn to accompany Japanese robes such as a [[kimono]] or a ''[[yukata]]'', particularly in [[summer]], sometimes with traditional [[ankle]]-high toe [[sock]]s called ''tabi'' (足袋). Both [[man|men]] and [[woman|women]] as well as [[child]]ren may wear ''geta'', with the design slightly adapted for [[age]] and [[sex]]. | A '''geta''' (下駄) is a kind of [[Japan|Japanese]] [[shoe]] with a flat [[wood]]en sole (台 ''dai'' 'stand') raised by one or more 'teeth' (歯 ''ha''). The [[foot]] holds the ''geta'' between the [[toe]]s via a [[V]]-shaped length of [[fabric]] (鼻緒, ''hanao''). They are often worn to accompany Japanese robes such as a [[kimono]] or a ''[[yukata]]'', particularly in [[summer]], sometimes with traditional [[ankle]]-high toe [[sock]]s called ''tabi'' (足袋). Both [[man|men]] and [[woman|women]] as well as [[child]]ren may wear ''geta'', with the design slightly adapted for [[age]] and [[sex]]. | ||
[[Image:tengu-geta.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Traditional ''tengu-geta'' shoes can be seen in traditional festivals.<BR><small>Photo © by Sonny Santos, used by [[Image_talk:tengu-geta.jpg/Permission|permission]].</small>]] | |||
Wearing ''geta'' obviously make reaching a speedy pace rather difficult; this is even more so with ''tengu-geta'' (天狗下駄),<ref>''Tengu'' (天狗) are a kind of [[goblin]] in Japanese [[mythology]].</ref> which have only one 'tooth'; these can resemble miniature [[stilts]]. Raised ''geta'' may also act to keep the feet clean and dry, and ''tengu-geta'' are sometimes used in [[mountain climbing]]. | Wearing ''geta'' obviously make reaching a speedy pace rather difficult; this is even more so with ''tengu-geta'' (天狗下駄),<ref>''Tengu'' (天狗) are a kind of [[goblin]] in Japanese [[mythology]].</ref> which have only one 'tooth'; these can resemble miniature [[stilts]]. Raised ''geta'' may also act to keep the feet clean and dry, and ''tengu-geta'' are sometimes used in [[mountain climbing]]. | ||
Revision as of 23:51, 25 July 2007
A geta (下駄) is a kind of Japanese shoe with a flat wooden sole (台 dai 'stand') raised by one or more 'teeth' (歯 ha). The foot holds the geta between the toes via a V-shaped length of fabric (鼻緒, hanao). They are often worn to accompany Japanese robes such as a kimono or a yukata, particularly in summer, sometimes with traditional ankle-high toe socks called tabi (足袋). Both men and women as well as children may wear geta, with the design slightly adapted for age and sex.
Photo © by Sonny Santos, used by permission.
Wearing geta obviously make reaching a speedy pace rather difficult; this is even more so with tengu-geta (天狗下駄),[1] which have only one 'tooth'; these can resemble miniature stilts. Raised geta may also act to keep the feet clean and dry, and tengu-geta are sometimes used in mountain climbing.
When choosing geta, the Japanese may consider that the wooden dai should be slightly smaller the wearer's overall footprint; they will also tell you that wearing geta avoids flat feet and various other problems.[2]
Geta are easy to slip on and off; this is important in Japan, where shoes are generally removed on entering a home, and are forbidden on tatami (畳) mats. Outdoors, they make a distinctive 'clacking' sound on hard surfaces unless rubber padding is fixed to the bottom of the 'teeth'; this sound is such a part of Japanese culture that an onomatopoeic word exists in Japanese to describe it: karankoron (カランコロン). In some cases, wearers may even use strips of old bicycle tyres to soften karankoron.
Footnotes
See also
External links
- Akai-Hanao-no-Jojo - online shop with advice for choosing, buying and measuring for geta