Emily's Single Tooth Japanese Geta - Ippongeta

A second video featuring Emily and her single tooth geta clogs.

In a country where everyone must remove their shoes before formally entering most buildings it's convenient to use footwear that is easy to slip on and off. Such is the case in Japan where slip-on shoes made of straw, wood or other materials have been used for centuries. Though the Japanese began wearing western style shoes during the late 19th century they nonetheless never lost their affection for traditional slip-on shoes such as zori and geta. Zori and geta are similar in that both types of shoes are held in place by a thong running between the toes. However, while zori tend to resemble modern sandals, geta on the other hand are quite distinct with the soles of the shoes being elevated several inches above the ground by two (or even one!) wooden slats called ha (literally "tooth")" Geta thus help raise the feet above the ground in order to protect the feet and kimono from becoming soiled. In the past, wooden geta were especially popular with Japanese children who wore them everywhere and in any weather (geta were even used to make ice skates!). The tradition of children and geta has survived into modern times with many Japanese kindergartens providing their students geta to wear to and from school and while at play in the schoolyard (Our little daughter Emily loves to wear her geta each day to school along with all the other kids at her kindergarten). While most foreigners may suspect geta to be clumsy and difficult to wear I can testify to watching kids run, jump and even climb stairs with ease in old fashioned wooden geta. Zori on the other hand are today most frequently seen on the feet of women in kimono. Zori are normally worn with pure white toe-slotted tabi socks which together with the kimono and obi complete the traditional Japanese costume for women. Some people believe that the popular western thong sandals (aka "flip flops") trace their origin to the Japanese zori. If so, then surfers and beach bums the world over owe a debt of gratitude to this very special and unique form of traditional Japanese footwear.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Geta
• Shoes
• Japan
• Japanese
• Ippongeta
• Tokaido
• Softypapa

[unflocondeneige]

How popular is the practice among Japanese kindergartens of having kids wear geta to school? I'm assuming they go barefoot once they get there?

Everyone has their own opinion, but I think it's lovely! If I ever end up in Japan and have a daughter, I'd send her to such a school... it would give her poise and elegance required for dressing up in yukata and geta. The time she spends barefoot probably counterbalances any bad consequences of wearing geta too much!

Do you and Emily agree? =)

[softypapa]

Hello unflocondeneige, Thank you for you nice words. I checked with my wife and she tells me that it is fairly rare to find schools in Japan where kids wear geta or go barefoot outdoors. Emily's school had several other curious aspects such as keeping windows open even during the coldest winter days as this was thought to toughen the kids up. The children were also encouraged to play hard and get as dirty as they liked. I hope that the experience will do Emily good. Thank you for commenting!

[slimek1337]

Whoa, I knew of normal Geta with two 'tooths' beneath them, but it's first time I see one with single 'tooth'.

As I understand normal Geta are quite popular as a traditional footwear, but does really people wear sigle 'tooth' as well?

It's interesting and I'm amazed how people and kids can keep their balance while wearing these.

[softypapa]

Hello slimek1337, Thank you for watching and commenting. I don't often see adults using single-tooth geta though these are indeed popular with children. A character from Japanese folklore called "Tengu" are often depicted walking the high mountains in very tall single-tooth geta. -Kurt :-)

[adrianrubi]

interesting. can men wear these things too?

[softypapa]

Hello adrianrubi, Yes, men do indeed wear these. However, these day ipongeta are rarely seen worn by adults and only sometimes by children. Thanks for watching and commenting! -Kurt :-)

[YaHayatiMajnoon]

is she your daughter? she is soo beautiful! ^,^

[unflocondeneige]

And by the way, I think Emily will grow up into a very elegant and attractive young lady. You must be a proud as well a softy papa =)

[CAZPERsayz]

cant wait til shes 18, mmmmhhhmmmmmm

[09xoo]

REMOTE GETA!!!



[shymyn]

She is so lucky to get to grow up in Japan! (Is she?) She's so cute! She can probably walk better in geta then i can....

[saiyachan]

Aww she is so cute!

I've never worn Ippongeta, but I love the regular geta's and zori. Okobo's are also something you need to get used to ;)

[webstertheclam]

wow, if i were to wear those, i would fall down countless times!

[jb7254]

O my days, your daughter is sooooooo cute, very lucky father...

[migencluz]

@softypapa Same as wearing stilts if those are sooooo high...

[SytheClaw]

if i went 2 japan i wouldnt wear anything but traditional clothing and foot wear.....ooo i want some of those the single and double toothed

[SuperPennypup]

How old is Emily?

[Krzysztex]

shes adorable :)