The original motivation for wearing the high platform shoes was not fashion, but practicality: to keep feet and kimono from coming in contact with things on the ground, such as dirt, filth, water, or snow.
Okobo are simple platform sandals made of a block of wood from a willow tree with straps on top. They are primarily worn by Geisha in training.
Geta are worn much like a beach sandal or flip-flip, with a fabric thong, a hanao, sitting between the wearer's big toe and second toe. Originally geta were created with practicality in mind: their raised design lifting the wearer above dirt, water and even snow.
Zori are always worn with tabi socks, which is why they are not usually the choice for a yukata outfit, when tabi socks are not worn. Zori slippers are modern footwear made from a style known as nuno zori, which are a traditional type of Japanese sandal, and a popular handicraft often seen in the Japanese countryside.
ZORI sandals are a type of traditional Japanese footwear. Initially they were made of straw and used with Kimono. Nowadays ZORI are made of various materials and they usually have a rubber sole. Zori can be used indoor, with informal wear or as beach sandals.
Tabi (or Jikatabi) are traditional Japanese footwear. Tabi literally translates to “foot bag.” Tabi shoes feature a split between the big toe and the rest of the toes to promote flexibility and provide extra security, comfort, and stability.
Japanese culture mandates that people should remove their shoes when entering homes and other buildings, especially where the floors may have rugs, polished wood floors, or tatami. Uwabaki are light, flexible shoes which are easy to slip on and off, designated for indoor use.
The Flip-Flops Revolution: From the 1940s Through Today
It's thought that flip-flops first debuted in America after World War II, when soldiers brought “zori” sandals home as gifts from Japan. As a result, there is a small population of America's East Coast that still calls these sandals “zories”.
Since it is traditional in Japan to remove one's shoes when entering most indoor spaces, Zori were easy shoes to slip on and off quickly. Tabi socks would then stay on the feet and could be worn like slippers, keeping the feet warm, comfy, and clean.
The typical geta sandal has two short teeth, one to two inches high. Geta with taller teeth were common for people such as butchers and seafood merchants working the docks, where the sandals would hold them above the debris and refuse on the ground.
Wearing geta and zori is said to be good for health, as they aid foot development. The arch of the foot plays an important role when walking, running, and jumping. If not properly developed, feet can tire easily, leading one to trip with a less sure step. Keeping a proper posture could also be affected.
: a Japanese wooden clog for outdoor wear.
They have a taller wedge-shaped heel that is covered in fabric. Never wear geta under a kimono, but always wear zori kimono shoes.
No, as prostitution is illegal in Japan and the geishas are cultural performers who are deeply respected. Geisha never sleep with their clients as it goes against the rules of the organizations they belong to.
Geisha cannot get married. The rule of this profession is “being married to the art, not a man”. If they want to get married, they have to quit the job. Once they quit, it's usually impossible to come back, however they can debut from the beginning in a different city, under a different name and rules.
For those who are wondering what is under the layers of kimono, nothing at all. Geisha, apparently, don't wear underwear. It disrupts the lines of the kimono. The most intimate layers for the geisha are called hada-juban and the naga-juban.
Also, keep in mind that tatty looking clothing can be frowned upon. Try to wear neat and well-maintained clothing, and keep yourself well-groomed. For example, holes in socks are a big no-no, because you spend lots of time without shoes on – visiting temples, shrines and traditional restaurants etc.
Taking off your Shoes
In Japan it is considered customary to remove your shoes before entering certain public and private areas in an effort to keep the space clean and as a sign of respect. Predominantly, you will be supplied with slippers to replace your footwear while indoors.
Why do Japanese change their slippers when using the bathroom? Purity and cleanliness are important values in Japanese culture. For example, in Japan people remove their shoes before entering a house. I believe this practice to be rooted in the focus on purity in the Shinto religion.
The shoe known in Australia as a “thong” is one of the oldest styles of footwear in the world. Worn with small variations across Egypt, Rome, Greece, sub-Saharan Africa, India, China, Korea, Japan and some Latin American cultures, the shoe was designed to protect the sole while keeping the top of the foot cool.
One of the most infamous Australian idiosyncrasies is the word for flip flop: the 'thong'.
Thongs. This one really baffles visitors, especially those from the United States. In the USA a thong is a piece of underwear. In Australia, it's what they call flip-flops. Sometimes they also call them "double-pluggers".
Proponents of the Japanese sleep system claim many benefits--both health and otherwise--to sleeping on the floor. Among them: Cooler temperatures, since cool air settles to the floor. Better circulation, and reduced back and muscle pain.
Japanese have developed the custom of eating meals sitting on tatami mats, not on chairs. They also roll out the futon on which they sleep on the tatami floor. Therefore, they take their shoes off when entering the house to avoid getting the floor dirty.
Similarly in Japan, when entering someone's home we greet them and say “Ojama shimasu,” which means 'sorry for intruding or disturbing you. ' This humble greeting shows your gratitude towards your invitation and that you appreciate the trouble the host went through to prepare for your visit.