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Japan has several types of traditional footwear, and tabi are perhaps the most popular. The distinctive split toe design allows for much better grip and also provides health benefits, as the flexing of the big toe both relaxes and stimulates the brain.
Tabi are often referred to as "ninja boots" and they certainly do provide the agility and flexibility required by those ancient assassins. While any ninja costume isn't complete without a pair of tabi, they actually make great shoes for everyday wear. Black is the most popular color but navy blue and white are also worn, especially during the summer 'matsuri', or festivals.
Strictly speaking, tabi are cotton socks for indoor wear and worn with zori, setta or geta when outdoors. Jikatabi are more like a boot and are worn with or without socks. They have thin metal clasps, called kohaze, up the back - usually five for a short ankle boot, up to 12 or 15 for a taller boot. The kohaze fit into a cotton sleeve and quality jikatabi have up to four sleeves to allow for a perfectly snug fit. In fact jikatabi fit so snugly and are so light and flexible that wearing them is as comfortable as being barefoot. For those who don't want to fiddle with kohaze, there are also jikatabi that use a velcro fastener.
To provide protection, "anzen" (safety) tabi include such features as a resin or steel toe piece and padding for the ankle. Jikatabi also come with air-cushioned soles, spiked soles for rough or mountain terrain, leather finish, waterproofed, insulated for winter wear.
There are just two major jikatabi makers in Japan, Rikio and Marugo, with Rikio having the better quality products and 60-70% of the market. You can buy the most popular Rikio models right here on Japan Store, and we can order any model and any size in the Rikio range.
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