The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-17

'komageta' and is only used when the
roads are in good condition. The
high schoes, named "aShida," are worn
when the weather is rainy and the
roads are muddy. Both kinds have
thin thong attached to the surface to
secure them to the feet. which are
therefore not covered as if they were
in shoes, but are left exposed to
atmospheric conditions. The ''koma-
geta'' resemble somewhat the Lanca-
shire clog, and their construction
merely entails the carving of a block
of wood to the proper size. The
'aShida, however, are of more COM
plicated design. They have two thin
pieces of wood. about three inches
high. at right angles to the soles, and
occasionally, in the case of priests or
pilgrims. only one bar attached.
Some of the "geta" worn by little
girls are painted in many colors, and
others have a tiny bell hanging from
a hollow place at the back, which, as it
tinkles in a mystic way, heralds the
approach of children. The superior
makes are covered with mats, made of
panama. The highest price amounts to
about ten yen, or SIS, while the cheapest
then the "geta' will not last longer
than a month, and once out of repair
can never be mended.
Learning to walk on a "geta' is an
exceedingly difficult process. Indeed, it
is far easier to acquire skating or silt
walking. The average child in Japan
takes about two months before being
able to move along on the national foot
gear, and the little ones repeatedly slip
from the wooden blocks, falling to the
ground, which seems to their miniature
ina ginations a considerable distance
beneath them. Although foreigners
usually take with readiness to the Gus
toms of Japan, they are absolutely un-
able to manipulate the perilous "geta."
A curious story is told of a San
Francisco merchant who was invited
to attend a fancy dress ball. He thought
it would be quite the correct thing to
attend in Japanese costume, and wrote
to a friend in Yokohama to send a COM
plete suit of the costume of gentleman
of high class. On receipt of the COS
tune he was immensely surprised at it's
extensive variety. He mastered all the
intricacies of the flowing robes, but
when he unearthed the "geta" he was
completely at a loss to understand its
use. Having only just arrived in the
country, and not being over observant,
he had omitted to notice the foot ar
rangements of the people. After much
seized with brilliant idea All" he
exclaimed in his desire to extol every
thing japanese, this wooden block has
got a very lovely shape, it is very
fore, it must be a kind of decoration to
be worn on the shoulders like
epaulettes'' And so the merchant went
to the ball with "geta" on each
Some parents allow their children
to play barefoot in the streets, but
when going out with their elders, or
paying visits, it is essential that every
one, from the smallest to the tallest,
must mount the wooden clog and pro-
pei themselves in this odd fashion.
The dislike of the japanese children
for the activity of outdoor games is
to be mainly attributed to the awk-
ward membranes with which their
little feet are loaded. For instance,
one seldom sees Japanese children
gamboling in open play grounds they
have yet to learn the feverish pleas
sures of "hide and seek" or round
ers," while such a thing as top spin
ming or football never obstructs the
roadways.
Singular superstitions are associated
with the "geta,'' which at times are
decidedly useful. When a host de-
sires that too attentive caller should |
depart, he induces somebody to burn |
moxa, which has a peculiar odor, upon |
his shoes. which are outside the door. !
The guest will Immediately take the |
hint and simultaneously his leave |
When a thong of a "geta" is acct
dentally severed on the return from |
the visit to a sick person a firm be- |
lief exists that the patient must die. |
The Japanese, however. dearly love |
the s'geta," and although civilization |
may teach them to win battles it will |
never induce them to wear leather |
Chronicle.