The Savannah morning news., 1904-11-27

ed the "komageta," and is only used
when the roads are in good condition.
The high shoes, named ashida," are
worn when the weather is rainy and
the roads are muddy. Both kinds
have a thin thong attached to the sur
face 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" resembles somewhat the Lanca-
shire clog, and their construction mere
ly entails the carving of a block of
wood to the proper size. The "ashida, +"
however, are of more complicated de-
sign. 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 10 yen, or IS, while the cheap
est is less than 10 sen, or a few cents;
but then the 'geta'' will not last long
er than a month, and once out OF re-
pair can never be mended. Learning
to walk on a 'geta" Is an exceedingly
difficult process. Indeed, 1t Is far easier
to acquire skating or stilt-walking. The
average child in Japan takes about two
months before being able to move
along on the national footgear, and
the little ones repeatedly slip from the
wooden blocks, falling to the ground,
which seems to their miniature iInagln>
nations a considerable distance beneath
them. Although foreigners usually
take with readiness 10 the customs OF
Japan, they are absolutely unable TO
manipulate the perilous geta-"
A curious story Is told of a San
Francisco merchant who was invited
to attend 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 complete suit of the costume
of a gentleman Of high class. In re-
ceipt of the costume he was immense
ly surprised at its 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 arrangements OF the
people. After much earnest considera-
tion he was suddenly seized with
brilliant idea. "Ah!" he exclaimed, In
his desire to extol everything Japanese.
this wooden block has got very love-
ly shape; 1t is very beautifully carved
and artistic. Therefore. 1t must be
kind of decoration to be worn on the
shoulders like epaulettes." And so the
merchant went to the ball with
"geta" on each shoulder. instead OF on
each footl
Some parents allow their children to
play barefoot in the streets. but when
going out with their elders or paying
visits II Is essential that every one,
from the smallest to the tallcst. must
mount the wooden clog and propel
themselves in this odd fashion. The
dislike of the Japanese children for the
activity of outdoor games is to be
mainly attributed to the awkward I'm
cumbrances with which their little feet
are loaded. For instance, one seldom
sees Japanese children gamboling In
open playgrounds-they have yet to
learn the feverish pleasures OF hide
and seek" or FOUNDERS" while such
a thing as top spinning or football
never obstructss the roadways.
Singular superstitions are associat-
ed with the 'geta" which at times are
decidedly useful. When a host desires
that a too attentive caller should de-
part he induces somebody to burn
moxa, which has a peculiar odor. The
guest will Immediately take the hint