Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-03-09
FOOTGEAR OF THE JAPANESE.
They Make the Feet Hard and the
Ankles Strong.

larry distinctive features Of Japanese
life which will strike the observer with
wondcrment as soon AZ he sees them
looming along the roadway or hears
them scrapng the gravel with an IT.
ritable squeak that makes his very
nerves shudder, SAYS the London
Chronicle. Nevertheless. awkward
though the shoes appear, they are OF
kind constituted to make feet as
hard as sheet iron AMI ankles as strong
as steel girders.
The shoes are divided into two varie-
ties: the low shoe is called the "koma-
geta' and Is only used when the roads
are in good condition. The high shoes,
named "aShda." arc worn when the
wear her IS rainy and the roads are
muddy. Both kinds have thin thong
a ttached to the surface to secure them
to the feet, which are therefore not
covered as If they were in shoes, bat
are left exposed to atmospheric con-
dltlons. The "komagcta" resembles
somewhat the Lancashire clog, ana
their construction merely entails the
carving of block of wood to the prop
er size. The "ashila," how ever, are OF
more complicated 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 at
tached.
Of ha I, 10
girls are painted in many colors, and
others have a tiny bell hanging from a
hollow place at the back. which, as 1t
| tinklcs in n mystic way. herads the
approach of children. The superior
makes are covered with mats, made Of
panama. The highest price amounts
| to about 10 yen. or 81, while the
cheapest Is less than 10 sen. or few
cents; but the "geta" will not last
| longer than month. and once out of
repair can never be mended.
Learning to walk on "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 ma
| tional footgear. and the little ones re-
| peatedly slip from the wooden blocks
falling to the ground. which seems to
their miniature iInaginations consid-
cradle distance benea h them. AL
though foreigners usually take with
readiness to the customs OF Japan.
they are absolutely unable to manipu-
late the perilous "geta.'
A curious story is told Of a san
Francisco merchant who Was invited
to attend a fancy dress bail. He
thought it would be quite the correct
thing to attend In Japanese costume,
and wrote to Il friend in Yok ohama to
send q complete suit OF the costume Of
Il gentleman Of high class On receipt
of the costume he was immensely sur
priSed at It's extensive variety. He
mastered all the intlicacles of the flow
Ing robes, but when he uncarthed the
"geta' he was completely at loss to
understand Its use. Having only JUS,
arrived in the country and not being
over observant, he had omitted to no
tlce the foot arrangements Of the peo-
pie. After much earnest considera tiou
he was suddenly seized with a brilliant
idea. "Ah," he exclaimed In his desire
to extol everything japanese, this
wooden block has got very lovely
shape, 1t Is very beautifully carved
and artistic. Therefore, 1t must be a
kind Of decora ton to be worn on the
shoulders like epaulcts.' Aud so the
merchant went to the bail with q
'geta' on each shoulder Instead of on
each foot.
Some parents allow their children tc
play barefoot In the streets, but wher
going out with their elders or pay inl
visits 1t Is essential that every ole
from the smallest to the tallest, must
mount the wooden clog ana prope
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 In
cumbrances with which their little
feet are loaded. For instance. one sci
dom sees japanese children gambolinG
{ =
learn the feversh pleasures of hide
aud seek" or "rounders," while such q
thing as top Spinning or football never
obstructs the roadwayS.
Singular superstitions are associated
with the "geta," which at times are
decidedly useful. When a host desires
that too attentive caller should de
part, he induces somebody TO burr
moxa which has peculiar odor, upor
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 accident
ally severed on the return from the
visit to a sick person a firm belief eX
lists that the patient must die. The
Japanese. however. dearly love the
"geta" and although civilization may
! teach them to win battles 1t will never
induce them to wear leather boots.