The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-04-08
OF THE JAPANESE
They Make the Feet Hard anu '"'
Ankles Strong.

life which will strike the observer WIN
wonderment as coon as he sees then
looming along the roadway or hearS
them scraping 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
I a kind constituted to make feet as
hard as sheet iron and ankles as strong
as steel Orders.
The shoes are divided into two Varle-
ties; the low shoe is called the "koma-
geta" 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 surface to secure them
| to the feet, which are therefore not
covered as If they were In shoes, but
are left exposed to atmospheric con-
ditions. The 'komageta" resembles
somewhat the Lancashire clog, and
their construction merely entails the
carving of a block of wood to the prop
er size. The "ashida," however, 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.
Some of the "geta" worn by little
girls are painted in many colors, and
others have tiny bell hanging from
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 S. while the
cheapest is less than 10 sen, or a 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 imaglnationS consld-
cradle distance beneath 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 ball. He
thought it would be quite the correct
thing to attend In Japanese costume.
and wrote to friend in Yokohama to
send complete suit of the costume of
a gentleman Of high class. On recent
or the costume he was immensely sur.
prlsed at its extensive variety. He
mastered all the intricacies of the flow
ing robes, but when he uneartheJ the
'geta" he was completely at a loss 70
understand Its use. Having only lust
arrived in the country and not haing
over observant, he had omitted 70 no.
uce the foot arrangements of the nao.
pie After much earnest consideration
ne was suddenly seized with brilliant
idea. All" he exclaimed in his desire
10 extoi everything Japanese, "this
wooden block has got a very lovely
shape' 1t Is very beautifully carved
and artistic. Therefore, it must ha a
Kind Of decoration to be worn on tho
shoulders like epaulets." And 60 tho
merchant went to the ball with
'geta on each shoulder instead NJ an
each foot! "
Some parents allow their chi,lror ~
play barefoot In the streets. but whom
gong out with their elders or novino
VISITS 1t is essential that every ono
from the smallest to the tallest r,,.t
mount the wooden clog and pronoI
themselves in this odd fashion Tho
l1silke OF the Japanese children for tho
activity Of outdoor games IL tn ho
mainly attributed to the awkward IN,
,umorances with which their ut+Io
rect are loaded. For Instance ono soI
ION sees Japanese children gamho,ina
! open playgrounds-they have vet 10
earn the feverish pleasures of "hido
ma seek or FOUNDERS" while such -
ming as top-splnning or football novor
'bstructs the roadways.
Singular superstitions are associate,
win the "geta.' which at times orn
iecldedly useful. When host dos,ras
nat a too attentive caller Should a.
art ne Induces somebody to hnrr
noxa, which has a peculiar odor nnd
lis Shoes which are outside tba Jnon
lne guest will Immediately take tho
INIT and simultaneously his laavo
" nen thong Of 4geta" is accident
llly severed on the return ron 49,
'lslt to sick person a firm heIIaf ar
sts that the patient must die w.
Japanese, however, dearly lovo tne
eeta and although civilization nav
eacn them to win battles 1t will now,
i'uuce them to wear leather boots