Name/Title
White Tabi SocksEntry/Object ID
E-167-ABDescription
A set of white Japanese tabi socks. In good condition, these socks have four silver latches of various symbols engraved into them. The first reads 22.5 (perhaps the size of the sock), the second, a Japanese writing symbol, thirdly a Buddha or lord, and lastly another Japanese writing symbol.Use
Tabi (足袋)are worn by both men and women, with traditional formal footwear such as zori, and sometimes the less-formal geta. Tabi are typically worn with clothing such as kimono.
Historically, most people in Japan wore tabi, as most Japanese footwear was thonged; however, some, such as upper-class courtesans and the geisha of Fukagawa did not wear them, as the bare foot was considered to be erotic in Japanese culture. Others, such as lower-working class members of society who could not afford tabi, either did not wear them or wore boots such as jika-tabi instead.Collection
El Camino College Anthropology MuseumEthnography
Cultural Region
* Untyped Cultural Region
JapanCondition
Overall Condition
Very GoodNotes
Some discoloration on the heels and side, a small dot stain on the heel of E-167B.