#11 Postcard Trivia 1.23.18
What is this Japanese craftsman making? I have several vintage postcards from Japan. This one, mailed in 1937, shows a craftsman hard at work in a local shop. Before I share what I've discovered about his craft, I'll ask the trivia question:
What article of clothing commonly worn in Japan is made in this shop?
A. a type of hat B. a type of belt C. a type of sock
Answer: C. a sock. Specifically, a tabi sock. See photos and more information below.
Since the 15th century, the tabi has been the traditional sock worn in Japan by samurai, ninjas, royalty and just about everyone else. It is worn with open, thong-type shoes. The socks are made of cotton and originally did not stretch like socks today. The tabi was made to fit the foot with a metal clasp at the back to hold it on. The Japanese town of Gyoda was the center of tabi-making, producing more than 80% of the socks made and it was recently named as a Japanese Heritage site. With the change in shoe styles to more Western fashions, the tabi lost popularity. However, the tabi sock is making a comeback and is now a world-wide fashion trend. According to an article in The Japan Times, the tabi was a hit at the Japan Expo in Paris in 2015. Maybe this will give us an alternative to wearing gym socks with flip-flops!
Click on image to enlarge.
