Re: Eight-sole sandals

Shin-san and all -

Thank you for your comments on eight-sole sandals. We have been provided with much information by the readers of the newspaper article. Summarizing the given information, the sandals seem to have been used habitually by workers in factories and shops as footwear suitable for individual purpose of use.

I can imagine a scene, where people wearing tabi socks in dark blue or black, slipped on the sandals. According to Shin-san, it was the second decade of Showa Era whereas it is guessed KAME-san saw them in around 32nd - 33rd year of Showa (1957-1958). It means that, though the commencement of their use is not clear, they had been used as simple and convenient working footwear until the years of steep economic growth.

Their life is considered to be long despite of a simple novelty, a hybrid of sandals and geta clogs. It must have been appreciated that the users themselves could make the sandals. Geta clogs couldn't be made by users anyway.

Incidentally, the sandals were given to me by an ex-teacher who wore them for enjoyment. New sandals left from bulk-buying were sent to me.

Karei