Outdoor Footwear Worn in Japan
2010-08-10
Jika-Tabi (tabi that contact the ground") is a type of outdoor footwear worn in Japan. It was invented in the 20th century.
Also known (outside Japan) as "tabi boots", they are modelled on tabi, traditional split-toe Japanese socks. Like other tabi, jika-tabi have a divided toe area so that they can in theory be worn with slip-on thonged footwear, but they are heavy-duty, and resemble boots.
Shojiro Ishibashi, the founder of Bridgestone Corporation, is credited with their invention.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jika-tabi