100 % Japanese-made Jikatabi What we believe is: The Jikatabi as Japanese traditional handicraft, not as a fashion or work shoes, must be made in Japan, or really must be produced by factories in the areas where they have dealt with production of authentic items only. Only then both consumers and suppliers feel fully satisfied. This philosophy holds true of all other Japanese handicraft. Because each place of production has its own cultural background, traditional skills and sense which have been inherited. It is essential that local industry fundamentally support its local economy. 　 Hand-sewn Jikatabi (made in Japan): It is said that the term jikatabi was coined when miners began to wear the shoes. It has been widely favored in many fields of workplaces. All-leather jikatabi was also available and likely used by master-carpenters. 　 Glued Jikatabi (made in Japan): This type of jikatabi was introduced after the hand-sewn jikatabi and has been established as a mainstream work jikatabi at construction sites. The city of Gyoda, Saitama Prefecture, manufactures 80 % of all Japanese hand-sewn jikatabi. In 1969 alone they successfully reached 3.5 million of pairs. Since then, however, many manufactures have increasingly shifted their factories overseas, and domestic productionhas decreased. The Maruso Industry founded in Gyoda City in 1940continues to manufacture the hand-sewn jikatabi as an inheritor of Gyoda tradition. 　 The Takasago Industry founded in TakasagoCity, Hyogo Prefecture, in 1969,is the one who has manufactured the glued work jikatabi at their modernized facilities from the beginning of their foundation. They continue to develop new types of the jikatabi,for example, safety shoes for construction industryand for fishing industry as well. 　 Tabi for the Awa Dance Festival (made in Japan): This one has been used for the four-hundred-year-old Awa Dance Festival. 　 Tabi with strings (made in Japan): Himotabi, tabi with strings, had been most popular until the tabi with the clasp was mass-produced during the Meiji Period (1868-1912). The old type of the tabi with strings has been reproduced according to its original plan. It was developed by the Obashitabi founded in Naruto City, Tokushima in 1920. It is marked by popular rubber-coated soles in place of old double-cloth soles. When the company was founded, it manufactured zashikitabi, which is tabi for the use of the tatami mat rooms. After World War II, however, the zashikitabi decreased in demand since less expensive, convenient nylon-made stockings were easily available. The Obashitabi has gained its popularity by improving old-style zasikitabi and originally developing for the Awa Dance Festival a new type of tabi with its rubber-coated soles. 　 The Musashiya is one of the few himotabi manufacturers. It was first founded in Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, in 1922. The company was burned down during World War II,and the founder's son reopened a new workshop in Yotsuya, Tokyo in 1951. The founder's grands on has not onlymanufactured traditional himotabis, but also developed new kinds of tabis full of fresh ideas and tastes. Characteristics of the Jikatabi: 　 1) Split toe. Making it possible to grip the ground firmer. 2) Closer-to-barefoot feeling. Making it possible to touch the ground as it is at construction sites.