Why do martial arts practicers wear tabi shoes (split-toe shoes)?

I see ninjas wearing tabi shoes in movies and stuff, but if I recall correctly, ninjas didn%26#039;t wear tabi in real life. And I see martial arts people practicing bujinkan and such in tabi, but I don%26#039;t see how that started since ninjas never wore them.





However, I think tabi are really cool looking and I%26#039;m considering getting a pair for excercise. I hear they have great grip, so what kind of sports could I participate in with them? And where can I get a pair? I called several local karate places, and they don%26#039;t sell them. Do I have to go to Japan or something?

Why do martial arts practicers wear tabi shoes (split-toe shoes)?
Hi there





Tabi are just traditional shoes worn by Japanese people. You can buy just about any size, colour or material. There are even steel toe versions for Japanese workmen and leather ones too. The whole ninja image today comes from the kabuki theater where stage hands would wear black to hide behind the scenes so they couldn%26#039;t be seen. Real ninja would wear a split toe sock and a straw shoe. And contrary to what Hollywood would have you believe they never worn black either as it reflects light. The real gi colour was dark blue or dark orange. Bujinkan practitioners wear them because they are cheap to buy just like a normal black Gi is. There are many health reasons for splitting off the big toe from the rest of your toes but it would take too long to explain in this post. Have a look at traditional Japanese medicine such as amatsu for a better understanding.





For the tabi may i suggest eBay, Amazon or the Jika tabi company. I have even seen them for sale in Walt Disney world! Or you could even buy the nike air rift trainers with the split toe. I have a nice black leather pair myself. ;)





heres a few links





http://www.jika-tabi.com/white.html


http://www.j600.com/


http://search.ebay.com/tabi





There are two sole types rubber ones for outdoors and soft mole skin ones for indoor use. Most Japanese dojos will not allow you train indoors with the rubber sole type so make sure you buy the right kind.





Regards





Idai


2nd dan bujinkan shidoshi ho
Reply:hi again.





Yes Epcot Japan store had them for sale as well as the socks and some rather nice T shirts. Could have spent a fortune in there! lol





Regards





idai Report It

Reply:Some Ninjas did wear tabi boots. Just ask Stephen Hayes whose an author and practioner in Ninjutsu. He studied directly under the ninja grandmaster Hatsumi himself. Report It

Reply:I do not know where the %26quot;wearing of tabi shoes%26quot; came from. My speculation would be it originated somewhere from the fact that shoes are not worn indoors. Since they take their shoes off, sandals are a necessity in a household. I believe some %26quot;socks%26quot; are split as tabi are to aid in getting sandals on and off conveniently around the home.





Of course this is all conjecture, but a reasonable one.
Reply:I practise iaido, and we use tabi. You usually wear tabi socks with them for extra comfort. They aren%26#039;t too bad to wear, you get accustomed to wearing them. Enjoy!
Reply:www.karate-depot.com





should do the trick.



credot