There are two kinds of footwear which are “Zouri” and “Geta”.
The difference between Zouri and Geta are shapes of those soles.
Geta has wooden stripes on the soles which are separated into two parts but Zouri doesn’t.
Normally, soles of Zouri are plane.
Plus materials are also different.
Geta uses woods but Zouri is mainly made of leather.
We put on Zouri for the formal scene, and Geta is for the casual scene.
Today, I’ll show you more details about Zouri!
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Zouri’s History
Zouri is one of Japanese traditional footwear.
People used to put on Zouri or Geta until shoes become popular in the Meiji period.
The names of Zouri
The sole part is called “Dai” and strings part is “Hanao”.
Dai’s surface is “Ten” and the back surface is “Soko”.
The side part of Ten and Soko is “Maki”.
The materials of Zouri
Zouri is made of leather and that leather covers corks.
The surface of the leather part is coated enamel and pearls materials.
The combinations of Dai and Hanao
Zouri is made of Dai and Hanao, which means you can arrange the color and materials.
To wear Zouri more comfortable, we need to choose good Hanao.
The height of Zouri changes by the numbers of the sheet.
The maximum height is 6cm and the minimum is 4.5cm.
For daily use, we wear 4.5cm.
But these days, people can choose the height more easily.
There are two types of width.
One is called “Funagata” which means normal width, and the other is “Kobangata” which means more narrow width.
Kobangara is popular in Kansai area.
For the length size, it’s better to choose a little bit smaller Zouri than your foot.
In that case, you don’t need to step on your Kimono.
The season and The Scene
Just like Kimono, Zouri also has a ranking and rules.
We need to change by the weathers or the scenes.
Formal Type
For the formal scene, we are supposed to wear Zouri, not Geta.
The more Dai is higher, the more fashionable.
Plus it’s better to choose the same color or materials for Dai and Hanao.
It’s popular to wear “Saganishiki”, which means materials are weaved by gold and silver yarn.
There is a plane design which coordinates with Tomesode, Iromuji, Houmongi, and Komon.
Daily Use Type
For daily use, we wear Zouri and Geta.
Zouri is coordinated with white or colored Tabi.
Generally, the height of Zouri is flat.
We can choose any types of materials and colors.
Summer Zouri
We can wear light color Zouri all year around.
Enamel material is able to wear for formal scenes.
There are stylish Panama, hemp, leather materials.
Zouri for Rainy Days
There is a transparent toe’s cover which protects the rain.
We can find waterproofing Zouri.
Summary
If you interested in Zouri, please find your favorites.
Please feel free to put on and just enjoy.