Tabi

Tabi (足袋) are traditional Japanese socks worn with thonged footwear such as zori, dating back to the 15th century.

[2][3][4] As Japanese footwear evolved, tabi also changed, with the split-toe design emerging towards the late Heian period (794–1185 CE) to allow the wearer to accommodate the thong of sandals.

[5] Outdoor versions of tabi involved some kind of reinforcement, with soles traditionally made of cloth, leather, or straw.

[citation needed] Colored tabi are also available, and are sometimes used in kabuki theatre as part of a character's costume,[15][16] or are worn with more casual outfits as fashion.

[11] Made of heavier, tougher material and often having rubber soles, jika-tabi resemble boots and are outer footwear rather than socks.

In 2023, the story of a man stealing a pair of tabi shoes from his Tinder date was amplified by TikTok and other social media sites.