Not currently on display at the V&A

Tabi (Sock)

1955 - 1958 (made)
Place of origin

Japanese thonged footwear is worn with tabi, ankle high socks with a separation between the big toe and other toes and fastened at the back of the ankle. This example is missing its pair.





Object details

Object type
Materials and techniques
Plain weave
Brief description
Tex, Japan, woven. Cotton tabi (sock) with three metal fasteners
Physical description
Tabi (sock) of undyed cotton with central seam, sole of heavy ribbed cotton, and opening at heel with three metal fasteners
Credit line
Given by Sarah Brooks in memory of her mother Bernice Eileen (Wiese) Boo
Object history
This kimono ensemble belonged to Bernice Eileen Boo (1930-2010). Brought up on a small farm in Spencer, Iowa, she became a teacher of music for the US Department of Defense. She subsequently travelled the world teaching music, English, and other subjects to the children of families living on military bases. She taught at the Narimasu High School, Grant Heights, Tokyo, Japan, from 1957-1959, which is when she probably acquired this outfit which consists of a summer kimono (hitoe), sash (obi), obi-pad (obimakura), under-sash, under-kimono (nagajuban), underwear (hadajuban and susuyoke), shoes (zori) and sock (tabi), together with a wrapping cloth (furoshiki).
Summary
Japanese thonged footwear is worn with tabi, ankle high socks with a separation between the big toe and other toes and fastened at the back of the ankle. This example is missing its pair.



Collection
Accession number
FE.40-2015

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Record createdMay 22, 2015
Record URL
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