These contemporary men’s sandals (geta) are made from transparent acrylic rather than wood, the latter more commonly used for this style. The moulded design of concentric circles and lines cleverly creates the impression of raindrops on rippling water, overlaid with red, orange and yellow maple leaves. While they may seem strikingly modern, the motif has poetic origins. The image of fallen autumn leaves floating on the Tatsuta river features in the Kokin Wakashū, the earliest Imperial anthology of Japanese poems (waka) first compiled around 905.

A covering of
Bright scattered leaves floats on the
Tatsuta river-
Were I to ford the waters
The brocade would tear in half

Bearing an autumnal motif does not necessarily that these geta can only be worn at that time season. Rather, they may be deemed more appropriate during the heat of summer to remind the wearer of the cooler months to come.