Jikatabi is functional and comfortable.In addition, cheap.
It has been a favorite by craftsman to work outdoors.
And, participants of the Japanese festival to use.
Furthermore,High-fashion Jika-tabi has been developed,it is recognized abroad gradually.
Do you want to know the why Jikatabi was born?
Might be surprising,Jikatabi was developed by father of the founder of Bridgestone Corporation.I was surprised when I know this!
His name is Ishibashi Tokujiro.
Tokujiro had a business to sell tabi.(Tabi is used when you wear sandals or clogs. It's like the socks.)
For publicity, he bought a car, that only few cars in Japan at that time.
It was a great buy very. but he had foresight.
He set up a signboard of the company to car,and ran to a long distance.
The car is attracting attention, orders of tabi rushed from all over the country.
His speculation was successful.
He has developed the company,but the claim came from a part of customer.
“Tabi slip during the work,do you have plan any good?”
He was trial and error.And he found a hint that leads to resolved.
It was the tire of car.
He was focused on the pattern of the grooves of the tire.
He glued a rubber like groove of the tire to tabi.
It is the birth of Jika-tabi.Jika means “directly”.
The rubber without slipping, it improved working efficiency..
Even though Jikatabi was a great invention,it is not the popular immediately.
Because it is completely new,people could not immediately recognize its usefulness.
But now,Jikatabi was rooted in the life of Japan,by sales activities that Tokujiro continue.
Jikatabi continues to evolve.
“Safety Jika-tabi” It has incorporated steel plate for protect the foot.
“Spike Jika-tabi” It was made for to be easy to walk on the slippy ground.
“Air jog” It reduces the burden on the legs with an air cushion.
Currently, Ltd. 力王(Rikioh) account for most of the sales of Jika-tabi.
