Zori Styles?

[Carmen]

Hello All-

I have all manner of kitsuke books on "how to wear what and when", but the one subject I'm a little fuzzy on are the ZORI.

Online I've seen all kinds: low vs fairly high stacked heel, leather and synthetic leather, leather with straw, all straw... Some have permanently attached hanao, others allow you to swap them out to complement the kimono. (those are cool)

My question is, are there varying levels of "formality" as there are in kimono? I know one must fit the fabric, pattern and type of kimono/obi ensemble to the level of the occassion, so I'm thinking that probably applies to the zori as well, or am I totally off base?

I have no idea what the rules are for wearing zori. And as we all know, one must first KNOW the rules before one can BREAK them with elan!

I would also be interested in finding a source for XL zori...I'm an American size 10M (26.25cm in length) and the Japanese "large" is WAY shorter than I could comfortably wear. Even the standard width is KRAZY small, at least in relation to my feet. (Yes, I know, the fashion is to wear them a bit smaller than the foot size, so I'm allowing for that.) Since I am bound and determined to have REAL zori on my tabi'd feet and know that most zori come in a standard Japanese size, I figure I'll have to get them special order. And I refuse, REFUSE to wear men's zori!

I have a real challenge on my hands (feet), don't I?

Any info or suggestions appreciated-

Carmen

[Rachel_gs]

Carmen,

Im not really one for talking on the board unless I feel my input could be of use. I hope you find this useful.

After studying The Book of Kimono by Norio Yamanaka (and anything else I can get my hands on) extensively it seems to me that the rules for obi apply to zori, with only a few modifications.

Age: the older you are the less showey they get.

Married: married women should keep it to 3 colors: gold, silver and white. The height should be low, no more than 2 or 2 1/2 stacks high.

Unmarried: any height, any color as long as its tasteful and matches either the obi, the handbag, or the kimono in some way.

As for buying them I have had a very difficult time finding a seller that not only presents zori but has them in a range of sizes, colors and styles, but I did find one.

www.gendaiya.co.jp/

They are a Japanese only site, but they have a HUGE selection of not only women's but mens and childrens shoes. They have zori geta, winter & rainy shoes. They truely are a wonderful selection.

I hope this was helpful

-Rachel

[UrbanBaroness]

Hello,

I am urban ’jŽÝ•vl
I wonder if there is someone who can help, I have been searching the net for new vinyl zori in pale colours, I have been on the suggested site but my Japanese is to my chagrin very basic, and I really would not be able to order from it although I managed to babelfish translate the home page but as soon as I click on an item the page expires...
I know its a tricky one but does any one of you exeptionally well informed people know of an alternative site?

Domo arigatou
from
U B

[cyndy01]

Goodness knows I am no expert, but I am pretty well traveled as far as the internet goes. There is a place called Crescent Shop:http://www.crescent-shop.com/

This is a shopping service that will do the shopping for you if you know what you want. They may be able to find just what you're looking for. I haven't used them personally, but I have been in contact with them before and they have been around for years now. I'd trust them to buy what I want and they also can do Japanese auctions for you as well. I hope this helps and if I see any shops with what you're looking for, I'll post them.

Cyndy

[cyndy01]

I found a few shops that might have some of what you're looking for:
www.jun-gifts.com/specialcollections/getasandals/getasandals.htm

www.karankoron.com/online_shop_zori.html
www.jhg.co.jp/p1hakimono/hakimono1.html

I think you'll be hard pressed to find ones in large sizes for women, but I have a size 10/11 foot, too. It took me forever to find a pair of Hello Kitty walking shoes and geta seems harder. Men's sizes are the only ones that seem to go up really large. I think Karankoron might be the best of them since they seem to have XL vinyl even if only in black and white. I've never dealt with any of these before so you'll have to check for yourself and see how reputable they are. I hope this helps.

I tried to find others for you, but my Japanese is limited and the ones I did find didn't go above 25cm. If it makes you feel any better, most getta seem to come in black, white, brown and red hanano colors.

Cyndy

[ichiro]

Hello from Ichiro!
UrbanBarnoness san, Cindy san
I always are looking for zori at low price, but always which I come across are 21cm or under. And we have been looking for large ones, sale for whole sale, but we can not find it.
The site Cindy san recommend seems to be good!
If we come across brand new zori, I will get them and list them. Thank you arigatou gozaimasu!

[Flock]

I didn't know about the colour thing but it makes sense,
what I do know is that the higher they are the more formal..
seriously, some are just unbelievabley like platforms.. just when you think you've seen the highest you see ones that look like the soles on chunky punk boots! (the ones worn with furisode I think)
I got some 9 inch long ones on ebay but I am a bigish shoe size.. if you reading this are american then I can't tell you exactly how big because measurements are diffirent.. but I could not squash my feet in comfortably.. so yes, size is an issue for us goliath footed westerners!