Tabi (足袋) are traditionalJapanesesocksworn with thonged footwear such aszori, dating back to the15th century.^[1]

Japanesetabi are usually understood today to be a kind of split-toed sock that is not meant to be worn alone outdoors, much like regular socks. However,tabi were originally a kind of leather shoe made from a single animalhide, as evidenced by historical usage and the earlier form of the word,tanbi, written単皮, with thekanji literally signifying "single hide".^[2][3][4] As Japanese footwear evolved,tabi also changed, with thesplit-toe design emerging towards the lateHeian period (794–1185 CE) to allow the wearer to accommodate the thong of sandals.^[5] Outdoor versions oftabi involved some kind of reinforcement, with soles traditionally made of cloth, leather, or straw.

Brothers Tokujirō Ishibashi andShōjirō Ishibashi, founders of the tyre companyBridgestone, are credited with the invention of rubber-soledjika-tabi in 1922;^{[6][7][8][9][10]} these are now the dominant form of outdoortabi, and the termtabi generally refers to the indoor form.

Tabi are worn by both men and women with traditional formal footwear such aszori, and sometimes the less-formalgeta.Tabi are typically worn with clothing such askimono.Tabi are sewn with a divided toe, in order to be worn with thonged footwear.^[11]

Historically, most people in Japan woretabi, as most Japanese footwear was thonged; however, some, such as upper-classcourtesans and thegeisha ofFukagawa, did not wear them, as the bare foot was considered to be erotic inJapanese culture.^[12][13] Others, such as lower-working class members of society who could not affordtabi, either did not wear them or wore boots such asjika-tabi instead.

In traditional Japanese spaces and buildings, such asNoh theatres,^[14]teahouses and for traditional stage performances,tabi must be worn, and shoes are not worn inside or on stage.

The most common color oftabi is white, which represents purity. Whitetabi are worn in formal situations such astea ceremonies. Men sometimes will wear blue or blacktabi for traveling.^{[citation needed]} Coloredtabi are also available, and are sometimes used inkabuki theatre as part of a character's costume,^[15][16] or are worn with more casual outfits as fashion.

Traditionally,tabi are sewn from cloth cut to form.^{[citation needed]} They are open at the back to be slipped on and have fasteners along the opening (known askohaze) so they can be closed.Tabi sewn from stretch material without fasteners are also available.

One distinctive style oftabi arejika-tabi (地下足袋,lit. 'tabi that contact the ground').[11] Made of heavier, tougher material and often havingrubber soles,jika-tabi resembleboots and are outer footwear rather than socks. Like othertabi,jika-tabi also havedivided toes.

Contemporarytabi socks—socks with a separation between the big toe and the rest of the toes—are also available. This reflects the number of people who still prefer to wear zori and geta, especially during Japan's hot, humid summers.

Moderntabi occasionally have elastic openings instead of fasteners.^[17]

Belgian fashion houseMaison Margiela has released modern boots with a separated big toe since the late 1980s-early 1990s.^[11][18][19] They can cost more than $1000 per pair. In 2023, the story of a man stealing a pair of tabi shoes from his Tinder date was amplified byTikTok and other social media sites.^[20]

A related item aretoe socks, which have five separate compartments; these are known asgohon-yubi no kutsushita (５本指の靴下, five-toe socks) in Japanese.

•  
  Cotton-papertabi, 1700s
•  
  Clothtabi with ties, early 1900s
•  
  Moderntabi withkohaze hook-and-loop fasteners
•  
  Knitted stretch-ontabi, no fasteners
•  
  Sheertabi
•  
  Woventabi
•  
  Close-up ofkohaze
•  
  Sewing the loops
•  
  Brightly patternedtabi
•  
  Leathertabi,Edo period (1603–1867), precursors to modernjika-tabi
•  
  Tabi with reinforcedhobnailed soles, Edo period
•  
  Farmworkers wearing outdoortabi, 1912
•  
  Early 20th century cloth-soledtabi boots (reconstruction of 1912 marathontabi)
•  
  A fisherman wearingtabi with sewn-onwoven-straw soles, 1915
•  
  Modern tabi boots designed by Maison Margiela

• The Museum ofTabi website(in Japanese)
• Tabi at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences
• Tabi at the University of Michigan Museum of Art
• Tabi at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Maison Martin Margiela: Women'stabi boots at the RISD Museum