1.
straw sandals; waraji
Traditional Japanese sandals woven from straw rope (藁), secured to the foot with cords and worn directly against the bare foot or over tabi socks. The standard footwear for commoners, travelers, and soldiers in premodern Japan.
草鞋を履く。
To put on straw sandals.
江戸時代の旅人は草鞋で長い道を歩いた。
Travelers in the Edo period walked long roads in straw sandals.
草鞋は藁を編んで作られ、使い捨てに近い消耗品だった。
Waraji were woven from straw and were nearly disposable items.
Traditional footwear made from twisted straw rope. Now mainly seen in historical contexts, traditional festivals, and martial arts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 草鞋を履く: to wear straw sandals
- 草鞋を脱ぐ: to take off straw sandals; (figuratively) to settle in at a place
- 草鞋を編む: to weave straw sandals
- 草鞋履き: wearing straw sandals
The expression 草鞋を脱ぐ (lit. "to remove one's sandals") means to settle down or stop traveling — derived from the custom of removing footwear upon entering a home.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 下駄: wooden clogs — raised wooden footwear, also traditional but distinct in material and style
- 雪駄: leather-soled sandals — more refined than waraji