Waraji



Waraji (草鞋) are light tie-on sandals, made from (usually straw) ropemaking fibers, that were the standard footwear of the common people in Japan.

Use


resemble other forms of traditional Japanese footwear, such as zori and geta, with a few key differences. They were historically the simplest form of outdoor footwear (sandals of any type were not worn indoors). , due to their cheap and rustic nature, are considered to be a very informal type of footwear, and are not worn with formal kimono. They are typically not worn with socks, and are woven so that the wearer's toes generally protrude slightly over the edge of the shoe.

were once common footwear in Japan. There are records of in the Heian period (794–1185 CE), with the possibility of  having existed before this time. In the Edo period (1603–1867 CE), geta were worn in cities, but anyone making a long journey wore. They were also worn for energetic or prolonged labour. Their light weight and grip were valued.

In modern-day Japan, are worn by Buddhist monks, and by some fishers of mountain streams. Zori and geta are worn far more commonly by the general population.

Construction
In constant use, rice-straw only last three or four days, or roughly 24 hours of active use and so people would have to make about a hundred pairs a year, on average, if they wore them constantly. As could be homemade from cheap materials, and many people learned how to make them in childhood, that was not a problem. could also be cheaply bought. Travellers carried a supply and discarded them when they were worn out.

Materials
Rice straw is the common and traditional material for weaving. Long straw (not broken by the processing methods) must be beaten to soften the fibers before use. Most other ropemaking fibers can also be used, such as cotton, hemp, palm fibers, or even strips of rag. The straps of the might be covered, often with paper. Cardboard soles are used on some modern commercial designs.

Tying
There are a number of different ways of tying straps; even historically, there was no standardised method of attaching the shoes to one's feet.

Ceremonial use
Traditionally, were donated to temples as offerings for healthy feet and protection on journeys. This practice, while now less common, is still followed. More modernly, giant  kept in temples are touched as a charm for tireless endurance in walking.