Description
Waraji (草鞋), are sandals made from rice straw rope that, in the Sengoku and Edo Eras, were the standard footwear of the common people in Japan. Also adopted by the Samurai, they allowed for defter movement. Traditionally, samurai would wear their waraji with their toes protruding slightly over the front edge. This helped them keep their traction while running, scaling walls and fighting. The toe thong is designed to press on acupressure points. It was also believed to assist the body’s daily functionalities. These “samurai sandals” are worn with Tabi Socks or Waraji-Gake which we certainly recommend. Please note that the shoe sole should stays in close contact with the foot. The back is designed to wrap around the achilles tendon.
Because Waraji were made from straw rope, they tend to become more brittle as time goes on. In the past, roads were not paved. Dirt and soil filled the holes in the straw soles, reducing additional friction and thereby increasing the lifespan of the sandals. Although they are cheap and easy to mend, they still did not last very long and people had to have an extra pair hanging on their belts ready when needed. To maintain your Sandals, be sure to soak them in water for about ten minutes whenever they start to dry. This will help maintain the internal moisture of the rope, and save them from falling apart or breaking. For walking on modern surfaces you can also add non-slip / grip tape to the bottom to help keep them from slipping on smooth or wet surfaces, this will also help prevent fraying.
Our straw samurai sandals are perfect for modern martial artists, re-enactors, cosplay, larp, sca and for those just wanting to add a bit of traditional style to their modern life. Our samurai clothing and accessories are featured in many movies, tv series, documentaries, including the docudrama “Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan” by Netflix & the Smithsonian Channel.
Features: Waraji
- Traditionally hand made.
- Available in 3 Sizes: Small (22 CM), Medium (24 CM) and Large (26 CM), from heel to base of toe.
- It is recommended to order one size for heal to base of toe, this helps you maintain traction when charging up hills or climbing to victory.
| Our skilled katchû-shi (armorers) at the Iron Mountain Armory will need at least 1 to 2 weeks, depending on options selected, and other scheduled orders, for the custom handcrafting of this item. |
| For more information, please review our Order Options Explained, Glossary Terms or FAQ Pages. You can also Contact Us directly. We are always happy to be of service. |
I LOVE these! Much better than modern flip flops in terms of organic material usage, and style. These sandals are great to wear without socks when working in your garden or yard, and worn with socks, are comfortable and fun to wear indoors.
One thing to note, I did replace the cord used to secure the sandal to the foot with my own braided hemp chord. The single strand cord it came with was a little wimpy and with use, will wear down and break.
This isn’t a mark against the product though, these straw sandals will wear down over time regardless, being able to repair them myself is part of their journey with you.