When you go out in a yukata, your eyes are inevitably drawn to the yukata and obi. The yukata is the focal point of your outfit, after all. However, other accessories are also very important in bringing the whole outfit together. The material, color, and pattern of your geta sandals are especially important. Have you ever thought, "Geta are worn on the feet, so they don't stand out much, so whatever you get will do!"? Only by paying attention to your toes can you create a perfect yukata outfit! This time, we will introduce what geta are and how to incorporate them into your outfits.
What are geta?
I often hear the word "geta," but can you explain what it is specifically? Geta are traditional Japanese footwear made with a wooden base (the part where you place your feet) with three holes drilled through which a thong is threaded. Geta generally have two teeth on the bottom of the wooden base, but in modern times, various designs have appeared, so they do not necessarily have two teeth. I think it's fair to call any footwear with wooden thongs "geta." Other names of footwear that you will often hear include "zori," "waraji," and "setta." Although they all have similar shapes, they are made of different materials and have different purposes. Geta are generally worn with everyday clothes. Yukata is everyday summer wear, so everyone wears geta with it. It is said that geta first became popular among the general public during the Kamakura period. In the old days, roads were not well maintained, so when it rained and the roads became muddy, people would get their feet covered in mud if they were wearing low-profile footwear such as sandals or setta sandals. However, they had teeth like geta sandals, and if the platform was far from the ground, mud would not get on your feet, and your feet would not get buried in the mud, so they were said to be very useful. When we were little, many of us would tell the weather by throwing our shoes and shouting, "I hope it'll be sunny tomorrow!", but that fortune telling was actually first done in geta sandals. By the way, it is said that if it is facing up, it will be sunny, if it is facing sideways, it will be cloudy, and if it is facing down, it will rain.
Types of Geta
There are several types of geta, all of which are simply called "geta." We will introduce some of the more distinctive types. First up is the "Pokkuri Geta," which many of you may have seen or heard of. It might be easier to imagine them as "thick geta worn by courtesans and maiko." Originally, they were footwear for young girls, and some cute styles have bells on the heels. The pokkuri geta worn by courtesans and maiko were often decorated with gorgeous ornaments and luxurious gold leaf. There are several theories, but it is said that "pokkuri" represents the sound made when walking. Next is the "Ipponba Geta," also known as the "Tengu Geta." As mentioned earlier, while regular geta have two prongs, "single-tooth geta" only have one prong, as the name suggests. It is said that monks in training wore these unbalanced geta while walking along mountain paths to strengthen their legs and hips. Entertainers sometimes wore them when performing acrobatics.
Yukata x Geta Coordination
Nowadays, there are many different types and designs of geta available, so it can be hard to decide which ones to choose. Of course, there are no set rules for coordinating them, so you can mix and match however you like, but here are some tips on how to choose geta that go well with a yukata. First, the color of the stand. The stands are mainly made of wood, especially paulownia wood. Light colors like off-white or deep dark brown are common. If you are wearing a pale pink or white yukata with a cute pattern, it would be best to choose geta in a bright color to go with it. On the other hand, if you pair a yukata with a dark base color such as black or navy blue with dark colored geta, you can create a mature look, and if you pair it with light colored geta, you can create a refreshing look. Some geta have patterns carved into the base, making them stand out stylishly. The most important thing when coordinating geta is the color of the thong. It will look more striking if you match the color with the pattern rather than the background color. If you are wearing a floral yukata, choose geta sandals with thongs that match the color of the flowers. If your yukata uses multiple colors, it is recommended to choose the most striking color so that the geta will also be eye-catching. If your yukata does not have many colors in its pattern, you can choose geta sandals with straps in a completely different color to add an accent color. It's a little difficult to choose the color, but it creates a stylish look. Knowing the different types of geta and how to coordinate them makes choosing fun! Please enjoy coordinating your geta with yukata and using this as a reference!
