The cultural significance of geta: Japan’s iconic wooden sandals
By Franca Temenu

The cultural depth of geta

Beyond their practicality, they carry deep symbolic resonance. One iconic feature is the unmistakable karankoron sound they produce while walking, a rhythmic clacking that evokes nostalgia for traditional Japanese life. For many, this sound isn’t just noise; it’s memory, ritual, and identity all in one.

During festivals such as Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri, geta are worn with yukata not merely for tradition but as an act of cultural reaffirmation. Wearing geta in these settings becomes a ritual connecting individuals to a larger cultural narrative and shared past.

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Ceremony and spirituality

In ceremonial contexts, the shoes become tools of aesthetic and symbolic expression. Maiko (apprentice geisha), for example, wear tall lacquered geta known as okobo, often adorned with tiny bells. These bells don’t just tinkle; they accentuate the poise and grace of a maiko’s movement, transforming every step into part of a performance.

In Shinto rituals, priests (shinshoku) and shrine maidens (miko) wear specific types of geta as part of their sacred attire. Here, elevation has spiritual connotations: lifting the wearer above the profane ground to preserve ritual purity. This ties directly to the Shinto concept of harae (purification), where physical height parallels spiritual cleanliness.

Variety and social meaning

Different forms of geta serve specific purposes:

  • Tengu Geta: With a single central tooth, these are famously difficult to balance on. Sometimes used in martial arts, they cultivate focus and discipline.
  • Setta: Favoured by samurai and scholars, these low-profile sandals feature leather soles and metal heel plates that produce a refined clicking sound, projecting intellect and authority.
  • Pokkuri Geta: Worn by young girls during the Shichi-Go-San festival, these brightly painted, rounded sandals symbolise youth, transition, and celebration.
  • Festival Geta: The classic two-toothed variety is still popular at summer festivals, worn with yukata to affirm a seasonal rhythm and sense of belonging.

Each style of geta becomes more than footwear; it becomes a vehicle of self-expression and a symbol of social context.

Modern resurgence

In recent years, the shoes have found new life in contemporary fashion. Designers across the globe have drawn inspiration from their unique silhouette, combining traditional elements with modern aesthetics.

For example:

  • Jil Sander’s Spring 2019 collection showcased towering wedges with leather straps reminiscent of geta.
  • Salvatore Ferragamo reimagined the form in bold colors and innovative materials, blending East and West.

These modern reinterpretations are not merely aesthetic tributes. They signal a growing global appreciation for craftsmanship and cultural heritage, allowing geta to exist at the intersection of past and present.

Footwear that trains the body

Interestingly, studies suggest there may be physiological benefits to wearing geta. A pilot study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science explored how geta affect gait mechanics.

Researchers found that geta increased toe pressure and required active toe flexion during walking. This implies that regular use may strengthen the feet and toes, potentially helping prevent certain foot disorders and reducing fall risk.

Thus, they are not only culturally resilient but biomechanically relevant. Far from being a relic of the past, they remains one of Japan’s most quietly resilient cultural artifacts.

At first glance, it’s a simple wooden sandal elevated, angular, held to the foot by a cloth thong. But behind its minimalist design lies a complex narrative of utility, symbolism, and adaptation.

Worn for centuries to navigate unpaved roads and preserve the hem of the kimono, they have long served a practical function. Yet its presence at festivals, in traditional arts, and even in modern fashion signals something deeper: an enduring thread in Japan’s cultural fabric.

In a society where the old and the new are often allowed to coexist rather than compete, the geta is not preserved out of sentimentality, but because it continues to serve a purpose both as an object of design and as a vessel of identity.

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