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      Is The Shakuhachi Hard to Play? Tip & Check List

      Is The Shakuhachi Hard to Play? Tip & Check List

      Shakuhachi flute is one of the most popular traditional Japanese instruments. We have some types of beginner shakuhachi for sale. Let's learn how to play shakuhachi flute. 

       

      1. Is the shakuhachi hard to play?

      2. How to Hold Shakuhachi Flute

      3. How to Blow Shakuhachi Flute

      4. Tips & Check List

       

      1. Is the shakuhachi hard to play?

      For beginners who are interested in learning to play the shakuhachi flute, the most common question is whether it is easy to play or not. Don't worry. Playing the shakuhachi flute is not hard than people expect if they get the tip for it (though, of course, practice is needed as well as other musical instruments). This article will help beginners to find what to know to make a sound of shakuhachi. Let's learn with us from scratch.

      How to Hold Shakuhachi Flute

      Name of Each Part - Shakuhachi Flute

      Basically, most shakuhachi has 5 finger holes (4 on front and 1 on back) and is made for right handed players. Player places right hand on lower holes and left hand on upper holes.

      [Right Hand] Place ring finger and index finger on  lower two holes.

      [Left Hand] Place ring finger and index finger on upper two holes and place thumb on a hole on the back.

      Fingers should be straight rather than bent so that the player holds shakuhachi firmly and makes it stable. For remaining fingers, just put lightly. Relax is important. If your body is too much tensioned, the instrument doesn't make sound well. Are your arms and shoulders tensioned when you play? Make them relaxed.

      How to Blow Shakuhachi Flute

      Embouchure - Shakuhachi Flute

      First, make embouchure for shakuhachi like an image by making a gap between upper lip and lower lip so that the blow air comes out. Then, put the blow hole's edge of shakuhachi under your lower lip.  Blow the air into blow hole and the other side of the edge which is cut diagonally. For your first time, you might not find the best condition to make a sound. Just keep trying.

      • Make your body relaxed
      • Put shakuhachi's edge of blow hole under your lower lip
      • Close your mouth and pull your lips left and right a little
      • Make a gap between upper lip and lower lip
      • Blow "Foo" or "Woo"

      Shakuhachi Flute for Sale

      Tips & Check List

      How to Blow - Shakuhachi Flute

      If you want to make a sound but cannot do well, the problem might be the embouchure,  the speed of the blow, the area you blow into, and the angle you put the edge of blow hole under your lower lip. It may take time to find the best condition to make a sound. If you have an experience to play other wind instruments, you may find tips easier than beginners who have no experience. But, you don't need to practice so long time a day. The important is to keep touching it and trying even 5 minutes every day. Your body will fit the instrument to make a sound with relax. Usually, players don't be conscious of their body when they play the instrument. So, you don't think too much and be sensitive. Your body will learn the best condition to play the instrument.

      • Check your embouchure
      • Check the speed of the blow
      • Check the area you blow into
      • Check the angle you put the edge of blow hole under your lower lip
      • Check your posture
      • Check the air comes from your stomach

      There are some general points to check. But, so people have different mouth shape and play in different ways, it's important to learn yourself and the instrument by continuing to touch the instrument and practice it everyday. Take it easy and have fun.

      Tabi (Ninja Shoes) Sole Design Part 2

      Tabi (Ninja Shoes) Sole Design Part 2

      In the part 1, we introduce various sole design of tabi shoes for festival and taiko. Next, let's see sole design of tabi shoes for work 🥾🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️❗️👀

      1. Work Tabi Mannen Sewn (for Civil Engineering and Construction)
      2. Work Tabi Majik Safety (for Civil Engineering and Construction)
      3. Work Tabi Pro Guard Fastener (for Civil Engineering, Construction, and Steeplejack)
      4. Work Tabi Pro Guard Jog (for Civil Engineering, Construction, and Steeplejack)
      5. Work Tabi Pro Guard Mannen (for Civil Engineering, Construction, and Steeplejack)
      6. Work Tabi Pro Guard Rain #01 (for Civil Engineering and Construction)
      7. Work Tabi Jitsuyou (for Civil Engineering and Agriculture)
      8. Work Tabi Kaisoku (for Civil Engineering and Agriculture)
      9. Work Shoes Sakimaru (for Civil Engineering and Agriculture)
      10. Work Tabi Jog Jika (for Civil Engineering and Construction)
      11. Work Tabi Pro Guard Spike (for Forest Work)
      12. Work Tabi Spike Type 2 (for Forest Work)

       

      1. Work Tabi Mannen Sewn (for Civil Engineering and Construction)


      It has a simple sole with less part touching the ground. It has a lot of small dots on the thumb, index, side, and heel part. It's very simple design.

       

      2. Work Tabi Majik Safety (for Civil Engineering and Construction)


      It has a slip-resistant sole with a lot of small dots on the thumb, index, side, and heel part. This sole design is good for steeplejack work, too. Hard toe guard protects your feet from shock and pressure. 

       

      3. Work Tabi Pro Guard Fastener (for Civil Engineering, Construction, and Steeplejack)


      It has a slip-resistant sole with a lot of small dots on the thumb, index, side, and heel part. This sole design is good for steeplejack work, too. Hard toe guard protects your feet from shock and pressure. 

       

      4. Work Tabi Pro Guard Jog (for Civil Engineering, Construction, and Steeplejack)


      It has a unique sole design with a lot of block on the whole part and layered diamond pattern on the inner part.  It's slip-resistant and shock absorbing function. This sole design is good for steeplejack work, too. Hard toe guard protects your feet from shock and pressure. 

       

      5. Work Tabi Pro Guard Mannen (for Civil Engineering, Construction, and Steeplejack)


      It has a slip-resistant sole with a lot of small dots on the thumb, index, side, and heel part. This sole design is good for steeplejack work, too. Hard toe guard protects your feet from shock and pressure. 

       

      6. Work Tabi Pro Guard Rain #01 (for Civil Engineering and Construction)


      It has a simple sole design that has a lot of lines with low steps and zig-zag patterns. It's made of waterproof rubber and good for civil engineering and construction. Hard toe guard protects your feet from shock and pressure. 

       

      7. Work Tabi Jitsuyou (for Civil Engineering and Agriculture)


      It has a durable thick sole with big zig-zag pattern and small dots on the toe part and heel part. It's good for civil engineering and agriculture. 

       

      8. Work Tabi Kaisoku (for Civil Engineering and Agriculture)


      It has a slip-resistant sole with a lot of wave shape pattern and line with low steps. It's good for civil engineering and agriculture. 

       

      9. Work Shoes Sakimaru (for Civil Engineering and Agriculture)


      It has a slip-resistant sole with a lot of wave shape pattern and line with low steps. It's good for civil engineering and agriculture. 

       

      10. Work Tabi Jog Jika (for Civil Engineering and Construction)

       

      It has a slip-resistant sole with a lot of wave shape pattern. It's good for civil engineering and construction. Also, it's popular among gardener. 

       

      11. Work Tabi Pro Guard Spike (for Forest Work)

       

      It has a lot of steel pin on the whole part to dig your feet firmly on the steep hill when you climb mountain. It's good for forest work. Hard toe guard protects your feet from shock and pressure. 

       

      12. Work Tabi Spike Type 2 (for Forest Work)

       

      It has a lot of steel pin on the whole part to dig your feet firmly on the steep hill when you climb mountain. It's good for forest work.

       

      😚Thank you for reading this to the end. Please feel free to ask any questions or leave any comments😉

      Tabi (Ninja Shoes) Sole Design Part 1

      Tabi (Ninja Shoes) Sole Design Part 1

      There are many kind of tabi (ninja shoes) but they look almost same, don't they? You may think why the price changes according to them and don't know what to choose. Sole design is important as well as the material and production method. Let's take a look 🥾🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️❗️👀

      1. Festival Tabi
      2. Tabi Air-Insole V
      3. Kurashikiya Tabi Saiki
      4. Kurashikiya Tabi Saibu
      5. Kurashikiya Tabi Saisui
      6. Saisou Faster (Zipper)
      7. Tabi Air-Insole III
      8. Matsuri Air Sewn
      9. Matsuri Jog Tabi

       

      1. Festival Tabi


      Sole of Festival Tabi

      It has a simple sole pattern with a lot of allow shape on the middle part and small dots and lines on the finger and heel part. Compared to slip-resistant tabi, it is thinner and lighter sole. 

       

      2. Tabi Air-Insole V

      Sole of Tabi Air Insole V

      It has an obviously slip-resistant sole design with a lot of wave shape lines on the whole part. According to the maker, the slip-resistant quality is improved 15% from the conventional one. Also, it is comfortable with an arch support and a big air cushion. Over 31cm sizes are available, too. 

       

      3. Kurashikiya Tabi Saiki

      Sole of Kurashikiya Tabi Saiki

      It has a cool and slip-resistant sole design with distinctive cross lines and zigzag patterns. As the air cushion appears on the sole, it has quality cushion function. But, the air cushion doesn't appear from the side to look it stylish (it would depend on the preference of people).  Also, relatively thinner sole looks stylish and it has a slip resistance with a newly developed rubber sole. 

       

      4. Kurashikiya Tabi Saibu

      Sole of Kurashikiya Tabi Saibu

      It is one of our popular tabi shoes and has a lot of medium-size dots on the whole part and wave shape patterns on the outer part. It has a barefoot feeling and fits your foot well. Also, it has a shock absorber inside the heel part.

       

      5. Kurashikiya Tabi Saisui

      Sole of Kurashikiya Tabi Saisui

      As well as the sole of Festival Tabi, it has a simple sole pattern with a lot of allow shape on the middle part and small dots and lines on the finger and heel part. Also, it's comfortable to wear with a functional air cushion insole and fits your feet well. The sole is black for black tabi that suits black festival costumes well.  

       

      6. Saisou Fastener (Zipper)

      Sole of Saisou Fastener (Zipper)

      It has a beautiful and slip-resistant square pattern with a lot of smaller arrow and bigger arrow shapes. Also, it has a cup-insole with an arch support and fits your feet well. It's comfortable with a thick cushion insole, too. Zipper is used instead of clasps and it's easier to wear than other tabi shoes. 

       

      7. Tabi Air-Insole III

      Sole of Tabi Air Insole III

      It is the most slip-resistant tabi with a lot of s-shaped patterns. This sole is extremely slip-resistant and called "ultra sole". Even on the wet ground, it's hard to slip and good for runnning, too. Also, it's comfortable with a shock absorbing air cushion and an arch support. 

       

      8. Matsuri Air Sewn

      Sole of Matsuri Air Sewn

      It has a simple sole with less part touching the ground. It has a lot of small dots on the thumb, index, side, and heel part. It's very simple design. It's comfortable with shock absorbing air insole though the sole is thinner. 

       

      9. Matsuri Jog Tabi

      Sole of Matsuri Jog Tabi

      It has a slip-resistant sole with a lot of wave shape pattern. As its name suggests, it's popular among matsuri (festival in Japanese) people. It's comfortable with a relatively thick sole and cushion. 

       

      😚Thank you for reading this to the end. Please feel free to ask any questions or leave any comments😉

      6 Types of Traditional Japanese Flute (Fue) and How to Play

      6 Types of Traditional Japanese Flute (Fue) and How to Play

      Fue -Traditional Japanese Flute-

      "Fue" is the general terms for flute in Japanese. In this post, we explain how to play the "fue (traditional Japanese flutes)". Nowadays, western music is familiar to Japanese people but the sound of the "fue" is still familiar to Japanese, too. For example, the sound of "shakuhachi (a Japanese end-blown flute)" makes us relaxed and the sound of "shinobue (one of the Japanese transverse flutes)" reminds us of our local festivals. In addition, we often hear the sound of "gagaku (Japanese court music)" at shrine on new years day and traditional-style wedding ceremony in Japan. "Hichiriki (a Japanese double-reed instrument)" and "ryuteki (one of the Japanese transverse flutes)" are in charge of the melody part and play in harmony with "sho (a Japanese mouth organ)" in "gagaku". Furthermore, nohkan (one of the Japanese transverse flutes) is played in the "noh play (one of the traditional Japanese performing arts)". The scale of "nohkan" is much different from the western scale and even the scale of each instrument is different to produce the ultimate sound and make the "noh play" excellent. Unlike the western flute made of metal, most Japanese flute is made of wood (bamboo) as it was before. Let's try these traditional Japanese flutes and create your new music & arts!

       

      1. How to Play Shakuhachi Flute

      2. How to Play Shinobue Flute

      3. How to Play Ryuteki Flute

      4. How to Play Nohkan Flute

      5. How to Play Hichiriki Flute

      6. How to Play Sho (Hosho) Flute

       

      1. Shakuhachi

      Shakuhachi Japanese Bamboo End-blown Flute

      Shakuhachi is one of the most popular Japanese instruments as well as shamisen (Japanese lute), koto (Japanese harp), and taiko (Japanese drum). There are a lot of shakuhachi artists around the world and the number of the player will further increase due to the reasonable and high quality plastic shakuhachi, shakuhachi yuu, which is popular among beginners. It sounds like the sound of the natural environment like wind and forest. The pitch range is approximately two and a half octaves but the possibility of the musical expression is infinity.

      Fingering Chart of Shakuhachi

      Shakuhachi Fingering Chart

      How to Play the Shakuhachi

      How to Play Shakuhachi

      Hold shakuhachi with right hand on lower holes (2 holes on the front) and left hand on upper holes (2 holes on the front and 1 hole on the back). Place the edge part of the blow hole between the lower lip and chin. Blow air to the opposite side of the blow hole edge. To play 1 octave higher sound, blow sharp and fast air and narrow your airway as you sing high notes.

      View Shakuhachi for Sale

       

      2. Shinobue

      How to Play Shinobue Japanese Bamboo Flute

      Shinobue is often played in Japanese festivals and becoming popular among taiko players in these days. Taiko (taiko drum), fue (shinobue flute), and kane (gong or cymbals) are often played in Japanese festivals and the sound of shinobue is familiar to Japanese as a memory of festival. It becomes popular among taiko players as a melodic instrument and solo in the taiko performance. The structure is so simple but the range is very wide from low pitch to higher pitch (approximately two and a half octaves). The sound produced is very warm and relaxing.

      Fingering Chart of Shinobue

      Shinobue Japanese Bamboo Flute Fingering Chart

      How to Play the Shinobue

      Place the lower lip on the blow hole

      Hold shinobue horizontally on the right side of the player. Place the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger of the left hand on the nearest three finger holes and the index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger of the right hand on the remaining four finger holes. Make the center of the blow hole in the center of the face and cover one third of the blow hole with the lower lip. Then, hit the air to the edge of the blow hole and find the best place to hit the air by turning shinobue outwards or inwards. If you catch how to blow shinobue, you will be able to play other Japanese flute, too.

      View Shinobue for Sale

      Related Articles

      Types of Shinobue

      Do you know types of shinobue? See also this article.

      Types of Shinobue


      Types of Shinobue

      Want to know how to play shinobue? See also this article. 

      Fingering Chart of Shinobue 


      Embouchure and Finger Placement of Shinobue

      Want to know embouchure? See also this article. 

      Embouchure and Finger Placement of Shinobue 

       

      3. Ryuteki

      Ryuteki Traditional Japanese Transverse Flute for Court Music

      Ryuteki is one of the three major wind instruments for gagaku (traditional Japanese court music). To translate the name directly, it means "dragon flute" in Japanese. As its name suggests, it sounds like cry of the dragon flying through the sky. In the gagaku music, ryuteki is often played for the type of the tohgaku music. On the other hand, komabue flute is played for the type of the komagaku music and kagurabue flute is played for the type of the mikagura music. These instruments look similar but the sound, the shape, and types of music are different. It has a lead inside and bindings are wound around whole part. So, compared to shinobue flute, it is a little heavier and looks luxurious. The sound produced is clear and loud. The pitch range is about 2 octaves.

      Fingering Chart of Ryuteki

      Fingering Chart of Ryuteki Traditional Japanese Flute

      How to Play the Ryuteki

      Hold ryuteki horizontally on the right side of the player as well as shinobue. Placing fingers and lips are just like shinobue, too. But, it needs to blow a little wider and cover blow hole a little wider with the lower lip compared to shinobue because it has a bigger blow hole and finger holes.

      View Ryuteki for Sale

       

      4. Nohkan

      Nohkan Japanese Transverse Flute

      Nohkan is a flute played with drums (taiko & tsuzumi) for the noh play, one of the traditional Japanese performing arts. As well as ryuteki flute, it has a lead inside and bindings are wound around whole part. In addition, blow hole and finger holes are painted and it has a metal ornament on the top. Also, it has a small tube called "nodo", which combines with the body. Due to this part, nohkan produces the unique high pitched sound.

      Fingering Chart of Nohkan

      There is no fingering chart for nohkan. The scale of "nohkan" is much different from the western scale and even the scale of each instrument is different. Unlike the "ryuteki" flute which was introduced from the continent, "nohkan" has been developed in Japan. So, you could say that the sound of nohkan suits with the sense of Japanese.

      How to Play the Nohkan

      Hold nohkan horizontally on the right side of the player as well as shinobue and ryuteki. Placing fingers and lips are just like ryuteki. But, it needs more speedy blow. As noted above, there's no finger chart for this instrument and the sounds played are different according to the player and school.

      View Nohkan for Sale

       

      5. Hichiriki

      Hichiriki Japanese Oboe Double-reed Flute

      Hichiriki is a Japanese double reed instrument like the oboe. As well as ryuteki flute, hichiriki is one of the three major wind instruments for gagaku (traditional Japanese court music). It has a body part made of bamboo and a reed made of reed around the body. It has 9 holes (7 holes on the front and 2 holes on the back) and rattan bindings. Before playing the hichiriki, the reed needs to be open a little bit by soaking warm water (green tea is better). Meaning of the hichiriki in the gagaku music is voice of people (ground). Although it has only 18cm (about 7in), the sound is very loud and unique. It has only 1 octave but plays melody with various tone.

      Fingering Chart of Hichiriki

      Hichiriki Japanese Oboe Flute

      How to Play the Hichiriki

      First, open the blow hole of the rozetsu (reed) by putting it into the warm water. Remove shime (boushi) and seme from the rozetsu. Soak it into the warm water (green tea is better) to open the blow hole 1mm to 1.5mm (about 0.04in to 0.06in). Wipe off the water from rozetsu. Then, insert it into the body part of the hichiriki (red string should be right side to the player). Hold hichiriki vertically. Place the left index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger on the upper three finger holes on the front and left thumb on the upper one finger hole on the back. Place the right index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger, and the little finger on the lower 4 finger holes and right thumb in the lower one finger hole on the back. Put the reed in the mouth up to seme part (this part should be out of mouth). Relax the lip and blow it as same as blowing up a balloon. It may need a lot of practice to make a sound. It's better to practice 10 minutes every single day rather than practice 1 hour once a week. Take it easy.

      View Hichiriki for Sale

       

      6. Sho (Hosho)

      Sho (Hosho) Japanese Mouth Organ

      Sho is a Japanese mouth organ and one of the three major wind instruments for gagaku (traditional Japanese court music) as well as ryuteki and hichiriki. It has 17 bamboo sticks put on the base. The shape looks like "houou (a legendary bird)" resting with folding wings. So, it's also called the beautiful name, "hosho". In the gagaku music, it represents the voice from the sky. 15 bamboo sticks make the sound and it mainly plays sho's 10 (or 11) chords.

      Fingering Chart of Sho (Hosho)

      Fingering Chart of Sho Japanese Mouth Organ

      How to Play the Sho (Hosho)

      Before and after playing the sho flute, it needs to be warmed up by a heater so that the reed is hard to make a sound if it's wet. It prevents the reed from the condensation due to the difference of the temperature and humidity. Please note that the beeswax melts if it is heated too much. Hold kashira (base) with one hand and bamboo sticks with another hand. Turn it round and round over the heater to warm the whole part evenly. Straighten yourself and hold the kashira with both hands to make your fingers move freely. Blow and draw in the air while you close the finger holes and make chords of sho.

      View Sho for Sale

       

      Related Articles

      Traditional Japanese Instruments

      Let's learn other Japanese instruments, too.

      Guide to 33 Types of Traditional Japanese Instruments

       

      😚Thank you for reading this to the end. Please feel free to ask any questions or leave any comments😉

      14 Types of Traditional Japanese Clothing for Festival and Taiko Performance

      14 Types of Traditional Japanese Clothing for Festival and Taiko Performance

      There are various types of the costume in Japanese festivals. They are worn by taiko players, too. Let's learn the name, the meaning and the history!

       

      1. (Clothing) Happi & Hanten

      2. (Clothing) Haragake

      3. (Clothing) Momohiki

      4. (Clothing) Koikuchi Shirt 

      5. (Clothing) Yukata 

      6. (Footwear) Tabi 

      7. (Footwear) Zouri & Setta 

      8. (Accessories) Hachimaki  

      9. (Accessories) Tekkou (Tekou)   

      10. (Accessories) Fundoshi 

      11. (Accessories) Tenugui

      12. (Accessories) Kasa 

      13. (Accessories) Omen 

      14. (Accessories) Ougi

       

      [Clothing]

      1. Happi & Hanten (Coat & Jacket)

      Happi / Hanten Coat

      Happi coat is known as popular costume for taiko performance and festival. Generally, people in same group wear same happi coat with same color and pattern to unite together. Happi and hanten are traditional Japanese coat. Technically, "happi" and "hanten" refer to different clothing. Nowadays, we don't really distinguish between them when we say Japanese festival coat ("matsuri happi" or "matsuri hanten"). Some says "happi", others say "hanten". "Shirushi Banten" is the official name for Japanese festival coat that has group name and family emblem printed or sewn on the collars and back. But, most people just call it the abbreviation word like "happi" or "hanten". It's said that it appeared in Edo period (*exact year is unknown). They became popular among common people when they are banned to wear "haori (another Japanese jacket often worn by samurai warrior)". It's been often worn by common people, firefighter, and craftsmen. Nowadays, it's often worn in festival and some business purpose like Japanese inn, sake (Japanese alcohol) brewery and sales promotion event by company. Sometimes, hanten jacket is remade with a cotton into a jacket with cold protection. On the other hand, happi coat for matsuri (Japanese festival) usually doesn't have a liner and festival participants wear it while carrying "mikoshi (portable shrine)" and "dashi (float as known as "yama", "hoko", and "yatai")". Happi for matsuri is often worn over a "haragake" (apron as known as "muneate" and "donburi") and some types of Japanese shirts.

      View Happi for Sale

      Happi Coat

       

      2. Haragake (Apron)

      Haragake

      Worker like craftsman and rickshaw man wore "haragake" apron under "happi" coat and "hanten" jacket. It's worn like apron with straps on the back. "Hara" means belly in Japanese and "gake" means putting something around. It's put around belly and chest in order to prevent body from cold and stain. It's said that it already exists as of the late Edo period. It has a pocket on the back or front to put coins into it. It became a typical taiko player's costume effected by 50s Japanese film, Muhoumatsu no Issho (The Rickshaw Man). It's also called "donburi" and "muneate".

      View Haragake for Sale

      Haragake

       

      3. Momohiki (Pants)

      Momohiki

      "Momohiki" is a Japanese style work pants. Craftsman and steeplejack wear it with "happi" coat and "haragake" apron. There were loose type and tight type but tight type has been popular among people after late Edo period. It's said that the name of "momohiki" came from an old word "momohabaki". "Momo" means thigh in Japanese. In the old era, kyahan (ankle belt) is called "habaki" and "habaki" for "momo (thigh)" is called "momohabaki". It's said that a word "momohabaki" changed into "momohiki". As well as haragake, It became a typical taiko player's costume effected by 50s Japanese film, Muhoumatsu no Issho (The Rickshaw Man). Short type "momohiki" is called "hantako" or "handako". It was used for travel.

      View Momohiki for Sale

      Momohiki

       

      4. Koikuchi Shirt

      Koikuchi Shirts

      "Koikuchi" shirt is popular festival clothing as well as "haragake" apron and "momohiki" pants. It's named after the shape of the cuffs. The narrow cuffs look like "kuchi" (mouth) of "koi" (carp). This tight shirt with three quarter sleeve often worn under "haragake" apron with "momohiki" pants. Tucking in your shirt makes you look stylish. It's also called "nikujuban" but a word of "nikujuban" also means skin-colored underwear with muscles and tattoo. As well as this "nikujuban" underwear, koikuchi shirt has a variety of loud patterns like flower and imaginary animal.

      View Koikuchi Shirts for Sale

       

      5. Yukata (Robe)

      "Yukata" is abbreviation of "yukatabira", which was worn to take a bath in the past. The old Japanese bath is a steam bath in temple. People wore "yukatabira" because they mustn't take a bath in the nude for religious reasons. From the early modern era, it became popular to take a bath in the way we do now and people take a bath naked. Then, "yukata" was changed into a kind of the robe worn to absorb sweat after bath. From the middle of Edo era, it's often worn as everyday clothes in summer. It wasn't a outerwear but a lounge wear. Nowadays, it's often worn for summer festival like fireworks display.

      View Yukata for Sale

       

      [Footwear]

      6. Tabi (Shoes / Boots)

      Tabi Shoes

      Tabi is known as ninja shoes in the world. In Japan, it's often worn for taiko performance and festivals as well as construction work. "Tabi" is Japanese traditional two-fingers shoes. It's said that the origin of "tabi" is dated back to Nara period and it was developed from an old Japanese footwear "shitozu". Two-fingers tabi appeared to wear with "zouri" shoes in Heian period. Old "tabi" was made of leather and has a long tube shape tighten with long string. In the middle of Edo period, fabric "tabi" appeared and became popular after great fire of Meireki (1657). It is because leather "haori" jacket became popular to prevent it from fire and the prices of leather became high. Short "tabi" is replaced with long "tabi" and "kohaze" hook was developed in this period. White "tabi" was popular among female and navy "tabi" was popular among male. White "tabi" was used as formal wear and navy "tabi" was used for travel in late Edo period. Rubber was imported to Japan in Meiji era and used with sole of "tabi". It is the present "tabi" worn in festival: so-called "jika-tabi" as known as ninja shoes. In the festivals, jika-tabi shoes which have thick rubber sole and air cushion inside are popular because people in the festival often walk the long distance. 

      View Tabi for Sale

      Tabi Shoes

       

      7. Zouri & Setta (Sandals)

      Zouri Sandals

      "Zouri" is sandals which has a sole with straps called "hanao". It's developed as everyday shoes woven with bamboo peel, rush, and straw. "Setta" is a high-class sandals which has a leather sole on the back of "zouri". There is "setta" with iron and it's considered that walking and making sound with it is smart. "Setta" is more popular among festival people because it's harder to slip than "zouri". Also, people often wear it with tabi (not tabi shoes with thick sole but tabi socks). 

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      [Accessories]

      8. Hachimaki (Headband)

      Hachimaki

      "Hachimaki" means a cloth wrapped around head.  A part of head which is wrapped around with "hachimaki" is called "hachi". "Maki" means wrapping something around. It's been considered that wearing a cloth on the head expresses honor to someone in a dignified manner. In addition, It's said that it has a religious meaning. For example, spiritual power exists by making knots on "hachimaki". Nowadays, it is worn to be pumped up. For example, fishmonger, sushi chef, carpenter, and steeplejack wear it to be pumped up and look cool. Festival participants also wear it around head and carry "mikoshi" portable shrine.

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      Hachimaki Headband

       

      9. Tekkou (Wrist Band)

      Tekkou Wrist Band

       

      "Tekkou (Tekou)" is a traditional Japanese wrist band for work and travel, which prevents wrist from damage. It has tube shape and fasten with strings, hooks, and Velcro tape. It is made of fabric but iron wrist band is used for battle. In the festival, people often put it on to protect their wrist from the damage when they carry the "mikoshi" portable shrine and "dashi" float. 

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      Tekkou Wrist Band

       

      10. Fundoshi (Underwear)

      Fundoshi Underwear

      A cloth worn around private parts. Japanese people don't take a bath in the nude by early modern period. They wear fundoshi for bath time. There are some types of fundoshi. The popular type is "rokushaku fundoshi" and "Etchu fundoshi". "Rokushaku fundoshi" is one piece of cloth that has about rokushaku (6 shaku / 2 meters / 79 inches) in length. It's been worn since between Keicho (1596-1615). "Etchu fundoshi" is simple type of the "rokushaku fundoshi". It's easier to wear than "rokushaku fundoshi". It has only a half of "rokushaku fundoshi" in length but has thin strings to wrap around the body. It's been popular among people because of the convenience and saving of material. In the past, it's popular for adult male to wear fundoshi. So, the ceremony was held to celebrate male when he wears a fundoshi for the first time (when he becomes adult from child) as rite of passage in some district of Japan. In some summer festivals, people only wear "fundoshi" underwear without "momohiki" pants. In the "hadaka matsuri" (naked festival), people only wear fundoshi "underwear" in the nude (sometimes, people run around and get in the water in winter). 

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      11. Tenugui (Towel)

       Tenugui Towel

      "Tenugui" is a traditional Japanese towel made of cotton. It is used in various ways. For example: it's used as a headband, a sweat towel, an advertising material, a celebration gift, a belt, a sash, a string, a substitute of "hanao" strap, and a bandage. Some people just place in on the head like wearing a hat and it's called "oki tenugui". As well as "hachimaki" headband, to wear something like "tenugui" has a spiritual and ritual meaning. It's often used to wipe the face and wrap around the head instead of "hachimaki" headband in Japanese festival.  Also, the "tenugui" towel which has the image of the festival is sold as a souvenir.

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      12. Kasa (Hat)

       Okesa Kasa

      It has various name for "kasa" hat depends on the material (e.g. sugegasa / takegasa / igasa / higasa) and manufacturing method (e.g. nuigasa / amigasa / kumigasa / osaegasa / harigasa / nurigasa). It's considered that it's been used from long time ago because cray images with "kasa" hat were excavated from ancient tomb. It enables people to escape from daily life and change them into someone by concealing one's self. It's a sacred symbol as well as decoration based on "Furyu" an old virtue of Japan still now. In the Japanese dance festival, dancers often wear it. 

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      13. Omen (Mask)

       Omen Hyottoko Okame Mask

      "Omen" mask is put on the face to play the role of someone and gods in some festivals and folk performing arts. The most popular character is "Okame" and "Hyottoko". "Okame" is female character with charming smile and ugly face. It has rounded face, flat nose, droopy eyelid, large forehead, and high cheekbones. It's also called "otafuku" and "ofuku" as a lucky face. It's used for "kagura" dance and "shishimai" lion dance as a character of crown as well as "hyottoko".  "Hyottoko" is a funny male face puckered up his mouth. A word "hyottoko" is derived from the "hiotoko" (to translate directly, it means fire man). His mouth represents the mouth to breathe fire with a bamboo blowpipe. It often appears with "okame" as one of the crown characters in many folk performing arts. 

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      14. Ougi (Fan)

      "Ougi" is a traditional Japanese folding fan and one of the ceremonial tools. It's said that it's invented based on wooden tablets called "mokkan" in Nara period. It's used for traditional dance like "gosechi no mai" and "shirabyoshi". It's one of the important tools for traditional folk performing arts in Japan. Sometimes, it's been used for a subject of worship, a tool for game, and a gift. In addition, it's also used to encourage and lead people. For example, in the "gion matsuri" festival in Kyoto, one of the three major festivals in Kyoto, two people on the "hoko" float encourage people and send them signals to move with "ougi" fan. 

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