〜Waragutsu: Straw Boots〜
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There were various types of winter footwear made from straw, including waragutsu, fungomi, gongo, and otategutsu.
The different types of footwear made by straw
Waragutsu: For quick trips around the neighborhood on nice days. It was a tradition to wear a brand-new pair for New Year's.
Gongo: Closely resembled modern rain boots in shape
Otategutsu: Practical for shoveling snow and working in the mountains (such as hauling timber). To keep the feet warm, a heel cover called an usokake (or ushirokake) was attached to the back, and the boots were secured in place with strings.
Tsumakake-zori (toe-covered sandals): Worn indoors on wooden floors and in kitchens.
All of these were woven from straw, and since water would eventually seep in after prolonged use, they were tightly and densely knitted. Even so, children would often wade straight into water while wearing their fungomi, making them a hassle to dry. On clear days, people would prop them up on sticks to dry outside in the sun; otherwise, they were dried inside around the irori (sunken hearth).
