An exhibition taking place at the Takashimaya department store in Shinjuku, Tokyo is redesigning the geta, Japan’s traditional sandals.

The woman behind the exhibition is geta artist Chie Suzuki, who first learned the techniques and craftsmanship behind getas over 20 years ago. The earliest versions of getas were used as work footwear by Japanese farmers tending to their rice fields. Over the decades, they evolved to have a variety of uses, from footwear for underwater seaweed cultivation to being worn by priests during shrine ceremonies.

Getas in their current form became popular during Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868), where regular people started using them as a fashion item. In modern day Japan, getas are typically paired with kimonos or their lighter, summer version known as yukatas.

Chie Suzuki’s Art Geta Exhibition includes over 50 different geta designs, with some being available for purchase. You can find more information about the event below, or through Takashimaya Shinjuku’s Japanese website.

Art Geta: Chie Suzuki Exhibition

Date: June 30 to July 11, 2021
Venue: Swing Square, 2F Takashimaya Shinjuku, 5 Chome-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo 151-8580
Tel: 03-5361-1111