the tabi evolved further with the invention of the jika-tabi, a sturdier version with rubber soles. Introduced in the 1920s, this adaptation was designed for labourers and farmers who needed ...

Tabi shoes evolved from 15th-century Japanese split-toe socks into durable jika-tabi, then bold high-fashion footwear reimagined by designers and celebrities.

In the 1920s, a rubber sole was added to create the jika-tabi, a durable work shoe still worn in Japan today. Tabi shoes began in 15th-century Japan as split-toe socks worn with traditional sandals.