A Pair of Densely Sashiko Stitched Heel Guards: Highly Textured

early twentieth century
each: 4 1/2" x 15', 11.5 cm x 38 cm

This is a pair of sashiko stitched akutogake or heel guards.  In old Japan people wore accessories to give protection to the body while working, traveling on foot, and the like.  Hand guards, gaiters of shin guards, instep guards and heel guards were worn as added protection against abrasion.

These akutogake were placed around the heel of the foot and tied in front.  They are hand stitched from white or undyed cotton and have been sashiko stitched in white, thick, cotton thread.  

By looking at the accompanying photographs we can notice the wear, the slight staining and the abrasion to the pair of heel guards which shows that they were indeed worn by someone in old Japan.

A really lovely set of a quickly disappearing hand made accessory from the past.