A Pair of Tiny Cotton Velvet Tabi: Baby-Sized Mended Split Toe Footwear

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
each: 4 1/2" x 2 3/4", 11.5 cm x 7 cm

This is a pair of cotton velour or cotton velvet tabi which are tiny in size. Clearly they were worn by a baby or a small child.

Cotton velvet was something of a luxurious fabric in the Meiji era (1868-1912) as it was imported to Japan from Europe. Velvet details can sometimes be seen on the collar areas of under kimono from that era and seeing this pair of child's tabi is something remarkable.

The toe areas are stitched with thick thread, probably to reinforce that part, knowing a child would wear the tabi hard. There are patches to the soft cloth and the soles bear evidence that a child (or children) once wore this pair of footwear.

The loops which should hold the metal clasps at the back, closure area of the tabi are loose and one is missing.

Still, overall, the condition of this pair of small, velvet tabi is good: there are no nasty rips or stains, just some understandable signs of wear and some patching.

Recommended.b