Above:  The old Tabi (Japanese split-toe socks) Storehouse is reused as Japanese restaurant

4.The Tabi Storehouse Course 

 

 

 

Tabi & Living Museum:

  The founder, Makino was Samurai in Oshi-han(domain).

So, he was a unique Samurai who was successful in business.

This shows us demonstration of Tabi manufacturing and

visitors can experience producing of "My Tabi".  

(1) Summary of history

-1 Tabi  industry in Gyoda appeared　on documents in the middle of Edo period.(18th C.,)

-2 Tabi industry became the main industry of Gyoda in late Edo period.(Middle of 19th C.,)

-3 Sewing machines were used and the productivity was improved in middle of Meiji period.

-4 Mass orders from Navy, Army and by the Kanto Earthquake led a boom of Tabi.

-5 An establishment of a bank and an electric company in late Meiji period

improved the financial and productive terms.

-6 The current system of division of labor was built in Taisho period.

-7 Tabi industry was forced from Tabi production to uniform production for Army and Navy in War time of Showa period.

-8 A popularization of nylon socks reduced the production quantity of Tabi rapidly after 1955.

 

 

 

They reduced number of manufacturers,however there are twelve Japanese traditional TABI manufacturers in Gyoda.

 They still have continued the production by their same traditional way for 130 years. Japanese traditional TABI is small craft articles that need twelve manufacturing processes and time,the longest processes in small craft articles for Japanese Kimono culture.

 

 If you come to Gyoda,you can see craftsmanship, traditional machines and tools at sites. 

You might be surprised to find adherence for quality by craftsmen and craftswomen for TABI making. 

 

 

(2) Storehouse Town, Gyoda

  There are 80 storehouses that were built from Meiji period to Showa period in Gyoda. There are two kind of storehouses, one is for stocking of Tabi(many) and the other is for commercial usage to prevent fire(6 storehouses). These houses have unique style of building seen in the castle town, they have narrow width at front and long in depth. They are used now as cake shop, noodle restaurant, gallery, and museum etc.

 

Tools for Tabi production and Products:

 

 These tools show the change of production way that are from

Hand sewing to production with machine.

These(4971 items) belong to National Registered Tangible Folk Cultural Properties.