盛岡のげたっこシリーズ(めんこい下駄)じょじょ

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Menkoi-geta

Round backed heel geta with the slant-cut front on the underside. Many years ago during a time in Japan when foreign shoe styles were becoming popular, Mr. Kunitaro was anxious about the future of the Japanese traditional shoe, geta. He made many different styles of geta from his own ideas and his own work. One such geta he displayed in his shop's window and it became very popular with customers. They said it was a very cute and pretty style. That style was named "menkoi-geta". The word "menkoi" is part of the dialect of Northern Honshu and means the same as "kawaii" which is Japanese for "cute" or "pretty". Your children would enjoy these geta. They have been worn by Japanese people since old times. Mr. Kunitaro Yoshida, the originator of the menkoi-geta, owned the Geta Shop called "Yoshikuni's" in Iwate. Yoshikuni is the predecessor of the present Akai-hanao-no-jojo.

由来
赤い花緒のじょじょの前進である盛岡の吉国履物店、ニ代目、吉田国太郎氏（明治45年～平成元年）が、地場産の南部桐を使用し、自ら創意工夫した子供下駄です。国太郎氏は、早速、この下駄に鼻緒をすげ、店頭に並べたところ、お客様が皆口々に「んにゃまだめんけごど」（なんとまあかわいいこと）と評したため、以来、めんこい下駄と名づけられました。思わず子供にはかせてみたくなるような下駄ではありませんか。日本人は、皆、下駄をはいてきたのですから．．．．．。（めんこい＝かわいいという意味）

The characteristics of Menkoi-geta
1) The design of the base, or wooden sole.
The wood part is rounded and is very cute in design. They are made low and wide for stability. When you wear these geta you will feel very comfortable and secure because of the design of the base.
2) The hanao (top straps, design print, etc.).
My shop has many colorful hanao with beautiful designs similar to famous Japanese origami paper. Hanao is made of the traditional Japanese cloth called "Chirimen". Recently, cotton print has also become very popular. You can choose your favorite design for your hanao from my collection.
3) We have geta sizes from 5.3" (13.5 cm) up to 10.6" (27 cm).
4) Material used for the base.
Iwate Prefecture of Japan grows many Paulownia trees which are used to make the geta. The Paulownia of Iwate is used for the famous brand name "Nanbu-giri" which exports their products all over Japan. My shop produces these original menkoi-geta made of these Paulownia Tree wood.

特徴
台は丸型で、かわいらしく、高さ低く、巾広く、安定した形をしています。ペタペタと地につくように歩くことができます。
鼻緒は友禅染めのちりめんを使用し、裏側は足がすれないように工夫されたパイル織りとなっています。
岩手名産、南部桐を使用した、地肌白く、軽い材です。
当初、めんこい下駄は子供下駄のことをいいましたが、今では、同じ形で大人のサイズも作っています。　　

赤い花緒のじょじょの下駄置場

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