History of Tabi
Japanese Split-Toe Socks Emerge
Japanese manufacturers begin producing split-toe cotton socks, intended to be worn with thong sandals. Made with imported Chinese cotton fiber.
Ishibashi Establishes Tabi Factory
Shôjirô Ishibashi takes over his family’s clothing business, Bridgestone Co, located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu and establishes a tabi sock factory in Kurume.
First Rubber-Soled Jika Tabi Developed
Tokujiro Ishibashi, the brother of Shôjirô Ishibashi, develops a version of the sock with a rubber sole attached, a work shoe calledjika tabi—the first rubber-soled shoe in japan.
Jika Tabi Gains Widespread Popularity
The shoes become popular with farmers, construction workers, carpenters, gardeners, rickshaw pullers, and other day laborers. 2 millionjika tabishoes are produced each year.
Bridgestone Invests in Rubber Engineering
The Bridgestone Corporation uses the funds from the success of thejika tabito hire a German rubber engineer.
Tabi Sneakers Win Boston Marathon
Shigeki Tanaka wins the Boston Marathon in Onitsuka tabi sneakers
Margiela's First Luxury Tabi Shoes Sold
Martin Margiela sells his first order of tabi shoes, made in luxurious traditional mens’ leather, to Antwerp’s Cocodrillo. Ann Demeulemeester is the first customer to take home a pair.
Iconic Heeled Tabi Boot Debuts
Margiela introduces the heeled Tabi silhouette for his first womenswear show at Paris Cafe de la Gare SS‘89 show. The models wear cylindrical heeled tabi boots dripping with fresh red paint, trailing footprints down the white cotton-covered runway.
Nike Introduces Air Rift Sneaker
Nike introduces the Air Rift to an international market. The Air Rift is a sandal-sneaker with split toe design and elastic strap, purportedly inspired by barefoot Kenyan long distance runners.