History of Tabi

1400s

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.

1906

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.

1921

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.

1935

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.

1929

Bridgestone Invests in Rubber Engineering

The Bridgestone Corporation uses the funds from the success of thejika tabito hire a German rubber engineer.

1951

Tabi Sneakers Win Boston Marathon

Shigeki Tanaka wins the Boston Marathon in Onitsuka tabi sneakers

1983

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.

1988

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.

1996

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.