New indoor Tabi supplier

[Tenguyugen]

Greetings,

We import large quantities of a special, premium indoor cotton Tabi specifically for Budo practice from Japan to the US. Check us out: http://www.tabiforless.com

Wholesale is available to schools too. These are top quality Tabi, and the prices are very reasonable along with shipping.

[Koshu]

Scott --- Can you get leather-soled tabi in white, dark blue and black, sizes 22 cm - 30 cm?

[Tenguyugen]

Unfortunately we do not deal in the Kawa Tabi (leather-soled type), as it is very difficult to deal with the manufacturer at this time (we hope to be able to offer them in the Fall when they resume making them). Sorry!

The brand that we exclusively offer are very much unlike the cheaper brands and styles most people wear (the kind that don't last!). Ours are fleece-lined, with a significantly thicker sole and stronger stitching. They are from Gakuya, and are their "Itto School Neru model" (their premium model for Budo). They are only available in dark blue. Our price is really good though, though they are very expensive in Japan and we do not exploit shipping and handling charges! I know that Bokunando has leather-soled Tabi available, but you will be paying a premium for them, and since they are shipped direct from Japan to you, they will incurr a hefty shipping fee.

[Koshu]

Thanks. I have a pair that I ordered from Bokunando. Good quality, but yes, not cheap (as with most Japanese martial arts gear).

If you start offering leather-soled tabi, by all means PM me and/or announce it here.

[Rasputin]

Thanks. I have a pair that I ordered from Bokunando. Good quality, but yes, not cheap (as with most Japanese martial arts gear).

If you start offering leather-soled tabi, by all means PM me and/or announce it here.

How much would you be willing to pay for leather-soled?

[Koshu]

How much would you be willing to pay for leather-soled?
Hey David --- I currently get 'em from Nine Circles (http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/product_details.asp?ProdID=302&CatID=42), where they're available in black, dark blue and white. Wore the black pair to the Minami Ryu March 3 clinic. I'm quite happy with those (seem very similar to my Bokunando pair in dark blue). But, certain sizes are often sold out, so always good to identify an alternate supplier. Bokunando doesn't offer the larger sizes (e.g. 30 cm) that American dojo mates would need.

I'm willing to pay $35/pair including shipping (I believe this price point is between those of Nine Circles and Bokunando).

[Brian Dugger]

This is another site with some interesting designs for tabi. If I invest in some, it'll probably be from these guys. The design and construction seems more solid and durable.
2686
http://www.jika-tabi.com/index.html

[Tenguyugen]

This is another site with some interesting designs for tabi. If I invest in some, it'll probably be from these guys. The design and construction seems more solid and durable.
2686
http://www.jika-tabi.com/index.html

Those are nice, I agree. Too bad they aren't worn indoors.

[Koshu]

Those are nice, I agree. Too bad they aren't worn indoors.
Steel-toed tabi -- gotta love it! That'll put some oomph into the ol' forward snap kicks!

[Brian Dugger]

Steel-toed tabi -- gotta love it! That'll put some oomph into the ol' forward snap kicks!
The intent is to put the oomph somewhere else! How's that for being pragmatic/functional?



Those are nice, I agree. Too bad they aren't worn indoors.
What would prohibit one from the use of these indoors?

[Koshu]

. . . What would prohibit one from the use of these indoors?
Nothing. Just that conventional wisdom is that rubber-soled tabi (though these didn't exist in feudal Japan) are for outdoors since they'd be considered shoes vs. socks, and cloth and/or leather for inside. It'd be akin to the guy at the March 3 clinic wearing his running shoes while on the mat.

[Brian Dugger]

Nothing. Just that conventional wisdom is that rubber-soled tabi (though these didn't exist in feudal Japan) are for outdoors since they'd be considered shoes vs. socks, and cloth and/or leather for inside. It'd be akin to the guy at the March 3 clinic wearing his running shoes while on the mat.
A quick defense for Holley sensei, he informed me that he'd spoke with Garrett sensei regarding the matter. At which point, he'd imparted the shoes were to protect us from something more which he didn't want to inadvertantly impart to us via the mat.:cool:

[Koshu]

A quick defense for Holley sensei, he informed me that he'd spoke with Garrett sensei regarding the matter. At which point, he'd imparted the shoes were to protect us from something more which he didn't want to inadvertantly impart to us via the mat.:cool:
OK. . . . . . . . ! Thanks, I think?!?! :ticks:

[Tenguyugen]

What would prohibit one from the use of these indoors?

As someone above stated, outdoor Tabi should never be worn inside a Dojo, as they are considered outdoor footwear and that is a kind of violation of cultural etiquette.

But in the West, people can do whatever they want, right? I guess from a certain perspective, it's not so much "what should be worn" or "can it be worn", but more of a "how should it be worn" and "where it should be worn".