Standing sill in Tengu Geta

odonata · (#1 (**permalink**))

I have been a fan of Geta for a long time and have had a pair since 1983.
I have always wanted Ippon ba and as I found myself in Tokyo I bought a pair.

I tried them right away and found I was a natural. Many people I have let try them out have had big problems which I found strange. My first time in Tengu felt natural, I could walk and even run in them. The only thing I had trouble with was standing still.
Well today I mastered the technique and wish to pass it on to you.

To stand still or to be stationary in Ippon Ba...

First I will say that Tengu are not normal shoes and you can in no way expect them to behave in the same way.

The secret to standing still is firstly to do with the brain and secondly understanding what your body is giving in feedback.
The brain is used to standing on feet or in normal shoes so the messages it requires are defeated with tengu.

The way around this is to take your dominant foot (the one you kick with) and angle the toe forward, your passive foot should be just ahead of the dominant with the heal angled down.
I am right footed so...
Right is / and left is \ but only at a slight angle with the left foot slightly ahead of the right.

At first you will need a steep angle but as time goes by the angle and distance of the feet will decrease and soon it will look very natural.

I have been able to stand still like this for over 1/2 hour tonight speaking to people while not tottering around and looking off balance.

i hope this helps.

Marc.

Tsuruko · (#2 (**permalink**))

Have you tried Okobo?

I love Okobo, they have little bells inside, but they're so noisy! I have a pair, but I don't wear them much because they were really hard for me to find for a decent price.

I wear lots of Geta and Zori myself. I have worn, almost without exception, Geta for two years now. They're the most wonderful things for me to walk in. I don't have great ankles and I'm quite flat footed, so somehow, Geta are wonderful for me. I pretty much strive to own the most ridiculous pairs of Geta and Zori I can find. ( platform Zori?! count me in! )

I don't own a pair of tengu geta, as it's really hard for me to find a pair sized for my small feet. Most tengu geta are sized for men, so they're generally 10 inches plus, and I really need a 9 inch pair of geta to wear them properly, and even at 9 inches, I only get the smallest bit of heel hang. . . : /

I tell you, though, my dream Geta are Koma Geta, like the type the Oiran wear and do the figure 8 step. They're amazing! But I fear I will have to make my own pair, much to expensive! They're sold new for $1000+!

However, my favorite type of Geta to wear are the Komachi style!

Thanks for sharing your Tengu Geta secrets! I'll have to remember this for when I can finally snag a pair! Nice to find a fellow Geta enthusiast!

IonFortuna · (#3 (**permalink**))

I am a little lost... ...what are they? If you can, I'd like to see an Image.

Tsuruko · (#4 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by IonFortuna

I am a little lost... ...what are they? If you can, I'd like to see an Image.

Geta are traditional wooden sandals. : )

These are Tengu geta, notice the one "ha" or tooth of the stilt.

Those are Komachi Geta.

Typical Geta, two toothed style.

these are koma geta, I dream of owning these. . . .

These are Okobo, they're either worn by young children or Maiko-san ( apprentice Geisha. )

There's other types, but those are the most common.

IonFortuna · (#5 (**permalink**))

Thanks, you were very helpfull!!

Tsuruko · (#6 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by IonFortuna

Thanks, you were very helpfull!!

Glad to be of assistance. : )

Ookini!

IonFortuna · (#7 (**permalink**))

What does that mean?

Tsuruko · (#8 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by IonFortuna

What does that mean?

Ookini, you mean?

Ookini is Kyoto dialect for, "Thank you," versus Arigatou of standard dialect.

Kyoto dialect is know for its softer sound.

Desu becomes Dosu

Hai is Hei

IonFortuna · (#9 (**permalink**))

Wow, I didn't know that!!

Tsuruko · (#10 (**permalink**))

I am glad I could share a few tidbits of knowledge, IonFortuna.

There is so much to learn about Japan, especially cultural and traditional. I am still learning quite a bit myself. Shamisen is my current endeavor, it is a very tricky instrument to play, but sounds so beautiful. I am currently practicing, "Sakura, Sakura."