The Cultural Evolution of Slippers: From Convenience to Cultural Staple in Japan and Beyond

In both Taiwan and Japan, slippers are more than just an item of footwear; they are an integral part of daily life. However, slippers in Japan have a unique history and cultural relevance that underscores their transformation from a functional item to a symbol of cultural norms and etiquettes.

According to studies by Japanese folklorist Takechi Kunihiko, the history of slippers in Japan is relatively recent, dating back to the early Meiji era around 1870. A Tokyo-based tailor, Tokujiro Tokuno, crafted the first set of slippers, possibly as a response to a specific problem. With Japan opening its doors to the West at the end of the Edo period, an influx of Westerners faced a unique challenge. Accustomed to their footwear, Western visitors found it inconvenient to remove their shoes when entering Japanese tatami rooms, causing discomfort among the Japanese hosts. To address this, a longtime foreign resident approached Tokujiro and commissioned him to create a “shoe for a shoe” — a soft covering that could be worn over regular shoes. Thus, the prototype of the Japanese slipper was born.

The Regal Shoe Company, initially known as Ise Katsu Boot Yard, featured a specialized “indoor boot” in its 1873 product catalog. Designed for wealthy urbanites living in Western-style…