20090727 -- Japanese Socks (1)

Japanese Socks

Traditional Japanese footwear finds fans around the world
Geisha, traditional Japanese entertainers skilled in music and dancing, move gracefully in platform flip-flops. But how do these ladies protect their feet, especially during cold Japanese winters? The answer is tabi, traditional white, split-toe socks that can be worn with flip-flops. Geisha, however, aren't the only ones who wear them. Japanese workers have worn heavy-duty tabi for generations. But now this age-old footwear is gathering all kinds of fans. Modern tabi come in a variety of cool colors, patterns and materials. There are different styles, too, including the "five-fignered sock" that fits the toes like a glove. Both Japanese shops and online stores sell these trendy socks.

Not just for fashion
For the Japanese, feet are important and should be treated with care. Many Japanese, including shiatsu experts, claim that separting the big toe from the second toe increase circulation. Plus, they believe tabi ease pressure caused by walking on sidewalks and standing on trains.

So whether you're looking for fashion, health or comfort, buy a pair of tabi!



gracefully adv.
eg: The ballet dancer moved gracefully across the stage.

heavy-duty adj. 厚重的/耐用的
eg: You can't cut that wire with small scissors. You'll need a heavy-duty pair to do the job.
eg: The construction workers need to wear heavy-duty workboots to protect their feet.
eg: The heavy-duty tires can deal with all kinds of conditions on the road.

trend n. 時尚/流行
trendy adj. 時髦的/流行的
=> in style/fashion
eg: That trendy coffee shop offers live music on Friday nights.
eg: She wore a trendy hat to go with her new outfit(新行頭).
eg: Quincy opened a trendy restaurant in L.A.

cir-圈圈
circulation n. 循環
eg: Regular exercise helps promote good circulation.
eg: Exercise can improve blood circulation.
eg: Make sure there's good circulation of fresh air in the classroom.

circulation n. 報章雜誌的發行量
=> the movement of blood through vessals
eg: This magazine has a circulation of more than two million.

flip-flop 啪嗒啪嗒的響聲(或動作)
=> special sound

geisha n. (日本的)藝妓

platform n. 平台

tabi n. (日本人穿之)厚底短布襪

shiatsu n. 指壓
=> a form of Japanese masseage

//== Grammer on the go ==//

Modern tabi come in a variety of cool colors, patterns and materials.
=> Modern tabi are available in a variety of cool colors, patterns and materials.

come in
=> here come means "available"
=> When we want to talk about a variety of products, we use "come in".

eg: This style of jacket comes in three different sizes-small, medium, and large.
eg: Nowadays, cuckoo clocks come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

//== Chat room ==//

age-old adj. 古老的
=> very old
eg: an age-old tradition

old age 老年(只能用在有生命的東西)
eg: The man became very wealthy when he is old age.

aging 衰老的/老化的(只有中年人會衰老，不能小孩衰老中)
=> whole process of growing old
=> aging is used for people in the middle age
eg: My baby boy is aging (X).


Tabi have inspired some Western fashion designer to create some pretty unique shoes. The split-toe TABI design can eve be found in athletic shoes. For example, Nike sells a split-toe woman's shoe called Air Rift. Daisuke Matsuzaka the star pitcher for the Boston Red Sox is a big fan of split-toe socks. He reportedly has given pairs of tabi to his American teammates.