There was something that had been positively mystifying me since my arrival in Japan. I wasn’t the only one who was confused, either. My fellow expat friends had also noticed that an unusually high percentage of Japanese girls and young women appeared to be pigeon-toed. What’s more, many of them looked as though they were doing it on purpose!
As the months passed, from one city to the next, we saw female feet of all ages turned in, attempting to walk around stores and catch trains using only the tiniest of inverted steps. To compound the apparent difficulty of making it from point A to point B, most of these girls and women wore towering high heels.
It is common for Westerners to be puzzled by this practice, known as uchimata, because we have been raised to view the condition only as a medical problem. Among many Japanese people, however, turning in your toes and taking small steps is seen as the most ladylike way to walk. It is considered to be infinitely more delicate than walking with your feet turned out.
After doing some research, I decided to broach this potentially awkward topic with my Japanese colleagues. At an informal interview session, they revealed their cultural conviction that uchimata is more attractive than “walking like a man”. They were referring to the way I walk, in case you were wondering. As for the ubiquitous high heels, they went on, sexy shoes are another important component of the super vulnerable and feminine appearance they aspire to cultivate.
Unfortunately, they said, it is impossible to wear such shoes and walk in this manner every day. Since they have to maneuver around a workplace and get places quickly, it is not practical for them to move slowly and turn in their feet. They do, however, like to revert to this style when dressed in traditional kimono. Kimono robes are not sealed in the front by zippers or buttons or strings.
So, by walking “like a man” one runs the risk of exposing everything that is hidden underneath. Although the mystery has been somewhat solved, I still do a double take when I see a particularly painful looking young lady hobbling beside me in the mall. I have to remind myself that she is probably just as perplexed by my tendency to wear unsexy sneakers in public and take the stairs two at a time. www.somewherethesunisrising.com
Comments
This blog is interesting. I enjoy to read it. Thanks you for sharing.
While we are on the subject, can we discuss the prevalence of high heels on little girls? Anybody know the back story on that phenomenon?
Hii im jackson nice posted Sylvia Saracino this .thanks
Hi Sylvia, nice post. I don't really know why Japanese women walking like this, but I guess because of traditional concept that women have been supposed to be like that pigeon toes while wearing tight kimono.
Went hiking up a crater while on vacation in Hawaii last summer… my American family members still remember the busload of Japanese tourists wearing high heels!
I would be inclined to say that femininity is greatly valued in Japan, no matter what the cost. They (Japanese women)certainly have an affinity for those high-heeled shoes and platforms. I knew this one Japanese girl who was a friend of my daughter’s who walked around the city of Rome with us in her platforms and didn’t show any sign of discomfort at all!
I would be inclined to say that femininity is greatly valued in Japan, no matter what the cost. They (Japanese women)certainly have an affinity for those high-heeled shoes and platforms. I knew this one Japanese girl who was a friend of my daughter’s who walked around the city of Rome with us in her platforms and didn’t show any sign of discomfort at all!
very interesting. makes you wonder what someone from some pre-high heels era would think of us prancing around on a Friday night….
very interesting. makes you wonder what someone from some pre-high heels era would think of us prancing around on a Friday night….
I’m glad you guys can relate! No matter how comfortable I get in Japan, seeing this is one of those things that immediately reminds me how foreign I really am.
I’m glad you guys can relate! No matter how comfortable I get in Japan, seeing this is one of those things that immediately reminds me how foreign I really am.
My husband and I met downtown for dinner last weekend. When I came out of the train station and down a staircase to where he was, he could only see my feet for a moment. He said that he could tell they were gaijin feet because I walked with them angled too far out to be a Japanese woman. I immediately thought of this post and had to laugh.
My husband and I met downtown for dinner last weekend. When I came out of the train station and down a staircase to where he was, he could only see my feet for a moment. He said that he could tell they were gaijin feet because I walked with them angled too far out to be a Japanese woman. I immediately thought of this post and had to laugh.
Hi! Please just let me clarify that while I see a LOT of women walking this way, there are also many who don’t. Please don’t think this is 100% of the female population.
Also, thanks for the positive feedback. Good question…it looks like you are some kind of doctor? I will have to look into that next time I meet a Japanese orthopedic surgeon…
Hi! Please just let me clarify that while I see a LOT of women walking this way, there are also many who don’t. Please don’t think this is 100% of the female population.
Also, thanks for the positive feedback. Good question…it looks like you are some kind of doctor? I will have to look into that next time I meet a Japanese orthopedic surgeon…
Great website. Love your post, and the one above about The Flying Dutchman.
I wonder if the orthopedic surgeons in Japan see problems in women later in life, related to this unnatural, self imposed style of walking, such as ankle problems or excessive meniscus wear on the knees.
Word of caution: Don’t follow in their footsteps!
Great website. Love your post, and the one above about The Flying Dutchman.
I wonder if the orthopedic surgeons in Japan see problems in women later in life, related to this unnatural, self imposed style of walking, such as ankle problems or excessive meniscus wear on the knees.
Word of caution: Don’t follow in their footsteps!