Giant waraji

Even if today the traditional Japanese straw sandals - waraji - are still worn only by a few monks, the old custom of donating to the temple a pair of waraji is still kept. Originally, the tradition was about obtaining protection during travel and healthy legs.

From these donations, the most spectacular are the giant waraji that can be seen displayed at some temples, like the ones in my photo, photographed on the Hozomon Gate of the Senso-ji Temple from Asakusa. Donated in 1998, they are 4.5 meters long and are weighting over 400 kilograms!