By Dan Beard
Figs. 76 & 77.
Japanese Boys' Stilts
No one knows when stilts were first introduced by mankind, nor for what purpose they were invented. I never heard of an American Indian walking on them, but away off in Japan the little shaven-headed boys walk on bamboo sticks of quaint design (Fig. 77).
The blocks are mortised on to the sticks and bound in place by withes. The blocks project backward instead of sideways I and the boys hold on by their big toes (Fig. 76), allowing the stick to pass, like a sandal - band, between their great and their smaller toes. I would not recommend this style for American boys, as I hardly think the wearing of heavy shoes is a proper preparation of the foot for such uses.
See Also:
Giant
Dance
Shepherd
Stilts
Stilt
Tricks
Tattooed
Stilt Walkers
Other
Stilts
Stilts
Other Stilts
Stilts
