What were the shoes that Japanese women wore when they broke their feet and bonded them to fit in the shoes?

Question

I saw a documentary about Japanese women who suffered having their feet broken numerous times and then bonded together tightly to form an odd shape in order to fit in these tiny shoes. Does any one know what I am talking about? I don't know what these shoes are called or what the women were called, or what the time era was. I know it was a long time ago. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

That was Chinese women. Not Japanese women. It's called foot binding.

When a girl reaches the age of six, they basically broke her foot and tied her foot to the proper place.

This was done a very long time ago. And some people still practice modified versions of this technique.

Answer 2

I have heard of bound feet being a custom in old China. Lots of Chinese women are still self conscious about the size of their feet. I think that it was a way of controling women. But, I don't know for sure. I know somebody would know but I don't think she will tell me.

Answer 3

That was in China, the practice of Chinese Footbinding. If I'm not mistaken, they're called lotus shoes.

Answer 4

Geisha shoes

Answer 5

Yes, it was China - NOT Japan!

They were called Lotus shoes.

Here's some more info..
http://www.sfmuseum.org/chin/foot.html

Answer 6

it was chinese women, not japanese. i don't know what the shoes were called but my great grandma had that done toher...

Answer 7

Thats the chinese culture.

Answer 8

CHINESE WOMEN DID THAT FOOT BINDING STUFF.