noun
half-soled straw sandals
Traditional Japanese straw sandals (草鞋) that cover only the front half of the foot, leaving the heel exposed. A historical footwear item.
See also: 草鞋
昔の旅人は足半を履いて歩いた。
Travelers in the old days walked wearing half-soled straw sandals.
この資料館には江戸時代の足半が展示されている。
Half-soled straw sandals from the Edo period are displayed in this museum.
草鞋 are full-soled straw sandals, while 足半 cover only the front half of the foot.
Compound of 足 (foot) and 半 (half), referring to the half-length sole. The alternate spelling 足中 uses 中 (middle) possibly indicating the sandal reaches only the middle of the foot.