gauntlet; spats
A traditional Japanese accessory worn over the instep and lower leg, often used with formal kimono or by workers for protection. The term can refer to both decorative spats and protective gauntlets.
He wore spats with his kimono.
Craftsmen wear gauntlets while working.
Standard kanji spelling for this traditional Japanese accessory.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling sometimes seen in informal writing.
Compound of 甲 (こう, 'instep') and 掛け (かけ, 'covering'). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it refers to a covering worn over the instep.