Pair of shoes for a dead person (raiguru-ker) late 19th-early 20th century

These shoes, known as raiguru-ker, were crafted by an anonymous artist, made for the solemn journey of the deceased. Notice the geometric patterns, the blue and white interlace on the upper part of the shoes. These are not merely decorative; they echo motifs found across cultures, symbolizing pathways, transitions, and perhaps even the weaving together of life and death. Think of the labyrinth, the complex design that mirrors life’s twists and turns, the path one must navigate. Here, it is not Theseus but the spirit of the departed who embarks on this final journey. Shoes themselves carry deep cultural weight. Across civilizations, they represent passage, the movement from one state to another. These shoes are not for walking this earth, but for traversing the unknown realms that lie beyond. This pair embodies a potent emotional force. The idea of preparing someone for their ultimate voyage touches upon our deepest fears and hopes. The image transcends the specific and speaks to universal human concerns about mortality and remembrance. This cycle continues, intertwining our past and present, and reshaping the symbols of our shared human experience.