Xuushu

Xuushu, also spelled as Xushu, is a traditional type of shoes originating from the Han Dynasty period in ancient China. The name "Xuushu" literally translates to "wings and sole". These shoes were known for their unique design, featuring long, narrow toecaps resembling wings, which were originally intended for Han-era cavalrymen and warriors.

Xuushu shoes were typically made from a single piece of leather, split in such a way that the upper part of the shoe was crafted to resemble a wing, while the sole and heel remained flat. This design allowed riders to wear the shoes without damaging the stirrups of their horses. When not wearing the shoes, they could be easily folded up, making them convenient to carry on the long marches of ancient Chinese armies.

The length of the toecaps varied depending on the wearer's preference. Riders may have required a longer toecap to prevent chafing from the stirrup, whereas other wearers found the standard toecap design sufficient. Older versions of Xuushu shoes had no separation between the upper and lower part, making them more difficult to put on and take off.

There have been different excavations and discoveries that show examples of Xuushu shoes, showing these shoes were not only used by cavalrymen and warriors but also by the people of the Warring States period. Today, archaeologists are still finding Xuushu shoes, which demonstrate their grasp in history and their effects on the people who used them.