noun
tabi; split-toe socks
Traditional Japanese socks with a separation between the big toe and other toes, worn with zōri or geta. The word is commonly used in everyday contexts when referring to this specific type of footwear.
着物を着るときは、足袋を履きます。
When wearing a kimono, I put on tabi.
白い足袋を買いに行った。
I went to buy white tabi.
靴下 refers to regular socks, while 足袋 are specifically the split-toe style traditionally worn with Japanese sandals.
The word 足袋 (たび) is of native Japanese origin. The kanji 足 (foot) and 袋 (bag) describe the item's function. The reading たび is a kun'yomi reading, and the exact historical derivation is uncertain.