Okobo are high wooden clogs worn primarily by Maiko (apprentice Geisha).  The pretty miniatures recently entered in the collection as M5 were purchased on Ebay.  The seller purchased them from an estate sale in Hong Kong.  I saw Maiko dressed for entertaining wearing them in Kyoto.  Like the J8 getas in the collection, full sized Okobo may have a woven straw footpad and may be natural wood or covered with silk cloth.  They have a hollow cavity carved into the sole and it makes a pleasant sound when the Maiko walks in them . The sound certainly announces her approach.  I have read that Okobos are sometimes called Pokkuri or Koppori, the verbalizing of which has a similar sound to the one created by walking in them.  But Pokkuri and Koppori are more ornate and are worn by young girls on shichi-go-san (7-5-3), a celebration of these ages.  Okobo are usually natural wood.   The level of apprenticeship of the Maiko is indicated by the color of the straps on her Okobo. Beginners wear red straps and more  experienced Maikos wear pink straps. Geishas wear geta and zori. (click on the thumbs below to see full images)

Listen for the sound of the Okobo as the Miako walks in the cobblestone street at Gion Corner in Kyoto in the video clip at Menu item About -> Resources ->Videos.