"Cankle" in Japanese

There have been a few articles in the press lately on "cankles", where the calf and ankle sort of combine into one unit. This feature is becoming more noticeable these days as sandals and Capri shorts become the rage.


The Japanese, as usual, were way ahead of us. But in this area it isn't surprising since it is a country where women's legs are generally more appreciated (along with the nape of the neck).

First, some background. The picture to the left is a daikon. It is a type of radish grown in Japan and popular in their dishes. It is basically a long tube with no curves at all. Ashi is leg. So daikon ashi, or "radish leg" is the equivalent of cankle here in the U.S.

More interesting reading on Japan, legs and insults here.