Have you ever seen Japanese people wearing fundoshi in the street? Anime characters wearing a cloth tied between their lower parts? In this article, we will understand a little about this garment called Fundoshi.
The fundoshi [褌] is a traditional thong mentioned in the earliest historical records of Japan. In the 19th century, it was the primary clothing for men. This type of thong leaves the thighs and buttocks exposed.
The fundoshi was very popular before World War II; before Western influence, the clothing was considered comfortable, and it is still popular in Sumo wrestling, swimwear, and festivals today.
We also recommend reading:
- Sumo – The Life of Wrestlers and Curiosities
- Sukumizu – Swimwear from Japanese Schools
- History of Imperial Japan – World War II and Fall
Table of Contents
Fundoshi Festival and Coming-of-Age Ritual
Tokyo is a formal city. In the morning, the trains are packed with black suits. You will feel uncomfortable if you are only wearing shorts. During the festival, the streets suddenly fill with fundoshi. Many men who never wear shorts are now in Fundoshi.
In some parts of Japan, as a coming-of-age ritual, there is a private festival called Fundoshiiwai [褌祝] held as the first test of reaching adulthood. Since the fundoshi covers the pubic area, it is treated as a symbol of something with a sexual function.
Benefits of Fundoshi
See below a list of benefits of wearing the Japanese thong fundoshi:
- Unlike Americanized clothing, the fundoshi does not have that elastic that presses against your belly, thus providing a feeling of comfort and well-being;
- The fundoshi also supports the genitals, and in the case of the mawashi, it also supports the spine;
- Due to its simple appearance, the fundoshi gives a sexier and more masculine look;
- By leaving the legs free, the fundoshi allows greater freedom of movement and helps to float more easily in water;
- It is made with natural fabrics and dyes, which do not cause allergies and skin irritations;
- By being snug to the body, the fundoshi absorbs sweat, thus preventing chafing in the summer;
Types of Fundoshi
There are dozens of different types of fundoshi. Some have drastic changes in the way they are worn, in size, and in details. See below the three main types of fundoshi and some others that go unnoticed.
Rokushaku Fundoshi [六尺褌]
The rokushaku is 16~30 cm wide and 130~190 cm long, its size varies from person to person. The rokushaku is recommended for dynamic people at parties or for children learning to swim.
This fundoshi is characterized by exposed buttocks but resembles a thong in the front. It was used as underwear by most adult Japanese men from the Edo Period until the end of the Meiji era.
We recommend reading: Panchira, Pantsu, and Shimapan – History of Underwear in Japan
There is an intermediary between the “Rokushaku” and “Echuu” called “Warifundoshi.” Where one end of the cloth is cut from the center to about 55 to 60 cm and the cut part is wrapped around the waist.
Mokko Fundoshi [畚褌]
Mokko is the simplest style of all, and its design resembles a thong or underwear. It received this name because it resembles a Mokko that carried soil in civil engineering works in the past. Popular among Kabuki girls.
Read also: Kabuki – The Bizarre Japanese Theater
The advantage of Mokko is that it has good breathability and comfort. Since it does not hang, it does not interfere when you put on pants and there is no danger of it lifting and showing things. The Mokko is about 70 cm long and 34 cm wide with strings.
There are types of mokko that were used in swimming classes before the war. It emerged in the Showa Era and gained the name of black cat or “kuroneko fundoshi” [黒猫褌] due to its generally black color.
Ecchuu Fundoshi [越中褌]
The Echuu [越中] type fundoshi has a simpler shape and a design similar to a “sex-covering” thong, giving a more masculine appearance. This Echuu is recommended for people with a more laid-back lifestyle.
The underwear is about 100 cm long and about 34 cm wide, sewn into a cylinder with a cord passed through the cylinder. Some are also called classic pants and samurai pants. It is a T-shaped strip.
Other Types of Fundoshi
We cannot forget to briefly mention the Mawashi [廻し], used by sumo wrestlers and in some other festivals. The color, material, and tightening method differ from other fundoshi; its belt is heavier. Other fundoshi include:
- Sarashiichitan [晒一反] – Often used as underwear for kimonos;
- Kushaku Fundoshi [九尺褌] – Unique shape that pulls the cloth from the groin to the chest;
- Saiji [サイジ] – Generally worn by a maiden at sea on Takekura Island;
- Sagari [下がり] or Matagi [マタギ] – A special hood made as a costume for Kabuki;
- Hantako [半タコ] – Looks like shorts, also used in Kabuki;
- Rokukoshi Fundoshi [六越褌];
Read also: Kimono – All about Traditional Japanese Clothing
Is There a Women’s Fundoshi?
It is rare for women to wear fundoshi, even in Japanese history. Only a few pearl divers and divers known as “Ama” used to wear this type of thong. Nowadays, it is rare to find women in fundoshi.
Some women tend to wear “Mokkofundoshi” sensually, as it resembles a panty quite a bit. There is also “fundoshipantsu”; if you search on Google, you will come across various images. We also briefly mentioned “Saiji” in the types of fundoshi.
Of course, Japan would not miss the chance to invent this; although it is very rare to find, they invented the Women’s Fundoshi. The lingerie brand Wacoal launched various colors of fundoshi for women in the market.
In recent years, Echuu and Mokko for women have maintained a certain level of sales in the market. Unlike shorts, the fundoshi does not press on the lymph nodes, is well-ventilated, and does not get clogged, which is why it is popular among women, at least at home.
Fundoshi in Animes
In order to preserve traditional culture and also to make jokes, we can see various anime characters wearing fundoshi. Below are some characters that frequently appear in fundoshi; try to remember them.
- Ishikawa Goemon (Lupin III);
- Echizen Minamijirou (Prince of Tennis);
- Satoshi Isshiki (Shokugeki no Souma);
- Kaze Daizaemon (General Inawasaemon);
- Todoroki Ichiban (Todoroke! Ichiban);
- Suwahara (Yaki-tate!! Japan);
- hibachi (mushibugyō);
- Nihon (Heta Ria);
- Clain Necran (Fractale);
- Shigure Kousaka (Kenichi);
- Isao Kondou (Gintama);
- Hibachi (Mushibugyou);
- Pesche Guatiche (Bleach);
- Tsuruko Aoyama (Love Hina);
- Matabei Gotou (Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Girls);
Notice in the list above that we have several female characters, usually wearing some samurai clothing. When we find that thong intertwined looking like a rope, we can call it fundoshi.
Videos about Fundoshi
I could describe more about Fundoshi, showing more videos, describing how to wear or assemble it. However, it’s somewhat uncomfortable to go into those details; if you are interested in that, go to YouTube and search for fundoshi (I do not recommend)…
And what do you think of this Japanese tradition?
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