Have you ever noticed in an anime a character using a strip of cloth or gauze on their chest and abdomen looking like a mummy? The name of this accessory is sarashi (さらし), which consists of a thick cotton cloth that was historically worn under a kimono to slim the body and hide the little fat of Japanese women.
The sarashi was also used after the birth of children and as protective clothing by men. Over time, the cloth gained use in battles and frequently appears in anime and manga as a symbol of a warrior. Warrior women also wear this cloth to prevent their melons from bouncing during a fight (it would serve as a distraction).
Interestingly, the name sarashi in hiragana (晒し) means to expose (to the sun, public, danger…) and in some cases even public humiliation. The ideogram also involves whitening and is often part of words like whitening powder and things of that sort. Probably this piece received this name because of the white cotton cloth called sarashimomen (晒木綿).
Who uses sarashi?
Women today often use a sarashi as a sports bra, and when they crossdress (dress as men) or really want to prevent their breasts from standing out, either because of men or to avoid envy from women. Since standing out and differentiating in Japan in certain areas can cause discomfort.
Japanese delinquents like bosozoku, yakuza, and yankii also tend to wear a sarashi under their shirt or blouse to appear more rebellious and strong. In fact, the sarashi can have various purposes and can be worn by men, women, children, or the elderly.
Wearing the sarashi and exposing oneself when it comes to battles creates an appearance of strength and toughness. It also offers a protective function against injuries and stabs in fights. This cotton cloth can symbolize resistance and virility. Men can also use the sarashi to hide their little belly.
Some guides say that to wear the sarashi you should cut it in a way that fits your body. It should be wrapped below the armpits without creating wrinkles.
Anime characters who wear sarashi
Several characters use this accessory, let’s list some below:
- Bleach – Various characters;
- Urusei Yatsura – Ryuunosuke;
- Gurren-Lagann – Kamina;
- Samurai X – Sanosuke Sagara;
- FMAB – Ling Yao;
- Fairy Tail – Erza Scarlet
- Love Hina – Motoko and Tsuruko Aoyama;
- Tenjho Tenge – Aya Natsume;
- Beelzebub – Aoi Kunieda;
- Nobunaga the fool – Joana Darc (hiding her breasts);
- Vocaloids – Rin and Len Kagamine;
- Touhou – Reimu;
Did you already know or notice this cloth on anime characters? What did you think of this article? If you liked it, share it with friends and also read:
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