Have you ever seen Japanese wearing thongs on the street? Anime characters who wear a cloth tied between their undersides? In this article we will understand a little about this garment called Fundoshi.
The fundoshi [褌] is a traditional loincloth mentioned in Japan's earliest historical records. In the 19th century it was the primary clothing for men. This kind of thong leaves the thighs and buttocks bare.
Fundoshi was very popular before World War II, before Western influence, clothes were considered comfortable, and today it is still popular in Sumo wrestling, bathing suits and festivals.
We also recommend reading:
- Sumo - The life of the Fighters and Curiosities
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- Imperial Japan History - World War II and Fall
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Fundoshi Festival and Rite of Passage
Tokyo is a formal city. In the mornings, the trains are packed with black suits. You will feel uncomfortable if you are only wearing shorts. At the time of the festival, the streets are suddenly filled with fundoshi. Many men who never wear shorts are now in Fundoshi.
In some parts of Japan, as a rite of passage, there is a private festival called Fundoshiiwai [褌祝] being held as the first proof of reaching adulthood. As the fundoshi covers the pubic area, it is treated as a symbol of something with a sexual function.
Benefits of Fundoshi
Below is a list of benefits of wearing the Fundoshi Japanese loincloth:
- Unlike Americanized clothes, fundoshi does not have that elastic band that keeps squeezing your belly, thus causing a feeling of comfort and well-being;
- The fundoshi also provides support for the genitals, and in the case of the mawashi, it also provides support for the spine.
- Due to its simple appearance, the fundoshi will give a more sexy and masculine look;
- By leaving the legs free, the fundoshi provides greater freedom of movement and in the water helps to float more easily.
- It is made with natural fabrics and dyes, which does not cause allergies and skin irritations;
- Because it is close to the body, the fundoshi absorbs sweat, thus preventing chafing in the summer.
Types of Fundoshi
There are dozens of different fundoshi types. Some have drastic changes in placement, size and detail. Below are the three main types of fundoshi and a few others that go unnoticed.
Rokushaku Fundoshi [六尺褌]
The rokushaku has a width of 16~30 cm and a length of 130~190 cm, its size varies from person to person. The rokushaku is suitable for dynamic individuals at parties or for children who are learning to swim.
This fundoshi is characterized by the exposed buttocks, but it looks like a loincloth in front of you. It was worn as underwear by most Japanese adult men from the Edo Period to the end of the Meiji era.
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There is an intermediary between "Rokushaku" and "Echuu" called "Warifundoshi". Where you cut one end of the cloth from the center by about 55 to 60 cm and wrap the cut part around your waist.
Mokko fundoshi [畚褌]
Mokko is the simplest style of all and its design is similar to a thong or underwear. It got its 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. As it doesn't hang, it doesn't get in the way when you put your pants on, nor is there any danger of getting up and showing things. The Mokko is about 70 cm long and 34 cm wide with strings.
There are species of mokko that were used in swimming lessons before the war. It emerged in the Showa Era and earned the name black cat or “kuroneko fundoshi” [黒猫褌] due to its generally black color.
Ecchuu fundoshi [越中褌]
Echuu-type fundoshi [越中] has a simpler shape and similar design there is a “sex slap” loincloth giving it a more masculine appearance. This Echuu is recommended for people with a quieter life.
The underwear is about 100 cm and a width of about 34 cm is sewn onto a cylinder and a cord is passed through the cylinder. Some are also called classic pants and samurai pants. It is a T-shaped band.
Other types of fundoshi
We cannot forget to briefly mention 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 are:
- Sarashiichitan [晒一反] - Often used as underwear for kimonos;
- Kushaku fundoshi [九尺褌] - Unique shape that pulls the cloth from the crotch to the chest;
- Saiji [サイジ] - Usually 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] - It looks like a short, also used in Kabuki;
- Rokukoshi fundoshi [六越褌];
Read also: Kimono - All about traditional Japanese clothing
The article is still halfway through, but we recommend also reading:
Is there female fundoshi?
It is rare for women to wear fundoshi, even in Japanese history. Only a few pearl collectors and divers known as “Ama” used to wear this type of thong. Nowadays it is rare to find women with fundoshi.
Some women tend to wear "Mokkofundoshi sensually, as it looks a lot like panties. There is also "fundoshipantsu", if you google it you will come across several images. We also briefly mentioned "Saiji" in the types of fundoshi.
Of course Japan wouldn't stop inventing this, despite being very rare to find, they invented the Female Fundoshi. The lingerie brand Wacoal has put on the market several colors of fundoshi for women.
In recent years, Echuu and Mokko for women have maintained a certain level of sales in the market. Unlike shorts, fundoshi doesn't put pressure on the lymph nodes, it's well ventilated and doesn't get clogged, so it's popular with women, at least in homes.
Fundoshi in Anime
In order to preserve traditional culture and also make a joke, we can see several anime characters who wear a fundoshi. Below are some characters that constantly appear with fundoshi, try to remember them.
- Ishikawa Goemon (Lupin III);
- Echizen Minamijirou (Prince of Tênis);
- 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 sort of samurai clothing. When we come across that dental floss intertwined like a rope, we can call it a fundoshi.
Videos about Fundoshi
I could describe more about backgroundsi, showing more videos, describing how to use it, or assemble. However, it is a little uncomfortable to enter these details, if you are interested in this, go to YouTube and search fundshi (I do not recommend)…
And what do you think of this Japanese tradition?
