Fundoshi

A man wearing a red rokushaku fundoshi (front and back)

Fundoshi (ふんどし/褌) is a traditional Japanese undergarment for males and females, made from a length of cotton.

Before World War II, the fundoshi was the main form of underwear for Japanese men and women.[1] However, it fell out of use quickly after the war with the introduction of new underpants to the Japanese market, such as briefs, boxer briefs and panties.[2] Nowadays, the fundoshi is mainly used not as underwear but as festival (matsuri) clothing at Hadaka Matsuri or, sometimes, as swimwear.[3]

  1. ^ Arita, Eriko (2009-05-10). "Fundoshi: undercover revolution". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  2. ^ "Cool loincloths breathe new life into Japan underwear market". Mainichi Daily News. 2019-08-16. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  3. ^ "The Fundoshi and Japanese Male Fashion | YABAI - The Modern, Vibrant Face of Japan". YABAI. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 2023-02-11.