is a traditional Japanese undergarment for men and women, made from a length of cotton.
Before World War II, the fundoshi was the main form of underwear for Japanese men and women. 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. Nowadays, the fundoshi is mainly used not as underwear but as festival () clothing at or, sometimes, as swimwear.
Types and uses
thumb|An [[Edo period wood block print of a samurai putting on a ]]
The fundoshi is first mentioned in the classic Japanese history text, the . They are also depicted on clay figurines, . The fundoshi was the underwear of choice for all adults regardless of sex, wealth, or social status. This changed after the Second World War, when Americanization popularized elasticized undergarments. There are several types of fundoshi, including , , and . are not typically worn as everyday clothing. is mainly worn on specific, traditional occasions, particularly when participating in . During February, nearly 10,000 men will gather at Saidaiji Temple in Okayama wearing only to participate in the festival in hopes of gaining luck for the entire year. are often worn with a or (a short cotton jacket with straight sleeves) during summer festivals by men and women who carry (portable shrines) in Shinto processions. Outside Japan it is perhaps best known from the drumming groups Ondekoza and Kodo, who appear dressed in only a white and a headband. is sometimes used as traditional swimsuits. In some high schools, boys swim wearing . Incumbent Emperor of Japan Naruhito also swam in in his childhood. In the pools and beaches of Japan, -wearing swimmers occasionally can be seen, as in the case with divers in the past.
In late 2008, the Japanese firm Wacoal began marketing for women and have had greater than expected sales. The loincloths for women come in seven different colors and two designs—plain and chequered.
Cultural comparisons
The Japanese idiom ('tighten your loincloth') means the same as the English phrase "roll up your sleeves" or even more accurately "gird up your loins"—in other words, get ready for some hard work.