Megumi works for a printing and design company. One of her clients makes undergarments. When she was visiting them a few weeks ago for a meeting she saw that they had a lot of garments on deep discount sale. She thought I might be interested in seeing what a fundoshi, or traditional gotch in Japan looks and feels like. She also thought I might like showing all of my friends "out there" in the blogs around the world who may not be familiar with "everything Japonais". So she picked me up three pairs of silk fundoshi (in different colours and patterns).
Here is a little information I culled from Wikipedia (I recall using this in a blog a few years ago...)
Fundoshi is the traditional Japanese undergarment for adult males, made from a length of cotton. Before World War II the fundoshi was the main form of underwear for Japanese adult males; however it went out of use quickly after the war with the advent of new underwear, such as briefs and trunks, on the Japanese market.
There are several varieties, and you can see more details on wikipedia.
The ones she got me are called "etchu fundoshi", , a design originating in the Toyama area (traditionally known as Etchu), just north of where I used to live in Fukui (traditionally known as Echizen)
Here is a little WikiKnowledge giving you a little more detail about the length and breadth of my.... fundoshi.
Etchū fundoshi is a length of cloth, however it has a strip of material at the waist to form a fastening or string. The dimensions are 14 inches width by about 40 inches length, and it is tied with the material strip in front of the body. Etchū fundoshi was the form of fundoshi most popular among Japanese adult males as underwear from early 1900s to the end of the World War II.
The samurai wore them under their armour, and in late 2008 the Japanese firm, Wacoal, began marketing fundoshi for women and have had greater than expected sales. The loincloths for women come in seven different colors and two designs—plain and chequered. Prices are about 1,260 yen ($13).
This fundoshi feels really quite nice! In fact, I think I may even test them out at work under my business suit. It is nice to feel like I'm not wearing anything at all! I kinda like that. (kinda... is an understatement).
So, there you have it: my first fundoshi!
Thanks, Megumi!
Have a great day.
I love you!
Cam
P.S. Oh yeah... I almost forgot the links to the photos (as if!):
--> Fundoshi Front <--
--> Fundoshi Side <--
