Editing Fundoshi (section)

==Types and uses==
[[File:Samurai putting on Fundoshi (loincloth).png|thumb|An [[Edo period]] wood block print of a [[samurai]] putting on a {{Transliteration|ja|fundoshi}}]]
The fundoshi is first mentioned in the classic Japanese history text, the {{Transliteration|ja|[[Nihon Shoki]]}}. They are also depicted on clay figurines, {{Transliteration|ja|haniwa}}. The fundoshi was the underwear of choice for all adults regardless of sex, wealth, or social status. This changed after the [[World War II|Second World War]], when [[Americanization]] popularized elasticized undergarments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Loincloths are making a comeback this summer in Japan |url=https://sg.style.yahoo.com/loincloths-making-comeback-summer-japan-034947880.html |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=sg.style.yahoo.com |date=22 June 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref> There are several types of fundoshi, including {{Transliteration|ja|rokushaku}}, {{Transliteration|ja|kuroneko}}, {{Transliteration|ja|mokko}} and {{Transliteration|ja|etchū}}.<ref name=":1" />

Fundoshi are worn in several basic styles depending upon how they are wrapped around the body. The most relaxed type consists of a strip of cloth, wound around the hips, secured at the small of the back by knotting or twisting, with the excess brought forward between the legs, and tucked through the cloth belt in front to hang as an [[apron]].

The {{Transliteration|ja|rokushaku fundoshi}} (Japanese: 六尺ふんどし／六尺褌) is traditionally favored as activewear. Its name is derived from its traditional measurements of a cloth that is six ("roku") {{Transliteration|ja|[[Shaku (unit)|shaku]]}} ({{cvt|1.818|m}}) long and one shaku ({{cvt|30.3|cm}}) wide. It is formed by winding the cloth around the hips, then bringing the excess length back between the legs to twist around the belt cloth at the back. The fundoshi is often twisted to create a [[thong]] effect at the back. This was worn as the standard male bathing suit. Male children were often told to wear this kind of fundoshi because a boy in trouble could be easily lifted out of the water by the back cloth of his fundoshi.<ref name=":1" />

The third style, called {{Transliteration|ja|[[Etchū Province|Etchū]] fundoshi}} (Japanese:越中褌), which originated in the vicinity of [[Toyama Prefecture]], is a long rectangle of cloth with tapes at one narrow end. {{Transliteration|ja|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 {{convert|14|in}} width by about {{convert|40|in}} length, and it is tied with the material strip in front of the body. One ties the tapes around the hips, with the cloth at the small of the back, and then pulls the cloth between the legs and through the belt, letting the remainder hang as an apron. Such {{Transliteration|ja|fundoshi}} was issued to Japanese troops in World War II, and often were the sole garb of [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] [[prisoner of war|POWs]] in tropic areas.
The best material for this is white linen or white cotton. Silk crepe may be used according to one's taste, but plain silk is not suitable. In winter it may be lined with similar material, but in other seasons it is always single. Both ends (or front and back) are hemmed to put cords through. One of the cords forms a loop to suspend the front end from the neck, and the other secures the back end by being tied in the front.<ref name=":1" />

===Variations===
[[File:Hadaka Matsuri small.JPG|thumb|Participants receiving purification by water at the [[Hadaka Matsuri|naked festival]] in [[Okayama]].]]
There are many other varieties of {{Transliteration|ja|fundoshi}} as there are many variations on the principle of a loincloth. For example, the {{Transliteration|ja|mokko-fundoshi}} (literally "earth-basket loincloth" because it looks like the traditional baskets used in construction), is made like the {{Transliteration|ja|Etchū-fundoshi}} but without a front apron; the cloth is secured to the belt to make a bikini effect. The {{Transliteration|ja|kuro-neko fundoshi}} (literally "black cat {{Transliteration|ja|fundoshi}}") is like the {{Transliteration|ja|mokko-fundoshi}} except that the portion that passes from front to back is tailored to create a thong effect.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Cheapo |first=Tokyo |title=Fundoshi: All About the Traditional Japanese Loincloth and Where to Buy {{!}} Tokyo Cheapo |url=https://tokyocheapo.com/lifestyle/fundoshi-japanese-loincloth/ |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=Tokyo Cheapo |language=en-US}}</ref>  {{Transliteration|ja|Fundoshi}} are not typically worn as everyday clothing. {{Transliteration|ja|Fundoshi}} is mainly worn on specific, traditional occasions, particularly when participating in {{Transliteration|ja|[[Hadaka Matsuri]]}}. During February, nearly 10,000 men will gather at [[Saidai-ji|Saidaiji Temple]] in [[Okayama]] wearing only {{Transliteration|ja|fundoshi}} to participate in the festival in hopes of gaining luck for the entire year.<ref name=":2" />

The [[samurai]] wore {{Transliteration|ja|fundoshi}} as underwear with [[armor]], combined with a {{Transliteration|ja|[[shitagi]]}} shirt.<ref name=":2" /> [[Sumo]] wrestlers also wear a form of this garment, the {{Transliteration|ja|[[mawashi]]}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MATCHA |title=Fundoshi: The History and Recent Trends in Japanese Traditional Underwear |url=https://matcha-jp.com/en/3167 |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=MATCHA - JAPAN TRAVEL WEB MAGAZINE |date=24 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref> {{Transliteration|ja|Fundoshi}} are often worn with a {{Transliteration|ja|[[hanten]]}} or {{Transliteration|ja|[[happi]]}} (a short cotton jacket with straight sleeves) during summer festivals by men and women who carry {{Transliteration|ja|[[mikoshi]]}} (portable shrines) in [[Shinto]] processions. Outside Japan it is perhaps best known from the drumming groups [[Ondekoza]] and [[Kodo (taiko group)|Kodo]], who appear dressed in only a white {{Transliteration|ja|fundoshi}} and a headband. {{Transliteration|ja|Fundoshi}} is sometimes used as traditional [[swimsuit]]s. In some high schools, boys swim wearing {{Transliteration|ja|fundoshi}}. Incumbent Emperor of Japan [[Naruhito]] also swam in {{Transliteration|ja|fundoshi}} in his childhood. In the pools and beaches of Japan, {{Transliteration|ja|fundoshi}}-wearing swimmers occasionally can be seen, as in the case with {{Transliteration|ja|[[Ama (diving)|ama]]}} divers in the past.

In late 2008, the Japanese firm Wacoal began marketing {{Transliteration|ja|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-loincloths-idUSTRE52T5GR20090330 |title=Lingerie firm offers women 'liberating' loincloths |last1=Maeda |first1=Toshi |editor=Miral Fahmy |date=30 March 2009 |website=[[Reuters]] |access-date=6 August 2012}}</ref>