Fundoshi

Before World War II, the fundoshi was the main form of underwear for Japanese men and women.

[3] The third style, called 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.

Etchū fundoshi is a length of cloth; however, it has a strip of material at the waist to form a fastening or string.

Such fundoshi was issued to Japanese troops in World War II, and often were the sole garb of Allied POWs in tropic areas.

For example, the mokko-fundoshi (literally "earth-basket loincloth" because it looks like the traditional baskets used in construction), is made like the Etchū-fundoshi but without a front apron; the cloth is secured to the belt to make a bikini effect.

During February, nearly 10,000 men will gather at Saidaiji Temple in Okayama wearing only fundoshi to participate in the festival in hopes of gaining luck for the entire year.

[6] Fundoshi are often worn with a hanten or happi (a short cotton jacket with straight sleeves) during summer festivals by men and women who carry mikoshi (portable shrines) in Shinto processions.

In late 2008, the Japanese firm Wacoal began marketing fundoshi for women and have had greater than expected sales.

[7] The Japanese idiom "fundoshi o shimete kakaru" ('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.