Fundoshi - Underwear Worn By Shogun and Samurai

Perhaps you are still wondering - did samurai wear underwear beneath their armour? Yes, they did! Prints from the Edo Period show both shogun and samurai putting on fundoshi. It was worn beneath their armour, helping to maintain comfort during training and active service. You can read more about what a fundoshi is here. They are still worn at special festivals and ceremonies. But a growing number of Japanese people are also discovering the everyday benefits of this traditional underwear. Deepen your knowledge of Japanese culture and find out more about the fundoshi. 

What does fundoshi mean in Japanese?

Fundoshi is written with two Japanese characters: fun (褌) meaning cloth, and doshi (通し), meaning to pass through or to wear. It is a strip of cloth wound around the hips and passed between the legs, usually made of organic fibres such as hemp, cotton or silk. As well as being comfortable to wear, it is believed a fundoshi keeps this sensitive part of the body at a healthy temperature, particularly when sleeping. The fundoshi is gaining popularity with people wishing to continue traditional Japanese practices that also support wellbeing.

Honouring the tradition of Edo period samurai  

Velarof’s approach is rooted in Japanese history and tradition. Although Samurai are no longer active in Japan, their cultural influence remains strong. The comfort of the fundoshi helped samurai to maintain absolute concentration on their work. From this we learn the importance of getting the basics just right. Today we honour the spirit of the samurai in our designs. During the Kamakura period, the tortoiseshell became a popular element in the family crests of influential samurai clans. Kikko is an auspicious pattern based on the tortoiseshell shape and is featured on our Love Paisley design.