Underwear with Nobility

Hot off the press: Samurai underwear!

It’s made by a Tokyo-based company called Rogin (pronounced “rogue-in”) whose tagline is, “Underwear for men who fight to live”!

It’s a form-fitting long underwear whose colors and patterns are beautifully inspired by traditional kimono robes and Japanese Samurai family crests. I can describe it in one word: Hot.

On my last trip to Tokyo, I noticed more stores carrying T-shirts and hoodies decorated with old-school patterns. Underwear is a new one, but it totally brings out the Samurai sexiness in a guy. Washboard abs wouldn’t hurt either.

The company says they expect these boxer-briefs will appeal to the growing number of women interested in Japanese history. Late-night study sessions anyone?

Priced between $80-$90, each design is named after a famous Samurai warrior like Nobunaga Oda and Ieyasu Tokugawa. And the material seems to work like Uniqlo’s Heat-Tech line – it’s a breathable mesh that keeps you warm and soaks up dampness really well.

It’s cool to think millions of Japanese salarymen might be suiting up in these. Maybe now they can start sticking it to the man!

Himawari

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Me, Tarzan. You, Jane. Loincloths for Ladies!

Stylelist recently reported on the emergence of Japanese loincloths for women. Let’s pause and take stock of our reactions to this. “For women” implies that the loincloths-for-men business is already booming. In fact, it’s called fundoshi, and is usually the outfit of choice for sumo wrestlers. But now ladies want in on the action (the clothes, not the wrestling; as with most things fashion-related, you sorta have to be young, skinny and cute to pull off a look this weird).

The bra-and-panties sets resemble strategically placed hand-towels, proving that all you need to embrace the trend are two squares of cotton joined by a string. But lingerie company Wacoal, based in Kyoto, has stepped up the game and released seven different prints. They’re counting on this fad, dubbed “nanafun,” lasting through spring and summer as people seek relief from the hot weather.

According to an article in the National Post, the merchandise director of Wacoal believes that fundoshi represent “the ultimate liberation item for women.” Hmm. Well, it does look surprisingly comfortable.

For $13 – $52, you too can hit the beach or prance around your apartment in a loincloth!

Sarah S.

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Thinking of doing business in Japan? We can make it easy for you!
japanizmo, a Los Angeles based company, provides practical solutions for U.S. ? Japan business projects. Our experienced Japanese staff will support all phases of your business project to seize business opportunities and turn your vision into a reality. >> Learn more

Couples That Wear Undies Together Stay Together…

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Embelline, a Japanese company specialized in body shape underwear and bridal lingerie, has introduced Love-Pan(http://www.embelline.co.jp/lovepants/index.html), a pair of unisex underpants that couples can wear and enjoy the intimacy of sharing the identical look, discretely.

They are betting on some couples’ secret desire to wear the identical pieces of clothing without advertising it to the whole world. Love-Pan was test-marketed during the Christmas season of 2007 in limited regions in Japan and was enthusiastically received by both genders, says Embelline.

They are rolling out a limited edition of 1,000 pairs (his & hers) for 5,500 yen for this Valentine season. If you ever wanted to sport a “pair-look” but felt too inhibited to do so, I think now is your chance…

Btw, in case someone’s wondering why the name, Love-Pan, it is Love-Pantsu, a Japanese word for underpants. You may think it’s something you can eat by the sound of it!!! (The word, Pan, can also mean bread.)

Togé Togé

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Thinking of doing business in Japan? We can make it easy for you!
japanizmo, a Los Angeles based company, provides practical solutions for U.S. ? Japan business projects. Our experienced Japanese staff will support all phases of your business project to seize business opportunities and turn your vision into a reality. >> Learn more
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