Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

Underwear

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Cherry blossoms and cheeky bottoms

When it comes to the much anticipated hullabaloo that is hanami, quiet contemplation or the largely more common large amounts of lager are usually what’s called for, although for some, along with presumably lots of the latter, lolling around in a loincloth is also part of the proceedings.

hanami fundoshi

And while females can join in the fun, a fundoshi is only for the fellas.

hanami fundoshi

As, quite annoyingly, are the not nearly so traditional nipple clamps.

hanami fundoshi

Which are as uncomely,

hanami fundoshi

as they are uncomfortable.

hanami fundoshi

All of which culminates, at least in this case,

hanami fundoshi

in a mildly coordinated melée.

hanami fundoshi

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Japanese female fundoshi

With the somewhat cumbersome but quite possibly comfortable loincloth (fundoshi) making a comeback of sorts, it’s perhaps not surprising to now see the ladies looking to get in on some loose undies action.

But no plain and boring white ones for the fairer sex. No, there are designs that are a bit daring.

Japanese loincloth (fundoshi)

Some even devilishly so.

Japanese loincloth (fundoshi)

And others that can be donned when doing the housework.

Japanese loincloth (fundoshi)

Plus, for those who don’t want to get a bite round their bits in the summer, there are even a couple of mesh-based offerings imaginatively made to keep those maddening mosquitoes out.

Japanese loincloth (fundoshi)

Maybe.

Japanese loincloth (fundoshi)

(click images for full-sized but still badly photographed fundoshi)

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Japanese lay judge lingerie

For the first time in Japanese judicial history, ordinary people will have the chance to help convict their fellow countryfolk next year, when the government is set to introduce a lay judge system, with six such citizens sitting in with three of their qualified counterparts.

A hugely important decision that is now being celebrated — albeit somewhat prematurely — by the release of some law-based lingerie.

Japanese lay judge bra

The design by novelty bra behemoth Triumph International perfectly capturing the even-handedness that will come from passionate and particularly upstanding people.

Japanese lay judge bra

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Japanese jug jugs

Japanese novelty bra giant Triumph International has once again made the headlines with, not surprisingly, another novelty bra. The lingerie maker’s latest offering going by the far from catchy description of a Photovoltaic-Powered Bra.

Japanese bra

An item that, apart from appearing to be made from artificial turf, is what the company claims to be “earth and human friendly”, as it is equipped with pads to hold drinks in a bid to reduce the use of cans and plastic bottles.

However, perhaps more interestingly, it also comes with a solar panel that powers a small electronic board capable of displaying messages. Allowing the option of something suitably suggestive such as “suck on this” perhaps? Or, more than likely, the far more foreseeable, “keep off the grass”.

Japanese bra

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Pronounced party pants

For the Japanese party-goer intent on making a mark of sorts, the pants pictured below may prove perfect — their curvy contours clearly capable of causing a commotion before one can even call out camelt conspicuous.

Japanese comedy cameltoe

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Japanese peekaboo pants

The traditional loincloth (fundoshi) may — or indeed may not — be the samurai soul of Japan.

Japanese loincloth

However, while its place in the nation’s psyche is somewhat suspect, what’s not is the relative freedom of movement it gives a man in the, erm, member department. Trouble is, for the suited salary man, all that cotton could be a little cumbersome, which is perhaps why these more practical pants have been produced, allowing the wearer to waft their wares about in a slightly more conventional way — a sort of tentative attempt at going commando for those a little timid about their testicles if you will.

Japanese underwear

Clicking on the image will produce the pants in all their purple glory, although while not showing any naughty bits, they are certainly suggestive, meaning it could well be a bit embarrassing to be caught browsing them by your boss — or indeed anybody else for that matter.