The Shinsengumi and The Bakumatsu for Fans (2024)

tanuki-kimono:

How to put on a sarashi (chest/midriff traditional binding), seen on

See Also

Fundoshi: all about the traditional Japanese underwearEight things you probably didn't know about sports in Japan | October 2015

• 1st picture: women kimono silhouette “smoothed” by sarashi - sarashi pattern - 3 ways of tying a sarashi
• 2nd picture: tying sarashi starting from top
• 3rd picture: tying sarashi starting from bottom - midriff sarashi (paired with a kimono bra)

I have received a few questions about this Japanese binding technique, so here are my 2 cents :3

This way of binding, done with a long soft cotton or silk strip, was once used by people under their kimono.

Women didn’t used it then only to achieve a perfect tubular kimono silhouette. Everyday styling was above all meant to be confortable and practical. More than a binding aesthetic, sarashi was used as our modern bra = to support more than to constrict. Pregnant women also use sarashi as a belly support ;)

For men too, sarashi was a tummy undergarment. But it also had a “cool“ aura effect as it was also associated closely with the samurai class (and the yakuza but that’s another story xD). Today, sarashi is still a pretty common sight in period anime and drama.

Nowadays, I have only seen it worn under happy coat during festival and for cosplay (=decorative reasons not real binding).

I personally do not recommend using sarashi to bind your chest “for real”. It can be dangerous for you if not done properly.

Many modern undergarments exists and can be used to achieve the same effect as sarashi

A modern sport bra and/or a girdle will do the trick for most people. If you don’t wish traditional “women items”, I have also seen good advices (brands, where to buy etc) from the lgtb community here on tumblr so I encourage you to have a look around :)

If you wish to wear sarashi style binding (for cosplay or real), pleasenever, never, never use ace bandages.

And never squeeze yourself in too much. As our modern undergarments, sarashi is here to help not smother you! If you are unconfortable (trouble breathing especially), you probably put it on wrong ;)

I hope this quick overview help you all anon/s! Inbox is as always open if you have other questions :3

This answers a lot of questions. Also it’s a good reminder that Western society’s current ideas of beauty aren’t historically Japanese.

So that’s what Sano’s wearing in Rurouni Kenshin!

This should be useful information to a lot of RPers out there as well. Thank you!

ETA: @tanuki-kimono messaged me with some extra information:

I forgot to write but it could also help RPG-ers: sarashi was also used for warmth. Have read poor people used to stuff rice hay or dried grass beneath sarashi to keep their torso+back warm!

(via tanuki-kimono)