Haramaki

=History as armor=

Haramaki was a component of the samurai class attire primarily during the Sengoku period (16th century) of Japan. Haramaki are belly protectors, generally made of silk, and lined with various materials. Haramaki contained chain mail or articulated plates of iron. When the haramaki is worn, it is to be put on from the front and then fastened behind with cords. ["The Samurai Sourcebook"]

Modern use

Wartime use

During the First Sino-Japanese War and World War II, a soldier going off to fight was often given a senninbari haramaki ("1,000 stitch belt") by his family. A mother, sister, or wife would stand on the street and ask passing women to contribute a stitch until 1,000 had been collected. The garment was meant to both provide warmth and serve as a talisman to ward away harm.

Popular fashion

Modern haramaki (loose translation for popular usage: 'belly warmer') do not have much in common with their historical predecessors that were made for armor. They are a simple circular tube of fabric, much like a tube top, only worn around the midriff as opposed to the chest.

The 'new' haramaki have recently gained popularity in Japanese fashion as an accessory and are made from many different fabrics and patterns for practical and aesthetic purposes. Shigesato Itoi and his company Hobonichi are commonly credited for the current resurgence. [http://pingmag.jp/2007/01/15/haramaki-a-granny-item-made-fashionable/] Itoi had been wearing haramaki for years despite their old-fashioned reputation and perception as an unfashionable undergarment, eventually introducing them as a 'new' accessory for sale through the Hobonichi [http://www.1101.com/index.html] website.

Health benefits

Haramaki are considered to have many health benefits and practical reasons to be worn. Because they support and boost blood circulation in the midsection, they are used for relief from abdominal distress, digestive problems, light support for pregnant women's bellies, and menstrual cramps. Because they provide warmth to a central portion of the body and increase blood circulation, they boost temperature throughout the body and are therefore practical cold weather garments as they do not add too much bulk to an outfit and can be easily removed if the wearer becomes too warm.

Trivia

Tora-san, of the Otoko wa Tsurai yo movies, wore haramaki.

Roronoa Zoro of the anime and manga series One Piece wears a green haramaki.

References

[http://www.amazon.com/dp/1854095234] "The Samurai Sourcebook"

External links

* [http://www.1101.com/index.html] Shigesato Itoi
* [http://www.1101.com/store/haramaki/index.html] Hobonichi Haramaki sales site
* [http://www.pbase.com/joanseeuw/haramaki] traditional Haramaki photographs
* [http://www.wakagashira.com/history/domaru/index.htm] Haramaki history
* [http://pingmag.jp/2007/01/15/haramaki-a-granny-item-made-fashionable/] Pingmag article re: modern popularity
* [http://www.planetjune.com/blog/haramaki-tummy-warmer-tutorial/] Tutorial for making a modern Haramaki
* [http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/] Extensive web site about construction and history of Japanese armor