mawashi; sumo belt; loincloth
Specifically the thick belt worn by sumo wrestlers. Also used as a suffix in sumo terms like 横綱回し.
The sumo wrestler ties on his mawashi before practice.
The sumo wrestler retightened his mawashi before the match.
子供用の回しは小さくて軽い。
Children's mawashi are small and light.
Rare, archaic use for a sleeveless outer garment or cape. Not used in modern everyday language.
古文書には「回し」を羽織った武士の記述がある。
Old documents describe warriors wearing a 'mawashi' (a type of mantle).
Vulgar slang derived from the verb 回す (to pass around). Often used in criminal or explicit contexts.
See also: まわす
警察は回しの容疑で男たちを逮捕した。
The police arrested the men on suspicion of gang rape.
He grabbed his opponent's mawashi and forced him down in one move.
His mawashi came undone during the match.
輪姦 is the standard (though still coarse) term for gang rape, whereas 回し is a cruder slang usage derived from 回す.
As a type of clothing/cloth (a sumo wrestler's belt), 回し is casually counted with 枚, e.g. 「1枚」.
putting off; postponing; deferring
expression; turn of phrase; wording
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building · digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
handling; ease of operation; maneuverability · arrangement; layout; routing · sumo wrestler's belt
hand-turned; hand-cranked; manual turning · preparations; arrangements
spy; secret agent · shill; stealth advertiser
theatrical elocution; line delivery
melody; intonation; phrasing
Standard kanji spelling for all senses.
Alternate kanji form; less common but seen in some contexts.
Noun form of the verb 回す (まわす, 'to turn, to pass around'). The sumo belt sense comes from the way it is wrapped around the body. The archaic mantle sense may derive from a garment wrapped around the shoulders. The vulgar sense is a slang extension from the idea of 'passing someone around'.
supporting but indispensable role; major supporting role
taking someone around; showing around; guidance · parading a criminal through town (Edo period)
screwdriver
way of speaking; choice of words; expression
circular letter; circulating document
hamster wheel; exercise wheel
lathe dog
villain undressing a woman by pulling her obi and spinning her
fast-forward; spinning rapidly; scanning
monkey trainer; monkey showman
plate-spinning trick; plate spinner