A hot-blooded high school judo manga by Katsutoshi Kawai, serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday from 1988 to 1995. The story—about five boys who meet during a promotion exam and reunite to start a judo club at a high school that didn't have one, aiming for the national tournament—still has many fans today and remains a milestone in the genre of judo manga. I myself was a "judo boy" who looked forward to buying Sunday every week when it was being serialized...
That is a lie. When it comes to judo manga, for me, it's "YAWARA!" by Naoki Urasawa and "Hanamaru Den" by Takashi Iwashige. And when it comes to Katsutoshi Kawai’s work, it has to be "Monkey Turn."
I have never actually read "Obi wo Gyutto ne!" and, to be honest, I don't really know the plot. It’s just that the title "Obi wo Gyutto ne!" (Tighten Your Belt!) is so memorable that it has always lingered in the back of my mind.
I’ve always interpreted the title as the act of tightening one’s resolve when heading from the waiting room to the competition mat, and I’m fairly certain that isn’t wrong. For someone like me who doesn’t practice judo, I think it’s similar to putting on my pants and tightening my belt before heading to work. It’s a feeling of tightening your waist and your spirit at the same time.
To ensure that the waist and spirit you’ve tightened don’t go slack, you want to choose a solid, reliable belt. The Re Tube Belt from GUNUNG, which I have used for many years, is exactly the kind of belt that holds things tight without coming loose.
【GUNUNG】Re Tube Belt
¥4,800_(excl. tax)
SIZE : 120cm
MATERIAL : Recycle Tube
ORIGIN : Japan Minamiashigara
GUNUNG products are created by breathing new life into inner tubes that we cyclists have worn out, turning them into useful everyday items. They are handcrafted with care in a workshop located in Minamiashigara, near Odawara, an area blessed with nature and a mild climate.
This belt, made from recycled inner tubes, uses the same type of buckle as those found on messenger bag straps, making it easy to adjust and allowing you to fasten it securely in your preferred position. The total length is set at a generous 120cm, making it easy for anyone to use.
Thanks to the natural elasticity of the tubes, the belt fits the body comfortably with very little stress, especially around the small of the back when leaning over in a cycling position. Additionally, unlike leather belts, which gradually deform based on the shape of your pants and the position of your waist, this belt does not get fixed into a permanent shape, which is another great feature.
There are several other types of GUNUNG products made from recycled tubes, and at Circles, we carry camera straps and ankle straps for preventing your pant cuffs from getting caught in your bike chain.
【GUNUNG】Re Tube Camera Strap
¥5,000_(excl. tax)
MATERIAL : Recycle Tube
ORIGIN : Japan Minamiashigara
This camera strap, which makes it easy to carry around SLR or mirrorless cameras, features the same structure as a messenger bag strap, allowing for quick adjustments with minimal movement so you never miss a shutter chance. The texture and slight stretch of the tube fit the body well and keep the strap from sliding off even over materials like nylon jackets.
【GUNUNG】Re Tube Anklet
¥2,000_(excl. tax)
MATERIAL : Recycle Tube
ORIGIN : Japan Minamiashigara
At 46cm, it’s long enough to wrap around your pant leg securely, regardless of the thickness of the fabric.
Just like the belts, the piping tape used varies from piece to piece, making it a fun experience to find the one that’s just right for you.
Creating any new product requires skillfully combining your own experience and creativity to shape it. Furthermore, GUNUNG’s products were born from taking on the difficult challenge of reusing materials that have become unusable for their original purpose. These products are environmentally friendly, economical, and incredibly durable—meant to be used for a long time.
By the way, I’m currently using two of their belts and the camera strap. My first belt has been in use for about 10 years, and it still has plenty of life left in it.
I hope many cyclists will discover these products and use them for a long time to come. If you have the chance to visit the store, please take one in your hands and try it out.
I think I might finally read "Obi wo Gyutto ne!"