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In Naruto, many characters have what appear to be bandages wrapped around
their arms or legs. Is there a basis for this in any martial arts or military
fighting styles?

![Sasuke Uchiha](https://i.stack.imgur.com/blyS2m.jpg)
![Choji](https://i.stack.imgur.com/AVFHQm.jpg)


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2013-03-29T20:24:55.887
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2017-11-04T06:38:44.367
2017-03-07T03:44:42.853
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question
naruto
Is there a basis for the arm and leg wraps?


These originate from a similar practice in the real world, where
[they](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrist_wraps) are used in boxing, combat
sports, and martial arts (largely muay thai, one of the more brutal sports).
They are mostly seen on the wrists, but can be used on the legs too for [the
same
reasons](http://www.shenmartialarts.com/displayitem.asp?catalogid=356&id=5&origcat=5).
(Legs are [sometimes wrapped around the hips and
thighs](http://books.google.ca/books?id=XhJYfcWlhMcC&pg=PA249&lpg=PA249&dq=martial+arts+leg+wraps&source=bl&ots=SvHv9bC3aB&sig=S7xgvhv5h9lC2ZyUBxu5dpvvgr8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=9_tVUfD7Ka33igLRkYDoCA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=martial%20arts%20leg%20wraps&f=false),
but can be wrapped lower down as well.)

There are different types of wraps: cloth/elastic, gauze, or a type of cast
material which is much firmer.

Cloth wraps help protect from superficial cuts and other scrapes; you may have
seen (or been in) situations where, after a punch, your knuckles can get worn
down or bloodied up as the skin dries/breaks from the impact. Having a cover
over them would obviously protect them from doing so.

Gauze and stronger cast materials (and even cloth, to a lesser extent) are for
protecting the wrist and hand from damage sustained while punching. They help
by holding the hand in its proper shape by wrapping around the fingers and the
thumb and keeping the structure intact when an impact is sustained.

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/p8prx.jpg)  
_(Source:[Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KICKBOX008cropped.jpg))_

It is more than likely that _Naruto_ adopted this to have their characters
appear as (semi-)realistic, prepared martial artists.


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2013-03-29T20:49:31.650
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2013-03-29T20:49:31.650
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answer


One thing I don't see mentioned anywhere is the fact that bandaging is also
used to tether items to ones body. Apart from providing protection, some parts
of the body can simply be wrapped to be used as some type of pocket. Blades
can be hidden on the inside of one's forearm, pouches attached to the leg, and
many items from weaponry to medic kits to the main torso underneath ones
clothing. Where do you think the ninja in Naruto pull all their weaponry from?


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