General

May 13 2004 1 Comment

Braying bra*

The picture below shows Shinobu Ikehata showing off an item from Triumph International’s new fall and winter collection. The bra Ms. Ikehata is sporting depicts the racehorse Haruurara, famous for its record breaking run of races without a win.

Triumph International claim to be using the image of Haruurara because the animal is a symbol of determination. Now call me cynical, but alternatively it might just have something to do with the fact that the horse is now something of a celebrity, and anything Haruurara related sells by the bucket load.

Although the company’s actions are perhaps no less cynical than mine. Padding out this worthless story just to merit the picture of a pretty young woman wearing a bra.

*I should say that I am aware that horses don’t bray, but I couldn’t think of another word to go with bra. And in horse racing circles, I’m sure the poor performances of Haruurara would lumber the horse with the derogatory moniker of donkey. Probably.

May 13 2004 Leave a Comment

Capitalist cormorants

May 11th marked the opening day of the cormorant fishing season on the Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture. Whilst this traditional form of fishing is no longer practical, it has been a popular tourist attraction since the 1920’s.

The burning lantern you can see in the picture is to attract the fish, and it also allows the birds to see their prey. The traditionally clad fishermen can have up to a dozen of these highly trained cormorants on leashes, and the birds frequently dive down into the water to catch the fish. But to make sure the birds don’t eat what they’ve caught, the fishermen attach rings around their necks to stop them swallowing. When they succeed in getting a fish, the birds are unceremoniously dragged back into the boat, parted with their prize, and then put back out onto the water to continue working.

What these well-trained birds do during the off-season is undocumented, but rumours abound of them moonlighting on fishing boats, and clandestinely selling their catch at local markets.

Psst. Wanna buy some fish?

May 12 2004 2 Comments

Smallest internet-capable phone in the world?

Tuesday saw Japan’s largest mobile phone provider, NTT Docomo, unveil what the company is claiming to be the world’s smallest internet-capable mobile phone. The 1.9 cm thick Premini, is a measly 9 cm long and 3.9 cm wide. And weighs in at a waif-like 69g. This new model is said to be aimed at males in their 20’s and 30’s, who want a phone with just the minimum of functions. With minimum possibly meaning everything except a camera!

Whilst the last few years have seen mobile phones increase in size to accommodate their ever expanding range of functions, recently a few basic models similar to the Premini have been released. What they lack in functions, they make up for in size and coolness. Like AU’s decidedly stylish infobar phone.

May 12 2004 1 Comment

Mildly amusing English usage #2

It’s not unusual to see products or services with English names in Japan. Some of them are quite sensible, whilst others it has to be said are positively absurd. Plus there are also one or two of them that end up in the unfortunate category. The Seibu Railway’s super express train sadly falls into the latter group.

The name itself isn’t all that bad, as it’s the New Red Arrow. It even makes sense. The train is fast, so the arrow reference is certainly valid. The carriages are modern, so the new description rings true. And colour wise it’s, ahem, black and grey. But hey, lets not get picky, two out of three isn’t bad.

So up to now all is well and good, but on the train the name is shortened to just NRA.

Now how much truth there is in this I don’t know, as I’ve never been on the NRA. But rumour has it that the seats are equipped with gun holsters, and on the odd occasion Charlton Heston turns up as a guest driver. Although it has been said that some passengers have raised concerns about Mr.Heston’s rather elaborate train driving uniform.

Thou shalt be on time!

May 11 2004 3 Comments

Mitsuoka’s mini monster

Japan’s Mitsuoka Motor Company unveiled a new electric car this week. Clocking in at a tiny 1.99 metres long and 0.88 metres wide, it’s ideally suited for driving around the congested city. And its lithium-ion battery gives the car an impressive 100 kilometres per charge.

That leaves just one problem. The design. I mean, just take a look at it.

Ok, the production vehicles will have a different colour scheme (and presumably won’t have 100 kilometres emblazoned on the side), but it still doesn’t change the fact that it’s an ugly machine. And in appearance conscious Japan, I can’t see many cool cats wanting to be seen trundling around town in one of these.

I think I’ll stick with my bicycle.

« Previous Page

General

Footer