Odd

Sep 25 2007 3 Comments

Japanese canine clobber

The Japanese population may well be shrinking, but the declining number of kids is rapidly being replaced by pets, and in particular dogs, the latest figures suggesting that Japan now has more than 15 million of them in the country.

A scientific survey by Tokyo Times involving a quick trot around town however, found that of these, approximately 94.73 percent are either Chihuahuas or miniature Dachshunds, with a whopping 98.63 percent being unapologetically paraded in clothing of some description or other. A trend that needless to say hasn’t escaped the attention of designers, with all manner of pet brands appearing.

But such sophisticated ensembles don’t come cheaply, with those after formal wear for their child substitute/fashion accessory having to pay somewhere in the region of 12,000 yen (105 dollars).

That said, casual canine wear is also available, with these New York-themed outfits faring fairly well*. The gold guns in particular adding a bit of bite as well as bling.

*eye test extra

(click images for super-sized silliness)

Sep 04 2007 2 Comments

Japanese rice field rabble

With rice in the Japanese capital looking pretty much ready for harvest, the precious product understandably needs protecting, and in this part of Tokyo at least, suitably attired sentries are seemingly essential.

A mesmerising mix that includes at least one mannequin whose jolly jumper is a far cry from the owner’s decidedly downbeat demeanour.

Although that said, some of its more dourly dressed colleagues are definitely more disturbing.

Plus with a nod towards multiculturalism, more than a few foreign faces help make up the numbers. A motley array that includes some that are focused,

Aug 23 2007 23 Comments

Cosplay concern

When it comes to borrowing things from other countries, the Japanese are generally very good at it, seamlessly slotting whatever it may be into society and more often than not making improvements along the way.

On the other hand, the path isn’t always so smooth for stuff going in the opposite direction. Admittedly Japanese food has made a successful journey across the seas, especially of late, but other ideas sadly seem to get lost in translation — some of them spectacularly so.

Take cosplay for example, a concept that its Japanese practitioners take very seriously indeed, with the vast majority of them (mostly) managing to successfully pull it off.

Taken away from its natural habitat however, the practice isn’t quite so professional.

Or indeed appealing.

(image via the FG Forums)

Aug 22 2007 10 Comments

Japanese model mask

Attempting to keep track of the enormous number of Japanese idols would be an especially taxing if not exactly terrible undertaking, with the vast majority of these mostly young ladies conforming to the cute countenance so favoured in Japan.

Take 23-year-old Yuko Ogura for example, a pretty woman and no mistake, but there doesn’t really seem to be anything that differentiates her from the masses of other manufactured models.

Which just goes to show how much I know, as Ogura’s features must have something going for them, or why else would a Japanese firm have opted to make her the first recipient of a ready for retail ‘live mask’? An object with decidedly doll-like qualities, which depending on one’s point of view, is either desirable or downright disturbing.

Aug 07 2007 1 Comment

Tokyo tipple

Japanese pets with a penchant for workouts are fairly well catered for, with the likes of Pet Sweat helping them to relax and rehydrate.

Yet all work and no play makes Patch a dull pooch, so thankfully there are alternatives for the mellower mongrel. Like lolling around the house supping lager for example.

And for any animal after a change now and again, there’s also the option of the equally merry sounding Happy Tail Ale. A drink that 9 out of 10 dogs prefer.

Apparently.

(Big thanks to the wonderful What Japan Thinks for the link)

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