Odd

The Japanese habit of wearing masks during hay fever season may well be what created a fondness for such facial fashion amongst certain people, rather bizarrely resulting in the birth of ‘mask idols’.

A slightly unusual yet not altogether unappealing practice.

The burgeoning predilection for casts and covered body parts however is a little more difficult to comprehend, although admittedly there is more in the way of variety. There are injured arms.

Legs.

And even both for the true cast connoisseur.

Plus for the true fanatic, there is also Kegadol, a book bursting at the steams with such stuff.

Eye-patches an added bonus.

The Japanese may well live for an unbelievably long time, but when they do finally meet their maker, they rest in rather grand surroundings. Emperors perhaps not surprisingly securing the most spacious spots.

But even less regal members of society often manage to bag spaces bigger than many apartments.

In fact, so much care is taken with such post-cremation accommodation, that there is even a prize for the best design. This year’s winner of the 13th Grave Photo Contest being a stone bearing the character for ‘sky’, with the heart-shaped offering below taking the new design prize.

Surely meaning that it’s only a matter of time before the emergence of Hello Kitty headstones…

Many people have their passions, but whereas the likes of soccer and cycling are perfectly acceptable in public, the donning of massive manga-esque masks perhaps isn’t quite so permissible. Thanks to Anigao Girls in Tokyo however, those partial to humongous headwear now have a place to parade around in private.

Those interested it seems can rent a room for 3,800 yen for 15 minutes, the space coming complete with a mask and a collection of costumes, including, perhaps predictably, a maid outfit.

And for those wanting to bare all in a bikini or have a friend film the fun, then the price goes up somewhat.

But as this bizarre little video shows, it’s well worth forking out a little extra for such frivolity.

Perhaps.

(via the FG Forums)

Towels with pretty patterns or big brand names emblazoned on them are especially popular in Japan, but for the bloke who prefers to rub himself off with something a little more racy, then this boob-based offering may (or indeed may not) be perfect.