Odd

Feb 21 2006 6 Comments

Monroe meal

In an area where people mustn’t get out much, residents of Susami, Wakayama Prefecture, are currently going wild about an unusually shaped daikon (Japanese radish).

Found in the garden of 74-year-old Keiko Tanaka, this mildly interesting member of the mustard family is being likened in appearance to a woman crossing her legs. In fact, so uncanny is this resemblance, that locals have gone as far as naming the daikon ‘Monroe’; presumably after the famous movie icon and rumoured radish lover.

However whilst currently on display, the demure daikon’s time is almost up; as after eyeing up its luscious ‘legs’, Tanaka-san drooled to reporters, “I’m hoping that it will taste better than regular ones”. A comment that will surely dismay the entertainment starved residents of Susami.

Feb 20 2006 8 Comments

Beastly backpacks

For Japanese elementary school students, these bulky and bland bags are standard issue; kids the length and breadth of the country weighed down with their colossal size and cumbersome design.

Yet for parents looking for something just a little bit different, help is finally at hand, this collection of beast-skinned backpacks offering a real alternative.

(click image for added animality)

As a mid-range introduction, the wild boar option could be a wise move — its furry finish a definite plus point. And it’s a snip at only 500,000 yen (2,436 pound).

However for those on the look out for a bag with a little more class and colour, the zebra clad carryall is ideal; although priced at a steady 1 million yen (4,853 pound), it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Yet for the truly ostentatious, this heady mix of snake and frog skin is arguably unbeatable — the inclusion of a liberal amount of gold further adding to its allure. Plus with a price tag of 1.3 million yen (6,307 pound), it’s guaranteed to cause something of a stir on the school bus.

And if you somehow remain unconvinced, just look how cute they are.

Altogether now: One, two, three, awww!

Feb 16 2006 10 Comments

Plastic pussy (paw)

Perhaps realising that the limited edition Kamen Rider belt isn’t exactly going to send share prices soaring, toymaker Bandai has decided to re-release the nekonyanbou, its famous cat’s paw toy. A bizarre little plaything that first saw the light of day 20 years ago; rather surprisingly shipping over a million units.

As the picture clearly shows, each nekonyanbou moves in a way similar to a real cat’s leg/paw — albeit a severed one. And if that’s not enough to have you immediately rushing to the shops brandishing bank notes, it’s available in different colours too.

Once purchased, the plastic paw can be used in a variety of inventive and fun ways. For starters, there’s the ability to scratch unsuspecting colleagues’ necks. Something of a hoot at lunch time apparently.

Or for the even more playful, there’s always the option of a bit of feline flirtation, although admittedly this does require the extra purchase of some silly ears. Oh, and a second nekonyanbou.

And for those tired out from such frivolity, the multipurpose mitt is ideal for, erm, lazily grabbing ever so slightly out of reach cups of coffee — or indeed tea.

Finally, there’s also this.

Whatever it may be.

Feb 07 2006 6 Comments

Post-traumatic stress

How individuals deal with stress can vary wildly, with newspapers and magazines continually adding to the available options with all manner of methods and management techniques. Yet whereas many people opt for a bit of sport or subduing the senses with alcohol, Yoshiaki Kobayashi’s rather unorthodox approach is to shove a load of ice cream into the nearest postbox.

a postbox

The 42-year-old stressed out salary man was picked up by the police last Friday after ‘posting’ a large dollop of chocolate ice cream; however after similar incidents in the same area involving ice cream of an undisclosed flavour and liquid soap, the police are questioning Kobayashi further over his possible involvement.

some ice cream

But whilst the investigation is still ongoing, Kobayashi-san has already admitted to the allegations concerning Friday night’s shenanigans, telling the officers in charge, “I was frustrated because my job was not going well. I wanted to vent my anger.” An act that unfortunately for Kobayashi violated the Mail Law, and also resulted in some letters becoming, to quote the police, â€œdirtiedâ€.

Feb 01 2006 3 Comments

Kamen chameleon

Toymaker Bandai has set the world of men in their 30s and 40s alight with news of the imminent release of a Kamen Rider belt, the fashion item practically identical to the one sported by the 1970s superhero; a device that whilst not only easy on the eyes, also doubles as a transforming mechanism — changing our man into an all-conquering defender of justice.

Hoping to cash in on a nostalgia boom of sorts, Bandai is shamelessly targeting men who were children when the programme first aired, a price tag of a whopping 31,500 yen (150 pound) amply proving this.

Yet whilst seemingly a bit on the pricey side, the belt does have a windmill-like contraption built into the front, which when pushed whizzes around quite quickly. And as if this wasn’t enough, it also changes colour too, dazzling onlookers with its red, blue and white lights. Or at least pale blue and orange anyway.

Bandai initially plans to produce around 10,000 of the belts, with hopes for more should sales warrant it. Plus with the product accommodating those from a relatively svelte waist of 85 cm, to a gut-busting-and-geek-accommodating 110 cm, sales are expected to be swift.

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