Photographs from a small group of islands
The Beatles Abbey Road album cover may well have created a bit of controversy and at the same time caused a humble crossing to become a cultural icon for camera-wielding converts; however, the omission of bushy beards aside, this cheeky little kimono-based copy does have a certain, ahem, something.
Well, tranquil apart from the technicolour tone of his top,
and trousers.
Binge drinking in my native Britain is seemingly always in the news, with beer-fuelled bother a tried and trusted source for the tabloids. And now in Japan, with April’s fresh intake of staff partaking in plenty of welcome parties, there is a new campaign designed to help protect those not wanting to get totally wasted.
An approach that means the common call of “ikki ikki†to coerce someone into downing their drink in one, can now be countered by The Ikki Harassment Prevention Committee’s new collection of coasters.
The suitably cute creations protecting their owners with four sensible and sober slogans: “I don’t do ikki – I like to savour my drinkâ€; “I can’t drink – it’s not in my DNAâ€; “I’m not drinking, I’m driving – so I’m not joining in†and “I’m not drinking, I’ve got limits – one drink is quite enoughâ€.
Which, in the midst of drink-induced debauchery, should definitely do the trick.
Especially so when one is tucked into a top pocket.
(via the FG Forums)
Despite the joys of seeing a horse in full flow, the soporific sport of Banei has remarkably managed to make watching these majestic beasts mundane — mind-numbing even. However, as luck would have it, the plodding pace of the aforementioned pastime is conveniently countered by the breakneck bravery of Yabusame. This latest instalment held at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura.
A sport where men are men,
their mounts are magnificent,
and the crowds, as is common, are congested.
Not that it affects the composure of the contestants of course.
And, as an added bonus of sorts, even the officials are fascinating to look at.
Fetching even.
(click images for higher-res heroics)
For fanatical fans of Japan’s most famous feline intent on fighting the flab but at the same time looking to do more than merely wobble their waistlines with a Kitty-themed contraption, this branded badminton set may well be ideal.
Plus, after pounding the shuttlecock with their pussy emblazoned playthings, they can quickly check that all important body fat count with another cat-friendly contrivance.
Along with the added option of downing a suitably sponsored energy drink to fend of any fatigue,
so long as it’s not feline focused.