Photographs from a small group of islands
Japan’s most spectacular castle may well look its best when surrounded by spring’s generous bounty of blossom. But even on an overcast January morning — and with the extra burden of me behind the lens — the famous old building still retains its unique charm and beauty.
Proving it to be a very generous host indeed. Even if we were forced to walk around its interior in ill-fitting slippers, suffering temperatures barely above freezing.
Suffering a long morning nursing a tear-inducing headache and/or repeated dashes to the bathroom, could finally be a thing of the past. And even better news is that it doesn’t require even the slightest reduction in alcohol consumption. Nor does it necessitate the quaffing of so much water that leaving the vicinity of a toilet for more than 10 minutes is fraught with extreme bladder discomfort and potential public embarrassment.
Yes, all one needs to do before embarking on a bout of liver damaging lunacy, is pop a couple of the pills pictured above. Then, after making short work of your first six or seven drinks, just take the remaining two. A procedure that makes the product’s name rather apt.
Once the second batch is taken — and this is the really good bit — you can happily continue boozing, safe in the knowledge that a hangover can’t touch you. Also, whatever your tipple of choice, it is said to work just the same.
Perhaps the only drawback is taking the pills at the right time. Which, after greedily guzzling upwards of five pints of premium lager, could be problematic to say the least. Especially as there appears to be no warning about what will happen if the ‘chasers’ are taken before or after the allotted number of beverages.
A headache perhaps? Projectile vomiting even?
Still, these young ladies appear perky enough after an alleged 48-hour bender. And they obviously swear by the stuff.
After years of secrecy and clandestine meetings, the Zenkoku Teishu Kanpaku Kyokai (National Male Chauvinists Association) has finally gone public. A spokesman for the group claiming the decision was prompted by the rising number of marriage break-ups amongst older Japanese. The self-proclaimed chauvinist proudly boasting, “We want to prevent more middle-aged divorces.â€
The association currently only has ten members, but over the years it has produced several books that include recollections of spiteful and ill-tempered marital spats. This uncompromising approach being similarly evident during the group’s first ever open meeting on Saturday. One speaker boldly pinning his colours to the mast by acerbically claiming, “There are only two types of men. Men who are hen-pecked, and men who are going to be hen-pecked.”
Whether such statements helped boost membership size wasn’t disclosed, but the mood was lightened somewhat by an award ceremony. One chap even bagging a Level Two ranking in the Way of the Chauvinist; receiving this most prestigious of prizes after recounting a feisty fracas with his wife, and how he unexpectedly flinched when she threw a chair at him.
Yet despite such obvious distinction, the accolade was tinged with an element of regret, as its recipient fell just short of an unprecedented top-level award. A fact confirmed by a fellow association member’s rather rueful comment of, “He would have got an even higher grade if he hadn’t flinched.”
Japan’s prolonged period of economic stagnation has prompted many retail outlets to opt for ever more outlandish promotional gimmicks, with perhaps none as bright and bizarre as this shop and ferris wheel combination.
A decidedly unique approach it has to be said, and one that gives customers that bit of fairground fun they didn’t even know they wanted.
Other stores however go for a rather more restrained, low-key approach. A prime example being the public display of internal organs.
As Japanese fads go, the Hard Gay phenomenon has long outlived its shelf life. But as long as Razor Ramon’s character continues to be popular, every Tom, Dick and Harry it seems will attempt to cash-in with literally masses of merchandise.
Perhaps only for Hard Gay’s biggest and boldest fans, this ‘outfit’ will certainly turn a few heads.
However for those not necessarily wanting to go all the way — but still prepared to experiment a bit — there are plenty of other options available.
Yet even if you have no interest at all, there is simply no escape.
