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39th out of 46 books
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The Big Bento Box of Unuseless Japanese Inventions
In Japan Kenji Kawakami is famous for his tireless promotion of Chindogu: the art of the unuseless idea. Meant to solve problems of modern life, these bizarre and logic-defying gadgets and gizmos are actually entirely impractical. Addicts of the unuseless will love this collection of 200 Chindogu, including the Drymobile (your laundry dries as you drive), the Solar-Powered...more
Paperback, 303 pages
Published
April 17th 2005
by W. W. Norton & Company
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Utterly hilarious. Chindogu is defined as "inventions that seem like they're going to make life a lot easier, but don't. Unlike joke presents built specifically to shock or amuse, Chindogu are products that we believe we want - if not need - the minute we see them. They are gadgets that promise to give us something, and it is only at second or third glance that we realize that their gift is undone by that which they take away. They are funny because they are paradoxical and they are fun...more
So funny and ridiculous! Some of these ideas are just too fun! Who wouldn't want to play Face Ping Pong? Several made me laugh out loud - like the portable commuter seat. "Don't want to make room for me on the train? Fine. I'll just practically sit on your lap." The look on the train passenger is priceless. I liked the plateless placemat too. When serving a Japanese style meal, I really hate all the washing up afterward. Problem solved! Many of the ideas that deal with lips ...more
Watch out, because you're gonna pee your pants. This book, featuring absolutely ridiculous Japanese inventions, is hysterical. It is amazing because these inventions are, I believe, not meant to be a joke. 422 photos. From the sort of blow-as-you-go toilet tissue hat for emergency nose-blowing to the strap-it-on-your-crawling-baby floor-mopper, there is something for everyone!
I am under the impression that the Face Ping Pong is hardly useless, and therefore doesn't qualify as chindogu, but whatever. I'll let that slide.
On the whole, I found this incredibly amusing! I'm so happy to own it, since every time I saw it in a book store, I'd have to stop and leaf through it and glance longingly at it before slowly backing away... sigh.
On the whole, I found this incredibly amusing! I'm so happy to own it, since every time I saw it in a book store, I'd have to stop and leaf through it and glance longingly at it before slowly backing away... sigh.
I was crying when I read this book. It is so FUNNY. I especially liked the t-shirt with a grid on the back and corresponding hand-held chart, used to instruct someone where exactly on the back to scratch. I mean seriously, who wouldn't want that shirt?
This book is one of the funniest things I've ever read. Apparently there is an official sport in Japan centered around inventing things that are useless - my favorite example being the solar powered flashlight.
Hiliarious!! I love all the random things that they can come up with like a portable crosswalk to a umbrella that you can attach your shopping bags onto it's reall great!!
This was a funny and cute book to look at. I liked going through the odd things that people would make. Some of them I've actually seen here in the Us!
Totally hilarious. I wish it told me how I could get my hands on most of the products... for myself as actually useful things, or as gag gifts for others.
Amazingly funny. A book full of inventions that you could honestly use....are they practical? Of course not. Are the hilarious? Yes.
Some of these are hilarious, some are just weird...but it's fun to look through.
Hilarious and baffling compilation of very strange objects.
I had no idea there was a serious philosophy behind this (A chindogu cannot be for real use; if it turns out to be practical, it's not chindogu; chindogu cannot be patented or sold; humour must not be the sole reason for creating a chindogu). I love it. I thought the Japanese were just nutty, but they're actually serious about being nutty!
My favourites are the Back Scratcher's T-Shirt, the Panorama Camera, the Hairy Ego Booster, the Portable Zebra Crossing, the Dog Day Shoes, and the Backw...more
My favourites are the Back Scratcher's T-Shirt, the Panorama Camera, the Hairy Ego Booster, the Portable Zebra Crossing, the Dog Day Shoes, and the Backw...more
Fun to read, and extremely funny. Some of them are failure from the start. Some are the dream objects of very weird people.
alksjgak OK I only read this book because I'd already bought it as a present for a friend. I SWEAR.
Crazy stuff in this book. Great for laughs.
oh those craaazy japanese inventors! who doesn't need portable armrests or a solar-powered flashlight (isn't that a polish joke?). and who said babies aren't worthwhile? with the "baby mop" they can pick up all the dog hair and flung mashed potatoes from the floors while crawling about. genius, i say.
silly to the core, the book seems intent to show how these weird inventions are really useful at least to some people although you can't stop wondering if they're so useful why can't we find these even in Narita shops. It's so much fun!
bought this for inkdrop's white elephant exchange, and it was an instant hit. some things in it are a little inappropriate, which i suppose is appropriate considering it's japanese.
A good laugh at the weird and wonderful things people will invent as a hobby. Great novelty. Perfect as a gift for a curious teenager, like my nephew.
If you're looking for something completely silly and pointless to pass the time, this is the perfect book.
Really makes you want to try your talents in inventing! The descriptions are often the best part of the sales pitch.
Classic. Good memories of obsessing over unuseless inventions at Grampa's.
My family loves this book.
Erika
marked it as to-read
Sharmaine Peterson
marked it as to-read
Angela
marked it as to-read
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