
So that’s what the obi is really for!
Whether you’ve been to Japan or not, you’re still sure to know about kimono, the traditional robe-like clothing still worn even today for special occasions and ceremonies. If you’ve had the opportunity to try one on, or even try on the lighter summer version – the yukata – then you understand the challenges that come from wrapping and tying the obi. Undoing the obi, however, is much, much easier.
But if you’ve never had the chance, this virtual reality game may allow you to experience what it’s like to at least to take off the obi… Well, that is, if you were to take it off at such a speed that the one wrapped up in it goes spinning off like a top!
「よいではないか VR」作りました。悪代官となって着物の帯をひっぱって高速回転させ、他の悪代官に回転させられた町娘とコマバトルするゲームです。お辞儀するとお辞儀しかえしてくれます #VRボッチソン自宅会場 #JVRH2016 pic.twitter.com/KSkgUIJ8AG
— tatsunoru@DOFI (@tatsunoru) June 18, 2016
This game, created and shared by Japanese Twitterer @tatsunoru, casts you as an “evil Edo-period magistrate”, alone in a room with a girl in a traditional-style tatami room. The game begins with you taking the end of the obi in your hands and pulling. The faster you pull, the faster the girl begins spinning!
By the time you’ve run out of obi, the wall in front of you will suddenly disappear, revealing a stage with another spinning girl in a green kimono.
▼ A challenger appears!
In a rather Beyblade-like battle, the two spinning girls bump into each other until one is eventually knocked off of the stage.
▼ “I am victorious!”
Though in the end your spinning battle girl may just end up falling off herself.
▼ Oh, well in that case…
The video has been liked over 30,000 times and retweeted close to 50,000 times since it was uploaded on June 18. No word yet on when or even if this will be available for the public, but judging by the online response we can see it being pretty popular.
And for those of you who thought, “This could use some background music,” here you go:
Source: Twitter/@tatsunoru, Net Lab
Images: Twitter/@tatsunoru




Virtual reality Sadako lets anyone experience crawling through a TV and scaring people to death
Japanese VR game lets you live the wonderful fantasy of getting poked in the chest by a cute girl
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Nearly half of Japanese women in survey have an idol singer or anime crush
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Dom Dom Burger releasing Power-Ranger-themed Super Sentai Burger
Cup Noodle releases new Tomica “car” collection
Uniqlo opens its first-ever cafe at newly revamped Ginza store
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
“Denki Anma”: The Japanese traditional torment that you’ll be glad stays in Japan
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Leave a Reply