Kikkouchan the rabbit loves traditional Japanese tortoise shell bondage.

Japan owes much of its kawaii culture to designers who’re able to take something weird and still make it cute. That’s how the country ended up with not only an anthropomorphized dog turd (who is also a dog) and a walking penguin enema, both of whom are adorable.

Of course, a talented artist can also do the reverse, and apply a dash of subtle yet unmistakable weirdness to something cute. Take, for example, the character Kikkouchan.

Kikkouchan is a cute little bunny, whose hometown, according to the character’s official biography, is listed as Sendai, in Japan’s northeastern Tohoku region. With a blank yet inviting expression, Kikkouchan carries on the traditions of perennially popular (and massively merchandisable) characters such as Hello Kitty and fellow fictional rabbit Miffy, so it’s not such a big surprise that Japanese fashion brand Journal Standard offers a range of Kikkouchan-themed items.

But wait, you might be wondering, what’s with all the red lines across Kikkouchan’s body? Or maybe you’re not wondering, because you’re already familiar with the Japanese term kikkou shibori, or “tortoise shell bondage.”

▼ If you’re not familiar with the term, please, please, please don’t Google it if you’re at work or school.

https://instagram.com/p/BeAdHBJHdtg/?utm_source=ig_embed

Japan has a long history of bondage fetishists, and the crisscrossing kikkou pattern, which resembles the segments of a turtle’s shell, is the most widely recognizable style. And yes, just like Kikkouchan, real-life kikkou shibori practitioners don’t have any clothes on under the ropes.


All that makes Kikkouchan a quietly provocative character to have on your iPhone case, tote bag, or key chain, all of which Journal Standard will be happy to sell you at prices ranging from 1,200 to 3,780 yen (US$11-$35).

▼ Kikkouchan T-shirts are on offer for 5,400 yen

▼ There are also Kikkouchan lighters and ashtrays, which are unusual choices for cute character trinkets, but the whole bondage thing suggests kids aren’t Kikkouchan’s target market anyway.

In contrast to Kikkochan’s love of physical bondage, the character espouses a laidback, free-and-easy philosophy, with the Kikkouchan slogan being “I don’t want to be constricted in any way other than physically.” If that’s a mindset you share, Journal Standard’s current Kikkouchan lineup is available online here.

Source: Journal Standard (1, 2)
Top image: Journal Standard
Insert images: Journal Standard (1, 2, 3)
[ Read in Japanese ]