useless inventions
It is the year 2000. You run the Japanese division of one of the world’s biggest lingerie brands, and are looking for an original way to promote your company – and your country – on the world stage. What do you do? Well, if your company is Triumph International, you begin launching concept bras like last week’s Frozen-inspired sisterhood bra – amazing and ridiculous underwear guaranteed to push the world’s ‘WTF Japan’ buttons.
We can see in Triumph’s creations the Japanese art of ‘chindogu’, inventions that, while they appear to solve a particular problem, are simultaneously useful and useless. Join us as we rifle through the underwear drawer for 21 of the best!
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[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
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Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
Turn a persimmon into a pudding with one simple ingredient
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Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
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Burger King Japan creates Kyoto Whopper, its most Japanese burger ever, with Kyoto rice merchant
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Michelin star-winning ramen can now be bought nationwide in cup noodle form
Does Japan’s “body fat-burning” bottled tea really work? Our 30-day investigation 【RocketScience】
New heater-less pet kotatsu is a safe way to keep your furry friends warm this winter
Do you own your face? If Uniqlo can’t tell, they might not let you put it on a T-shirt
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