Was talking Tia about how weird some elements of Japanese culture can seem, which reminded me of Chindogu. She'd never heard of it, so I thought I might use a little blog entry to bring laughter to those people who might wander across it.
Chindogu are inventions that seem like they're going to make life a lot easier, but don't. dogu is Japanese for “tool” and chin is Japanese for “weird” (not to be confused with the Japanese for “penis”, which is also chin). Thus, a chindogu is a weird tool.
The following ten tenets define the gentle art and philosophy of Chindogu
1. A Chindogu cannot be for real use
It is fundamental to the spirit of Chindogu that inventions claiming Chindogu status must be, from a practical point of view, (almost) completely useless. If you invent something which turns out to be so handy that you use it all the time, then you have failed to make a Chindogu. Try the Patent Office.
2. A Chindogu must exist
You're not allowed to use a Chindogu, but it must be made. You have to be able to hold it in your hand and think 'I can actually imagine someone using this. Almost.' In order to be useless, it must first be.
3. Inherent in every Chindogu is the spirit of anarchy
Chindogu are man-made objects that have broken free from the chains of usefulness. They represent freedom of thought and action: the freedom to challenge the suffocating historical dominance of conservative utility; the freedom to be (almost) useless.
4. Chindogu are tools for everyday life
Chindogu are a form of nonverbal communication understandable to everyone, everywhere. Specialised or technical inventions, like a threehandled sprocket loosener for drainpipes centred between two under-the-sink cabinet doors (the uselessness of which will only be appreciated by plumbers), do not count.
5. Chindogu are not for sale
Chindogu are not tradable commodities. If you accept money for one you surrender your purity. They must not even be sold as a joke.
6. Humour must not be the sole reason for creating a Chindogu
The creation of Chindogu is fundamentally a problem-solving activity. Humour is simply the by-product of finding an elaborate or unconventional solution to a problem that may not have been that pressing to begin with.
7. Chindogu is not propaganda
Chindogu are innocent. They are made to be used, even though they cannot be used. They should not be created as a perverse or ironic comment on the sorry state of mankind.
8. Chindogu are never taboo
The International Chindogu Society has established certain standards of social decency. Cheap sexual innuendo, humour of a vulgar nature, and sick or cruel jokes that debase the sanctity of living things are not allowed.
9. Chindogu cannot be patented
Chindogu are offerings to the rest of the world – they are not therefore ideas to be copyrighted, patented, collected and owned. As they say in Spain, mi Chindogu es tu Chindogu.
10. Chindogu are without prejudice
Chindogu must never favour one race or religion over another. Young and old, male and female, rich and poor – all should have a free and equal chance to enjoy each and every Chindogu.
Examples of Chindogu
The partner who offers to scratch your back is a friend indeed. Except it all goes horribly wrong when they just can't seem to locate the maddening itch. The hand-held miniature grid-map allows accurate scratch-target specification.
Finally the essential accessory of the businessman's uniform, the neck tie, is of practical use.
And, of course, my personal favourite,
Running out of hankies while suffering from hay fever is true hell. This great hat allows you to sneeze from dawn till dusk. Completely pointless and truly avantgarde.
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