The art of chindogu, which literally means an odd or distorted tool, is whimsically celebrated in Kenji Kawakami's 101 Unuseless Japanese Inventions. Kawakami, billed in the foreword as "a designer, anarchist, and pathological mail-order enthusiast," is a tireless promoter of chindogu. He's even drafted a manifesto with tenets such as "A chindogu cannot be for real use," "A chindogu must exist," and "Chindogu are not for sale."
The full-color book collects more than 100 of the most successful and logic-bending of Kawakami's gadgets. What makes a good "unuseless" product? It must come perilously close to filling a genuine need, then veer off into the twilight zone at the last second. The more it flirts with, but denies, real-world success, the better. It's a mini cooling fan on chopsticks for the hurried noodle eater. A toilet-paper-dispenser hat for the hay-fever sufferer. Or, for the tourist who can't snap enough shots, a 360-degree camera headband. The two-headed toothbrush would cut brushing time in half ... wouldn't it? The longer you contemplate these strange objects, the more sense they start to make. I think I'll climb into my "bath body suit" and draw a warm, relaxing (but dry!) bath.
There's even an International Chindogu Society for designers and inventors who want to join in the absurdist fun.
101 Unuseless Japanese Inventions, by Kenji Kawakami: US$10.95. W. W. Norton & Company Inc.: (800) 233 4830, +1 (717) 346 2029. International Chindogu Society: 18433 Hatteras Street, Suite 507, Tarzana, CA 91356.
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