Martha Stewart might be able to show you how to make the perfect centerpiece, but let's see her school you in using a rubber band to run faster. For that, try Ito-ke no shokutaku (The Ito Family Dinner Table), Japan's weekly how-to TV show that combines the spirit of productivity blog Lifehacker with the manic energy of Deal or No Deal. Cohosted by P-ko, an anime PC, the show challenges contestants to top one another with urawaza, or "secret tricks," a concept that became popular in the '80s with gamers swapping tips for beating Super Mario Brothers. One minute, someone is demonstrating a way to improve your bowling score; the next, a guest is showing a technique for keeping Band-Aids on your finger. Ito-ke is in its ninth season on Nippon Television – having spawned an entire industry of recipe books and practical guides – and is gaining a US following thanks to YouTube. The urawaza may seem unbelievable, but all have been proven effective in front of a live audience. Here are a few of our favorite tricks.
(Check out the photos on the left for handy urawaza tips)
– Lisa Katayama
credit Grundy & Northedge
credit Grundy & Northedge
credit Grundy & Northedge
credit Grundy & Northedge
credit Grundy & Northedge
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credit Grundy & Northedge
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credit Grundy & Northedge
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Minimal Surfaces, Maximal Bricks
What's Inside: Squirt-On Cheese
For Every Problem, a Cut-Rate Solution
The Best: Movies in the Public Domain
Boost Your Life the Urawaza Way
Better Drinking Through Chemistry
Keep Your Eyes Locked in the Full, Upright Position
