Japanese art-form is home to the most bizarre “un-useless” products you never knew you needed

BY: ERIC ZDANCEWICZ

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Japan has long been an exporter of the most amazing creations to bless American culture. Aside from the music, food and zen philosophies, Japanese art has deeply influenced cultures around the globe, beginning with the prints created by Hokusai in the 1800s. When Under the Wave off Kanagawa arrived in Europe the impressionist movement was born, giving life to modernism and art nouveau.

Almost two centuries later, the creations of another mind would bring new meaning into art and product design by creating a comical hybrid of the two. Kenji Kawakami was working at a Japanese magazine called Mail Order Life when the opportunity to fill some empty pages presented itself. He chose to publish photos of unusual products of his own invention. While arguably useful, the items were completely impractical for everyday life. It was then that the art of Chindogu was born. During this time Kenji had started his own production company, and one of the first projects revealed the concepts of Chindogu. After he had created enough Chindogu, Kenji collected them into one work and published his book 101 Unuseless Japanese Inventions.

In an interview with PingMag Kenji presented the “Chindogu Ten Commandments,” which are:

1. A chindogu must not actually be used.
2. It must have some function.
3. It must have an anarchic element.
4. It must be a tool for everyday life.
5. It must not actually be put on the market.
6. It must not be only for the purpose of humour.
7. It must not be for black humour.
8. “Dirty” jokes are forbidden.
9. It must not be for profit.
10. It must be usable internationally.