*Please pardon the un-styled mess why I am rethinking and re-designing my blog!*

The Design O'Blog

Funny and Strange Japanese Inventions

The estimated time to read this article is 3 minutes

Funny useless inventions

I recently found the book  ’Unuseless Japanese Inventions’ by Kenji Kawakami. You have to admire the absurdity and creativity of  some of these  inventions:  Cat dusters, grass toilet seats, high heel training wheels.  I’ve picked out some of my favorites from the book to share with you.

UMBRELLA TIE

Its a tie… and an umbrella… at the same time! As much as it rains here I should invest in this!

umbrela-tie

TRAINING WHEELS FOR HIGH HEELS

If I were to ever wear high heels… I would need these. They kind of make think of those ‘wheelie’ shoes… but for adults.

PANORAMIC HEAD CAMERA

This invention cracks me up…not only because its ridiculous… but I could actually see a tourist near MIT using this very device…

FINGER BRUSH

This one looks like a cross between a toothbrush and a thimble. Can you imagine whipping this thing out to do a post-meal brush up?

CAT DUSTER

Too lazy to do housework? Strap these dusting mits on your cat, give it some catnip and watch your house instantly be cleaned! I’m sure my cat would LOVE this! (Also see kittens in mittens)

CAMERA UMBRELLA

I have to admit that this invention is actually kind of clever.  I could use one of these for my iPhone.

BUTTER STICK

Short on time to make that toast for breakfast? Try the butter stick:  it’s kind of like a gluestick but edible… (well…some would argue that gluesticks are edible as well)

CLEAN AIR

Tired of that polluted and nasty city air? Try taking a whif of this plant and enjoy the clean air!

GRASS TOILET SEAT

Last but not least the best invention of all is the grass toilet seat… so you can can get that outdoorsy feel when you…well… have to go. :)

HAVE  YOU SPOTTED ANY WACKY INVENTIONS LATELY?

Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

[23] Comments
Posted in design, funny, industrial design, Web 2.OH

Share This Article

Share! Share On Twitter

This website uses IntenseDebate comments, but they are not currently loaded because either your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or they didn't load fast enough.

23 Responses to “Funny and Strange Japanese Inventions”

  1. Ahmed says:

    I've always said that Japanese people are really cool :D


  2. love the cat dusters!


  3. I think I want that butter stick. Not only is it fast and convenient, how else would you get a nice even application?

    Grass toilet seat is just gross but the others are pretty cool.

    Btw, great blog and I love design bits! Very inspiring. :)


  4. Decided to check my feed before going to bed and I'm glad I did. Nothing like a good laugh to end the weekend. Especially loved the cat dusters. Thanks.


  5. I don’t think my cats would be too happy with me if I brought the cat dusters home. I like the finger toothbrush idea, though :0)


  6. Don’t forget the Baby Duster (though I’m not too sure it’s Japanese) http://no-mans-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/championbaby.jpg


  7. umbrella tie isnt bad, and if i didnt have carpet, id want the kitten mops.. forget about cleaning the house, id just be cute to watch the little guy walk around in them, hehe


  8. If a country has many scientist…this will be the result….haha haha


  9. The fact that the finger toothbrush looks a little like a condom is a bit off putting


  10. There used to be a show on ITV which featured these type of crazy and useless inventions, anybody remember what it was called? brings me back…..


  11. Testing…


  12. Yeah baby :D Japanese people are very creative…and I really don’t know why :) Some of inventions are really useful, some are stupid and not needed, at least in Europe :) And what I love most in Japanese people, they are not shy when they’re using them. I just imagine If I take my camera out of the bag and begin putting some umbrella on it + additional cameras for panoramic picture – man I will be red like a tomato :D cause for me it looks stupid :D But not for them…cool article :)


  13. Great collection! :)


  14. ye, they are very cool and shanzhai(chinese 山寨)
    the lovely butter stick


  15. AHAHAH I have that book too!! My bf got it for my birthday last year. Some of the designs are really useless, and some are hilarious :D


  16. thats amazingly funny :-) the cat dusters really cracked me up! what a book. good find and thank you very much for sharing it with us.


  17. Cat duster is the best invention ever !
    How completely smart ! XD <3


  18. a good laugh to start my Monday off…


  19. oh my gosh! how many cameras!

    IT WONT WORK lol
    My recent post Funny Japanese Game Show – The Crazy Marathon


  20. The Japanese are very intelligent. They do not waste time on aesthetics etc. They purpose is efficeincy and they deliver it.


  21. I would use Butter Stick! Other inventions are quite weird, but with a thought!




Trackbacks & Pingbacks:

  1. Trackback from designfloat.com

    Funny and Strange Japanese Inventions | The Design O’Blog…

    I recently found the book ’Unuseless Japanese Inventions’ by Kenji Kawakami. You have to admire the absurdity and creativity of some of these inventions: Cat dusters, grass toilet seats, high heel training wheels. I’ve picked out some of my favori…

  2. Pingback from Best Invention ever funny | WeCharts.com

    [...] Funny and Strange Japanese Inventions | The Design O'Blog [...]