chindongu

1. What problem does this invention tackles? 2. Would you ever use it?

What is Chindongu?

• Chindogu are inventions that defy concise explanation. They aren't useful. But they aren't completely useless either.Their creator, Kenji Kawakami, describes them as "un-useless."

• Chindongu 珍道具 is made up of two words. Chin 珍 means "curious" or "strange." Dongu 道具 means "tool" or "device."

• "Strange device" doesn't quite capture the entire meaning though. There's an essence to chindogu that can't be ignored. They need to be useful, but only just so. Something people could use, but probably won't because of shame.

Chindongu

The Unuseless inventions of Kenji Kawakami

10 tenets of Chindogu

What is a tenet?

1.Chindogu must be (almost) completely useless

2.Chindogu must exist

3. Chindogu represent freedom of thought and action

4. Chindogu's uselessness must be understood by all

5. Chindogu are not for sale

6. Humor must not be the sole reason for making chindogu

7. Chindogu are not propaganda

8. Chindogu are never taboo

9. Chindogu cannot be patented

10. Chindogu are without prejudice

Popular Chidongus

What would you name this object? What would you use it for? Would you use it in public?

Butterstick.

The butter stick is possibly the most well-known chindogu. Maybe because it's the one people could actually see themselves using (almost). When you don't have a knife or the time to butter toast, the Butter Stick is there for you. I wonder what other condiments could work in stick form…

360 degree camera

When you can't choose the best camera angle, choose them all. This invention is designed to create panoramic photos. Strap the Camera Hat to your head and snap the pictures. Get the pictures developed, tape them end-to-end in a circle, and stick your head inside.

Noodle Cooler

Sometimes ramen and udon are just too hot. That's why you slurp. But maybe that's not enough to keep the noodles from burning thy lips. Enter the noodle cooler. An electric fan cools your noodles before they get close to scalding your mouth.

Shoe broom and dust pan

Getting the broom out of the closet for a small bit of dust is a real pain. And bending down to use a handheld broom can be difficult for the elderly and obese. That's when you slip these babies on. Use one foot to sweep and the other to collect. But then, how do you get your dustpan foot up to the trash can?

Lipstick Guide

Get the perfect lipstick application every time. Just strap on the lip stencil and go to town. This speeds up the lipstick process a lot. No more slow precision. Smear the lipstick all over the place and you're done. Efficient!

Umbrella Shoes

Stop letting dangerous waters pour all over your expensive shoes. This invention protects those Guccis and Air Jordans from inclement weather. Plus you don't have to worry about wet socks, which is the worst thing about rain.

Camera Umbrella

Whether you're in the splash zone at Sea World or a kitsune wedding, there are times you want to get wet and take pictures. This invention was made for such occasions. A tiny umbrella for your camera. Finally, you can take your $6000 Nikon camera to the water park! Just don't drop it in the Lazy River.

Backscratcher

Telling friends where to scratch you can be a chore.A little left. Up a little. No, back down.Slip on this chindogu shirt and use the accompanying chart to identify the itchy area. Your scratch companion now knows the exact square to attack.

Eye drop funnel glasses

Sometimes your eyes need drops. You could hover the eyedropper above your peepers and hope for the best. But we know how that ends. 50% of that precious eye medicine goes on your cheeks. And you can't be wasting eye medicine like that. Not in today's economy.Good thing you've got Eyedrop Funnel Glasses. Now, you can drop any liquid into your eyes with 100% accuracy.

Hay Fever Headset

Keep tissues spooling toward your nose at all times.You get a sneeze attack on a crowded bus! No problem. Reach up, pull down, and cover that sneeze.

Baby Mop

There's nothing lazier than babies and cats. Both need food and shelter, but offer nothing in return. Time to turn the tables on these miniature hobos. The baby mop and cat mop will transform your shiftless baby/cat into a useful cleaning machine.You can actually buy the baby mop. Because chindogu by nature cannot be patented (tenet number 9), anyone can produce them. The unprincipled charlatans over at BetterThanPants sell a version of Kawakami's baby mop.

Cat mop

Noodle Splasher

Eating ramen too fast will invariably get broth all over your precious, precious locks. Enter the Noodle Splash Guard, the invention that guards your hair from ramen or udon splash. Now you can eat with gusto!

Earplug Earrings

Earplug Earrings

The attractive green pendants that hang from each hoop are in fact fully functioning rubber earplugs

Inverse Umbrella

Inverse Umbrella

An umbrella that can make it rain wherever you go!

Pet Pick-up

Pet Pick-up

If your pet sheds a lot of hair, its time they pick it up themselves!

What do you think this invention is used for ?

Create your own Chindongu!

Explain to your class your invention

Chindongu?

Draw it on paper

Tinkercad

The class will decide if it is Chindongu or not

If you draw it on paper, share a picture with me via email.

Using Tinkercad design an invention that tackles a problem. It has to be useful, yet inconvient.

Give it a name. Tell us what problem it tackles. Who would use it?

TinkerCad create your own!

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