Have you ever heard someone use the term, chindōgu? This Japanese term literally translates to unusual tool. These are tools that might be useful and work, but they are strange and impractical. Kenji Kawakami coined the term while contributing to the Japanese magazine, “Mail Order Life.” He created this term and idea to be as absurd and as difficult to mass-produce as possible. In 1995, Dan Papia and Kenji Kawakami wrote and published “101 Unuseless Japanese Inventions: The Art of Chindōgu,” which showcased examples of chindōgu.
Although chindogu was more popular during the 1990s and early 2000s, there is still a community of people who create these inventions and even compete. For this slideshow, we consulted the International Society of Chindogu and their online resources. Click through the slideshow for 15 bizarre chindogu inventions you may want to use. These are too good to ignore. Note: The images used for the slideshows are just general images. Not all images depict the invention discussed.
The Ten Tenets of Chindogu
In order for a product to be chindogu, it must follow these 10 rules/tenets:
- A Chindogu must be (almost) completely useless.
- It must actually exist, as in you (or the inventor) has built it.
- It needs to be universally useless.
- The invention is made for everyone – it shouldn’t be super complicated.
- It can’t be sold – Chindogu are not for sale.
- It must solve some kind of simple and real problem with humor.
- The invention needs a purpose.
- It needs to be innocent – no taboo themes.
- It should not be copyrighted or patented.
- Chindogu is without prejudice.
Selfie Stick
Technically, this is no longer a chindogu because it’s being sold commercially. Still, it’s worth a mention because everyone knows about it! The selfie stick allows you to take a picture while using a stick that stretches. It’s a tame invention compared to the next ones.
Umbrella Tie
You’re going to notice something while going through the slideshow – a lot of chindogu inventions have something to do with umbrellas. Like the selfie stick, this is one of the more popular ones. Have you ever wanted to carry your umbrella, but without keeping it in your hands? Tie wearers can use an umbrella tie.
Baby Mop Onesie
Have you ever looked at your baby and wanted to make them work? Well, for crawling babies and tired parents, you can create a baby mop onesie. It’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s a onesie that fits babies and has mop extensions to clean as they crawl.
Butter Stick
Ignore the picture used for this slideshow. The invention is more than a stick of butter, instead, butter is spread in a cylinder tube. It looks like a glue stick!
Extended Umbrella
Another umbrella product is making our list. The extended umbrella works, but looks hilarious. It’s an umbrella with a long layer of plastic that reaches the ground. The extended umbrella keeps you way dryer than a regular umbrella, but it looks goofy.
Toilet Paper Hat
Seasonal allergy sufferers may love this invention. The toilet paper hat was made for those with allergies or a cold. It’s toilet paper attached to a hot, which makes it easier for you to blow your nose.
Noodle Cooler
How many times have you burned your lips or mouth while eating hot ramen noodles? Well, you don’t need to deal with that when using the noodle cooler. This invention is basically a set of chopsticks with a small fan that blows on the ramen as you eat.
Shoe Umbrellas
Maybe the extended umbrella or tie umbrella isn’t enough. If you really want to stay dry, consider the umbrella shoes. Small umbrellas attach to your shoes for rainy weather.
Head Support for Commuters
Do you take the train or bus often and find yourself waking up with an achy neck? Well, why not use something like head support for commuters? It’s a helmet attached to something like a plunger that is popped onto a wall.
360 Degree Camera Hat
The 360 Degree Camera Hat is pretty self-explanatory. It’s a hat that holds a 360-degree camera that takes pictures and videos. While useful, it isn’t the most practical.
Onion Chopping Glasses
Onion chopping glasses are super helpful for those with sensitive eyes. Onions can really make you cry. These glasses, though, aren’t just simple goggles. They have small fans attached to them that blow the onion juices and air away from you.
Back Scratcher’s T-Shirt
How often do you need help scratching your back? When someone agrees, they don’t always know where to scratch, causing frustration. The Back Scratcher’s T-shirt comes with a grid system with numbers and a small version that you hold in your hand. This way, you can tell the person who is scratching your back exactly where.
Shoe Broom and Dustpan
Shoes. Babies. There are so many ways you can clean your home, without just using a broom and your hands. The Shoe Broom and Dustpan are attachments you can place onto your shoes to clean up small messes.
Zen Litter Box
Nearing the end we have a silly invention, the zen litterbox. This litterbox comes with relaxing zen accessories so your cat can become enlightened while taking a dump.
The Sock Closet
Last but not least is the sock closet, which is a closet made specifically for your socks. You can hang your socks in this tiny invention, which makes it easier to match them.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Cookie Studio/ Shutterstock.