The Modern Materialist : japan

Guess the Product: A Modest Bra

Diana Vilibert — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:10:00 GMT

The concept behind this bra is pretty hilarious, in a disturbing and not at all sexy way. I'll give you a hint--it's not a ticking time bomb, despite how it looks. Well, not exactly:

This chastity bra puts the brakes on any groping action until the big (wedding) day in Japan, apparently. If an engagement ring is inserted into the "special slot" (that's what she said?), the countdown stops and The Wedding March is played. The bra also has holders for the marriage contract seal and a pen for pre-nups.

...Oh. My. God. In other news, women belong in the kitchen and should be seen, not heard.

[via Reuters]

Fantastic Leather Goods from Across the Pacific

Shaun Seneviratne — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:32:00 GMT

I recently removed all the receipts, Subway club cards, concert stubs, and expired gift cards from my wallet and now it's all malformed. I've finally come to accept the fact that things will never be the way they were and no amount of cocoa butter could heal the stretch marks adorning my once perfectly shaped Kenneth Cole wallet.

Unfortunately, all the wallets I would want are from Japan and cost a shit-ton of $$$:

[34,650 yen (approx. $352), MAPS Online]

This is the interior of the Needles wallet before the jump. Cordovan exterior, tan leather interior. ::swoon::

[$130, Billykirk]

Thankfully Billykirk, an American purveyor of fine leather goods, makes a zip wallet that is similar (and a little cheaper).

The buckle on this Cramp wallet is such a great touch. I also like the fact that it's just a change purse with a space for bills:

[$15,000 yen (approx. $152), Cramp]

[20,000 yen (approx. $202), Cramp]

Another awesome wallet from Cramp, this time with interchangeable change purses!

Japan, please start selling your fine fashion accesories in America (and reduce the price while you're at it)!

[Via A Continuous Lean and Selectism]

Guess the Product

Diana Vilibert — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:49:00 GMT

Can you guess what these people are doing? They're not drinking anything out of the mystery product...

They're shouting into it! It's a Shouting Vase, a plastic jug is designed to fit over the contours of your mouth and absorb your screams and shouts, “storing” them in the vase and emitting a softer version of your angry cries through the tiny hole at the base.

Is it just me, or does the $77 price tag seem like a rip-off?

[Japan Trend Shop]

Related: Love It or Leave It? Hand Vase

Can a Cell Phone Make Your Boobs Bigger?

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:33:00 GMT

Can a cell phone ringtone make your boobs bigger? Yes, according to Japanese researchers:

By listening to the "Rock Melon" ringtone (programmed with with subliminal baby noises) 20 times a day for ten consecutive days, researchers in Japan apparently showed that breast size can be enlarged.

[Trendhunter]

Related: Get Bigger Boobs

Good News for the Never Nude

Laureen Mahler — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:11:00 GMT

[$560, Kanaka]

My life is just so hectic these days, what with the sleeping, the showering, the getting dressed. Whew, I'm exhausted just thinking about it. Thank goodness the Kanaka company totally has my back.

The Shower Suit's patented quick-dry lining means I can shower without getting undressed. And laundry? It's a thing of the past! Life just got a whole lot sweeter. Or weirder. I'm not quite sure which.

[via Geekologie]

Japan is Ridiculous, Part 4: Finger That Box

Alex Zalben — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:01:00 GMT

Once again, I want to state for the record that we have plenty of stupid stuff here in America. However, in terms of sheer wackiness, Japan takes the cake, then adds a puppy made out of rainbows who battles other puppies to that cake.

So anyway, you stick your finger in this box, and then your digital finger can interact with this guy. But that's not all:

As you can see, there is also Panda Mode, Face Mode, and Ameba [sic] Mode. Oh, and here's a video of the whole thing in action:

You can pick one up at my new favorite website (check out the super-spooky "Happy Birthday").

[$37, Rakuten]

[Via TechnaBob]

Japan in Ridiculous, Part 3

Alex Zalben — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:27:00 GMT

I don't mean the country of Japan is ridiculous, or the people. I mean the products. I've already posted about cat clothing, and yesterday about the Sugarbunnies Choco-Fountain. There was also a news story today about a cat put in charge of a train station, but we won't even get into that.

Here's the latest and greatest, though:

The Peri Peri Electronic Candy Box Owner mimics the sound of opening Japanese candy boxes, which is apparantly very pleasing to certain people. Of course, it has its own music video:

[$10, Inventor Spot]

Thanks to Jodi for the tip!

You Think You're Hot, But You're Ugly

Will Doig — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:00:00 GMT

In New York City, at this moment, it's gray and cold and lightly snowing. And in Tokyo, at this moment, it's gray and cold and lightly snowing. The difference? In Tokyo, they have these:

A beautiful space heater -- such a phrase has never been uttered within the borders of the United States. Why must space heaters be squat and ugly? They mustn't, as the Japanese have now shown us. They can be beautiful, digital, warm and cozy. Hey, Honeywell: get on it.