Chindogu
Chindogu is a Japanese word, which means ‘priceless tools’.
It was invented by Japanese inventor Kenji Kawakami. A Chindogu generally does solve a problem, but it might result to social embarrassment or create new problems. Nevertheless, each Chindogu are designed to solve a particular problem so it cannot be called ‘useless’. So they can be regarded as noiseless inventions.
Although his inventions are unnecessary, they are well known to people also regarded as a new form of Japanese art today. His creative ideas interest people and make them passionate about the idea of Chindogu.
As far as I remember about chindogu, it was just funny invention, which doesn’t reflect any reality.
It was quite long times ago I saw that at first on Internet.
At that time, I was thinking it is made for just fun without any consideration. Although it was popular in my country through the Internet, it was forgotten soon like other information, (good thing of internet is we can share information at the same time but also it is easy to be forgotten because of its quickness)
And later, since I started my uni in Australia, I found chindogu again by this media class.
This was really good guide for our outcome.
That was totally new media I ever used as my concept of outcome and new way to approach the answer.
It is all about the idea of useless product.
Using that useless invention makes people not only looks like funny but also embarrass.
It can be used in our life as a tool but ironically nobody uses that.
It is true that this kind of invention which is illogical and funny
are likely to be considered as a failure.
However it is getting known as a new type of Japanese art instead of disappear.
By reading the chindogu,it made me free from that kind of stereotypical thoughts.
Many people think chindogu is just funny and they all agree with it’s uselessness.
This fact gave me many questions like- why chindogu regards as new concept of art? Why it is so popular? Why are the people passionate about this kind of odd tool?
In my opinion about answer for those question is that conversion of idea. That could be the idea Kawakami wanted to show.
“I hate the Japanese way of product… so this is my irony and protest,”(Kawakami)
Following is about ten tenets by Kawakami.
1.A Chindogu cannot be for real use.
2.A Chindogu must exist.
3.Inherent in every Chindogu is the spirit of anarchy.
4.Chindogu are tools for everyday life.
5.Chindogu are not for sale.
6.Humor must not be the sole reason for creating Chindogu.
7.Chindogu are not propaganda.
8.Chindogu are never taboo.
9.Chindogu cannot be patented.
10.Chindogu are without prejudice.
This ten tenets sound like serious as well as funny to me.
However one thing really clear to me was they are so creative that give me a lot of inspiration of my work.
Reference
Kawakami,K. Bumper book of unuseless Japanese inventions : the art of Chindog. HarperCollins. 2004. London.
