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101 Unuseless Japanese Inventions: The Art of Chindogu Paperback – November 1, 1995

by Kenji Kawakami (Author), Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (Editor), Dan Papia (Translator)
4.4 out of 5 stars 37 ratings
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$53.98
$50.00 $6.55
Paperback, November 1, 1995
$7.28
$56.49 $1.44
Previous page
  1. Print length
    160 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    W W Norton & Co Inc
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 1995
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 0.5 x 7.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0393313697
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0393313697
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The author, Kenji Kawakami is well-known in Japan for his creation and tireless promotion of "chingdogu" -- the art of the "unuseless idea." This book features the best of his inventions, inspired devices designed to solve all the nagging problems of domestic life, including ones you may not have realized you have. Reading this book is like exploring an alternate universe in which the 19th century inventors who shaped our lives had far too much time on their hands, and far too many plastic molds in their factories. Hilarious!

From Library Journal

Have you ever been tempted to go for a walk when you really needed to do the laundry? Well, now you can wash your clothes and get your daily exercise at the same time with "Walk 'n' Wash" ankle-attachable laundry tanks. Too busy to breastfeed the baby? The "Daddy Nurser" will let your husband or significant other share in the joys of motherhood. From Japan, land of the bullet-train and the Walkman, come chindogu (literally an odd or distorted tool), witty and whimsical inventions that are almost useful but not quite. Kawakami, founder of the International Chindogu Society, outlines the basic ten tenets of chindogu; among them: they cannot be for real use; they must exist; and they are without prejudice. His book is much like the 101 objects it displays, an "unuseless" purchase but a delight in itself.
Wilda Williams, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Product details

  • Publisher : W W Norton & Co Inc; 1st American Ed edition (November 1, 1995)
  • Language : English
  • Paperback : 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 : 0393313697
  • ISBN-13 : 978-0393313697
  • Item Weight : 8.8 ounces
  • Dimensions : 5 x 0.5 x 7.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 37 ratings

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
37 global ratings
5 star
72%
4 star
13%
3 star
5%
2 star
5%
1 star
4%
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Top reviews from the United States

Count de money
1.0 out of 5 stars ... nothing more than repeats from the other books Don't waste your time of money
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2016
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One person found this helpful
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daliya robson
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2017
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Thomas B. Gross
3.0 out of 5 stars Amusing book but don't be mislead
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 1999
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13 people found this helpful
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Lara Lange
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2015
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David Feldman
4.0 out of 5 stars Great coffeetable book
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2001
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Mom's Shelf
5.0 out of 5 stars Crazy!!!
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2013
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Canzak
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2014
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5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2018
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Deshnu
5.0 out of 5 stars Good price and condition
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2020
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OB
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2017
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C H Newell
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 25, 2016
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5.0 out of 5 stars 👌👌👌
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2019
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Martin Marguerie
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2018
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