What's the Japanese lawn ornament equivalent of a pink flamingo or burro cart planter? Glad you asked. In our recent wanderings around Japan, we stumbled upon the local versions of those American trash classics. Don't worry, there's tacky taste to be found the world over.
Exhibit A, the most popular lawn toy we ran across. We're really not sure what these things are. Anyone? They look to be from the sea, a sort of walrus beaver. Cross-mated with a bear? With a Minnie Pearl hat? And a jug for liquid refreshment?
Japanese gnomes, all nestled in a little garden box. More cartoony creatures from the we're-not-sure-where.
Here's a house right out of Hampden, hon. Makes us Baltimorons proud to see the trailer trash look has found a home in Japan. We especially like how the A/C units are incorporated into the overall design. Function over form!
Exhibit A, the most popular lawn toy we ran across. We're really not sure what these things are. Anyone? They look to be from the sea, a sort of walrus beaver. Cross-mated with a bear? With a Minnie Pearl hat? And a jug for liquid refreshment?
Japanese gnomes, all nestled in a little garden box. More cartoony creatures from the we're-not-sure-where.
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Those are Tanuki. Literally they are meant to be raccoon dogs (actual animals), but in Japan they are a symbolized kind of 'youkai' - shapeshifting demons.
ReplyDeleteAccording to wikipedia, this is a commonly sung song about Tanuki:
Tan Tan Tanuki no kintama wa,
Kaze mo nai no ni,
Bura bura
You can google the translation. No really, you should.