Chopstork

Woodblock prints of men posing as birds

some dude — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:52:46 +0000

Big Bird, are you from 19th century Japan?

In early 19th-century Japan, it became fashionable for the culturally sophisticated theatergoing population of Edo to entertain themselves at parties by imitating the voices and gestures of famous actors. As this fad spread, people began to expand their repertoires by mimicking animals, and as animal poses became all the rage at parties, writers and artists collaborated to produce illustrated books containing model examples of these poses…

In the 21st century, it became fashionable for the culturally unsophisticated bar-going population of Silicon Valley to entertain themselves at work by imitating big birds.

via Pink Tentacle (more pictures)

Japanese Office

some dude — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:56:02 +0000

It’s funny because they’re really speaking Japanese and it all makes sense. And the commercial is so true.

(Damn Hulu pre-rolls)

via Emily

We Are the Japanese World

some dude — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:36:53 +0000

It’s tradition in Japan every New Year’s Eve to gather around the TV with the family to watch kouhakuutagassen—Red vs. White Singing Competition. Celebrities sing all night in team competition. This is them doing We Are the World, impersonating each of the original singers. Here’s what makes this even funnier: They’re not trying to be funny.

via and I am not lying

Rainbow in Your Hand

some dude — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 02:19:21 +0000

A flip book to make a rainbow in your hands, by Masahi Kawamura. So simple it’s stupid … but you didn’t think of it, did you? You can get one at Utrecht.

Best results obtained when wearing black…I guess.

via NotCot