Not all of the ideas which come from the country that gave the world karaoke and vending machines for knickers are as useful. Sock mops for cats, a plastic hair guard for messy eaters, umbrellas for shoes: these are chindogu and they conform to strict rules - the first being that they are (almost) completely useless. A New book, 101 Un-useless Japanese Inventions, available from South China Morning Post Family Bookshops, celebrates the art of invention.
Duster slippers for cats For feline assistance with tedious housework.
Now the most boring job around the house becomes hours of fun - for your cat! With these dust dislodging foot socks, cats can play their part in easing the pressure of domestic chores. Lazy cats are, of course, much less productive than excitable ones but this problem may be overcome if you introduce a dog into the house.
Table Groomer's Hand Makes discretion the better part of oral hygiene.
A common problem encountered when dining in company is the small food particle lodged between the teeth. The traditional approach to this dilemma of social form is to attempt to remove the debris with the fingers of one hand, while masking your action with the other. This has never been satisfactory as it leaves no hands free for the kind of social behaviour - eating and gesticulating - that would best disguise the unpleasant events. So we bring you the Table Groomer's Hand, a moulded silicon facsimile which can be used to shield your clandestine cleaning activities. It is held by a knob that fits between the fingers, yet leaves those same fingers freedom of movement to pick at the offending morsel. Meanwhile your other (real) hand is free for emphasis, coffee drinking or playing games, whatever the occasion demands.
Hay-fever Hat The all-day tissue dispenser.