Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Marimokkori

Hokkaido, Japan decided it needed a new mascot character. Something cute, something that represented the uniqueness of their fine country, something possibly unforgettable. They outdid themselves.

A marimo is a round ball of green algae that grows in lakes in the northern hemisphere. They are well known here in Japan and often sold in souvinir shops just about everywhere. But Hokkaido's Lake Akan is most famous for being the birthplace of the little creatures. That revalation plus a little word play brought about the infamous marimokkori.

These are marimos:


Okay, now we know what a marimo is. Next, the word "mokkori". Mokkori is slang for a "large crotch". You think I'm kidding. I'll let you close your eyes and imagine what you'd get if you crossed a cute little marimo and a well-endowed crotch.

Okay, got it?

There are all sorts of different versions. The most disturbing probably being the uniformed man with his pants pulled to his knees. But no one has come out and railed against them. Children think they are cute while grown women are more upset about the suspicious looking eyes than the tent action going on below.

I asked one of my students, a twelve-year old boy, if they were silly or not and he said, "They're great. Heck, they've got giant crotches!"

....okay....

I was early for a meeting the other day and wandering around the station when I discovered a Shizuoka version of the marimokkori. He was so darned cute I bought him as a present for my son. See, Shizuoka is famous for its mikan oranges.

Front view:


Side view:

I gave it to J and he politely said, "Thanks, but I think it would look good on your cell phone."

I said, "Hey, what's wrong with it?"

To which his reply was, "Don't you think it's just a little bit TOO mokkori."

Indeed!

20 comments:

MDK said...

Hey, now I know what I'm going to be for Halloween this year. So Cool!

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Oh my GOD! I was drinking tea and it went up my nose when I saw those pictures! Hilarious! I can't believe they actually sell those!

Mary Witzl said...

This is SO Japanese!

Somewhere in Shinjuku, there is a shrine with a deity in it that is a very life-like, um, male member, made of beautifully carved wood. I always took friends to see it and we made sure we had our photographs taken with it.

And friends of mine used to go to a breast shrine after their babies were born, to ensure good breast-feeding. They used to bring home such cute little oppai charms; they were a scream.

Kappa no He said...

mdk: You'll let me know the reactions of neighbors and friends...okay? I just got this feeling...

ello: After I read your last blog entry about inappropriate toys I was like...oh no, ello, I'm sorry! Ha ha.

Mary: Yes, all the phallic festivals. They are such a hoot! And I have heard about the oppai one but haven't been yet. They did a show on it, walls covered in boobs...

Anonymous said...

Oppai? That's it! Marimoppai!!
imomomo

Kappa no He said...

Haha!...judging from the sales of this marimokkori you would make a fortune!

Virginia Lee said...

OMG. It's all I can do to keep from waking up Miss Mama to show her the photos. Alas, I don't think she'd find this anything but a smidge distasteful. I swan, the woman takes being the widow of a minister a little too seriously at times.

THANK YOU for beginning my day with such hilarity, my dear. XOXOXO

Kappa no He said...

I'm glad you didn't show Miss Mama. I'd be so embarrassed. Some silly things have a difficult time crossing cultural boundries. It's like Japanese people don't get sweetened ice tea or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Miss Mama would be very correct, though, about being distasteful.

Take care sweet!

Jim Melvin said...

I don't see anything particularly large about that crotch? Are you saying that's unusual?

(hee heeeeee)

Kappa no He said...

You're the best.

Hilary said...

Marimokkori.... wasn't she that Greek actress who starred in and sang Never on a Sunday? ;)

Pat said...

Girl, you are always good for a chuckle! BTW, did you see Kathie's response to your last comment?

Kappa no He said...

Hilary: I think you might be correct! Melina Mokkori?

Pat: Gonna go check right now!

Katarina-bakajo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Katarina-bakajo said...

I think I stopped breathing for about 20 seconds when I say that side-view picture. If only all men were built like that! I'm going to buy one for my terribly conservative older sister and see how she reacts! You've made a new fan out of me!

Kappa no He said...

Katarina-bakajo: My parents are visiting soon, and I am sooo going to take my mom shopping for these. She will probably buy one for all her friends.

Katarina-bakajo said...

My mum would've loved those little guys! possibly a little too much!

Anonymous said...

I haven't thought about it for a while, but you used to be able to buy Fuji-san Oppai cakes at the Fuji Shinkansen station.
imomomo

Katarina-bakajo said...

kappa no he: Oh and I can do you one better, the strangest one I found was one where you pull out the crotch and it moans and vibrates till the crotch is back in place!

KureKong said...

Just got back to Shizuoka... will look at the station, thanks!