Big in Japan: Drinking pig placenta keeps Japanese women beautiful

by Matthew Firestone on

Ever wonder why it is that Japanese women are so beautiful? Ever wonder how Japanese women manage to look so young well into their golden years?

What if I told you that there was a simple and cheap remedy for turning back the clock and washing away the visible signs of aging?

What if I told you that this remedy costs less than US$10 a day, and can be started at any time no matter old you happen to be?

Although the secret is slowly spreading to the Western World, for years Japanese women have been drinking blended pig placenta in an effort to extend their youth.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Some Japanese women, on occasion, drink blended pig placenta in a bottle.

Seriously. I am not making this up.

Now, I guess at this point in the post you are probably thinking one of the following:

a) Gross.
b) Does it work?
c) What does it taste like?
d) Where can I buy some?
e) Some or all of the above.

Well, keep reading and allow me to explain the powers of pig placenta!

%Gallery-8934%

For starters, the placenta is a temporary organ that develops from the same sperm and egg cells that form the fetus. In placental mammals including humans, the placenta receives nutrients, oxygen, antibodies, and hormones from the mother’s blood, passes out waste and forms a protective barrier around the fetus.

Now, here is where things get interesting.

Placentophagy is the act of mammals eating the placenta of their young after childbirth. Scientifically speaking, the placenta contains high levels of prostaglandin, which helps shrink the uterus, and small amounts of oxytocin, which eases birth stress and causes the mammary cells to contract and eject milk.

Although the placenta is revered in many traditional cultures, and has been an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, very few modern people eat it after the newborn’s birth. Leading obstetricians and gynecologists are also quick to point out that animals ingest the placenta for nutritional reasons, though there is little nutritional benefit for well-fed humans.

However, pig placenta, blended and bottled for your consumption, is sold all across Japan. A 30 milliliter bottle costs approximately US$8.50 (1000 yen), and is available at any corner store or pharmacy here in Tokyo.

Now, I know that it’s easy to be skeptical about health and beauty products, especially since the next big thing is always being touted on late night infomercials across North America.

Also, we all know that the Japanese have incredibly healthy diets that are based on rice and fish, compared with the North America propensity for fatty foods.

And of course, I don’t want to discount their genetic predisposition, especially considering that the Japanese tend to age very well, and generally look younger than their Western counterparts.

However, although anecdotal evidence isn’t exactly the most reliable of methods, my Japanese friends swear that a bottle a day gives them energy, and has noticeably improved their appearance.

Here’s the catch.

I can’t stomach it. I’ve now tried on three separate occasions to drink the stuff, and I gag every time the bottle reaches my mouth. As you’d imagine, blended pig placenta tastes pretty much like blended pig placenta, and no amount of added sugar is going to make a difference.

If you’re still interested in trying the stuff, I’m fairly certain that import restrictions in the States prevent the international distribution of this product, though perhaps I’m wrong. With that said, please chime in if you’ve seen this stuff in a health food store near you.

%Gallery-6477%

Big in Japan: How to cure a hangover

by Matthew Firestone on

Did you know that the scientific name for a hangover is veisalgia?

Veisalgia describes the headache, stomach sick, sensitivity to light and sound, weakness and depression that comes the morning after you’ve hit the bottle a bit too hard.

Although scientists might disagree, veisalgia also describes the feeling you get when you roll over and realize you’re sleeping next to someone significantly less attractive than you.

Veisalgia also describes the feeling of waking up naked on the side of the road without your wallet or your keys and only the vaguest recollection of what happened the night before.

(If you’re reading this mom, I swear that happened to someone else!).

In Japanese, the word for hangover is futsukayoi (??????????), which directly translates as ‘two-day drunk.’ Sounds pretty bad, though my hardcore Japanese friends assure me that you haven’t truly partied until you’ve experienced a mitsukayoi (??????????) or ‘three-day drunk.’

Let’s start with what we do know about the commonly experienced but rarely understood phenomenon that is a hangover.

Scientists who spend most of their days drinking vodka shots from beakers and separating the layers of their vomit in centrifuges have identified reasons why humans experience hangovers.

Although I’m convinced that the true cause of hangovers is simply drinking too much, people much smarter than me point to the following culprits: hypoglycemia, dehydration, acetaldehyde intoxication, and vitamin B12 deficiency.

For those of us without PhDs, the previous sentence translates to ‘not enough sugar, not enough water and more alcohol than blood in your veins.’

Of course, most of us are more interested in preventing hangovers than curing them, which is why all of us raging alchies have our own tricks of the trade.

For me, I try to guzzle a few pints glasses of water and slurp down a huge bowl of noodle soup before I pass out in a violent fit of shame and self-loathing. For one of my friends, it‘s the tried and true ‘pull the trigger’ method, which also has the unintended side effect of keeping her super skinny.

As you may have imagined, the Japanese love their drink, which is why the hangover cure market over here in East Asia is a multi-million dollar industry.

With Japanese salarymen prone to long-night binge drinking sessions with their colleagues, it’s only natural that the convenience stores and vending machines here in Japan stock hangover cures.

Although every Japanese drinker has their own favorite brew, I’m partial to リポビタンD (Lipovitamin D), a tasty energy drink chockfull o’ vitamins and minerals that always puts an extra spring in my step.

Truth be told, I have no idea what’s in the stuff (or even if it works), but it’s comforting to know that this little bottle may have the cure for what ails me, even if it only works as a placebo.

Anyway, I guess this blog entry brings about one simple question: what do YOU do to prevent a hangover?

(And yes, I know the answer is simply not to drink, but if you’ve figured out a way not to, please share the secret with the rest of us!)

** Special thanks to CollegeHumor for the amazing picture entitled ‘Ummm you have some stomach in your hair. **

Big in Japan: Asia’s biggest Halloween Party!

by Matthew Firestone on

Halloween is in full effect here in Tokyo.

This past Saturday night, three -thousands Japanese revelers decked out in their choicest threads headed to ageHa, one of Japan’s most famous party spots.

Although Saturday night also brought with it an unseasonal typhoon, that didn’t stop the Japanese from hitting the dance floor and strutting their stuff until the wee hours of the morn.

From Captain Jack Sparrow and Pocahontas to all shades of sexy devils sweating temptation, Halloween fever was hot and heavy in the crowd. Indeed, much of the night was lost to strong drinks, skirt chasing and a healthy amount of sinning.

As with most nights out in the pleasure land that is Tokyo, details of what exactly happened inside the club are hazy at best. However, judging by the epic hangover that I’m just now beginning to shake, clearly the party was fueled by an absurd amount of alcohol.

Other signs of unchecked hedonism include an empty wallet as well as the sinking feeling that my brain and my liver might never be the same.

If you’ve never been to ageHa, allow me to educate you on what you’re missing.

ageHa (あげは), which means ‘Swallowtail butterfly’ in Japanese, is located on the waterfront in Eastern Tokyo’s reclaimed industrial district. Since 2003, ageHa has garnered a well-deserved reputation as one of the world’s best clubs.

International DJs including Paul van Dyk, John Digweed and Fatboy Slim make regular appearances at ageHa, as well as a number of Japanese DJs including Ko Kimura and Yoji Biomehanika.

On any given night however, you can expect top quality DJs spinning everything from hip-hop and R&B to deep house and trance. There are also occasional reggae nights, live rock performances and a healthy dose of Tokyo-spawned underground beats.

What makes ageHa so legendary is that it’s massive, especially by Japanese standards. The main dance floor is the size of most of the country’s concert venues, though the action is spread out amongst lounge rooms, outdoor dance tents and several terraces.

ageHa even boasts an outdoor swimming pool, which sees plenty of action in the sultry Tokyo summers as well as in the drunken early twilight hours. The sound system is also billed as the loudest and most advanced in Japan, which is easy to believe once you step foot inside the club and feel vibrations that are strong enough to shake the change out of your pocket.

Of course, the highlight of any night out at ageHa is usually watching the sunrise over the Tokyo skyline. By this point in the night, you’re usually dripping with sweat and blitzed on all sorts of liquid poison. But, when the sun peaks above the horizon and the sky lights up, it’s hard not to pause for a moment and realize just how good life can be.

ageHa is located a few minutes by foot from Shin-kiba (新木場) station, which can be accessed by several trains including the Keiyo and Yurakucho lines. The club also runs a free bus service that runs back and forth to the east exit of Shibuya (渋谷) station. Entry fees vary depending on the act. For more information on upcoming performers, check out their website at www.ageha.com.

Big in Japan: Fuzzy breasts are big in Japan

by Matthew Firestone on

With the Christmas shopping season right around the corner, everyone is starting to wonder what this year’s must have toy will be.

Like past greats such as the Cabbage Patch Kids, Tickle me Elmo and Nintendo Wii, it takes a truly special toy to drive yearning kids and their ever-pleasing parents into a consumer frenzy.

Care to guess what the hottest toy in Japan is likely to be this holiday season?

(Hint: no, it’s not a robot. We’re talking about something that is cute, cuddly and slightly pornographic in the kinderwhore fashion.)

Give up? I give you Funwari Milk-chan (??????????????????????), the latest, greatest Japanese craze.

Now, although the verdict is still out on just what exactly this thing is, my initial guess is that it’s some sort of fuzzy breast-shaped plush toy.

What do you exactly do with it? I have no idea.

(And no, to the best of my knowledge it’s not intended to be used as a sex toy).

What makes this fuzzy breast so strange however is that the toy manufacture, JUN Planning, has created an elaborate back story in the hope of justifying its existence.

Allow me to explain:

Once upon a time, there was a place known as Milk Village, which was created by the ancient volcanic eruption of Mt. Milk. The residents of Milk Village, which are known as Milk-chans, speak the Milk language, live in Milk houses and raise little Milk babies.

Are you with me so far? Don’t worry if you’re confused – so am I!

Milk Village is marked by four distinct seasons, which the Milk-chans love to celebrate in the Japanese fashion. In the spring, they eat rice dumplings and watch the cherry blossoms. In the summer, they eat rice dumplings and go to the Milk beach. In the fall, they eat rice dumplings and watch the leaves change. In the winter, they eat rice dumplings and live in milk caves.

Are you with me so far? I’m not sure if I understand myself at this point!

Apparently, each of the Milk-chans has a unique personality and history.

Funwari Milk-chan (center) is relaxed and playful, though she dreams of one day being a larger breast. Can Milk-chan (top left) is the party girl in the group, which is why she decided to be naughty and have an American boyfriend.

Ganguro Milk-chan (bottom left) has a pierced nipple, loves partying, dancing and taking pictures with her friends. Peach Milk-chan (top right) loves fashion, and is something of a snob in Milk Village. Milko-chan (bottom right) is still a baby, but a baby genius at that.

A Milk-chan sell for about 1,000 yen or about US$9, which means that I fully intend to collect the full set, even though I have no idea what you’re supposed to do with them!

Special thanks to my friend Michele for always keeping an eye out for the latest and craziest Japanese trends!

** Photos were taken from www.junplanning.co.jp **

Big in Japan: Camouflage yourself as a Coke machine

by Matthew Firestone on

Afraid of walking the mean city streets at night? Not sure what to do if you’re being followed?

Fear not as Aya Tsukioka, a 29-year-old experimental fashion designer from Tokyo, is about to start selling her new line of urban camouflage.

At a fashion show earlier this week, Ms. Tsukioka shocked the audience by removing a large sheet of red cloth from beneath her skirt. She then proceeded to show how a woman being pursued by assailants could easily disguise herself as a vending machine.

Japan never ceases to amaze, eh?

Although street crime is virtually non-existent here in Japan, personal safety is never taken for granted. The Japanese public is increasingly becoming more and more concerned about crime, even though statistics suggest that rates are actually on the decline.

Perhaps this is why Ms. Tsukioka’s clothing is expected to be such a huge hit.

At the fashion show, she also revealed plans for kimono that folds into a vending machine as well as a manhole shaped bag that can be laid down on the street to hide your valuables from would-be muggers.

While Americans are more partial to self-defense devices such as mace, pepper spray, tazers and even pistols, Japanese sensibility calls for a bit more tact.

Don’t believe me?

Consider the fact that one of the most popular items on the market here in Tokyo are knife-proof high school uniforms made of Kevlar!

According to Ms. Tsukioka, Americans want to protect themselves while Japanese favor camouflage and deception. “It is just easier for Japanese to hide,” Ms. Tsukioka said. “Making a scene would be too embarrassing.”

She then proceeded to explain how her vending machine disguise was inspired by the ninja, who used to cover themselves in black blankets at night. Since vending machines are so common on Japan’s streets, Ms. Tsukioka realized that she had stumbled across the perfect design motif.

To date, Ms. Tsukioka has sold about 20 vending machine costumes for about 100,000 yen or $800 each. If you think it’s a bit pricey, consider the fact that each disguise is printed and sewn by hand.

And of course, can you really put a price on your personal safety?

For the little ones, Ms. Tsukioka is also planning on rolling out a special children’s line of disguises, which will resemble Japan’s diminutive red mail boxes.

After all, it’s never too early to teach the kiddies to take care of themselves.

Ms. Tsukioka concluded her press conference by discussing Japan’s willingness to indulge the imagination. “These ideas might strike foreigners as far-fetched,” she added, “but in Japan, they can become reality.”

Perhaps there is some truth to that, though I’m sorry to say that these costumes wouldn’t quite cut it in New York City or Los Angeles, unless of course you were to weave them out of Kevlar.

Special thanks to my friend Michele for always keeping an eye out for the latest and craziest Japanese trends!

** Photos were taken by Torin Boyd/Polaris for The New York Times **