Photographs from a small group of islands
Whether it be fast food chains or fashion houses, in these financially uncertain times, staying one step ahead of those offering similar services is essential. And even when it comes to dens of dodginess and debauchery, it’s definitely no different, as just when Mistress Mad thought she’d mastered the art of madness, it seems an even madder mistress has managed to muscle her way into the maddest of mad markets.
The possible healing powers of pee have been feverishly debated when it comes to athlete’s foot, but it now seems that a well aimed bit of wee may, or indeed may not, be similarly ideal for dealing with some rough or rank looking skin, with the ‘easy’ or ‘surprise’ aspect presumably dependent upon the users disposition to discharges.
However, unfortunate language lapses aside, the supplied lotion, it has to be said, looks somewhat suspicious to say the least.
It’s difficult to know exactly what kind of body those trying out Japan’s latest dietary tablets desire, but one can probably hazard a guess that they’ll be hankering after one that’s, ahem, heavenly.
(click image for jumbo-sized Jesus Body)
Cigarettes in Japan may still be surprisingly cheap compared to many countries, but lighting up in any location is, in Tokyo at least, becoming increasingly tough, with even Japan Railways recently removing its supremely popular smoking spots from over 200 stations. A situation that is certainly a far cry indeed from scenes seen only several years ago, when sucking on a ciggie would only have been tutted at if it was actually on a train.
That said, dens devoted to drinking are for the time being at least still far from ready to tackle the tricky issue of tobacco, and this place in particular will presumably be one of the last to discontinue it even if they do.
Political correctness in many parts of the world is often seen as either essential for a sensitive society or simply censorship, whereas in Japan, it invariably appears to play little or no role in vetoing peoples vocabulary, regardless of whether any potential blunders are perceived to be big,
or small.
Presumably due to Japan’s zero tolerance approach in its dealings with drugs, booze has long been the accepted choice for both recreation and relaxation.
Of late, however, marijuana has started to make some well publicised appearances, with movie stars, students and more sensationally sumo wrestlers getting picked up for possession.
Events that have resulted in a mass of media coverage and concerns about cannabis being a ‘gateway’ drug. A worry that, whether warranted or not, may actually be way too late anyway, as it would appear that the gateway has long been breached, and far stronger substances are now openly promoting participation.
Perhaps.