Torin Boyd/Polaris, for The New York Times
Though street crime is relatively low in Japan, quirky camouflage designs like this vending-machine dress are being offered to an increasingly anxious public to hide from would-be assailants.
Posted on 10/20/2007 7:55:34 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Torin Boyd/Polaris, for The New York Times Though street crime is relatively low in Japan, quirky camouflage designs like this vending-machine dress are being offered to an increasingly anxious public to hide from would-be assailants. |
October 20, 2007
Fearing Crime, Japanese Wear the Hiding Place
By MARTIN FACKLER
TOKYO, Oct. 19 — On a narrow Tokyo street, near a beef bowl restaurant and a pachinko parlor, Aya Tsukioka demonstrated new clothing designs that she hopes will ease Japan’s growing fears of crime.
Deftly, Ms. Tsukioka, a 29-year-old experimental fashion designer, lifted a flap on her skirt to reveal a large sheet of cloth printed in bright red with a soft drink logo partly visible. By holding the sheet open and stepping to the side of the road, she showed how a woman walking alone could elude pursuers — by disguising herself as a vending machine.
The wearer hides behind the sheet, printed with an actual-size photo of a vending machine. Ms. Tsukioka’s clothing is still in development, but she already has several versions, including one that unfolds from a kimono and a deluxe model with four sides for more complete camouflaging.
These elaborate defenses are coming at a time when crime rates are actually declining in Japan. But the Japanese, sensitive to the slightest signs of social fraying, say they feel growing anxiety about safety, fanned by sensationalist news media. Instead of pepper spray, though, they are devising a variety of novel solutions, some high-tech, others quirky, but all reflecting a peculiarly Japanese sensibility.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Where do you insert the quarters?
Wearing Coca-Cola machines? /s LOL!
Japanese people are weird. Cool, but weird.
By the way, you should try a devil statue camouflage. Seriously.:-)
I’m torn,
brilliance or the most ridiculous idea ever?
By holding the sheet open and stepping to the side of the road, she showed how a woman walking alone could elude pursuers — by disguising herself as a vending machine.
Unless somebody wants to bust open a vending machine for free drinks and spare change. Then the situation would be both dangerous and awkward!
Gotta do something about the shoes...
Those silly people. I wear a Kimber 1911 Ultra Carry II 45ACP,
It's not much to hide behind but it's forward can be very flashy.
Yes, a quandary, hits most of us now and again. ;-)
I had a similar idea. I disguised myself as a fire hydrant. Didn’t work out too well.
I'm torn too... Time will tell. If you talk to some cops, real street cops, they've almost all got stories of "geniuses" that this kind of thing would fool.
Don't ask.
It’s actually kind of sweet if you think about it.
Question: How many doggies did you "meat/meet" so to speak?
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