10 Chindogu Tenets

Fearful that many inventions would be taken for granted, Kawakami decided to come up with a list of 10 Chindogu tenets, as follows:

1. A Chindogu cannot be for real use. A chindogu’s existence lies in the paradox: inventors must be sure that they create something useful or something that solves a problem, but it should not be a practical invention.

2. A Chindogu must exist. It has to be created and cannot exist solely in one’s head.

3. Inherent in every Chindogu is the spirit of anarchy. Chindogu represents the “freedom from conservative utility”. In other words, inventors must think out of the box. They are free to do whatever they want so long as it is considered “useful”.

4. Chindogu are tools for everyday life. They are meant to solve problems as one goes through the experience of daily living.

5. Chindogu are not for sale. To accept monetary compensation for chindogu renders it crass and commercialized. They cannot even be sold as a joke.

6. Humor must not be the sole reason for creating Chindogu. Chindogu has to serve a function. Humor can be an unintended by-product, though.

7. Chindogu are not propaganda. It cannot be used as some sort of satirical or ironic comment on the state of mankind.

8. Chindogu are never taboo. Within the International Chindogu Society, there are certain rules of social decency. Cheap and vulgar humor, cruel and sick jokes that poke fun at living are not allowed.

9. Chindogu cannot be patented. The basic idea of chindogu is to offer up a “useful” way of solving a problem that’s open to everyone, which is why copyrighted, patented, and owned chindogu are banned.

10. Chindogu are without prejudice. This goes right up with the rule above. Because chindogu are made for everyone, it cannot have a prejudice; that is, it cannot be limited to just one set of people, to males, females, etc. Everyone is given an equal chance to enjoy them.