Kancho

Kancho (カンチョー, kanchō) commonly carried out as a prank. It is performed by clasping the hands together in the shape of an imaginary gun and attempting to insert the extended index fingers sharply into an unsuspecting victim's anus, often while exclaiming "Kan-CHO!".

Although similar to a wedgie, a "goosing", or "checking oil", and "Gaddafi" in the United States, Kancho involves much more direct and intimate physical contact.

Etymology

The word is a slang adoption of the Japanese word for enema (浣腸, kanchō). In accordance with widespread practice, the word is generally written in katakana when used in its slang sense, and in kanji when used of enemas in the medical sense.

In Japan

This prank is pervasive in Japan. Examples include a TV gameshow where a celebrity routinely kanchōs random people.^{[citation needed]}

In February 2006, Nanmon Kaiketsu ("Solving Difficult Problems"), an NHK TV show about social problems, speculated that the long-term leniency toward Kancho is an indirect cause of the rampant train gropings across Japan.^{[citation needed]}

In other countries

• In Taiwan, the practice is called "童子拜觀音" pinyin: Tóngzǐ bài guānyīn.
• In South Korea a similar prank is called "똥침" (Ddong Chim).
• In the Philippines, it is widely known as the "raygun", popularized by the anime Yu-Yu Hakusho.
• In Canada, this act is known as a "bingle".^{[citation needed]}
• In France, a similar act involving only one finger and performed with clothing in a nonchalant manner is known as "olive".^{[citation needed]}
• In Malta, it is widely known as the "Briefcasing".
• In Republic Of Ireland, it is known as a "Hail Mary" it is preformed very similarly although using all four fingers rather than just the index finger .

See also

• Boong-Ga Boong-Ga, a video game for the Korean and Japanese market that allows the player to engage in simulated Kanchoing.
• School prank

External links

• Kancho.jp - A site devoted to Kancho.
• Gaijin Chronicles - A series of editorials written by an American language teacher living in Kyoto, Japan, including many thwarted multiple-kancho attempts (formerly Outpostnine - I am a Japanese School Teacher)