Kanchō
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Kancho (カンチョー, kanchō)[1] is a prank often played in Japan; it is performed by clasping the hands together so the index fingers are pointing out and attempting to insert them sharply into someone's anal region when the victim is not looking.[2][3] It is similar to the wedgie or a goosing, although, as compared to kancho, the former mentioned acts do not involve physical contact which is quite as intimate or direct. A Kancho is often executed simultaneously as the offending party loudly emphasizes the second syllable of "Kan-CHO!".
Etymology
The word is a slang adoption of the Japanese word for enema (浣腸, kanchō).[4] 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
The prank is pervasive in Japan. There are anime glorifying this act (such as Naruto, where it is used as the basis of a martial arts move known as the Thousand Years of Pain introduced in episode 4 of the first season). In Japan, there is even a TV gameshow where a celebrity routinely kanchōs random people.
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
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2012) |
In Taiwan, the practice is called "童子拜觀音" pinyin: Tóngzǐ bài guānyīn.[5]
In Vietnam, it is called "Thông đít", which roughly means "to penetrate your anus". A page referencing to the act was created by a student in Foreign Languages Specializing School.[6]
In South Korea a similar prank is called "똥침" (Dong Chim). [7]
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
References
- ^ "Kancho.org".
- ^ "Lisa's Japanese Below-the-Belt Prank Tutorial | Table Of Malcontents". Wired. 2006-12-01. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
- ^ (Japanese) KANCHO across the world in Japan, Korea KANCHO What? Trendy Net
- ^ Makihara, Kumiko (2009-07-24). "My Un-American Son". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
- ^ "[爆笑影片]超強童子拜觀音".
- ^ "CNN Thông Ass Club".[dead link]
- ^ "Dong Chim".
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)