Japan Puts a Unique Spin on Tug-of-War

Tug-of-war has become a staple at a variety of recreational excursions: family picnics, team-building exercises, and reality television shows like Survivor. This time-honored game has undergone little change over the course of its contemporary popularity, and as such has remained consist in its ability to entertain. Unless you’re Japanese.

Japanese game shows are, to be blunt, absolutely insane. In America we have quiz shows that pit individuals against each other in a battle of intelligence; in Japan, they have shows where people sacrifice their dignity and well-being to satisfy the Schadenfreude of the entire world. For example, one game show in Japan pits two people in an epic game of tug-of-war, eschewing large teams and a rope in favor of pantyhose on the head and compressed faces.

Placing the pantyhose over the head, each man must use all of his strength to get to a giant, red button before the other one does. In the process, their faces are compressed and distorted, ultimately resembling bizarre cartoon characters. And to be honest, it’s just hilarious.

The prize for the winner is unknown, but one can rest assured it wasn’t a new found sense of pride.

By Lycurgus on 21-03-2010