In America, when one gets a new cell phone, we usually brag to our friends how amazing it is and how it can do several "useful" things like recognize songs, chop salad, or judo chop our enemies. Once the initial bragging stage is over, we usually then customize the background and ringtone to make that new phone we got a special piece of property that represents us and NOBODY else is allowed to replicate!
However, in Japan they take the whole "personalization" step of getting a cellphone one step farther! They use something called a "cellphone strap" or in Japanese " Keitai Strap".
Keitai straps originate from Japan and didn't start becoming popular and readily available online until around 2005. However, now there are keitai straps almost in every Japanese shopping website online now and people in the US, UK, and Hong Kong among others are catching on to the fad!
I'm sure some of you are wondering at this point, "Zack, how do the Japanese put these "keitai straps" on their cellphones? Is it magic?". Lucky for you dear reader, even us Western monkies can use these on certain cellphones and even our Nintendo DS systems!
First you must find a "lanyard hole" on your cellphone such as this:
After you locate the pesky thing, you then take the cellphone strap that you ordered from Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc., then loop the string through the hole and around whatever is on the end of the strap to where it looks like this:
There! See how cool it is now? How many of you guys have samurai frogs on your cellphone? None I bet!
There are several different types of keitai straps available though. Ranging from:
A traditional charm that is to protect the wearer from sickness and keep the body healthy. (In this one, each gourd represents an organ that needs to be protected.)
A "magatama" that is a Shinto symbol for protection from all the gods of Japan. (Donated by Tamsen Elliot)
A little person with direction signs on it. I'm honestly not too sure what this one is supposed to be and neither is the owner! (Donated by Alyssa Kurzenknabe)
A samurai Hello Kitty (Date Masamune version), regular Hello Kitty, a baby seal, a cupcake, and Pochacco! (These are all on my girlfriend's, Erin Thomas, DS. Whom by the way is the love of my life! ^^)
Edward Elric from Full Metal Alchemist, Keroro Gunsou (Date Masamune version), an angry carton of milk labeled "LECHE", and a Korean good luck bead. (This are all the ones I have!)
So in short dear reader, the Japanese have created a fun way to personalize the cellphone! Keitai straps are great conversation starters, they let people know what you're into, and they are always interchangeable! If you're looking for one after reading this, I would reccomend:
Alrighty guys! I'll see you later! Remember, if you want a certain topic covered, COMMENT and let me know!
Zack
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