Are mimikaki for real?

Are mimikaki for real? - Red Round Fruits on White Snow

In Japan, a popular souvenir is mimikaki (耳かき) - a pick for cleaning the ears. They often come in decorative packaging, and have little trinkets dangling from the handle (e.g. a tiny wooden shoe). My understanding is that people buy them to give to their relatives.

My question is: is this a serious gift, or is it supposed to be funny? And is it common to give them to friends and teachers too?






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Are mimikaki for real? - White Snowman Ornament on Brown Rope
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What is Mimikaki?

Mimikaki are instruments mainly used in Asian countries to remove ear wax. A typical one (easily obtained in Japanese convenience stores) is a often roughly 8 inch bamboo stick, having a small scoop on one end and a tuft of cotton on the other.

How do Japanese people clean ears?

Overview. Yet another difference between Japan and most western cultures is the hygienic practice of cleaning one's ears. While in the west most people use cloth, cotton swabs or regular rinsing, the Japanese have a specific tool most people use called mimikaki (\u8033\u304b\u304d).

How do Asians remove ear wax?

While cotton swabs are the norm in the West, in many parts of East Asia, it's common to use ear scoops \u2013 a long, thin tool with one tip flattened into a little spoon \u2013 to tease out excess ear wax.



Watch me clean my ears with a Japanese Mimikaki!! Scam or Real




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Images: Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska, Tommy McGrath, Tommy McGrath