Buddhist Coffee?!

On the lighter side of things, in my recent to Japan, I noticed a curious trend there. For example, on the day we had to leave, my wife’s father drove us through the streets of Kawasaki City to the airport, but traffic was bad, so we frequently had to sit at intersections. So, at one light, I saw the truck in front of us with a bumper sticker that almost looked like the logo for Boss Coffee, my favorite coffee drink there, but instead looked more like the picture linked here.

The bumper sticker was a little different and said bōzu, but had the same logo, bald head, etc. What gives?

With help from the wife, I realized this was a play on the words “Boss” as in “Boss Coffee” and the word bōzu (坊主) which is a generic term for a Buddhist priest. Hence the bald (as in shaved) head. I guess you could call it “Buddhist coffee” but without all the pretentiousness that “Zen” products have.1

Further Google searches found merchandise both in the West and in Japan for “Bozu” shirts, mugs, etc, so it’s a quiet but growing trend. Or, the trend already died out, and I am just behind the times.2 Either way, I just had to mention it here for the record. If you’re a fellow Boss Coffee fan, check out the “Bozu” merchandise, or get a bumper in Japan if you can.

Kirk Out

P.S. Hope you enjoy the new theme. I do! :D

1 Not against Zen itself, just the awful “Zen” merchandise people sell to upscale “spiritual” types. Speaking from experience, if you want a nice meditation cushion, just use the pillow from the couch or something. If you need a timer, use a clock or cell phone you already own and save the money. Or do it the traditional way with an incense stick. Frugality is a Buddhist virture, but so is generosity (as in saving the money and donating to local causes).

2 I wasn’t even aware of the Tiger Woods/Buddhism issue until months later, hence certain posts at the time seem rather outdated now. I also thought WASSUUUPPP!!! was still funny long after the joke got old. Drove my wife crazy when I said it. :-p



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5 Comments on “Buddhist Coffee?!”

  1. Stephen says:

    The T-shirts are approved wear for kids Jodo shu retreats in my area, for the staff.
    Get them while they’re hot! – which is probably not just at the moment (sorry!), but I prefer luke-warm coffee more anyway.
    The kids still like to see them.
    Stephen

  2. Kelly says:

    I’m still Kanye-ing stuff, myself.

  3. John says:

    HAH! Zen merchadise is hilarious. I go with an online timer and made my own zafu and zabuton which made the whole project a “dharma craft” for me.

    Cheers and I love coffee drinks!

    John
    http://www.zendirtzendust.com

  4. arunlikhati says:

    I definitely enjoy the new theme! I think you should Worst Horse this no less—it may not be an outright Dharma Burger, but it’s still a commercialization of Buddhist themes that would otherwise have gone unnoticed by non-Japanese speakers. I hope you’re no longer being tormented by the jet lag!

  5. Doug says:

    You guys crack me up. :)

    Stephen: I am definitely debating picking up a bozu shirt, though I am not sure what my wife will think. :p

    Kelly: Right in the middle of my speech too! :-0

    John: The Worst Horse certainly has plenty of good material these days. Definitely the frugal Buddhist life is the way to go (which I say as I go on expensive trips to Japan… stupid hypocrisy). ;)

    Arun: I am sure the Worst Horse has better material out there. :) As for Jet Lag, feeling great lately, thank you for asking! We got through it quicker than I remember. Deadlines at work will do that to ‘ya. ;)


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