Having lived in New Zealand for a year, I know a thing or two about useless birds that should really have become extinct a long time ago. New Zealand is full of them, it being such an isolated island it never developed the predators that would have wiped them out centuries ago had they lived somewhere like Europe. The kiwi is a great example, a bird that can’t fly, has no real defensive attributes, and a heart that gives out if it gets too stressed. Luckily it was made the symbol of New Zealand and is now incredibly protected. It needs to be, as I heard a story about a dog sneaking into a protected kiwi breeding area and killing 60 in one night.
That was a very long introduction to why I like this Ostrich shirt from Katamari, available from Panic Goods. An Ostrich is not a useless defenseless bird, but it is my humble opinion natures most comical, it’s a punch line for a joke I haven’t been told yet. Annett and I spent some time watching them run round a field near our hostel when we were on a weekend trip to Waitomo Glow-worm caves in New Zealand. They are goofy, hilarious and a little scary, the sort of scary that comes from being in the presence of something that seems overwhelmingly stupid.
I also really like the way Takahashi and Kimura explain the thinking behind their shirts, its a funny and entertaining behind the scenes look at their creations. You’re right Kimura, the overall creepiness of Ostriches did come out well in this design.
The Castle shirt is also a thing of over-whelming beauty. You’ve probably already seen it, as these shirts are not new, but still, there it is….
All Available for $24.95 from Panic Goods
