The Japanese word panchira (パンチラ) is a portmanteau blending two words: ‘panty’ and ‘chira’. Like munechira, ‘chira’ is a voyeuristic term that means an unexpected teasing glimpse or glance. In this case, panchira is an unexpected teasing glimpse or glance of panties. In English the term is synonymous with upskirt.

Following is a panchira-themed list of 5 items from Japan that make you say: “Huh, WTF?”

1. Upskirt Photographers Manner Posters

Trains in Japan often run campaigns that advertise good manner standards for commuters, the Please Do It At Home campaign is one example. The image below however seems to point out that taking discrete upskirt photos around the train station is poor manners.

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Please welcome Nate Jensen, from PinkNihon.com, who contributes the following article. Earlier this year, Jensen independently published The Japanese-English Guide to Sex, Kink and Naughtiness; perhaps one of the most comprehensive books bridging sexual terms between the Japanese and English languages.

Greetings fellow readers of loneleeplanet!  A few articles ago, the Borat mankini entry generated some interesting buzz. Considering the topic of the article was around risque swimsuits in Japan, readers might also find the Japanese word munechira of interest.

What is munechira?

Munechira (むねチラ, 胸チラ), pronounced “moo neh cheeh lah”, is a portmanteau blending two words: ‘mune’ and ‘chira’. It is a voyeuristic term that means an unexpected teasing flash of the breast. It can be an accidental glimpse or an intentional display. Either way, the very subjective nature of the cause makes it difficult for onlookers to feign disgust or joy at the occasion.

The term munechira is one of those interesting Japanese words, like the word bukkake, which uniquely expresses particular concept that is sexual in nature with risque connotations.

Television announcer Miho Ohashi. From a weekly Japan magazine.

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Just released from Nate Jensen is the much anticipated Japanese-English Guide to Sex, Kink and Naughtiness complete with illustrations to aid the unimaginative.

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