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Oolong (rabbit)
Encyclopedia
named after the oolong
variety of tea
, was a domestic rabbit
owned by photographer Hironori Akutagawa. The rabbit was famous for his ability to balance a variety of objects on his head.
Oolong was trained to balance objects on his head, an art called "Head Performance" by his owner. The first object balanced on Oolong's head was a 35mm film canister on 25 May 1999. Soon, Akutagawa had the rabbit balance a variety of things on his head, including tea cups, bread, fruit, pancakes (actually dorayaki
), and even a rabbit skull. Although most reactions on the Internet were positive, there were some complaints by people who believed the practice to be cruel to animals
. In response, Akutagawa wrote in a message to website visitors: "Some visitors have written me e-mails, accusing me of being cruel to my rabbit and that I am abusing my pet. This was never my intention when I included numerous links to photographs, showing Oolong's unique ability to hold objects on his head. This is not a site to mock rabbits, or demonstrate animal abuse. I'm sure you understand it if you see whole my site [sic]."
Throughout the rabbit's lifetime, the photographer continued to document his journeys through natural and not-so-natural environments as well as take hundreds of pictures of the rabbit balancing objects. Oolong has been noticed by the media, including the New York Times, and has become a widespread Internet meme
. The best known of Oolong's photographs was one that was widely used as an image macro
called "Bunny Wafflehead", which featured Oolong balancing a dorayaki
on his head. Another popular photograph is Oolong with a pancake on its head with the caption "I have no idea what you're talking about... so here's a bunny with a pancake on its head."
.
Oolong
Oolong is a traditional Chinese tea produced through a unique process including withering under the strong sun and oxidation before curling and twisting. Most oolong teas, especially those of fine quality, involve unique tea plant cultivars that are exclusively used for particular varieties...
variety of tea
Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world...
, was a domestic rabbit
Domestic rabbit
A domestic rabbit, or more commonly known as simply the rabbit, is any of the several varieties of European rabbit that have been domesticated....
owned by photographer Hironori Akutagawa. The rabbit was famous for his ability to balance a variety of objects on his head.
Biography
Oolong was a well known Internet phenomenon, through a large array of photographs posted by Akutagawa on his website. The site featured "photo journeys" of the domestic rabbit traveling with his master through the house, yard, and other locations. The website became known to a wider audience when it was covered in 2001 by Syberpunk, a site which focuses on odd things in Japanese culture.Oolong was trained to balance objects on his head, an art called "Head Performance" by his owner. The first object balanced on Oolong's head was a 35mm film canister on 25 May 1999. Soon, Akutagawa had the rabbit balance a variety of things on his head, including tea cups, bread, fruit, pancakes (actually dorayaki
Dorayaki
is a type of Japanese confection, а red bean pancake which consists of two small pancake-like patties made from castella wrapped around a filling of sweet red bean paste....
), and even a rabbit skull. Although most reactions on the Internet were positive, there were some complaints by people who believed the practice to be cruel to animals
Cruelty to animals
Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse or animal neglect, is the infliction of suffering or harm upon non-human animals, for purposes other than self-defense. More narrowly, it can be harm for specific gain, such as killing animals for food or for their fur, although opinions differ with...
. In response, Akutagawa wrote in a message to website visitors: "Some visitors have written me e-mails, accusing me of being cruel to my rabbit and that I am abusing my pet. This was never my intention when I included numerous links to photographs, showing Oolong's unique ability to hold objects on his head. This is not a site to mock rabbits, or demonstrate animal abuse. I'm sure you understand it if you see whole my site [sic]."
Throughout the rabbit's lifetime, the photographer continued to document his journeys through natural and not-so-natural environments as well as take hundreds of pictures of the rabbit balancing objects. Oolong has been noticed by the media, including the New York Times, and has become a widespread Internet meme
Internet meme
The term Internet meme is used to describe a concept that spreads via the Internet. The term is a reference to the concept of memes, although the latter concept refers to a much broader category of cultural information.-Description:...
. The best known of Oolong's photographs was one that was widely used as an image macro
Image macro
In Internet culture, an image macro is a picture captioned with superimposed text for humorous effect.-Internet forums:On Internet forums and imageboards, image macros are used to emphasize a certain phrase by superimposing it over a related picture.-Formats:Although they come in many forms, the...
called "Bunny Wafflehead", which featured Oolong balancing a dorayaki
Dorayaki
is a type of Japanese confection, а red bean pancake which consists of two small pancake-like patties made from castella wrapped around a filling of sweet red bean paste....
on his head. Another popular photograph is Oolong with a pancake on its head with the caption "I have no idea what you're talking about... so here's a bunny with a pancake on its head."
Origins
The head performance is actually a result of domestic rabbits' natural tendency to cuddle with each other, other animals (like housecats), and their owners by putting their heads underneath the other's chin.Death
Oolong died on January 7, 2003. Akutagawa took photographs of the rabbit's last moments alive and has included it in his website. Akutagawa now owns a new rabbit by the name of , which he hopes to raise in a way similar to Oolong. Yuebing continues the theme of Chinese foods, Yuebing being Chinese for MooncakeMooncake
Mooncake is a Chinese bakery product traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival / Zhongqiu Festival. The festival is for lunar worship and moon watching; mooncakes are regarded as an indispensable delicacy on this occasion. Mooncakes are offered between friends or on family gatherings...
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