JAPAN — Japanese porn, like the ancient island culture it exists within, can be euphemistically described as wildly innovative in some of the most unexpected ways. Because of this, the March 28th issue of Weekly Playboy pokes a bit of fun at its domestic smut industry by honoring what it feels are some of the less successful examples of X-rated creative excess.Chief among them this year is Hokei wo Nameru Onna Densetsu, which picked up both the best director’s award and best actress awards.

Rei Kudo, either due to quintessentially excellent Japanese manners or a lack of comprehension about the purpose behind the awards, told Weekly Playboy, that receiving the award was “truly a great honor,” because his video has been an attempt to “improve the social standing of foreskins,” which are prominently featured in the release and, apparently, an object of great affection for the director.

Ann Namba, the video’s star, picked up 11 prizes, including the best actress award for Hokei wo Nameru Onna Densetsu, which included her and an assortment of other lovelies, licking the steaming turtle head shells of their male-costars’ cocks.

According to Manzo Karita, a well-known Japanese director, Namba’s success was no surprise. “She’ll do absolutely anything,” he assured the weekly publication.

Alas for the magazine’s awards, this year’s releases apparently suffered from a higher degree of quality than previous years’, although Karita believes that the Kigurumi, series has taken the sex vid to new lows, although still not quite as low as those achieved by Namba, whom he claims currently enjoys “domination of the digital media.”

Kigurumi, nonetheless has potential to capture future awards with its geek-chic approach to pornography, which portrays “otakus” – known commonly in the United States as “geeks” – who dress up in full body suits (kigurumi) designed to look like manga cartoon characters. While most kigurumi are innocent examples of imaginary dress-up role play, the Kigurumi series is all grown up, with actresses dressed up as manga girls who engage in decidedly non-juvenile activities.

Other losers honored as winners include Aichikyu F***, which introduces the world of pornography to performers dressed as World Expo Japan mascots. Shishimai F***, on the other hand, focuses on actors and actresses who dip their wicks during a traditional lion dance. Radio Controlled Panchira, however, has a special place for the staff of Weekly Playboy, with its upskirt focus being broadcast courtesy of remote-controlled toy car. The magazine joked that “There’s a rumor the next movie in the series could be made using a toy submarine.”

Now, that would be really low.