See an actual Elldy
tampon with finger cots (1990s) but no
applicator - more tampons
A Japanese university student
generously sent me this Elldy
ad, along with others, some very old,
which were part of a paper she wrote about
the history of the Japanese menstrual
products industry.
And, of course, the first Tampax AND -
special for you! - the American fax
tampon, from the early 1930s, which also
came in bags.
See a Modess True
or False? ad in The American Girl
magazine, January 1947, and actress Carol Lynley in
"How Shall I Tell My Daughter" booklet ad
(1955) - Modess . . .
. because ads (many dates).
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Instructions for Elldy menstrual tampon
(Japan), 2011
I thank a
Hispanic woman living in Japan for
sending me this scan (below) of
instructions along with this
interesting e-mail:
Dear
Harry,
I am a [Hispanic] woman recently
residing in Japan. I came across
your website when I was
desperately trying to find where
to buy o.b. tampons in Japan. I
have lived in different parts of
Asia and, as you know, tampons are
not very popular here; I usually
manage to find o.b. tampons,
however Japan is not the case.
After reading your post about
Elldy tampons I remembered seeing
the box in the drugstore, so I
went and looked for it. I was
relieved to find out that they
remain the same style (no
applicator) as in your pictures.
As a thank you gift for posting
about this brand, I attached a
picture of the current
instructions for Elldy tampons.
Yours, ********
Later she wrote:
Dear
Harry,
I believe that tampons are not so
popular in Hispanic countries and
Japan as there is a misconception
that tampons break the hymen when
used, ergo lossing your virginity,
which in very traditional and
conservative cultures is highly
important for a woman. Women also
seem to think that tampons can
easily cause all sorts of
infections and complications in
the uterus. In addition, most
women are concerned about
introducing objects into their
bodies and scared of hurting
themselves. Unfortunately, tampons
are not well covered in sex
education in Mexico; I was lucky
to have a mother who finds tampons
more hygienic and comfortable.
Although this is not the case for
most women, using tampons is
becoming more common in Mexico. As
for Japan, I undertand that
Japanese women think that it is
unhealthy to introduce an object
that will block the natural flow
of blood (out). As well, because
of the lack of demand of tampons
in Japan, the ones available are
not very good quality ones, which
can make the experience of using a
tampon very uncomfortable even for
Western women.
I hope this information is useful.
Yours, ********
Tampax has addressed these concerns
since the 1930s in studies
and in advertising.
It's been a long haul for tampon
companies. And many women have had
similar objections to menstrual
cups.
I made the instructions huge
so you lucky ones who can could read
it.
As you see in the illustrations,
Elldy still has finger protectors,
maybe a key to why the fastidious
Japanese don't like tampons. The
Japanese also have low regard for
people who work with animal
products; this might include blood.
I think Buddhism
is the basis for this attitude.
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A Japanese university student generously
sent me this Elldy
ad, along with others, some very old,
which were part of a paper she wrote about
the history of the Japanese menstrual
products industry.
See a Mexican
tampon.
Study - yes, study - an origami
tampon.
© 2011 Harry
Finley. It is illegal to reproduce or
distribute work on this Web site in any
manner or
medium without written permission of the
author. Please report suspected violations
to hfinley@mum.org
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