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Japan’s Tenga to release Iroha masturbation lineup for women

Shukan Post Feb. 15
Shukan Post Feb. 15

Japan’s leading manufacturer of masturbation products for men will next month release a lineup of devices targeting females, reports Shukan Post (Feb. 15-22).

On March 3, Tenga will issue three pod-like vibrators called Iroha. Priced at 6,800 yen, each member of the trio boasts an ultra-soft exterior, a quiet motor that allows for changeable vibration intensity, and a USB-powered charging dock attached to a storage case. Iroha is expected to be marketed in 10 countries.

The development of the palm-size product began three years ago, after the establishment of an all-female research team, whose mandate was to impart a woman’s touch, so to speak.

According to Shukan Post, the first electric vibrators appeared at the end of the 19th century. However, the basis of the designs of the items had historically been a man’s view of what women find pleasurable — an approach that the four women in the Tenga research team set out to change.

“From the shape to the packaging to the advertising, I wanted them to create a high-quality, fully original product through their own ideas,” says Koichi Matsumoto, the president of Tenga.

The first step for the team was to conceptualize the product, which required interviews with women. Yuko Watanabe, a 25-year-old member, says that the word masturbation and its slang term (onani) were dropped in favor of ‘self-care’ in the development of the product.

The Iroha lineup
The Iroha lineup (Tenga)

“I don’t want to deny the necessity of masturbation,” says Watanabe. “Sexual desire is natural for human beings. But a stigma is attached to masturbation, and sometimes people feel guilty, especially women. Sadly, they are still under the spell of this idea.”

According to a press release, Tenga has sold 25 million plastic self-pleasuring pods for male users since the launch of the company in 2005.

During that time, the company has won awards for their unique and modern designs. The size and colors within the Iroha lineup follow this heritage, bringing to mind the dango, a traditional Japanese confectionery. The green Hanamidori is shaped like a pudgy bird. The two white spheres of the Yukidaruma are stacked, as its name implies, like a showman, while the pink Hinazakura resembles an oval computer mouse.

“For women, masturbation is an important activity for relaxing,” says fellow team member Midori Tsunoda. “The effect is the same as a facial pack or hair treatment, which cures and releases the heart and body.”

The first challenge faced by the team was getting women to open up during the initial group interviews and online surveys. “Maybe for men it is surprising that women will speak openly about their boyfriend but not when it comes to masturbation,” says Ai Mori, another member of the unit.

Hinazakura
Hinazakura (Tenga)

The team switched to solo discussions with women, aged between 20 and 39. Mori explains: “I learned that if I interview a women face to face she will reveal her true feelings.”

The results shows that 66 percent of the women had experienced solo sex. In divulging the masturbation method (in which multiple answers were possible), 88 percent said they used their finger, while 28 percent had opted for adult products and 15 percent had put an electric toothbrush or shower head to work.

The Tenga team became encouraging. “I felt some confidence in realizing that 70 percent of women had masturbated,” says team member Shizuka Ito. “At the same time, the 30 percent of women who have not had such an experience are potential users for us. Furthermore, with less than 40 percent having used adult goods, that market has potential to develop.”

The special texture of the Iroha models is composed of silicone, which is washable, to provide a supple feel. The material inside, however, is what the team considers a “trade secret.”

Six manufacturers were initially enlisted to submit samples for the material. The team was fastidious regarding quality and type.

Hanamidori
Hanamidori (Tenga)

Watanabe wanted something that created a very special feeling, while Tsunoda was nervous about any components placed in a woman’s “delicate area.”

After two years and two months, they finally found a company capable of fabricating a suitable inner core.

“‘This is it!’ we screamed,” says Mori, “and then the entire team celebrated with a group hug.” (K.N.)

Source: “Joseiyo Tenga tsuni tojo kaihatsu hiwa to kairaku no mekanizumu,” Shukan Post (Feb. 15-22, pages 153-157)