Isadora Duncan redux in Japan

This season's fad for extra-long scarves claimed another fashion victim when a Japanese woman fell from her motorcycle after her two-meter (six feet six inches) long muffler got caught in the bike's rear wheel, police said Tuesday.

The woman was in a coma after the accident but regained consciousness on Tuesday, a police spokesman said, adding that she remained in a serious condition. . .

The motorcycle accident followed a similar incident in November, when a 26-year-old Japanese woman suffocated to death after her long scarf was caught in the engine of a go-cart at an amusement park in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo.

Fashion accessories have caused a handful of unusual deaths and accidents among young Japanese women in recent years. In September 1999, a 25-year-old woman died after falling over and knocking her head when wearing platform sandals. Until recently, many young Japanese women wore platform shoes, which towered as high as 25 centimeters (10 inches).

Female motorists wearing such shoes have been responsible for several traffic accidents.

The full story is here. Also, links on Isadora Duncan's life and death.

Posted by David on January 31, 2003 11:11 AM