Kancho (カンチョー kanchō)[1] is a prank often played in Japan; it is performed by clasping the hands together so the index fingers are pointing out and attempting to insert them sharply into someone's anal region when the victim is not looking.[2][3] It is similar to the wedgie or a goosing (also known as 'poo-fingering' in some English boarding schools), although, as compared to kancho, the former mentioned acts do not involve physical contact which is quite as intimate or direct. A Kancho is often executed simultaneously as the offending party loudly emphasizes the second syllable of "Kan-CHO!".
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The word is a slang adoption of the Japanese word for enema (浣腸 kanchō).[4] In accordance with widespread practice, the word is generally written in katakana when used in its slang sense, and in kanji when used of enemas in the medical sense.
The prank is pervasive in Japan. There are anime glorifying this act (such as Naruto, where it has been called the Thousand Years of Death). In Japan, there is even a TV gameshow where a celebrity routinely kanchōs random people.
In February 2006, Nanmon Kaiketsu (Solving Difficult Problems), an NHK TV show about social problems, speculated that the long-term leniency of Kancho is an indirect cause of the rampant train gropings across Japan.
This prank is not exclusive to Japan. In South Korea, it is known as 똥침 which may be romanized as ttong chim, dong chim or ddong chim. The term may be roughly translated to "poop needle".
In the Philippines, it is known as "katsibong", "bembong", "bombet", "jempot" or "pidyok", from the Filipino word "tumbong" for rectum.
In Taiwan, the practice is called "童子拜觀音".[5]
In Vietnam, it is called "Thông đít", roughly means "to penetrate your anus". A page referencing to the act was created by a student in Foreign Languages Specializing School. [6]
In certain countries such as the United Kingdom, the act of kancho may be illegal, being considered sexual harassment, or even sexual assault. While the practice is known in South Korea, there have been cases where adults performing it have been arrested. However, in Japan it is considered a childish prank rather than a criminal act.