Whether you’re a member of an automotive modification community or just happen to live near people in the scene, there’s a good chance you’ll stumble across odd accessories from time to time. Some of them are obviously purely decorative, like lights, while others, like custom spoilers, do ostensibly have a practical benefit as well. But recently, someone on Reddit came across an automotive accessory that they just couldn’t figure out. Fortunately, there were plenty of people on hand to explain exactly what the accessory was. And more importantly, what it wasn’t.
In their post, Reddit user Vee4Victory shared an image of a black strap attached to the front of a car. The bottom of the strap features what appears to be a black metal heart with horns. In their post, they said it reminded them of pointy key chains (they most likely meant the style sold as self-defense tools). But they couldn’t figure out why one would be on a car.
The Reddit community was quick to answer. First and foremost, many respondents had a warning. Despite the fact that this strap looks like it could be a tow point, it absolutely is not. Trying to use this strap while towing will be an expensive headache. But once they cleared up what the strap wasn’t, Reddit focused on what it actually was. According to the community, these straps are called tsurikawa.
What Is Tsurikawa?
Tsurikawa is part of the Japanese Domestic Market car culture. Originally, these straps hung in train cars to give passengers something to hold onto while the train was in motion. JDM Tsurikawa explains that the name “describes objects, usually suspended, that help standing passengers to keep their balance while the vehicle is in motion.” Its name comes from the words “tsuri,” meaning “hang,” and “kawa,” meaning “leather,” the material these straps were originally made of.
The first tsurikawa were likely stolen from trains, but today there’s an entire market around purchasing them. Like many subcultures, they were a symbol of rebellion against the status quo and a pushback against established norms. JDM Performance defines it as “a mix of rebellion against conventional norms and a passion for automotive style, particularly in the JDM community.”
Source
- The Tsurikawa Story, JDM Tsurikawa.
- Tsurikawa Meaning: Discover the Significance of Tsurikawa in JDM Car Culture, JDM Performance, 2025.
The post If You See a Heart With Horns Hanging On a Car, Here’s What It Means appeared first on Family Handyman.
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