noun
unusual gadget; quirky device
Refers to a gadget or tool that is unusual, eccentric, or seemingly impractical, often with a humorous or inventive twist. The term is associated with the Japanese art of creating such devices.
彼はいつも珍道具を発明している。
He is always inventing quirky gadgets.
この珍道具は一見役に立たなそうだが、意外と便利だ。
This unusual gadget looks useless at first glance, but it's surprisingly handy.
ガジェット is a loanword for small electronic or mechanical devices, often with a modern or high-tech feel, whereas 珍道具 emphasizes eccentricity and inventiveness, not necessarily electronic.
Compound of 珍 (chin, 'rare, curious') and 道具 (dōgu, 'tool, implement'). The term was popularized by Kenji Kawakami, the founder of the Japanese art of Chindōgu, which involves creating intentionally impractical yet ingenious gadgets.