Eye-popping

With so many things in life, you gotta see it to believe it. But even with a picture, there’s something amiss when it’s not in 3D. That’s why the people at Takara Tomy have come up with this:

It’s a 3D photo camera you can take anywhere and bring home amazing shots of all the fun you had. What you do is print out the photos and put them into a special viewfinder and, voila!, a picturesque scene pops out in front of you.

It may look like a disposable film camera but it’s digital and uses an SD memory card, so you can use it again and again. The photos make great save-the-date postcards, birthday invitations, wall art, and just about anything else you want to show friends. It’s just too bad I can’t show it to you via this 2D website. Boo~! In the meantime, here’s a video.

Himawari

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japanizmo, a Los Angeles based company, provides practical solutions for U.S. ? Japan business projects. Our experienced Japanese staff will support all phases of your business project to seize business opportunities and turn your vision into a reality. >> Learn more

A Sticky Situation

A rice paddle is one of the most important kitchen utensils in the Japanese home. Why? Because when you’re scooping out rice, there’s nothing worse than the sound of a metal spoon scraping against a metal pot. Argh~!

Rice paddles are traditionally wooden, but these days plastic is standard-issue. They’re easy to wash, but the one pet peeve I have is that it gets sticky with rice as soon as I use it. So wherever I put my paddle down, rice clumps are sure to follow.

That’s why I love this invention: the swinging rice paddle.

Now you need not worry about getting the kitchen counter sticky. Just lay the rice paddle down and it’ll sway around upright without falling over. Reminds me of those clown punching bags. And they come in all sorts of colors, so you’ll never get bored.

Yeah, I know some of you don’t see the big deal. Believe me, when you’re making a dozen rice balls at a time, there’s no time to wash and rewash things. So nothing beats having an accessible rice paddle. Just try it! (^_^)v

Himawari

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The Elephants are Swimming

As a Japanophile, I’m always checking for Japanese names that show up on Hollywood movie credits. So the other day, I was watching “The Jungle Book 2” and, lo and behold, out pops Ritsuko Notani, character designer extraordinaire.

Ritsuko, aka, Ritzco, draws for Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. Hailing from Matsuyama, Japan, she’s now stateside creating a whirlwind of characters for movies like Tinker Bell, Mulan II, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas and Pooh’s Grand Adventure. Spending your days tapped into your own imagination sounds like a dream job to me!

One of Ritzco’s fanciful creatures is this cute elephant donned in a striped bathing suit and swim goggles. Whether he’s about to swim the English Channel or back-float in his bathtub, he’s certainly dressed for the occasion.

Ritzco’s T-shirts are specially tailored for the feminine physique. For $25.99, you’ll get a 100% pre-shrunk cotton tee that’s a slimmer cut and shorter length than standard tees. For $31.99, you’ll get a 100% preshrunk ring-spun baby rib cotton tee that’s form-fitting and contoured to flatter the hips. Check here for color and size options.

Himawari

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japanizmo, a Los Angeles based company, provides practical solutions for U.S. ? Japan business projects. Our experienced Japanese staff will support all phases of your business project to seize business opportunities and turn your vision into a reality. >> Learn more

Green Tea with Envy

After falling into a major food coma, the best pick-me-up is a cup of green tea. Not only is it packed with caffeine, it’s filled with antioxidants to help you retain that youthful glow. You’ll find plenty of green tea bottles at markets both in Japan and the U.S., but nothing beats a home brew. It tastes fresh and you can make it as strong as you want.

So check this out:

It’s home-brewed tea to go by a company called Kraso. Fill the strainer with leaves and then fill the bottle with water. It comes with a hand-strap and a tight lid in case you’re in the habit of running through dense crowds on the way to work.

Each bottle has an oh-so-cute picture of children playing in the park. Once you start touting it around, you’ll be the envy of your office!

Himawari

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japanizmo, a Los Angeles based company, provides practical solutions for U.S. ? Japan business projects. Our experienced Japanese staff will support all phases of your business project to seize business opportunities and turn your vision into a reality. >> Learn more

Smarter Than Your Average Bear

There are bears who ride tricycles and there are bears who balance on balls. But that’s nothing compared to this talented creature:

His name is Charatter (“kyaratta~”) ($28) and he reads your Twitter feed as you busy yourself with other idle pleasures. You’ll be mesmerized watching his plastic lips chatter about what your friends are doing without you. Hook him up to either your iPhone or computer and from there he’ll talk forever until either you throw him against the wall or your friends go to sleep. Watch him in action:

Plastic bear enthusiasts have reportedly been snatching the blue baddie in droves since he entered the market late last year. And apparently he can speak in English as well as in Japanese, though I suspect it’s Engrish rather than English.

Himawari

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japanizmo, a Los Angeles based company, provides practical solutions for U.S. ? Japan business projects. Our experienced Japanese staff will support all phases of your business project to seize business opportunities and turn your vision into a reality. >> Learn more

A Folder for Winners

Back in the day, Pee-Chee folders were the No. 1 way to carry around loose paper. They were cheap, full of pockets and contained useful information about the weights and measurements. They didn’t last long, but at less than $1 each it was easy to replace them on a whim.

In 2011, we’ve come a long way from paper folders. Now it’s all about leather:

You gotta love its look: simple, sleek and full of cute pockets. Quatro Gats is an expert leather craftmaker and their designs are one of a kind. The folder works either as a book cover or as a place to stuff all your awesome stationary goods when you’re on the go.

They come in an assortment of cute color combinations that bring out school spirit anywhere. Even in the working world, it’s the kind of folder that’ll impress employers at job interviews as you take out your awe-inspiring resume. You’ll amaze them with your keen sense of style. You might even get the job!

Himawari

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japanizmo, a Los Angeles based company, provides practical solutions for U.S. ? Japan business projects. Our experienced Japanese staff will support all phases of your business project to seize business opportunities and turn your vision into a reality. >> Learn more

Dust Bunnies Beware!

If you’re not multitasking right now, consider yourself behind the times. As I type, I’m IMing friends and painting my toenails. I consider myself a success case because I’ve yet to spill polish on my keyboard, nor have I accidentally begun typing this blog into a friend’s chat box.

There’s no end to multitasking. Try grabbing some orange juice from the fridge while mopping the floor. It’s easy if you have a pair of these mop slippers ($17.50).

They’re made of the same microfiber material used to dust your shelves, and they’re flexible enough to work your pretty little phalanges across narrow pathways. A selection of six different pastel colors will keep your feet bright even when they’re covered in soot. So go ahead and dance across the linoleum — you’re doing it some good.

For their next product line, I’d like to see some yard-work foot gear. I need me a good pair of lawnmower-strapped sandals.

Himawari

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Thinking of doing business in Japan? We can make it easy for you!
japanizmo, a Los Angeles based company, provides practical solutions for U.S. ? Japan business projects. Our experienced Japanese staff will support all phases of your business project to seize business opportunities and turn your vision into a reality. >> Learn more

His and Her USBs

The best gifts are ones that actually come in handy. Useless gifts collect dust in the corner of the room until your next trip to the Salvation Army. Useless gifts mainly come from wedding receptions: Mini bamboo trees, decorative paper weights, a bottle of bubbles… I’m sure they seemed like a great ideas in the beginning, but then again so does posing with a parasol on a Greek pillar.

Whenever that day of holy matrimony arrives, why not give your guests a cheesy party favor they can put to good use: a his and her USB flash drive.

Each stick holds up to 2GB worth of music, photos, or whatever you like carrying in your back pocket. They come either Japanese or Western-clothed, and with its rubbery shell you can bounce your bride/groom off walls – just like in a real marriage!

One setback is that this newlywed couple does not come cheap. Two sticks are 5,800 yen, or $72 with the current exchange rate. If you decide to get them, consider a prenup. It’ll spare you the headache later on. v(^_<)

Himawari

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japanizmo, a Los Angeles based company, provides practical solutions for U.S. ? Japan business projects. Our experienced Japanese staff will support all phases of your business project to seize business opportunities and turn your vision into a reality. >> Learn more

Juichimen-Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy

Buddhist statues are somewhat of an obsession for artist Kenji Notani. In particular, it was the eleven-headed bodhisattva (Juichimen-Kannon) that caught his eye at a temple one day in Nara City. He took out a sketch book, began drawing — and hasn’t stopped since.

This particular bodhisattva is the Goddess of Mercy whose job is to save each one of us from suffering and anguish. Human suffering was so immense that she split her head into 11 parts to absorb it all. Japanizmo is proud to feature Notani’s work in our RiseUp Japan collection because it is our sincere wish that the Goddess of Mercy would extend her good graces on the people of Northern Japan.

This heavy-weight, high-quality cotton T-shirt comes in a choice of 16 different colors ($25.99). It’s also available in organic tees ($28.99) and form-fitting tees especially for women ($27.99).

A gifted animation artist, Notani has worked at Sanrio Co. and Nickelodeon Animation Studios during his long career, undoubtedly drawing an array of cutesy images. But it’s the image of Buddhist gods — in its serenity and solemn splendor — that has truly captured his heart. Notani hopes the gods will capture your heart as well.

Himawari

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Thinking of doing business in Japan? We can make it easy for you!
japanizmo, a Los Angeles based company, provides practical solutions for U.S. ? Japan business projects. Our experienced Japanese staff will support all phases of your business project to seize business opportunities and turn your vision into a reality. >> Learn more

Wired on Sweets

There’s no end to my obsession with all things sweet. I dream about swimming in a pool of melted chocolate and opening a closet stacked with strawberry sponge cake. I want to wear a sundress made of crepe and Nutella!

So here’s a tasty accessory that’ll satisfy my unhealthy obsession:

That’s right, it’s an iPod cord clamped with a fish and a pancake. They’re actually two of my favorite Japanese sweets called Dorayaki and Taiyaki — hot, iron-grilled cakes filled with sweet red-bean paste. You’ll find all kinds of variations throughout Japan, stuffed with custard, strawberries and cream, or mixed with green tea powder. Though it’s a novel creation to fill them with a bundle of wires.

The accessories don’t just hang pretty; they serve as a spool, helping you wind up annoyingly long cords dangling from your ears. They’re soft and springy so they almost feel like the real thing, only without the sweet filling.

When I get them ($5), I need to remind myself not to get in the habit of gnawing on them. It’ll end up being a real shocker if I do!

Himawari

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Thinking of doing business in Japan? We can make it easy for you!
japanizmo, a Los Angeles based company, provides practical solutions for U.S. ? Japan business projects. Our experienced Japanese staff will support all phases of your business project to seize business opportunities and turn your vision into a reality. >> Learn more