The Japanese post office releases a new stamp every year to celebrate Shougatsu. (New Year)
This year we celebrate the year of the boar.
"Pure of heart, Boar people are generous and kind. Full of inner strength and courage, they can take on any task. A friend who listens, the Boar is sincere and trustworthy. They are driven by their passion for life."
Stamps are great to collect as they are small, inexpensive and eventually increase in value.
Some of my favorite stamps in Japan.
Anime stamps, Disney stamps, Japanese Fairy Tales
Rinkya Auctions, all stamps.
Famous Boars:
Hillary Rodham Clinton, Chiang Kai-Shek, Woody Allen, Lucille Ball, Billy Crystal, Steven Spielberg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Stephen King, Henry Ford, John McEnroe, Tracey Ullman, Phil Donahue, Fred Astaire, Thomas Jefferson, Dudley Moore, Farrah Fawcett, Robert Dole, Jerry Lee Lewis, Humphrey Bogart, Julie Andrews, Richard Dreyfuss, Henry Kissinger, Marie Osmond, Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Dalai Lama.
Boar Info from Family Culture
[new year]
[Japan]
[boar]
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Year of the Boar
Yuki Nobuteru's New Doujinshi for Paradise Kiss
Comiket is only the biggest convention in all of Japan. Over 30,000 people get together each year to purchase their favorite artists' new works.
Yuki Nobuteru, famous character designer for Escaflowne, Heat Guy J, Lodoss Wars, & much more, releases a new doujinshi filled w/ a collection of production artwork from the recent series he has worked on.
This year welcomes his biggest book ever, from Paradise Kiss. 516 pages TOTAL, with 28 in full color.
Not available in the US just yet, but always available in Japan through Rinkya.
[Nobuteru Yuki]
[Comiket]
[Doujinshi]
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Japanese Grab Bags!
Now that Christmas has come & gone, the biggest holiday in Japan is New Year
's.
What's even more fun are the fukubukuro!! These are huge grab bags costing 50-75% less than their actual retail value!! Japanese stores try to make room for brand new merchandise by putting together huge bags of fun.
Not only are they a bargain, but also fun to get!!
Shop for Hello Kitty grab bags on BuyRinkya.
Yahoo Japan Auctions for grab bags.
Shopping for fukubukkoro.
[Grab Bag]
[Japan]
[New year]
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Urusai NA!! (Shut up!!)
We think people who use their cell phones in America are rude? Let us introduce you to Damaru! (Be Silent!!!) Keitarou.
This handy little remote helps you be discreet in silencing whoever forgot to put their cell phone on manner mode! (silent mode).
Probably a violation of privacy in other countries or maybe a clue that we should have something like this in our own neck of the woods, we can check out cell phones in Japan and cell phone accesories like straps!
Or for those of you who want to silence Beckham and his Vodafone (works on Vodafone!!), you can order Keitarou through Rinkya Stores.
[Cell Phones]
[Vodafone]
[Beckham]
Monday, December 25, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Nintendo Wii or PS3?
Which do you prefer?
Woot gets in 20 PS3s and sells out immediately, but it's definitely clear which one the Woot staff prefers!
Playstation 3s & Nintendo Wiis might be sold out on gaijin soil, but pick one up today, in Japan, with your after-christmas money.
Image from Woot!
Nintendo Wii on Auction
PS 3 on Auction
[Playstation 3]
[Nintendo Wii]
[Video Games]
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Only in Japan: A Robot Museum!
If you go to Nagoya, not only can you get Japan's finest chicken wings (tebasaki) , but now you can check out the Robot Museum!
For those of you who can't get to Yama chan's for wings, you can get your robot fix right here!
Robot Museum shop
Robots on Rinkya
Aibo, Gundam, Bullmark
Robot Rinkya Stores
Heather's Christmas wish list item, a therapeutic baby seal robot.
You get to raise this incredibly realistic baby seal and take care of him. Scientifically proven to have the same affect as owning a dog or cat. (Am I throwing out enough hints, guys??)
[robot]
[nano]
[gundam]
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Skajyan???!?
If you're a yankee, you wear skajyan!!
In Japanese, "yankee" means a rough and tough street kid; a gangster. Yankees have a history of wearing their "skajyan" which are satin, embroidered jackets. Back in the day, they had your gang emblem on them, but for now, we just wear them for fashion!! Our own president has been in Japan for 7 years and she is still looking for the perfect one!!
In the meantime check out our Tedman skajyan, which is reversible, 2 designs on one jacket, not a bad deal!
The skajyan Rinkya President Heather wants for X-mas!!
Rinkya Stores Tedman
Tedman Auctions
Skajyan Auctions Misc., Men's Size M, Women's All Sizes.
Rinkya Stores Skyajyan 1, 2, 3, 4,
[Gangster]
[Japan]
[Yankee]
[Yakuza]
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
BAPE X Carhartt Line
Bathing Ape teams up with Carhartt for their 2nd Anniversary in New York. Sold out everywhere, you can still get BAPE from it's hometown in Japan.
Image from A Bathing Ape.
Order BAPE from Rinkya Stores.
Bid on Bape x Carhartt on Yahoo Japan Auctions.
Bid on just Bape!
MyRinkya & BAPE searches.
[Carhartt]
[Bathing Ape]
[Japan]
Monday, December 18, 2006
Blu -Ray Disc Recorder hits Japan!!
You can finally get you Blu-Ray on with the LH-2B1S; the latest Single Layer Blu-Ray burner from LiteOn in SATA version. Record all your favorite Godzilla movies & Final Fantasy video games on Blue Ray. Even Playstation 3 uses Blu-Ray! Don't wait for them to come out in the US, buy them direct from Japan!!
You can order from Rinkya Stores!
Or check out Yahoo Japan Auctions or here to bid on one!
Source Via Akihabara News
[Blu-Ray]
[Japan]
[Playstation 3]
Friday, December 15, 2006
The Last Unicorn Special 25th Anniversary DVD!!
The Last Unicorn DVD set will be released February 6th 2007 by LionGates with additional features and new artwork for the cover.
Through a special agreement, author and screenwriter Peter S Beagle will receive at least half the proceeds when DVDs are ordered through his site Conlan Press
Peter S Beagle writer and screenwriter of the famed novel and movie did not receive monies from the movie that made millions!!
Please support him by ordering today: Conlan Press
ONLY DVDs ordered through Mr. Beagle's site will benefit him. All copies purchased from his website will be autographed in three places DVD, DVD Cover, & the DVD slipcase.
The Last Unicorn starred Mia Farrow, Christopher Lee, Alan Arkin, Angela Lansbury, and Jeff Bridges.
The Last Unicorn was animated by Topcraft in Japan, the predecessor to the famed Studio Ghibli (My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away)
The Last Unicorn animation cels are rare and revered amongst cel collectors all over the world.
Look For Last Unicorn cels on YJ
[The Last Unicorn]
[Japan]
[Studio Ghibli]
[Peter S Beagle]
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Megatron Transformer Available for Pre-Order on BuyRinkya!
Megatron is available direct from Japan for pre-order at BuyRinkya!
Order today for the rare figure released only in Japan.
Megatron comes with a small gun, energy sabre, energy mace and a small Kremzeek figure.
Michael Bay's Transformers movie hits theaters on July 4th 2007, but a movie trailer will be released next week on December 20th!
Check the movie website for updates: Transformers Movie
Check out available Transformers Items on YJ
[Transformers]
[Japan]
[Megatron]
[Optimus Prime]
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Elmo's Lost in Translation
The Rocking Elmo, as sold in stores in Japan!
Thanks to 3yen news for the tip!
Sesame Street Items on YJ
[Elmo]
[Japan]
[Sesame Street]
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Hello Kitty Contest Winner!
The Hello Kitty headlight bulb was the winner of the oddest Hello Kitty Item.
The item is also currently on YJ if anyone is interested in purchasing for your own car!! Headlight Bulb on YJ
Thank you to all who participated and congrats to the winner!
Please look for more blog contests in the future!!
[Japan]
[Hello Kitty]
Monday, December 11, 2006
Snoopy Ipod Limited Release!
Another beloved icon in Japan- Charlie Brown's little beagle Snoopy- gets his own silver Ipod.
A limited amount of 1000 will be sold, including multiple accessories.
Source
Sold via Runat
Purchase through Rinkya Stores
Snoopy on YJ! Snoopy Items
[Snoopy]
[Japan]
[Ipods]
[Peanuts]
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Romeo and Juliet Anime in Production!
A new anime- Romeo & Juliet is in production at GONZO.
The immortal love story of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is expected to be released next year.
Visit their website for exclusive pictures and movies of the current progress and the cast and crew details GONZO
Via AnimeNewsI
Anime on YJ
[Anime]
[Japan]
[Romeo & Juliet]
[Shakespeare]
Friday, December 08, 2006
Hello Kity Contest Deadline Extended!
Since we are still receiving submissions, we will accept them until Sunday Midnight PST.
We will announce winners and honorable mentions next week!
Rinkya will accept up to 3 submissions per user!
$20 commission to the winner!!
Find the oddest Hello Kitty item on YJ and send it in here laurelr@rinkya.com
Wine Tasting Robot!
We first brought you the remote controlled beer robot here
Not to be outdone, Japan also has produced a wine and hor'devours tasting robot.
The robot sends out an infrared light to test the chemical composition of the wine and then details the name, variety and what foods would go well with it.
The robot is with flaws, as it determined a reporter was prosciuitto.
The makers of the robot hope to have it used at wineries in the future, as the robots can determine the information without opening up a cork or tasting the wine.
Wineries however, may disagree, as a perk of the job is to drink wine all day long to "test" flavors, I know I would be disappointed.
Via Red Orbit
Robots on YJ
[Wines]
[Japan]
[Robot]
[Gadgets]
Thursday, December 07, 2006
The Wacky, Weird & Fun USB Drives from Japan!
The Missile Launcher- Yes, it does shoot out missles! |
Mmmmm... Sushi, nope you cannot eat it! |
Taking the term "thumb drive" to the letter. |
Audorable little bears! |
The perfect stocking stuffer- A Snowman! |
Some Sake to go along with your Sushi! |
The newest addition, realeased today- A Transformer Lego Type Robot! |
All USB Drives are available Here
Order direct from BuyRinkya
or get anyone you want through Rinkya Stores
[USB Drives]
[Japan]
[Sushi]
[Robot]
[Computer]
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Hello Kitty Contest Reminder!!
Reminder for Hello Kitty Contest ***Deadline is December 8th!*** TWO DAYS AWAY!
Rinkya will accept up to 3 submissions per user!!
$20 commission to the winner!!
Find the oddest Hello Kitty item on YJ and send it in here laurelr@rinkya.com
Subject: Hello Kitty Contest
I did not want another post so soon with another Hello Kitty item, but Japan keeps coming out with more and more.
The most expensive Hello Kitty item out there- made of pure platinum and at a cost of 189000 yen- and we thought the laptop was expensive!!
She comes with 7 different hair bows- each made of different jewels- rubies, sapphires and much more!
Hello Kitty Items
[Hello Kitty]
[Japan]
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Space- New Frontier for Japanese Cuisine!
JAXA, Japan's space agency, is developing food for astronauts to munch on.
The menu includes space rice balls, space seaweed soup and space green tea- other menu items are in production.
Don't expect sushi anytime soon- It does not last long enough for space and no one wants to eat bad sushi- let alone in a place with zero gravity.
Image- Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi Source
Story Source-
CNN.com
[Japan]
[Space]
[Soichi Noguchi]
Star Wars Kubrick Set Limited Sale Period!
Star wars fans and Kubrick fans will love the newest limited set from Japan.
The 5 piece set went on sale on November 24th and will end on December 23rd.
The set includes Luke and Yoda, a Snow Trooper, C-3PO, a B-Wing pilot and 2-1b!
Also includes a lightsaber and other weapons.
As usual, the set can only be sold to Japan residents and ordered Here
Want the set, and do not live in Japan? Order it thru Rinkya Stores
and Look for more Kubricks and Star Wars items on auction: Kubricks Star Wars
[Kubricks]
[Star Wars]
[Bearbrick]
Monday, December 04, 2006
Rinkya Friends Links Updated!
We have updated our links to include friend's of Rinkya and pages of interest to our readers!
Do you have a blog you want linked- Let us know!
We ask for a link in return and we will check out your blog/website for content before adding.
Join our community of friends!
Friday, December 01, 2006
Hello Kitty Limited Laptop Run!
A limited set of 100 Hello Kitty laptops and Ipods will be released in Japan only.
Exclusive Hello Kitty screensavers, wallpaper and mouse icons are included.
The laptop comes with the mini pink ipod, with Hello Kitty etched on the back!
The duo is priced at 248000 yen, and with the limited supply, sure to run out fast!
Reminder for Hello Kitty Contest ***Deadline is December 8th!***
Rinkya will accept up to 3 submissions per user!!
$20 commission to the winner!!
Find the oddest Hello Kitty item on YJ and send it in here laurelr@rinkya.com
Subject: Hello Kitty Contest
Source
Hello Kitty Items
[Hello Kitty]
[Japan]