Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy good eats, family and friends. We will return Monday!

Astro Boy- 48 Second Trailer is Awesome!

Enjoy the Astro Boy trailer released a few days ago!


For more Astro Boy Posts!




[Japan][astro boy][anime]

Pink Phone Sure To Guarantee Your Teenager Racks Up The Cell Phone Bill!

Connect this pretty pink, feathery phone to your cell phone for easy conversation.
It is adorable and perfect for girls, will fit in any stocking! ^_-

3150 yen, Rinkya Store Commission only $8.00


Product Page, purchase via Rinkya Stores


[Japan][gadget]
[cell phone accessories]

Japanese Gadget Revealed!

I thought this was hard, but we had two correct guesses this week!

They are "boot keepers"-hold your boots up to keep their shape and look adorable doing it!
Only 798 yen, product page via Rinkya Stores!



Disney on YJ

Other Disney Posts:
Disney Stitch Sick Masks
Mickey Mouse I River
Winnie the Pooh Dog Clothes!

[Japan][winnie the pooh][gadget]
[Disney]
[Mickey Mouse][stitch][Minnie Mouse]

Guess the Japanese Gadget!

These are not just for looking cute or decoration, they do have an actual purpose!

So what do these guys do (besides look extremely kawaii ^_^)

Have a great weekend!!

Click Here to See Gadget Revealed

[Japan][gadget]

The Mini Crane Game!

UFO dolls found in these crane games are very popular in Japan, same games even include rare items you cannot get elsewhere! Get a smaller version to play at home via Toys R Us Japan!
Only 1999 yen, order via Rinkya Stores!

More Blog Stories:
Catch a Live Lobster
A Boobie Prize!
Dehydrated Food Prize!

Kiss My Lips!

In case you are tired of the same old boring light bulbs, Japan once again has the answer to make life more exciting and gadgets more, um, weird.




Crazy lip light bulbs!





[Japan][gadget]

Channel Your Inner Mario & Get A Mushroom!

I cannot help but think these little mushroom massagers look just like the mushrooms from everyone's favorite classic Nintendo character, Mario!

Only 2480 yen each! Great price for some relaxation!


Product Page order via Rinkya Stores for the low price of $8 commission!


[nintendo]
[Japan][gadget]
[massage]

New Transformer Toys for Presale Direct from Japan!

Grab these Transformer toys before they run out!!

Thrust
Dirge

Pre order ends December 10th and ship in March 2009.



Rare collector's item! 3465 yen each, store commission fee only $8.00 (up to 5000 yen per store) Read here for our Rinkya Store commissions!

Read our other Transformer posts!





[Japan][transformer]



Order via Rinkya Stores!

Kawaii Kitchen Timers!

These kitchen timers will brighten up your kitchen!





[Japan][kitchen gadget]<

The Cat Cafe in Tokyo!

This cat cafe, Cateriam, in Tokyo is a place to sit down, have some tea or a beer and play with exotic cats. They do not serve any food (who wants cat hair in their food!)

A Rinkya Staff member visited and provided these photos for us, enjoy!

Wow, the markings on this cat is so cool!



Awww, a cat in a bowl, the staff does not plan these things!



I may have to visit this place on my next trip to Tokyo!

Meet the Cat Staff!

Cat Cafe Homepage



Love Cats? Read more of our Blog posts on them!

Cat Toe Painter Helper
Cat Toothpick Holder
Cat Earthquake Survival Gear
Cat Costumes- Hey Halloween is Almost Here!
Hello Kitty-fy Your Cat
And Finally, Read about Maneki Neko- Japan's Lucky Cat!



[Japan][cats]

Rinkya Collector's Corner- Barry's TLR Cameras!

1. Can you tell us a little bit about what you collect for those of us
unfamiliar?

Twin lens reflex cameras (TLRs) from the late 1920s to the present day.
These are cameras which have a "taking" lens situated below a "viewing" lens
and were very popular professional and serious-amateur cameras before the
SLR camera became reliable enough to be widely accepted during the late
1950s and 1960s. Most date from before the mid-a960s, although a few
Chinese manufacturers are still producing cheaper cameras, and Rollei still
makes a few special models for collectors. There's a short history of the
TLR on my site here.

Generally I specialise in those which use 120 film, although I do have a
small number which use 127 or 35mm (from the days before this was sold in
the cartridges used nowadays). The 120 medium format TLRs date from 1929,
when the first Rolleicord model was launched in Germany. Several German
manufacturers copied or adapted the format, and Japanese makers started
making similar models to the Rolleicord and Rolleiflex in the late 1930s.

I collect all TLRs from around the world - currently I have around 350, and
I still buy two or three a month if something interesting comes up. By far
the biggest contingent is from Japan and most of my collection is viewable
on my website. Other main countries represented are Germany (of course),
France, Czechoslovakia, China, America, Poland and Britain.

2. How long have you been collecting?

Only about six years or so.

3. How did you get started collecting TLR cameras?

I had been interested in these cameras for a long time, but it was the
arrival of eBay and Yahoo auctions which made it possible to track down
rarer models more easily. I now have a few cameras of which mine is the
only example remaining apparently known.


4. What is the "dream" item for you?

The one I'd love to own, but probably never will is a VERY rare Swedish
camera made by a man called Hedman in the 1930s - you can see it on my
webpage here. It's an amazingly beautiful camera made by a professional furniture maker; only a very few were made.

I'd also like to track down a Japanese Fujicaflex - they're not all that
rare, but they don't turn up very often. There's one on this page


5. What is your favourite part of collecting TLR cameras?

Tracking down a rare one. I have in my collection a rare special edition
Rolleiflex Urushi made after Rollei was bought by a Japanese firm (see
here). Finding that was a memorable success!


6. What is your favourite item you found thru Rinkya and why?

Well I recently won a rare Eicaflex on Yahoo, but there have been several
other unusual cameras which one doesn't find outside Japan itself.


7. What makes the TLR cameras you find in Japan
different/special/collectable?

Just the rarity of some models and the amazing range of models made by small
manufacturers in the 1950s. Some of the names are also wonderful - my
favourite is the "Dorisflex" - marvellous name!


8. Where can we see your TLR collection?

At TLR Cameras, where the links to all the other sections is.


Thank you for the great interview Barry and good luck with your collection!!
Check out Barry's informative site and learn everything you want to know about TLR cameras!

For TLR Cameras on YJ
TLR Cameras at Japanese Online Stores



For More Collector Corner's, please read:
Flywheel's Transformers
April, Blythe Doll Collector
Ryan, Anime Cel Collector
Super Sized Collector's Corner Part 1 and 2
Charles Solomon Anime Expert

Want to be featured? Leave me a comment!


Picture is property of owner, please do not copy.


[Japan][tlr cameras][collector's corner]