Yummy New Kit Kats Available!

Blueberry cheesecake and strawberry cheesecake...yummmmm!!

Buy Now and add to your Rinkya shipment before they run out!
Only $2 for 2!


[Japan][nestle]
[kit kats][japan candy]

Occupied Japan- The Most Sought Out Collectibles!

An excerpt from Rinkya’s On Top With Occupied Japan Collectibles


Occupied Japan was a short-lived country, it existed in a small window of time between the end of World War II and the implementation of the San Francisco Peace treaty on April 28, 1952 when sovereignty was returned to the Japanese people. In practice it was a military occupation under General Douglas MacArthur from 1945 through 1951, and briefly, in transition, under General Matthew Ridgeway.



Today, over half a century has past, and “occupied Japan” has become the most searched for and desirable mark for collectibles in the world. Both Kovel, the premier American collectible search site, and Rinkya, the leading Japanese buying service, worldwide have found that goods such as pottery, porcelain, toys and even clocks produced in Japan during the occupation are the leading collectible goods category this year.


“The level of craftsmanship in many fields in occupied Japan was fantastic,” says Rinkya CEO Heather Russell. “Artisans who had been soldiers returned to their crafts with a seemingly greater understanding of the world, and created motifs that continue to influence both arts and crafts today. What had been a relatively enclosed society was suddenly open to the rest of the world and the explosion of creativity fostered by that may be one of the most important, though unrecognized, artistic movements of the twentieth century.



“That initial creativity would follow Japan through the rest of the century, taking it from a defeated, occupied country to the world’s second largest national economy. In the fields of art and collectibles, the door that was first opened under the Occupation would have ramifications across all of the arts

“At Rinkya what we have noticed is that goods from the Occupation era, well up into the early sixties show a creativity and energy that has made them highly desirable collectibles on several levels and in several fields.



“The actual marks, “Occupied Japan” and “Made in Occupied Japan” were initiated to help open Japanese goods to the rest of the world . The success of that strategy is evident today in Japan’s position as one of the world’s premier trading powers. However, even goods produced for the Japanese market during the Occupation exhibit the creativity and innovation of that period.


Occupied Japan items pictured are available for auction:
Occupied Japan Auction Man
Occupied Japan Auction Baby
Occupied Japan Auction Duck

Find Occupied Japan Items on YJ





[Japan][occupied japan]

Join A Rinkya Blog Network on FaceBook!

Join A Rinkya Blog on Facebook!

I just added A Rinkya Blog to Facebook's Blog Network, if you enjoy reading please join us!

You can also become a fan of Rinkya on Facebook!


Thank you to all our readers!



[Japan][facebook]

Angel & Devil EarPhones!!

These cute Angel and Devil earphones from Greenhouse Japan come in five color combination: white color for Angel and red, black, purple, pink and magenta colors for Devil.

They release in November for only 1270 yen, purchase via Rinkya Stores for only $8 service fee!



Other A Rinkya Blog Posts:
I Want Pig EarPhones From Japan
Ipod Angel & Devil Cases

Via UberGizmo

Product Info




[Japan][gadget][earphones]

Japanese Gadget Revealed!

Wow, our readers are good! This one was guessed within minutes of me posting!
It is a toe separator for painting your nails. It might be for you, if you are a big cat fan!

Only 850 yen! Product Page

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

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][gadget]

Guess the Japanese Gadget!

Yes, these do have a purpose other than looking cute!

Have a great weekend!

Click Here to see gadget revealed


[Japan][gadget]

Freaky Mouse Pads for Halloween!

Here are some skeleton X ray mousepads from Japan, just in time for Halloween!



Purchase some and creep out your friends!
X Ray Mousepads via Rinkya Stores!


[Japan]
[computer gadgets]
[japan gadget][mousepads]

Another Screeching Alarm Clock From Japan!

Remember Gun O Clock?

Well this alarm clock goes flying and screeching until you wake up and stop it!

Perhaps people in Japan have a real hard time getting up in the morning? Check out the Grenade alarm clock! throw it against the wall until it stops going off!

Product Page order via Rinkya Stores


[Japan][alarm clock]
[japan gadget]

A Cute Engrish Scale

Product Page Only 1029 yen!





[Japan][gadget][engrish]

Japanese Gadget Revealed

Well that one was easy for everybody!

It is a Takoyaki (octopus balls) maker!



These fried octopus balls are a tasty treat in Tokyo, you can find them at stores, street vendors, etc.

If you do not live in Japan, but want to try it at home, order here!



Pic Via


[Japan][gadget][takoyaki]

Guess the Japanese Gadget!

You may know what this is if you live in Japan, but since all of our Rinkya users do not live there- Guess this Japan Gadget!

Have a wonderful and safe weekend!


Click here to see Gadget Revealed


[Japan][gadget]

Collector's Corner- Charles Solomon!

Meet respected authority, writer and critic of Anime- Charles Solomon.

Thank you Charles, for taking the time to do this interview and congratulations on your new book available at Amazon- Disney Lost and Found: Exploring the Hidden Artwork from Never-Produced Animation
(Our Book Review will be up shortly!)


As one of the top chroniclers of the history of Animation and critic in the field, how did you become interested in Animation and which film was your “first love” ?

Chas: I can't remember when I wasn't interested in animation. Some of my earliest memories are of watching cartoons on TV when I was about 4. I grew up watching old theatrical shorts--Bugs Bunny and all the Warner Bros. cartoons; Betty Boop and the Fleischer films; the great Disney films. The first movie I was ever taken to in a theater was a re-release of Pinocchio. It's hard to pick a favorite, although Sleeping Beauty fascinated me as a child.


In your new book, Disney Lost and Found: Exploring the Hidden Artwork from Never-Produced Animation ,what is the one thing you would have liked to have seen on the screen?

Chas: During the mid to late 1930's Walt Disney and Samuel Goldwyn talked about collaborating on a biography of Hans Christian Andersen. MGM would do the live action of Andersen's life, and Disney the fairy tales in animation. The artwork for it staggeringly beautiful.

What is your favorite Disney Animation, artist, character?

I've watched the films so many times and known so many of the artists, it's impossible to chose.


When did you become fascinated by Japanese Animation?

I started seeing Japanese animation in the early '80s. Over the next several years, as I saw more Japanese films, I became more interested.

Which Japanese Anime is your favorite ? Artist? Character?

Again there are too many. One of the things I find most exciting about Japanese animation is its diversity. In the space of a few years, it can encompass works as diverse as Spirited Away, Millenium Actress, Full Metal Alchemist, Samurai Champloo, Full Metal Panic, Bleach, Mushi-Shi and School Rumble. That to me is the sign of a vital, intriguing art form.

That said, I believe Hayao Miyazaki is the third genius the art of animation has produced--the first two being Winsor McCay and Walt Disney.

What do you collect?

I'm not really a collector per se, but I like to study cels, drawings, etc. from films that interest me. So I occasionally pick things up, usually with an eye toward something that might make a good illustration for an article or a book.

What is your “dream” item?

An original drawing of Miyazaki's.

What is your favorite item that you have found thru Rinkya?

An animation drawing of the title character from Kiki's Delivery Service.



Links on YJ:
Disney on Japan Auction
Miyazaki on Japan Auction
Anime on Japan Auctions


[disney][kiki's delivery service][anime][Miyazaki]

Go Green- Another Awesome Japan Gadget!

This garbage bin is divided into two sections, one on top of the other, for easy organizing of your recyclable and non-recyclables.

It even has a cute name- the Dust Mug.

But just remember, do not drink from it, lol!!




Other Green Blog Posts!!

Reusable Chopsticks!
Frog Can Crusher
Eco Friendly Bunny Bag

[Japan][japan gadget][reusable totes]
[go green]

DragonBall Live Action Movie Trailer

Watch the DragonBall Live Action Movie Trailer!

What do you think? As bad as most people think it would be or better than you thought?

The movie comes to theaters April 11, 2009!

Enjoy Rinkya's cel sale and reduced commissions on all animation cels and bid on the one seen above today!


[Japan][dragon ball]
[anime]

Rinkya Links!

We are very busy over here at Rinkya, so here are some fun Japan links for you to look at!!

Play Wii Fit With A Japanese Maid

Worst Japanese Language Mistake

Butt AirBags!

And check out some oldies but goodies from A Rinkya Blog:

Condom Robot

Halloween Man Panties

Join Us on Rinkya Facebook, become a fan!!

Japanese Gadget Revealed!

It is Febreea (oddly familiar to our Febreeze in the US ^_-)
It is an air freshener!

Spray, foam or powder!

Check out their page for videos!



[Japan][gadget]

Guess the Japanese Gadget! Contest Submission!

What does this gadget do?

Once again, I have used my awesome Photoshop skills to blur out the name :)

Have a great weekend!!

Click here to see Gadget Revealed


[Japan][gadget]

Frog Humidifier Design From Japan

I think Japan is really into frogs, it seems like many of their gadgets are inspired by the cute green guys, as seen by the Frog Can Crusher


This humidifier goes for 3280 yen, not a bad deal for the cute little fellow!




[Japan][gadgets][humidifier]
[go green]

The Lazy Pillow

I know pillows are inherently lazy, you use them to lie down, get comfy etc

But this is a whole other set of lazy. Tired of holding the phone, let's just lie down and use it while making our phone calls. Hey, sometimes your arm hurts from holding it up to your ear?



Basically the pillow has empty cubes, so that your hearing is not blocked while lying on one side. Great for watching TV as well, so the sound can travel to your ear through the empty parts of the cubed pillow.

Enjoy!

On sale for only 1000 yen! Purchase via Rinkya Stores! Product Page

Check out the Massage Pillow!


[Japan][gadget]

Strawberry Kit Kats Now Available at Rinkya!

What more can I say...
Kit kats- yummy, strawberries- yummy-

Together? I am guessing freaking delicious.

Buy Now and add to your Rinkya shipment before they run out! Only $2 each!

P.S. A shout out to my friends in the ship department at Rinkya, send me some please......

Pic Via Candy Addict

[Japan][nestle]
[kit kats][japan candy]

Japanese Gadget Revealed!

It is Chapit!

Some of the things Chapit can do are waking you, answering and redirecting phone calls, control lighting and thermostats, sync with your computer and act as a media server, control home appliances and electronics. You interact with Chapit by speaking to him in a natural tone. He currently only understands about 100 words but he's designed to learn. Raytron believes Chapit is capable of learning 10,000 words given the time.

Look for it sometime in 2008!

Turned in by Blog Reader Izumi for our Guess the Gadget Contest! Congrats Izumi!


Quote via Tranism


[Japan][gadget]

Guess the Japanese Gadget! Contest Submissions!

Today is our first contest submission for the Guess the Japanese Gadget- thank you to all who have submitted!

So what does this cute little guy do?

Have a great weekend!


Click here to see Gadget Revealed


[Japan][gadget]

Astro Boy Exclusive G Shock Watch Preorder Available!

This November marks the 80th anniversary of Osamu Tezuka's birth. To commemorate the creator of Astro Boy, Casio G Shock is releasing a limited edition watch with Astro Boy!
Only 1000 will be sold at about $150 USD each within Japan only, but you can order through Rinkya Japan Stores.

The watch releases in November for Tezuka's birthday, but is available for preorder: Astro Boy Product Page, to purchase fill out the form at Rinkya Japan Stores!

Thank you Astro Boy World for the heads up!

Blog Posts of Interest:
Astro Boy Onistuka Tiger Sneakers
Fat Asstro Boy
Astro Boy is 5!
A $10,000 Astro Boy!




[Astro Boy][Unico][Rose of Versailles][anime][Tezuka Osamu]
[g shock]

Love Dolls- An Obsession

Youtube Video on Love Dolls

Pink Tentacle wrote about the discovery of an abandoned love doll in Japan. Police were called in when walker bys thought it was a corpse. The man who dumped his love doll (figuratively and literally) turned himself in.

The Youtube video is a special report on the phenomenon of love dolls used as partners, rather than people finding real (as in human) ones. The first guy they talk about has about 100 of them, woah!

Enjoy!

Condom Robot Makes Otaku Fans Happy!

Safety Warrior Condoms, not to be confused with Mobile Suits Gundam, is here to give you an anime version of condoms.
Hmmm, how many condoms can be found on the robot? I count 6?

Comes with 7 condoms




[Japan][anime condoms][japan anime]

Cherry Blossom Costumes Embrace the Pink!

He loves cherry blossoms so much, he just has to sing about them, while being fully clothed in a costume depicting cherry blossoms...



A little scary...



A little more manly costume- cherry blossom and beer hat!



A cherry blossom wrestler outfit?



I guess they do not have the same idea in Japan, that pink is for girls, blue for boys...


Cherry Blossom Festival
Pink Man Group


[Japan]
[Sakura Matsuri]
[kimono]
[cherry blossom ]

Reminder- Enter to Win FREE Gadgets!

The deadline for your Guess the gadget submissions is Monday!

Submit as many as three gadgets to the contest and win your very own Japanese gadget and Rinkya commission!


As readers know, we have a Guess the Japanese Gadget every Friday and leave it open for all you to guess all weekend!

Now it is your turn to stump our readers!

Submit your Guess the Gadgets!!

If you stump our readers, you will win one of the gadgets featured on blog (dependent upon the gadget's availability) and if you are a Rinkya user (or wish to become one)- you win the gadget AND a $20 commission credit on any auction!

What you need to do:
Send your submissions to laurelr AT rinkya DOT com
Only items from Japan stores or Japanese designers can be used
We will choose the best gadgets and feature them on a future Friday Guess the Gadget
Submissions due in THREE DAYS!!

Here are just SOME of the gadgets up for the winners!
Cat Security Sensor
Pig EarPhones From Japan!
The Pen that Turns Into A Fishing Pole
Humping Dog USB

The Pink Man Group?

I am not totally sure as why anyone would want to wear these outfits and maybe something is lost in the translation, but it is a Japanese Halloween costume in order to be invisible.

I don't know, something about a man in a head to toe pink tights, screams VISIBLE to me.
Also, how the heck do you see in these, or breath for that matter?

Many colors available, including camo!


Product Page 4700 yen each, stand out at your Halloween party this year with unique costumes from Japan!

More Wacky Japanese Halloween Posts:
Man Panties
Faucet Panties
A Variety of Costumes
Halloween Bentos From Japan!


[Japan]
[halloween costumes][ japan exclusives]

Meet Our Italian Blog Writer- Michele!

Rinkya's mirror Italian site also has a blog-
"Ohayou Giappone!" - Il Blog Italiano di Rinkya (Hi Japan! A Rinkya Italian Blog)

I was recently interviewed for the Italian blog and it can be seen here (in Italian!)

I decided to put Michele up to the same task and interview him for all you to meet. Thank you Michele!

We have a lot of Italian readers and users of Rinkya, what do you think makes Japan so appealing to Italians specifically?

I notice how it seems quite natural for Italians and Japanese to like each other cultures. Japanese love the "Italian life style"; luxury fashionable goods, fast cars, and nice food.... Italians are fascinated about Japanese traditions, history and arts, and in more recent years about industrial products as well, like electronics. My generation was strongly influenced by Japanese Animation and Manga.
Japanese wish to live like Italians, and Italians enjoy experimenting new things from Japan and become a bit like Japanese....
But the funny thing is, everybody only wish to experiment the best sides of each other countries, ignoring the negative side completely, which of course exist! ...This makes "the dream" staying alive; Probably I did the same when I decided to come to Japan... ^_^
But I think the theorist crossing between Italy and Japan would result in an interesting country I guess!


What do you like best about Japan?

Difficult question,... I enjoy living in a (quite) secure, organized country, and I like the taste of beauty that Japanese have in general. Japanese are usually quiet and discrete persons, which makes my living with them very smooth. It's another world compared to where I am coming from, but I can find many common points. For me living in Japan is a big exciting challenge.... but at the same time I feel kind of "a compatible person" with the "Japanese world"...

What is your favorite food there?

I love fish in general...so I am in the right place!! Any kind of fish, but shrimps are my favorite.
But I am convinced there so much more to discover about Japanese food, I wish to explore more....after 3 years in Japan I still feel like a beginner!


What is the worst food you have had there? (the pizza hut double roll, hahhha?)

Ohh yeah...the pizza was memorable! ^^
.... well, I still can't get used to the "Umeboshi" the sour Japanese plum. I gave up, actually.^^


What is your favorite A Rinkya Blog post?

Well, no doubt about it! ^_^ ha ha ha!...
http://rinkya.blogspot.com/2008/04/after-all-this-time-japan-can-still.html


What is your favorite blog post on Il Blog Italiano di Rinkya?

Well, the blog is still young and the choice is not large yet...But I was very pleased with the one presenting A Rinkya Blog, and also the one interviewing one of our italian customer, Jurij Ricotti, Grendizer collector and also worldwide appreciated musician and composer. This is the style the Italian Blog is mainly chasing, involving people who are into Japanese goods and talking about their experiences. Much more is coming in the future, so stay tuned...^_-


Thank you Michele! Please check out Michele's blog here for the latest news from Japan and Rinkya curtailed to our Italian users!

New Kit Kats For Order On Rinkya!

We have three new Kit Kat flavors from Japan available- Watermelon Minis, Black Sugar Minis and Muscat Green Grape!

Our warehouse in Japan sent me over some Watermelon Kit Kats, and they were VERY good, so I highly recommend them, I would also like to try the others too- (hint, hint!)

We also have Milk & Cookies still available!

Just add to your shipment the flavors you want- $2 each, and the minis are 2 for $2!


[Japan][nestle]
[kit kats][japan candy]

Japanese Gadget Revealed

It is a humidifier/aroma pot!

Product Page for more info!

19950 yen (including tax) almost $200 USD

Check out 3 Yen's post on the Gadget!


Win one of our gadgets, Enter our Guess the Gadget contest!!

Contest extended to Sept 15th due to an error!
Read all about it here!




[Japan][gadget]

Guess the Japanese Gadget!

This is not a donut!

Win one of our gadgets, Enter our Guess the Gadget contest!!

Contest extended to Sept 15th due to an error!
Read all about it here!

Click here to see Gadget Revealed


[Japan][gadget]

Patlabor Anime Stamps Released At Japan Post Office!

Mobile Police Patlabor is a popular manga, film series, TV series, OVA with many toys and other collectible items merchandised throughout Japan.

The post office has released a special stamp edition commemorating the popular series, only 800 yen for one sheet purchase via the Japan post office by filling out a Rinkya Stores order form!

The Japanese post office has many other original stamps for sale here as well!

Patlabor on YJ
Any Stamp you could possibly want on YJ :)




[Japan][patlabor manga][japan anime]

Morning Target Practice- Gun O'clock

When this alarm goes off, pick up your gun and shoot the target down to stop the annoying alarm sound.

This would be a great annoying gag gift, the target does not go down or stop the annoying high pitched alarm until the alarm believes you have hit the bullseye enough.

If the gun does not work, I can see alot of cranky sleepers using their fists to quiet it, it would last a day at my house.

Available for Preorder via Product Page. Order via Rinkya Stores!

4095 yen (~$40 USD) (includes tax)

For another fun alarm clock from Japan, check out the Grenade Alarm Clock!

Via Xorsyst


[Japan][alarm clock]
[japan gadgets]

Japanese Gadget Revealed!

It is a digital photo frame!
3990 yen via Product Page via Rinkya Stores!




[Japan][gadget]