Digging this collaboration between Frapbois and New Balance. (via)
Not sure I could pull them off. But they sure are fun.
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Bento at Japanistic
Category Archives: east meets west
Contemporary Japan, Meet Vintage European ads. A perfect combo.
I almost hyperventilated when I saw these charms and more from Portes Cles. . So in love here.
Okay, so you need to go to their site to see how truly cool these are. They move, like holograms, but better.
It’s all about vintage European imagery, and it totally works for me.
Not a fan of the clear plastic? There’s metal too, and it’s just as compelling for me.
I want that one of the girl, in the middle, with the swoop in her hair. Or perhaps the elephant. Or the secretary. Or the…
Tintin in Japan (and Astroboy with Matisse)
Yup. The Tintin Movie is on its way, and Japan is as eager for it as the rest of the world. Of course, we all have to wait until next December for the film but if you can’t, perhaps you’d like these pieces by artist work by Norio Takamiya.
Titled Tintin Goes to Japan, it looks like Tintin and Snowy are in a spot of trouble here!
Personally, I’m more drawn to Tintin Knot.
I can’t resist pointing out one more of Takamiya’s works.
I think Astroboy fits quite well in this homage to Matisse, don’t you?
(Need your own Tintin goodies? Visit our sister site, Wundertime!)
Make your own Paper Moomin
My son loves the Moomintroll books, and while in Japan, I saw many Moomin products to covet. Right now, it’s this cool DIY Moomin Kit.
The company behind it, Aki, makes an assortment of 3D animals. Mini Chihuahua anyone? 
Or perhaps a Pig?
Of course, oddball that I am, I am inexplicably drawn to the Warthog.
Posted in Craft, Design, east meets west
Tagged DIY Chihuahua, Make it yourself Moomin, Moomin Kit, Moomintrolls
Sushi Peeps for Your Peeps
[Originally posted April 1, 2010. Re-Posted by request.]
I got this from the lovely Dre, at Tiny Crush Society. I am now desperate to make these for Easter, especially since my son LOVES Rice Krispy Treats and, of course, who doesn’t love Peeps? (Okay, I don’t want to actually EAT them, but they are darn cute.)
Courtesy of Serious Eats, these amazing Peepshi treats require no actual cooking-therefore making them a kitchen project right up my alley. This is all you need:
Peepshi in Process.
Visit Serious Eats for the Peepshi How-to, but be warned, however–Peepshi come with traditions all their own:
A Primer on Peepshi Traditions
The Peepshi tradition calls for certain deviations from the standard sushi-eating customs you’re used to seeing at, say, a sushi bar. Since Serious Eats has come to embody the contemporary Peeps revolution, I feel comfortable in providing a beginner’s guide to enjoying Peepshi. It can be a roller coaster ride of sugar, and let me just say that you never want to be the first person booting at a Peeps party.
1. There is no wasabi. Same goes for ginger. Peeps are sassy enough on their own. (We tried smashing up a green Peep for a wasabi-esque condiment, but decided against this.)
2. Do not eat an entire Peeps roll. Unless it’s a challenge. (Honor must be kept at all costs.)
3. Use the extra Peeps bodies (there will be many) to create your own Peeps diorama!
4. Room temperature water is the ideal companion to Peepshi. Too cold and the sugar feels gritty in a bad way. Too hot and then, you’re just drinking hot water.
5. Don’t let silent Peeps screams deter you from your task. You’re a professional.
Posted in Craft, Cuteness, east meets west
Gaspard and Lisa Celebrate 10 Years in Japan.
I have a total soft spot for Gaspard and Lisa, and I wish I could visit this Gaspard and Lisa anniversary exhibit in Yokohama.
The “Misadventures of Gaspard & Lisa,” a series of picture books about two rabbity doglike creatures, began in France in 1999. In 2001, its creators, Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben, brought the series to Japan, where it has since become hugely popular. The series is now published worldwide in about 15 different languages.
The Sogo Museum of Art in Yokohama is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the first Japanese publication of Gaspard & Lisa with 160 original illustrations, sketches and studies for the “lift-the-flap” books of the series. But the two unusual creatures are not the only ones in the spotlight. Images of Penelope, the lovable blue koala bear of another popular Gutman and Hallensleben series will also be on display.
Children (of all ages) will be able join in a workshop to create their own personal versions of the cuddly Penelope in the form of sticky decals. The finished pieces are heated on a hot-plate by exhibition staff, and are then ready to adorn fridges and other glossy surfaces.
Fans of the two picture-book series will also be able to take home limited-edition Gaspard & Lisa and Penelope goods, including a mug and jigsaw puzzle incorporating all of the characters. (via)
Japan travels the world, 1970s-style
I want to go wherever these vintage Japan Air maps might take me.
Why is it that when I pretend to visit these destinations, I envision them as looking just like The French Connection?
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Posted in Awesomeness, Things I'd like to have, This inspires me, Vintage, east meets west
Tagged Japan Air maps, Keibunsha Books, Vintage Japanese Maps
Double-Decker Bus Bento
It’s no secret that I’m a sucker for the Japanese affection for Europe, and the way products with British or French themes look when given a Japanese twist. These London Plates, bowls, mugs, and more, are no exception.
And the double-decker bus theme? Awesome. From Nicohrat, with accessories galore. (Yes, I’ll do my best to find it for Japanistic.)
Surprisingly, no chopsticks. But nevertheless, I’d pack my son’s lunch in any of these.
Posted in Bento, Cuteness, Design, east meets west
Tagged Bento meets British design, Double Decker Bus Bento, Nico Hrat
Pretend to go to Paris with Japanistic
I need a little escape at this time of year, even if it’s just a mental break. With that in mind, new products at Japanistic, with a Paris theme.
Plan your Paris excursion in the pages of this Paris Metro journal.
Have a favorite Paris Metro stop? Choose the lines you love and send a letter on these Paris Metro Letter Sets.
And while you plan your trip and write your letters, sip a Cafe Au Lait from this Paris Metro Mug.
See? Don’t you feel better after a petit vacation?
Learn Japanese from a Monsieur with a moustache
I want to have this poster, even if it doesn’t help me learn Japanese.
Now available from Pika Books, this Zine and Poster combination, Chotto Omoshiroi. By artist Mogu Takahashi,
One more reason to add this to your collection? Pika Books says that “with each purchase of the set, USD$2.00 will be donated to First Book, a charity that provides new books to children in need. One set = one book for a child.”
Cool stuff supporting cool things? Sounds good.
