Yeah, I know it’s slightly goofy, but if this man dribbling his basketball from Tokyo to Sendai can raise money for charity, I say good for him!
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Bento at Japanistic
Category Archives: News
Goofy, but this basketball-dribbling man made me smile because he’s doing a good thing!
Posted in Help Japan, News
Tagged Basketball dribbler raises money for tsunami relief, Basketball man
Champignon Amigurumi
At this crazy time of year, a little something simple. All things Champignon and a few lovely friends for you to enjoy.
Why so absent lately? Here’s our explanation.
Hi Folks- A quick update on where we’ve been these past few days.
We are based out of Western Massachusetts, which was hit by a freak snowstorm over the weekend. Since Saturday night, we’ve been without power, phone, internet, and all that entails.
We are still fulfilling orders from our warehouse and doing the best we can with all of that. But, it does mean our Facebook posts and Tweets are going to be slower as we dig out, clean up, and hope to get power restored at our house soon.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. And keep your fingers crossed for us!
Japanistic Fans, can you help me make a decision? (and hopefully, help us grow!)
Okay folks, I need your help again. Here’s the deal.
As you have probably guessed, I’m pretty passionate about this whole Japanistic thing and think there are a lot of possibilities for where the site can go. I want to keep exploring and discovering great new Japanese designers for you, bringing additional products in, and keeping us all well supplied with Washi Tape, cool things for your kitchen, Journals, Craft supplies and tools, and whatever other Japanese items we all fall in love with.
To do this, well, we need to sell more stuff! This means expanding our reach and doing some more, gulp, advertising. And here’s where you come in.
My question for you, our loyal fans, is where to advertise. Currently, I am exploring doing ads in Bust Magazine. It’s a magazine I read, and it’s read by plenty of other crafty folks who might have an interest in what we’re doing at Japanistic. But it’s expensive and would mean a big expenditure for a small business like this.
At the same time, I could continue with Facebook ads that might be targeted to folks who are needing a Japanese product fix. There’s Google Ad Words too.
Do any of your have opinions about the kinds of advertising you are inclined to look at when searching for cool Japanese products? Any advice welcome and as always, thanks for your help!
6 Months after Tsunami, Fishermen cope with their new reality
Interesting piece on the new reality for Japanese who make their living from the sea.
Tokyo Rising : Pharrell’s Return to Tokyo
Yeah, cause I didn’t love Pharrell enough already. A series of videos dedicated to Pharrell’s return to Japan after 3/11.
The goal, to find out what the artistic community has to say and how they are responding to a post-3/11 Japan.
“Tokyo faces a new reality after the tragedy of 3/11. While persistent challenges still lay ahead, the city’s creative class is hell-bent on making sure that their hometown thrives. Innovative and resilient, they are defining the future of Tokyo on their own terms. We put our boots on and went exploring.” (via)
I’m posting all 5 parts here so it’s quick and easy for you. And because they are worth watching.
Tokyo Rising – Part 1.
Tokyo Rising – Part 2.
Tokyo Rising – Part 3.
Tokyo Rising – Part 4.
Tokyo Rising – Part 5.
Oh, and I feel very proud that I bought my first pair of Palladium shoes while backpacking in Europe more than 22 years ago. Yup. My one moment of hipness. Who knew I had it in me?
Posted in Film + Music, Help Japan, News, art
Tagged N-E-R-D, Palladium Boots, Pharrell, Pharrell Williams, Tokyo Rising: Part 1 - Pharrell's Return to Tokyo, Tokyo Rising: Part 2 - Tokyo Under and Above Ground, Tokyo Rising: Part 3 - Art in Flux, Tokyo Rising: Part 4 - The Remix Culture, Tokyo Rising: Part 5 - Trippple Nippples Show, Trippple Nippples, Verbal, Yoon of Ambush Design, Yuka Uchida
School Supplies from Japanistic!
I’ve just done the first round of school shopping for my son and because he’s a 10-year-old boy, it’s honestly quite dull.
If I were to do it for myself, it would include many of the perfect school-ready notebooks and journals, stickies, folders, pencil cases, pencil sharpeners, erasers, and all of the other bits we have for you at Japanistic. Things like nifty Chopstick Pencil Pairs, Zero Per Zero Wall Calendars, crafty tape, and so much more. (And of course, we can get it all to you well before school starts.)
Happy back to school shopping!
Elph and Epha on Sale!
One week only, all Elph and Epha is on Sale! 35% off of everything featuring our favorite elephant friends.
Elpha and Epha Bento, Pill Cases, Notepads and more. All 35% off, all week.
Visit Japanistic to take advantage of this terrific sale and stock up on some great back to school items before we sell out.
Then, check out our New Products section to see some of the great things we’re adding. Sushi Papercraft, Bibs from Boo Foo Woo, Label Stickers, and so much more…
And of course, happy shopping!
Strange Days in Tokyo – The Photos of Ikuru Kuwajima
I’ve just discovered the work of Photojournalist Ikuru Kuwajima, and am completely mesmerized by his recent images from Tokyo.
Commentary, both visual and text-based, that gives a sense of what’s happening in Tokyo right now, as Kuwajima waits to head north on assignment.
From March 17th: Back in Japan and Tokyo. And snapped some pics while getting ready. People are worried. Some are leaving. Some are confused. Some don’t know what to do. Some believe it will be ok. Others are determined to stay no matter what. A lot of people don’t want to abandon Tokyo. Some accept the situation as destiny somehow. Seems like people are getting ready for what’s next. Yet, no one can’t apprehend the situation and can’t believe what is happening and what might be happening in the coming days. Me neither.
March 21- I’m still waiting in Tokyo until an organization, which plans to take me to the north, decides to go. I re-edited some pics from Tokyo, which has been not so normal. I never liked Tokyo so much because of too many people, but it made me sad to see so few people… But, things are getting stable for now, fortunately.
How is it possible that images which convey the stress people are feeling can also be so simply beautiful?
(Thanks to Tech, Travel, & Tuna for the tip.)
Save World Army
Another in the series of products being sold to benefit Japan, I love this t-shirt from Joshua Smith from Hydro74.
Smith “has designed a shirt to help raise funding and awareness for those affected by the disaster. The Japanese Kanji on the shirt translates to ‘Save World Army.’ 100% of the proceeds of the sales of this shirt will go toward The Salvation Army’s relief efforts in Japan. Printed with waterbase discharge inks on pre-shrunk, super soft Tultex 100% ringspun cotton.” Click here to purchase.
Thanks to JeanSnow for the tip.
