Japanese T-shirt collection: video games and directional tactiles.

These three were from a shop in Shibuya, Tokyo circa 2007. We weren’t allowed to try any on. We were given generic shop stock in white to try, then we hoped that the different brands would have consistent sizing. The middle T-shirt design is made of puff-paint and the tactile indicators are raised up. This was a favourite amongst the Landscape Architect community in which I used to work. The other two are based on 1980’s video games: Galaga and Dig-Dug. The grey T-shirt is capturing the pixel moment where the Pooka character is blown up (using an air pump!) by a miner. The photo links also show the back print, if there is one.

MORE FOOD!

On my holiday I also visited Japan. Did I mention I enjoy eating?

The Ultimate Gift.

I cannot begin to describe the joy and excitement I have experienced since receiving this special gift. It is a “Mark’s” brand “Silicon Diary” from Japan. It has a week to a page with a facing page for notes. There are two ribbons- important for not only keeping tabs on where you up to in the week, but also in the month. (Briefly highlighted in an earlier post entitled “Beading.“) The diary has a colourful, interactive design reminiscent of lego. The yellow and red tabs can be moved around as decoration or used as a securing device to keep the diary closed.

I will now spend the evening penning-in my upcoming appointments with a “Powertank 0.7” Mitsubishi pressurised ball-point pen recently purchased from Kinokuniya, Sydney. (Link to shop.) Many, many thanks to Lucy. It seems I will have absolutely no need to post ideas for Christmas presents as was necessary last year.

Japanese hose garden.

This Snippets contribution is from Lucy C. who recently returned from a trip to Japan. She noticed that the Japanese have a special gift for arranging even the most commonplace objects into neat zen-like compositions.

Oh! So beautiful. Japansese stationery.

Only $114 dollars for half a dozen. D-Bros apple and pear note paper.
Not so different in price from some of the gourmet fruits in Japan.

V&A Children’s Museum Review

The V&A Children’s Museum is more than just a space for children to play. It has an amazing toy collection which occupies much of the space- much to the delight of visiting parents. I especially enjoyed looking at the 1970’s toys. I discovered that Mary Quant designed a doll named Daisey which was available in the UK around 1977. My favourite overall toy was an English butcher set. The whole thing was carved out of wood: the butcher, the shop and the hanging meat carcasses. What more could you hope for in a toy!

My other favourite toy museums:

Japan Toys Museum in Taito-Ku, Tokyo, Japan.  (Currently no discoverable website, but there is a good description on QuirkyJapan.) Highlights  include a historical collection of electronic games including a seldom seen Nintendo Game ‘n Watch called “Vermin”.  The extent of the gameplay includes whacking rats on the head with a stick.

Japan Toy Museum in Himeji. Highlights include a comprehensive international toy collection from many eras, as well as extensive collection of Japanese traditional toys.

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Random notes to self about toys…Penguin Fridge, Barbie Fridge, Wooden Building Blocks, Aardvarks on stick, Space Hopper 1970’s, Strawberry Shortcake by Palitoy, Schmuck aus Silberdraht (drakt?) 70-80 German Jewellery making set, Play+ arredi per l’infanzia http://www.studiouk.net, Toy Butcher and all meat cuts in wood 1800’s, Egg- Soft and hard moulded Plastic, Carving Wood, Material, The History of Toys: From Spinning Tops to Robots by Deborah Jaffe