Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

10 Comments

Plastic pussy (paw)

Perhaps realising that the limited edition Kamen Rider belt isn’t exactly going to send share prices soaring, toymaker Bandai has decided to re-release the nekonyanbou, its famous cat’s paw toy. A bizarre little plaything that first saw the light of day 20 years ago; rather surprisingly shipping over a million units.

platic pussy

As the picture clearly shows, each nekonyanbou moves in a way similar to a real cat’s leg/paw — albeit a severed one. And if that’s not enough to have you immediately rushing to the shops brandishing bank notes, it’s available in different colours too.

Once purchased, the plastic paw can be used in a variety of inventive and fun ways. For starters, there’s the ability to scratch unsuspecting colleagues’ necks. Something of a hoot at lunch time apparently.

platic pussy

Or for the even more playful, there’s always the option of a bit of feline flirtation, although admittedly this does require the extra purchase of some silly ears. Oh, and a second nekonyanbou.

platic pussy

And for those tired out from such frivolity, the multipurpose mitt is ideal for, erm, lazily grabbing ever so slightly out of reach cups of coffee — or indeed tea.

platic pussy

Finally, there’s also this.

Whatever it may be.

6 Comments

Wonderful wanko

Over the weekend, Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture held its annual noodle-eating contest, an event that saw around 160 contestants wolf down incredible amounts of Wanko Soba.

wanko soba

Now, with a name like wanko, the amusingly named buckwheat noodles could easily become an endless source of mirth and merriment, although thankfully not on Tokyo Times; such schoolboy fun potentially drawing attention away from Masahiro Kato’s winning wanko tally of 241 (bowls).

wanko soba

It seems that along with incredible stamina, the 38-year-old’s technique could well have been a contributing factor in his second straight title, as by using both hands, the soba specialist was able to deftly manipulate his bowls, allowing him to get in as much wanko as possible. The super slurper also kept his movements smooth and methodical, whilst at the same time avoiding any excessive tugging or jerking; an essential approach for anyone hoping to successfully beat off the opposition.

Unfortunately — and apparently not for the first time — controversy played its part in the proceedings, with several contestants claiming that Kato-san had been given a helping hand by one of the waitresses. An accusation the champion strenuously denies.

9 Comments

Chocolate charmer

For those looking for a Valentine’s Day alternative to flowers or fancy foodstuffs, the Sankt Gallen Brewery has kindly produced a chocolate beer, the special edition brew going by the rather grand name of ‘Imperial Chocolate Stout’.

chocolate beer

Supposedly made with a generous amount of chocolate malt, the manufacturer claims that the stout has a mellow, sweet taste, and is rich in flavour compared to average, non-imperial beverages.

However whilst hardened boozers might try and dismiss this limited edition offering as nothing but a namby-pamby gimmick, an alcohol content of 8% puts it in the arena of the ‘street drink’. Meaning carefree quaffing could quite easily lead to a decidedly less than amorous evening.

4 Comments

Sushi Sandwich

Weary of white rice? Sick to death of seaweed? Then sushi-style sandwiches could be the way to go.

sandwich sushi

Plus with the inclusion of a strawberries and cream dessert, it’s a meal in itself — sort of.

Tempted?

(Click image to supersize)

1 Comment

Royal writer

Although details of the trip are often hard to come by, the current Queen Elizabeth spent a summer in Japan during her youth; a month or so of freedom and exploration before the responsibilities of royalty took over the young woman’s life.

Even less well documented however is that during this period away, the heir to the British throne remarkably joined forces with a humble sign writer, helping him to produce bilingual notices for foreign visitors and dignitaries. The precocious princess somehow managing to struggle along with only her trusty dictionary and an army of aides and lackeys.

Yet despite this effort at mixing with commoners — and indeed Johnny Foreigner — young Elizabeth it seems never quite managed to escape her upbringing. This badly faded and only remaining example of her work hinting at the princess’ elevated position.

japanese sign
One ought to click for an enlargement

A straight forward ‘Be careful’ or ‘Watch your step’ obviously sounding rather crass to her delicate and finely tuned royal ears. ‘Take care of one’s feet’ instead coming across as an infinitely more refined option.

Still, such slightly over the top politeness is nothing to the now veteran Head of State’s last effort at translation. Her rather long-winded, ‘If you’d be a jolly good sport and steer clear of the lawn we’d needless to say appreciate it enormously’* sadly opening something of a rift between the princess and the sign writer, resulting in the premature demise of a unique relationship.

*Amazingly this final collaboration could still be seen in Tokyo until just over a decade ago, but unfortunately it disappeared along with the capital’s last piece of grass in 1995.