Perfect ice balls

This nifty device, found on TechEBlog, uses hot water to make seamless balls of ice. I don't know if I'm awed more by the ingenuity or the huge amount of time the inventors spent on a rather useless device.

Best Japanese study tools on the internet

To any of you struggling to learn Japanese, I came across the most awesome site the other day. iKnow is designed for both English and Japanese speakers and teaches you loads of new vocab in batches of ten words, so you never feel snowed under. For someone who's struggled with horrible books like Japanese for Busy People, this site is a godsend. I also should mention Jpod 101 while I'm at it, which offers free podcasts which are hugely entertaining and relevant to everyday life in Japan.

Stick on designer stubble

I always thought the designer stubble fashion hadn't caught on in Japan because most people considered facial hair a sign of slovenliness. Browsing in 0101 today though, I found some stick on facial hair in the posh men's grooming section. I'm assuming this product made by Propia is aimed at the follically challenged, not the amateur spy.

Sumo pillow fight

Japan Probe reported recently that the Sumo Association is trying to prevent people throwing cushions into the ring when a yokozuna (highest ranking sumo wrestler) gets defeated. People watching the Kyushu tournament instead be given extra heavy cushions that are more difficult to throw. The reason given was "health and safety issues" although Mainichi noted that there has never been a case of injury involving the cushions. Interestingly though, a friend recently told me that spectators who have seats around the ring have to get special insurance because wrestlers have often been known to take a tumble on top of them. So it's okay for wrestlers to squish the audience but not okay for them to take a few bops with a cushion!

Fontastic!

Neojaponisme is running a series of 'visual excerpts' from an old out-of-print font book that has been used by many Japanese businesses over the years. This reminded me about Maniackers Design Fonts which are brand new Japanese and Roman letter fonts that can be downloaded for free. The designs are pretty splendid.

Molest your very own miniture maid

Ever dreamed of owning your very own miniature maid and subjecting her to some heavy sexual harassment, without any pesky police officers hammering down your door? Well it's your lucky day, AR figures brings you a 2 inch-high submissive anime character whom you can undress while she squeals helplessly. If you don't understand Japanese, here's a short translation of what she's saying "(Cute noises). Nice to meet you master. I am Alice your cyber figure. Wow is this master's room? Wha, What the f***. What are you doing all of a sudden. Yah, that's not right. Yaaaaaaa. (crying) You are so mean. Is this a present? Wow, it's soooo cute."
Ah, if only real women's affections were so easily bought. The technology works by aiming a webcam at the cube so the character appears on your computer screen. The lolly stick is for undressing and caressing her. In semi virtual reality. Ewww.

Framboise fags

These raspberry menthol cigarettes have just been launched, with huge a advertising campaign, in Japan. Obviously aimed at the female market 'Fram' is meant to be short for 'Framboise': the French word for raspberry. Oh la la, the sophistication!

Retro matchbox covers

Check out this sexy-looking Japanese matchbox. I found it on Pink Tentacle who has compiled a set of 1920s and 1940s matchboxes from online museum Match World.

Dancing doodad

Check out this cute little yellow doll that dances in time to the beat.