J-list Blog

Hariko Daruma -- 17cm ~ Medium

The daruma is a spherical Japanese doll that represented the Bodhidharma (a Zen monk) who meditated so long that his arms and legs were no longer of any use, leaving only the head. These dolls were often used as a good luck charm to help make your wish come true. Now you can have your own authentic daruma to bring you good luck. Specifically created right here in Gunma this medium sized Daruma measures in at 6.5 inches in height, and is the painted exactly like the same dolls that you'll see...

Roman Letter Mouse Pad -- Black

This is a great mouse pad and "input" learning set from the Elecom computer peripherals company. A cool, extremely flat mouse pad with not only hiragana lettering on it, but the roman letters you type out to get the proper Japanese hiragana letters. A cool way to practice your Japanese. This is a two piece set with the learning "input" stand and the mouse pad. (More like this) (Direct link to this product)

Amrita

Maki Shinonome pens this thick two-story manga from Megastore Comics, containing the 5 part story "Amrita" and the 6 part story "S+" drawn in great detail. The first story, "Amrita", is a medieval piece in which two sisters are captured, and the older sister bargains her life in sexual slavery to see that her younger sister is freed. However, while performing in live sex shows for an appreciative audience, the older sister begins to understand the dark secret of the sex trade, who is in control...

Bicycle Tire Sole Setta

The earth is a beautiful, precious place and we need to think of new ways to reuse items that should not be thrown away. These special handmade shoes from Japan tackle the problem, by using natural materials as much as possible, except for the rubber sole, which is a recycled bicycle tire! These special setta (sandals) are super comfortable to wear. The rubber sole is stitched into the shoe and is made from a bicycle tire, with the tread running down the middle of the shoe. What amazed us most...

GETA ~ Okaku Black

The Japanese have worn sandals for centuries, and many men wear them still, often well into winter. This excellent set of footwear from Japan is based on the idea of the traditional rectangular wooden geta with a comfortable black colored soft plush-like material strap. These measure 12x25 cm (4.5x9 inches) in total and can fit people with sizes of 20cm (or 7 inches) from the back your heel to the space between your big toe and second toe (please do be sure to measure this before purchasing...

Snake Strap Setta -- Size LL

The Japanese have worn sandals for centuries, and many men wear them still, often well into winter. This excellent set of footwear from Japan is based on the idea of the traditional wooden geta, but modernizes them. Made of a rubber-soled bottom, a sturdy, wood grain-finish padded top, and comfortable velveteen bindings, these are not just footwear, they are a work of art. Measuring 10.5" (26.5cm) long and 4" wide (10 cm). This deluxe pair of high-quality geta sandals should fit most feet sized...

Totoro Music Box -- Sanpo *Large* ~ Scene Collection

Fans of Studio Ghibli's "My Neighbor Totoro" and the famous theme "Sanpo" will enjoy this series of Totoro music boxes. Fully painted in incredible detail, these ceramic keepsakes are a representation of a famous scene from the movie, with a music box you can wind and play "Sanpo", the song adored by Japanese children and adults alike. This particular ceramic has all three of the Totoros marching along with Mei, as a dust sprites look on. A super large ceramic that is 8.5" wide (21.5 cm) and...

Chirimen Hello Kitty Omamori -- Yellow for Money

At Japanese Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines it's customary to buy "omamori" or Japanese good luck charms, which are for a specific purpose such as success in tests, love, easy childbirth or the safety of members of your household while traveling. We're glad to have these cute charms for you now! This cute good luck charm, not only is made out of authentic chirimen (the fabric that kimonos are made out of) but features the adorable Hello Kitty as a cute culture version of the lucky cat...

Lucky Charm for Safety Driving -- Black "Mikoshi" Car Window Mascot

Here's a wonderful item from Japan for your vehicle: a lucky charm that says kotsuu anzen or "safe driving" with a mikoshi or portable shrine attached. This cute car accessory sticks onto your window with a suction cup, and has a charm written in kanji hanging from the cup. From the cup the portable shrine hangs-- this is a miniaturization of the large portable shrines that Japanese people are seen carrying on the streets in festivals. Attached to the bottom of this charm are a tassle and two...

DX Genuine Arita Ware Mug Cup ~ Lucky Cat

At J-list we are pleased to bring you traditional hand-made pottery dishes made here in Japan, made of a light weight clay and with hand-painted decorations. This is Arita ware, one of the first types of porcelain in Japan and highly respected around the world. Arita ware is made exclusively in Arita Town in Saga Prefecture, and began 400 years ago when Sanpei, a ceramist from Korea discovered a wealth of top quality porcelain in the area. Prized both in Japan and abroad, these dishes will be...