Associations in Japan #2

The Pizza Association of Japan.

I found this while I was looking at them pizza crusts at the supermarket. How interesting. It was established about 14 years ago and I guess their purpose statement talks about how they want to improve quality, increase consumption, exchange business information and ideas between pizza-related businesses, and to develop the pizza industry. Currently there are about 39 member companies and these are their symbols:

Their website also talks about the nutritional values of pizzas and the "pizza market."

Rascist Eraser

My 16 year old cousin just returned upon her trip to Paaralang Pantao in Quezon City, Philippines. Paaralang Pantao is a free school at the foot of Garbage Mountain and the children around this area are deprived of opportunities and live in poverty. Apparently many of them don't even have a birth certificate.

While I was worried about the 17 year old having to breathe in methane-filled gases in the air, and getting bitten from dengue mosqutioes, among other things, I am glad that she's learned how to bathe, shyt and be, au naturale. Next time Î shall take her camping in the jungles of Sri Lanka.

Anyways, she took awesome pictures and I came across a little picture of those 10cents eraser that we used to have in primary school in Singapore. They measure 3cm x 2cm and there is usually an alphabet with a picture of a word that begins with that letter. Like "A" and then a picture of an apple. However, this eraser on the other hand...

I feel guilty for finding it endearing.

11/8: Tanuki's Day Off

I can't believe I missed Tanuki's Day off!

The town of Shigaraki in Shiga gives Tanuki a break on November 8th. The tanuki is the town's favorite creature, and is the tanuki statue capital of the nation. It is the Tanuki's well-deserved day of rest and relaxation.

The tanuki has been part of Japanese folklore since the ancient days. is a symbol of fortune and good luck and can be seen at the entrances of business establishments. They are reputed to be mischievous and jolly, a master of disguise but also gullible and absent-minded.These statues often wear big, cone-shaped hats and carry bottles of sake, and an empty purse in the other hand. They have large beer belles and also show humorously large balls, or nutsacks, typically hanging down to the floor.

Organizers chose November 8th for a bunch of reasons. According to Wikipedia, the eight traits of the tanuki are: (1) a bamboo hat that protects against trouble, (2) big eyes to perceive the environment and help make good decisions, (3) a sake bottle that represents virtue, (4) a big tail that provides steadiness and strength until success is achieved, (5) over-sized testicles that symbolize financial luck, (6) a promissory note that represents trust, (7) a big belly that symbolizes bold decisiveness, and (8) a friendly smile.

Pink Tentacle

Abandoned

Stumbled upon this post from izreloaded and I so wanna go! This site that he was talking about features pictures of abandoned amusement parks near Seoul. We are going to Disneyland and Sea from tomorrow and the thought of having to spend a bunch of money that I don't have is giving me a stomachache. Also since the won has dipped so low, I feel we should all just buy that Korean Air ticket to head over there. They all look pretty freaking awesome. I would do the entire tour to forfeit other commercialized theme parks!

Cocaine in a Can

Wow... is this forrealz? Has anyone tried this? How much is it? Where is it canned? Wow...just imagine the wonders...

Gender Discrimination

I went to a little store the other day to get me some dessert after lunch. The first thing that caught my eye was Chocopie. Well this time, there was something different about them individually packaged ones. It was dark green and the picture looked うまそう！I had chosen Chocopie for men!!! Hmmm what is that like you ask? It's chocopie with coffee cream and bitter caramel. Anyway the dude beside me was like, "You can't buy that. You're not a man. You gotta get the lady's version." So I looked at the pink packaged Chocopie and it said, "Chocopie for Ladies." The first problem I had with it was that it seemed gross: It's Chocopie with rose flavored cream and rose jam. Yuck. The other problem was how I stopped to question myself it it really was OK for me to get the dude version.

I also remember Pocky doing the same shananigan: Pockymon... no, Men's Pocky
or this site gives you instructions on how to make Men's Pocky with EXTRA NUTS.

Sati's

OK, so obviously I'm doing some mega procrastinating. The project is driving me nuts. Anyway back to the subject of Sati's. Sati's Ltd., is a legendary clothing store in the middle of Okinawa Island owned by Paul and Neeta Daswani. Freaking aaawwweeesssooommmeee!

Need two-toned shoes like these?

Need bowler hats like these?

Need zoot suits like these?

Then just head over to Sati's!

Can't fly to Okinawa? No problem! Call or e-mail them! They ship all over the world. And yes, they make ladies' suits, too! They visit Tokyo and Osaka a few times a year--that's where I saw them recently---so it's possible to meet them in those cities, too. They take clients' measurements and ship the suits to them later.
Sati's is closed for renovation between October 27th and November 11th.
Sati's address: 1-Chome 3-50, Uechi Okinawa City
Okinawa, Japan 904-0031
Tel: 098-933-2853
Fax: 098-933-9266
satis@sunny-net.ne.jp

Pictures and information taken from here.