Meiji Curl Stick — Smorky Cheese
Meiji’s superdelicious puffed corn snack Curl is a standard favorite of everyone here at J-List, and snack that you can see people eating all around Japan….This delicious flavor is the outrageously good Smoked Cheese version!
As you can read towards the end of the text that smorky is actually smoky, but this begs the issue of why there are so many “No Smorking” signs in Japan even though Japanese write it in Katakana “No Smokingu” without any “r” .
The rest-of-the-story is that “No Smorking” is an extremely common typo on Japanese signage as you can see in this Google Image Search.
The linguist Ben Finney explains the cause of smorking in the archives of sci.lang.japan as: over-generalisation… A Japanese will learn that “long
a” at the end of a Katakana word is probably “er” in English; and a
“long o” in the middle of a word is probably “or”; and a few dozen
other “rules” based on an over-generalized idea of consistency in
English orthography.
Saaaa, gee after 20 years here in Japan, I still learn something new everyday. :-)
Above screen-shots are from “Maid in Japan“—a simulation game for English study—where you can try to pick-up a virtual maid, named Sophia who comes from Vancouver.
According to a crappy but entertaining machine-translation the official website of Maid in Japan(メイドさんと英語クイズ ):
The game is an excellent—A.I.—artificial intelligence, which reacts to the words that the user inputs as they play with Sophia the Maid via a variety of English quizzes. The animation of Sophia the Maid reacts to the user input depending on how good an impression the user makes on Sophia. That “good” impression increases with the number of correct English responses the user makes…which results in a method of enjoyable English study.
Unlike this so-called “English study” game, our sponsor JList sells all sorts of wacked dating simulation games, the most famous is, Peach Princess’s “Little My Maid”. All these dating sims have been translated from the Japanese into English by JList/JAST. The objective of dating sims is to choose from among several characters to date and to score a “romantic” relationship.
Check it out if you want to cop a feel of Japanese maid simulation adventure. Also, watch a demo video the newest maid game, Bazooka Cafe.
Ok, I’m warning you that this “Japanese Fear Factor 2” is not safe work or your ears. Turn your computer’s volume way down. Then the enjoy the slapstick of a screaming Japanese girl as she is covered in cockroaches and then creepy-crawlies poured into her nether regions. This video almost could be salacious but its too damn funny.
In case you need more crazy k1nkiness with Japanese lovelies, check out our sponsor JList’s BOnd/\ge Fairies ~ Zannin Shimai, which is a true classic of manga in Japan. First published in 1990, Kondom’s story about two beautiful fairies who face some of the h0 rniest creatures in the forest, while trying to save themselves and the forest at the expense of having to use their bodies occasionally to do it. Now is your chance to own the complete B-Fairies in its original Japanese form in this single volume from World Comics Max. All the stories are republished here with no censorship whatsoever, with new afterword by Kondom to explain the enduring success of his creation. Join the naive Pfil and the mature Pamila as they tangle with some of the most realistic looking insects seen in Japanese comics for insect sex and much more. A thick volume — this is 340 pages, with four pages of full color work. A great way to experience a milestone in Japanese comics. Order now from JList.com!
Here’s a great new game from the 3Yen’s sponsor JLIST.com.
Leave to a Japanese game company to work in a terrible many-tentacled enemy into an interactive bishoujo/babe video game.
What is funnier is this game has been translated into English for the Wapanese wanker market. I guess this is the closest many gamers living in their mom’s basement because will get to sexy Japanese girls or combat.
This game, Pretty Soldier Wars A.D. 2048, lets the player lead a troop of female “Biosoldiers”in a Final Fantasy Tactics-style game play while also playing dating-sim stories between the battles. Pretty Soldier Wars A.D. 2048 is a battle simulation adventure game for adults that puts you in the command seat of humankind’s last effort to preserve its existence on post-apocalyptic Earth. Combining intense turn-based tactical unit combat with interludes of mission planning and social interaction (dating) with your squad members, Pretty Soldier Wars presents a unique gaming experience you won’t want to miss.
Japan to pursue new Internet technology The Japan Times, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007—BRASILIA: Communications minister Yoshihide Suga said Japan will start researching and developing technology for a new generation of network to replace the Internet. The government would like to get the technology into commercial use by 2020, Suga said Friday in Brazil. He said an organization will be established as early as this fall…more...
Japan Inc. failed at this looooong ago in the 80s and early 90s with their “CAPTAIN System” (Character and Pattern Telephone Access Information System) at the same time the Internet was catching on in the real world. The CAPTAIN system is a VIDEOTEX system using existing telephone lines are used for transmission and home TV sets are used for the display units. This “walled garden”—closed set of information services for creating a monopoly—was 100% government controlled, expensive, and unneeded since the Internet was already making its mark.
The only reason why Japan has cheap and high-speed broadband now is that NTT made it defacto impossible to get affordable Internet until the 1996 and Korea’s advances shamed Japan into opening up. The whole purpose of an open Internet: freedom, anonymity, equality of ideal, independence, and creativity goes against Japanese love of elites and top down control. The new Japanese “Internet” will be just like it keitai web for cellphones: expensive, closed, corporate controlled, DRM locked down, and statist approach with two or three times the monthly service charge. Bah.
The Hello Kitty Vibrator is the stuff of legend in Japan…except it’s very real.
As the Wiki Uncyclopedia.org/explains: The Hello Kitty Vibrator [ハローキティ バイブレータ" Haroo Kiti Baibureeta) also known as Happy-makes my daughter-spin-toys in Japan are often used by Japanese schoolgirls during the long periods of time (up to 10 minutes) when they are not engaged in sexual activity with tentacle monsters or each other. [hee, hee]
It has almost five years have passed since we last saw mythical Hello Kitty Vibrator, a vibrating pink toy great for massaging away the day’s stress. Now our sponsor, J-List is happy to announce the glorious return of the official Hello Kitty Massager in its crazy new form and in six colors. This new Sanrio product features Japan’s most famous feline cross-dressed as a horse “kigurumi” (full head and body costume), with a cute oversized head, a petite body and 7 small rounded studs…
Need I say more? You just gotta get it NOW!
International Cosplay Summit –Anime fans mass in Japan for cosplay fest– Reuters, Wed Aug 1, 2007, TOKYO – Women in breastplates, men with swords, and blond vampires paced the staid halls of Japan’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday….gathering for an international Cosplay Summit, part of Tokyo’s efforts to raise its world profile and promote a “Cool Japan”…
Oh noooo! This weekend is the World Cosplay Summit and I haven’t a thing to wear.
Wait, wait. I don’t need anything. I can wear a fundoshi [ふんどし], a traditional Japanese loincloth from JLIST, our sponsor. :-)
Now there’s a very traditional cosplay costume that’s sure to get attention.
The fundoshi/loincloth, has a special place in Japan’s history and traditions, and even today is still used worn during festivals. I heard that’s it’s considered sexy when worn by women, hee, hee.
To put onfundoshi, drape the cloth part behind your back, so that it falls between your legs, and pull the straps around you and tie in the front. Pull the cloth between your legs from behind to the front and pull over the tie and let it all hang out.
Kimura, the company that makes wasabi soda, is best known for its legendary “Ramune“, that drink that comes with a glass ball stuck inside the bottle forcing you to drink it a special way. It’s been a part of Japan’s history for over a hundred years, appearing in the 19th century—the name is a mis-pronunciation of “lemonade”— and achieving worldwide fame with the rise of anime and manga fandom. This year Ramune was chosen for the World Gold Medal–‘Monde Selection Grand Gold Metal 2007′.
SHAMELESS PRODUCT PLUG: As shown above, you can sport this famous image of Japan on a cool katakana T-shirt, made just for you by our sponsor J-List. The shirt features a colorful bottle of Japan’s most famous soft drink with the name RAMUNE printed in Japanese. Buy the look of Japanese summer, available in sizes S, M, L, and XL.
Last week it was ‘Gips’ love—medical cosplay with bondage overtones.
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The new trendy term today is Kegadol from Kega (怪我)–injury and Idol (アイドルaidoru)–a heavily promoted and merchandised female entertainer.
The ‘Kegadol’ trend stems largely from the character Rei Ayanami in Neon Genesis Evangelion, who is injured several times during the series and she then appears with a bandaged eye and other body parts. Eye-patches have become a staple in anime culture as well, with eyepatch wearing characters appearing in such anime as Neon Genesis Evangelion, Battle Vixens, Lone Wolf and Cub, Fullmetal Alchemist, Bleach, D.Gray Man and others, where an eyepatch adds something “mysterious” and distinctive to the character. An eyepatch has even showed up in Tarantino’s film Kill Bill.
Almost everyone in Japan has had an eye infection or disease at some point and for that reason eyepatches are a common sight. Our sponsor, JLIST, offers this real Japanese eyepatch that’s easy on the eyes, fully adjustable and comes with two pads. The Eye Patch — String Type is a great way to enjoy cosplay. Just adjust and fit the straps around your ears, with breathing holes to let air get through and gauze to stop dust and airborne particles from getting inside.
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My friend “Mulboyne” writes:
Wani Books has just released a new book of “Kegadol” – idols sporting bandaged arms and eyes. This appears to be a cross between the meganekko (girls with glasses) and mask fetish shots that are already widely available. Bandages are a popular part of some goth loli outfits… Wani Books say their collection puts a “moe” spin on this trend.
Hello, Kitschy —How Internet jokes helped a Japanese ad mascot make it to American malls— New York Times, July 22, 2007….the cable channel Nicktoons Network will begin showing a series of two-minute stop-motion animation shorts featuring a brown, squarish creature with arms and legs and a mouth permanently thrown wide open to reveal sharp white teeth…whose name is Domo-kun…more...
Domo-kun is the biggest seller of the 3Yen’s sponsor, JList.com. Domo-kun is the official mascot of Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK, and their brilliantly named “BS” networks (broadcast satellite), hee, hee.
You can buy Domo-kun, the lovable monster who bows to you and says “Domo” (which means “thank you”). You really need this great item from Japan, a small stuffed plush of Domo-kun that is 8 inches tall and 10 inches wide (the span of his arms). Great for all lovers of terminally cute culture from Japan! Buy it now!
The terminally hip can watch all 10 Episodes of Domo-kun now on YouTube.
The linguist Ben Finney explains the cause of smorking in the archives of sci.lang.japan as: over-generalisation… A Japanese will learn that “long
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Japan to pursue new Internet technology
The Eye Patch — String Type
Domo-kun 
Buy it now! 
