Cute and Cool! 4 Japanese Summertime Products With Our Favorite Characters!
- Written by: Ran Tanaka
Pokemon, Studio Ghibli, Moomin, Miffy - adorable characters beloved across the world have made their way onto traditional Japanese summertime goods. Let’s take a look at 4 of the best!
Perfect for Japanese Summers! Studio Ghibli Folding Fans and Handkerchiefs
The Studio Ghibli specialist store Donguri Republic, which boasts outlets all over Japan and online, is now selling fabulous Japanese-style folding fans (two versions) and gauze handkerchiefs (two versions) featuring designs inspired by some of Ghibli’s biggest hits.
The My Neighbor Totoro Folding Fan: Japanese Flowers and Fireflies (3,278 yen including tax) features a pleasing dark purple base adorned with a sophisticated illustration of the Japanese morning glory flower and dancing fireflies watched by two Totoros.
A small Totoro is also attached to the bottom of the fan for additional cuteness! Also on sale is the Gauze Handkerchief (440 yen including tax), which will complete your Ghibli summer set!
The Spirited Away Folding Fan Hanafuda (3,278 yen including tax) bursts with an eye-catching design based upon the aesthetic of “hanafuda,” a traditional Japanese card game where each month is represented by a flower. It also features illustrations of the iconic Spirited Away characters “No-Face,” the “susuwatari,” and “bonezumi” along with the beautiful peony flowers seen inside the film’s bathhouse.
Attached to the center of the fan is an ornament featuring No-face in the style of the “Bo ni Tsuki” hanafuda card. There is also another Gauze Handkerchief (440 yen including tax) featuring the same design.
Pokémon: An Exquisite Eevee Kimekomi Doll
Established in 1919, Mataro Doll are one of Japan’s leading crafters of traditional Japanese kimekomi dolls. While striving to preserve traditions, such as the ancient “Hina Ningyo” and “Sekku” dolls, the craftspeople at Mataro Doll continue to evolve and challenge themselves in creating new dolls tying into trendy franchises. This time, they are proud to present the “Edo Kimekomi Doll: Eevee” (14,300 yen including tax).
To make Eevee as “kawaii” as possible, the doll features a dotted hail-like pattern on the crepe paper alongside other unique flourishes achieved through painstaking traditional technique and artistry. This expert craftsmanship yields a visually striking and powerful Eevee that is still cute and loveable!
The rounded shape is also super-adorable, making it a hard temptation to pass by for Pokémon fans. In the past, Mataro Doll have also created other Pokémon, such as Pikachu and Miltank, to great success! We can’t wait to see who they’re planning on tackling next!
You can purchase the Edo Kimekomi Doll: Eevee from the official Mataro Doll website or in person at the Mataro Doll Kaikan in Okachimachi, Tokyo. Spice up your home décor with a seamless blend of both time-honored Japanese craftsmanship and contemporary pop culture with Pokémon Kimekomi Dolls!
Snoopy, Hello Kitty, Miffy: Japanese Uchiwa Meet Our Favorite Characters
The uchiwa fan is an iconic symbol of summer, allowing one to quickly cool down during the intense heat of Japan’s warmer months. Made in the town of Marugame in Kagawa, a region famous for uchiwa production, this handy and compact bamboo-made “Hidari Uchiwa” (950 yen, including tax) is adorned with stylish illustrations of beloved characters perfect for all ages.
There are 5 equally stylish designs available, including the “yoshikitty,” collaboration between Yoshiki of X Japan and Hello Kitty, a version of Miffy as a ghost, the beloved Japanese picture book character Nontan, and an Osamu Goods version designed by creator Osamu Harada. You can buy them directly at the Isshindo Main Store, online, or at certain Tokyu Hands and LOFT outlets.
In addition, a selection of 3 Hidari Uchiwa will be sold in advance in sequence across the 36 Japan-wide LOFT stores. Bursting with the refined, delicate patterns and coloring of Japanese design, these special editions will feature Snoopy, Miffy, and Osamu Goods.
Moomin: Delightful Summer Postcards Made With Iyo Washi Paper
Iyo Washi is a traditional Japanese paper crafted in the city of Shikokuchuo in Ehime Prefecture. Boasting over 250 years of history, the paper is made from pristine, high-quality water yielding a soft texture and sturdy hardiness.
Using this remarkable Japanese craft combined with the charming Moomin aesthetic, “Iyo Washi: Moomin of the Seasons Summer Postcards” (165 yen per card) are now available at roughly 2,000 post offices across Japan for a limited time.
There are 6 different designs available, including “Camp” and “Beach,” showcasing the friendship between Snufkin and Moomin along with “Hammock” and “Everybody at the Beach,” displaying the fun-filled summer days with Snork Maiden and the Moomin household.
In Japan, the tradition of sending a summer greeting card is still super popular. As meeting friends and family will be difficult again this summer, sending one of these delightful cards is the perfect way to stay in touch!
*Products are made by Futaba Co., Ltd with a license agreement by Rights and Brands Japan Co., Ltd.
*The products featured in this article are an example. The actual products may differ.
Add a hint of color and cuteness to brighten up your life during these trying times with delightful Japanese summer goods! Boasting characters we all adore, they’ll be sure to make a great present or personal treat to help us relax and stay fresh this summer!
Ran Tanaka is a Japanese writer and travel agency employee. After working as an editor for a major website, she switched to a travel company. She specializes in travel and food-related genres, and she has covered all 47 prefectures in Japan. She regularly travels to report on hidden gems, scenic spots, and the kinds of travel tips that only a travel industry insider can know.
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*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
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