Pop Culture & Fun

: Japanese Miniature Culture: GASHAPON

GASHAPON

Hello! Today, I will introduce you to a toy that's hugely popular in Japan, contained within a capsule. While these toys are formally known as "capsule toys", they are more commonly referred to by the registered trademark of the comprehensive toy manufacturer, Bandai, known as "GASHAPON" (or "GACHAPON"). Additionally, Takara Tomy, another toy manufacturer, also sells capsule toys under the name "GACHA." GASHAPON GACHA What is GASHAPON? GASHAPON machines are box-shaped devices filled with small capsules containing miniature models or figures. By inserting a coin and turning the handle, a randomly selected capsule from the machine is dispensed. With a ...

Pop Culture & Fun Society & Trends

: The Invention of Othello by the Japanese

game, Othello

Othello is a board game where players alternately place black and white stones, capturing the opponent's stones by sandwiching them between their own. While it's a game loved worldwide, it's actually an invention from Japan. The Creation of Othello Othello was invented by a Japanese man named Mr. Goro Hasegawa. Mr. Goro Hasegawa came up with this game in 1945, during his junior high school years, shortly after the end of World War II. At that time, Japan had few forms of entertainment due to the aftermath of the war, and Mr. Goro Hasegawa created this game to play with ...

Pop Culture & Fun

: Japanese Pen Spinning Performance

pen spinning

Hello! Today, I'd like to introduce you to a unique aspect of Japanese culture, "pen spinning." As the name suggests, pen spinning refers to the technique and art of twirling a pen using one's fingers. It's especially popular among students and was often seen during school break times. Origins of Pen Spinning The exact origins of pen spinning—when and where it began—are unclear. However, in Japan, there seems to have been a form known as "pencil spinning" even before World War II. Later, with the introduction of mechanical pencils, which were easier to spin than regular pencils, it seems there ...

Pop Culture & Fun Society & Trends

: The Allure of Japanese Model Railways

Model railway

Japan is renowned as a railway powerhouse. Many people use trains and bullet trains daily for commuting. This railway culture has further evolved in the form of "model railways." Japanese model railways are embraced by numerous enthusiasts due to their detailed accuracy and high quality. History and Development The history of Japanese model railways dates back to the 1930s. Initially, many were handcrafted, but with the onset of the 1950s, industrialization progressed, and many manufacturers entered the market. Particularly from the 1970s to the 1980s, with technological advancements and growing popularity of railways, it can be said that there was ...

Pop Culture & Fun

: Japan's TAKEUMA: Origins and Its Benefits

TAKEUMA, toy

Hello! In this article, we will delve deeper into the traditional Japanese game called "TAKEUMA." The Origins of TAKEUMA TAKEUMA is a toy made of bamboo or wood that children can ride and walk on. It has a long history, believed to have been used in Japan around the 10th century AD. From that time, there are records and illustrations showing children enjoying this game. Nowadays, instead of bamboo or wood, stilt toys made of aluminum, plastic, and rubber are sold. The Benefits of TAKEUMA TAKEUMA offers the following remarkable benefits: Mastering Balance: Riding on TAKEUMA helps cultivate the ability ...

Pop Culture & Fun Society & Trends

: The Fascinating World of Kendama: Japan's Traditional Skill Toy

sports, toy

Have you ever heard of Kendama? This traditional Japanese toy has been captivating people for centuries and has recently gained international popularity. Let's dive into the world of Kendama and discover its charm! What is Kendama? Kendama is a traditional Japanese skill toy that consists of a wooden handle (ken) and a ball (tama) connected by a string. The ken has three cups and a spike, and the objective is to catch the ball on one of the cups or the spike. History of Kendama The origins of Kendama can be traced back to the 17th century. It is believed ...

Pop Culture & Fun Society & Trends

: History of SUDOKU

game, puzzle

SUDOKU was born in Japan and became a global sensation. Its popularity surged around 2005. Launching of the Puzzle Magazine "Nikoli"The prototype of SUDOKU, "Number place," was conceived in Switzerland in the 18th century and was popular in America. A Japanese man, Mr. Kaji, was fascinated by puzzles from the late 1970s. In 1980, he launched the puzzle magazine "Nikoli" and introduced "Number place", which was popular in America, to the Japanese audience with the name SUDOKU. Meaning of SUDOKUThe "SU" in SUDOKU represents the Japanese word for numbers. The "DOKU" in SUDOKU comes from the Japanese word DOKUSHIN, meaning ...

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