A trip to Tokyo is always 3 days too short. I was going to Frankfurt and immediately Tokyo from end Jan 09 to early Feb, the trip was so compressed I could hardly breath. Next time I should just take some extra day-offs for myself and meet some friends. Despite economic downturn (-12.7% in Japan!), I still found a lot of great stuffs in Tokyo, perhaps we are only looking at a slow start of a collapse. Interestingly, some company like UNI (Mitsubishi) has an interesting tag line in their internal communication, "We will not participate in recession". How brave and confident, according to source, they did not cut back any R&D expenses because that's the most important investment to them.
The loveliest thing I got this time is DULTON's tin can truck! I simply love the color and shape a lot and I'm using it to store my craft stuffs. Next Pilot's Frixion Ball in new colors! This time metallic shiny barrel with a new semi-transparent rubber, same amazing heat sensitive ink which can be "erased" with friction. If you don't realize the benefit of it, think of being able to use erasable ink on your tiny diary. UNI on the other hand will launch its secret weapon to answer Pilot's Coleto series. You simply select your favorite 0.38mm or 0.5mm ink refill and put into barrel of your choice (metallic pink/blue/silver/black), you can even put in a mechanical pencil! Name of this new pen is called "Style Fit". The rest: Elvis looking Mr. Bruzh, a keyboard brush, just "take off my wig, insert finger and brush". Mark's tiny keychain whistle. Various clips in great colors.
Designphil (or Midori) launches a new Traveler's Notebook in passport size, available in March. The idea according to Iijima san from Midori is that you use the passport size leather notebook to capture stuffs and then transfer to your more permanent full size Traveler's Notebook, so every notebook refill of the passport size has removable sheets. It is ultra portable not only good for your passport as a jacket, you can roll it up, throw it into your backpack, torture it and it still has that beautiful raw look. Same as the full size Traveler's Notebook, you can add a plastic zip pocket to store receipts and name cards.
Three types of notebook refills: ruled, blank, square. Instead of the all too familiar "in case of loss, please return to..." page, an immigration form looking page is printed on the last page of these notebooks. I tried to use it in my Tokyo trip and it feels great, care free, easy and reliable.
I also visited Midori's office and there is an entire showroom out of 4 dedicated to Traveler's Notebook. They are planning an exhibition in Spiral Market in March/April, which I'll try to participate by sending them my version of usage. Did I mention I was #6 on their Professional Users list? In addition, there's something new for the full size notebook too, a free monthly schedule and a free weekly schedule.
Oh this tiny little Biscuit album is so cute, you really want to have a bite and it smells good too. I started to put some of the tiny photos of my index prints onto the first few pages and it will soon sit inside the treasure box for my son.
Can you believe it? MT Masking Tape was giving out free tapes during the Tokyo Gift Show! I was too shy and got one only. They are launching so many new colors and patterns, you guys in the western world will drool all over their web site.
And Russian dolls already invaded Japan for a while, this year I saw this mini Valentine card and I just love the chocolate colors and the tiny envelope. Sorry darling, I bought a card but I don't intend to use it.
Finally, long hauling dozens of magazines was not easy, but it was worth it. I stopped by a book store on my last day of stay in Tokyo and grabbed stationery and photography magazines like crazy. Just give me 3 more days there please.
