Cell phone charms are now common around the world, but three years ago they were already wildly popular in Japan and almost unseen in the U.S. Those in the mobile industry would comment on the personalization of the devices in Japan, and speculate as to why one culture might take up on decorating so much more than another. I think most pundits attributed keitai charms to the love of kawa’i (cute), although it still didn’t quite explain why men were nearly as likely to have decorations hanging from their keitai as women were.

So I was surprised to learn that there is a long history of netsuke — carved ivory charms or accessories, some exceedingly valuable — hung on the hilt of samurai swords. It certainly helps to bridge the gap for me, in terms of understanding acceptance, perception, and mentality regarding phone charms.

(Thanks, Dad, for the tip!) 

[via Funny Town]

Savoring interpretations of the basic outdoor bench in Tokyo’s Ebisu neighborhood:

Here’s a short video clip showing a child-friendly train car in Tokyo. It’s too good to be true, especially in a country where pressure to keep public areas quiet — including train cars — is tremendous.

For me, the most striking things about Tokyo were its silence and its cleanliness. It is all the more noticeable when you come from Israel, where, sadly, love of the land is not always demonstrated by litter control.

In Tokyo, a city of over 12,000,000 residents (not counting workers who come in daily), I saw one — ONE — piece of litter in the street during a 10-day visit. And that was an empty beer can blowing down the street in a typhoon. It’s refreshing and remarkable, although I’m sure there’s a price to pay, as there is in any very clean environment.

[Amusing: en route to a meeting, we collected a granola bar wrapper which we had to carry for 15 minutes through Tokyo Station before finding a trash bin. So very, very clean, and yet so few places to dispose of litter!]

More great pictures of the children’s train at Deputy Dog.

A very colorful character on Japanese TV, on a children’s program for toddlers. The show was actually very impressive in terms of being appealing and age-appropriate (for 1-3 year olds). But I found it amusing that a potty-head character was considered to be a good addition to the cast!

Seen in a Tokyo supermarket:

Yummy for little tummies! Flatfish with vegetable puree!

Also on the shelf: bottles of sardines and chopped liver for babies. It’s a far cry from American carrots and sweet potatoes, although possibly a better start to healthier life-long dietary habits. (No, I didn’t buy any for my own little one.)

Reuters is reporting on a British fad for pet costumes.

I’ve noticed that the Japanese go for this in a big way. This October in Shinagawa, I passed a storefront selling doggy and kitty costumes. A whole store. I wanted to think that it was just the influence of the imminence of Halloween celebration, but further evidence suggested otherwise.

Lots of pups wear sweaters and jackets in Tokyo. I make allowances for the fact that they are for the most part small, scrawny, and short-haired.

Seeing dogs taken for walks in doggy strollers stopped me in my tracks (the first time). Aside from the expense (and how ridiculous their owners look), doesn’t a doggy stroller defeat the purpose of taking the dog for a walk?

Seen in the Yebisu Garden Place mall: a cat in a sweater and rhumba pants (panties with ruffles on the rear). Wearing a Minnie Mouse ears headband. Strapped onto a tricycle, which was pulled on a leash by her proud owner. I could not make this up. I felt embarrassed for the cat.

Felines have dignity. Even dogs do.