Category Archives: japan

Jumpei Mitsui’s monumental LEGO Battleship Yamato

Posted on April 10, 2009 by Joel Johnson

The Bros. Brick brings word that Jumpei Mitsui’s six-year project, the minifig-scale Battleship Yamato, is finally complete. Length: 6.6 meters (22 feet) from bow to stern Width: 1 meter (3 feet) at the widest point midship Scale: 1/40 Time to … Continue reading →

Data Dump: Japanese toilet outputs statistics via RSS

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Joel Johnson

Japanese toilet manufacturer Inax has begun soft launching a toilet in shopping centers that will analyze stool for bacteria counts, blood, fat content, and more, then beam the results to the web with a unique URL for later viewing. If … Continue reading →

Honda builts brain-to-robot interface for Asimo

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Joel Johnson

TOKYO, Japan, March 31, 2009 – Honda Research Institute Japan Co., Ltd. (HRI-JP), a subsidiary of Honda R&D Co., Ltd., Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) and Shimadzu Corporation have collaboratively developed the world’s first*1 Brain Machine Interface (BMI) technology … Continue reading →

I wish this tiny trackball was available in North America

Posted on March 27, 2009 by Joel Johnson

This little cutie from Donya.jp weds three buttons to a trackball, attached to a retracting USB cable. It screams reclined leisure, although I have no idea how to get it outside of Japan. [via Coolest Gadgets]

Tab-Dock: Zippo meets Pez

Posted on March 27, 2009 by Joel Johnson

Jeshii points out Tab-Dock, the Japan-only “mint dispenser that replaces the lighter assembly in a Zippo. Seems silly and not something that is going to win you friends, but might be a funny way to be a total dick to … Continue reading →

This is a video of a girl in a NES controller bikini

Posted on March 19, 2009 by Joel Johnson

Francesco writes: Amano Ai is a super geek Japanese idol well know in the otaku underground as a photographer (under the name JULIE she published the photobook SAMURAI GIRLS and made some photoshootings with DANNY CHOO). Recently she made an … Continue reading →

Elecom Scope Node, a mouse fit for Solid Snake

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Joel Johnson

By moving the laser sensor between the thumb and forefinger, Japanese manufacturer Elecom can claim its new “Scope Node” mouse has the precision of a pen. I couldn’t care less—I just think it looks really badass, designed with the clinical … Continue reading →

Eye Vibrato melts eye strain away, probably not literally

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Joel Johnson

The “Eye Vibrato” not only gently churns your vitreous humor into a milky but relaxing froth, it also blows light air pressure on the surface of the eye to create a thin candy shell. Serve at body temperature—or on those … Continue reading →

Traditional Japanese fish scaler

Posted on March 10, 2009 by Joel Johnson

This traditional Japanese fish scaler has a brass working end that won’t corrode and won’t add any flavor to the fish. Japan Woodworker sells them for $8 a pop, but $10 shipping will make that considerably more, so head down … Continue reading →

Epson R-D1xG rangefinder camera isn’t for plebes, but is pleasantly knobby

Posted on March 2, 2009 by Joel Johnson

Before you lose it, I know: this Epson R-D1xG digital rangefinder camera costs three grand. So I’m not saying you should buy it. Nor am I saying that it’s going to be worth the money, especially with a relatively ancient … Continue reading →