Cool Stuff to Buy
Shopping - Outdoor Stuff
Cute Diode-character Folding Umbrella
diode umbrella
diode umbrella

This high-quality folding umbrella exudes high-tech electronic wizardry with its "transistorized" design.

It appears to be a simple black brolly decorated with colorful diodes and amps, but a closer look reveals that all the electronic components are cute, friendly characters.

Even the handle has a smiley face. Japanese customers love this item so much that some of them prefer not to take it out in the rain. (If you do take it out for a spin, it folds and fits easily into a bag or briefcase when not in use.)

From Japanese design group Kuralab. [US$ 29]

Kabuki-themed Face Packs
Kabuki-themed Face Packs
Trends - Popcult and Kawaii
Theatrical Skincare with Kabuki Face Packs
kabuki face packs

Japanese company Isshindo Honpo is infusing some of that Intangible Japanese Cultural Heritage glamour into your regular skincare regimen with this dramatic new product line - moisturizing face packs decorated with traditional Kabuki makeup patterns.

Choose from the heroic red-and-white pattern worn by Kamakura Gongoro Kagemasa in the play Shibaraku, or the ghostly blue-and-white pattern of Taira no Tomomori from Funa Benkei. The masks have garnered a seal of approval from veteran Kabuki actor Ichikawa Somegoro.

Other whimsical face packs are available with designs of pandas, tigers, and even Frankenstein's monster.


kabuki face pack
panda face pack
Images: Isshindo Corporation.