I [heart] Izakayas

I'm rushing this update out a bit today, since the J-List crew is going out to an izakaya restaurant for the official "sayonara party" of one of our employees, and a "welcome party" for a new one. For two and a half years our employee Ai has worked to bring interesting bento boxes and traditional Japanese products to the J-List site. Now she's leaving to start a family with her husband, so we're throwing her a thank-you party complete with a bouquet of flowers we'll be presenting to her, which is something the Japanese like to do at formal events like this. I like getting together with the other J-List staff over beers and sashimi, although we don't get to do it that often in part due to the popularity of J-List -- processing 400+ orders a day kind of eats up our free time. In place of Ai-san we've got the capable new Mai, who will be bringing lots of fun new bento and traditional products in the future!

Drinking at an izakaya, then karaoke.

Some Examples of "Vagueness" in Japan

One famous aspect of the Japanese language is its vagueness and subtlety of meaning. For example, passive speech is used much more in Japanese than in English, e.g. "it has been decided" rather than "my boss Mr. Yamada decided it," and important information is often communicated through the choice of verb used. Information is often left off of sentences entirely when the meaning is understood by both parties, which can be a challenge for gaijin who wonder why they haven't heard a sentence subject mentioned in the past five minutes. The other day I received a question through J-List's Facebook page from a customer asking when the Poddities phone strap adapters for the iPhone 5 would come in. I asked J-List's Tenga-and-iPhone-gadget guru Tomo about this, but instead of specifically naming the product, I used the word are (ah-rey), which literally means "what one over there, away from both of us" but which also acts as a generic stand-in for any noun. He figured out what I meant and told me they'd be coming in this week, and we talked a bit about how cool they were, meticulously engineered adapters that allow you to securely attach Japanese phone straps or carabiner clips to an iPhone 5. Then he said, "Wait, just to make sure I'm not misunderstanding, you were asking about the Poddities adapters for iPhone, right?" Since neither of us had specifically stated the product's name we hadn't been 100% sure we were on the same page.

Speaking of vague relationships... (Takasaki-sensei and Izumi-sensei)

Winter Foods in Japan

One topic I cover a lot is how Japan is a very "seasonal" place, with distinct customs and foods for each time of year. With winter coming, I'm ready to enjoy some great Japanese winter dishes, preferably with my legs inside the kotatsu to keep me warm. One popular category of dishes is called nabemono, literally "food cooked in a large central pot" that the whole family can eat out of, and some popular versions include ishikari nabe (a miso-based soup with salmon added) and chanko nabe (meat, fish and vegetables cooked together, so hearty that this is what sumo wrestlers eat to bulk up). I'm a big fan of the Japanese dish known as oden (pronounced oh-DEN, not like the Norse god), a hodge-podge of slowly-stewed daikon radishes, boiled eggs, tofu, chikuwa and octopus tentacles, this being Japan and all. (My mother-in-law makes the best oden in the world, and I married my wife in part because of that, figuring that the daughter of such a woman would be a worthwhile choice later on down the road.) But my favoritest winter food ever would have to be sukiyaki, the classic stew consisting of thinly sliced meat, tofu and vegetables cooked in a shallow pot. If you're interested in making some of these delicious dishes, we've got some nice new English-language Japanese cookbooks posted for you.

Sukiyaki (above) and oden (below) are great in winter.

1.8 Million Pocky Tweets!

Congratulations to the Ezaki Glico company! November 11 has been designated as "Pocky and Pretz Day" because 11/11 looks like four Pocky or Pretz sticks lined up waiting to be eaten, and last Sunday the company enjoyed a record 1.8 million tweets about its brand here in Japan. This is a world record, and has earned Pocky a place in the Guinness Book. Let's celebrate by eating more Pocky and Pretz!

Cool Products Friday, November 16, 2012

For the new update, we've got some excellent products from Japan for you. You can view all new J-List products by clicking this link.

Today's New & Restocked Items

E2 vol. 36 ~ Etsu Another new amazing issue of E2, the illustration/manga magazine packed with illustration from Tony Taka, Kantoku and more. E2 is a great magazine for all who love top quality "2D" culture from Japan, filled with beautiful visuals from all your favorite artists, as well as from new ones you will want to follow. Everyone should pick this issue up now before the power of Tony causes it to sell out. view this product »

	Otomedia Dec 2012 Catch up with the hottest characters in anime today in a new issue of Otomedia! Tons of cool art and exclusive info for otaku girls everywhere.		Little Devil Ageha ~ Koakuma Ageha Dec 2012 Keep up with the best and hottest fashion trends in Japan with Koakuma Ageha Magazine, the leader in Shibuya fashion. New issue in stock.
	J-List Best Seller Snack Fukubukuro Our "Fuku-bukuro" grab bags are selling like crazy. Today we've got a new treat: you can get our popular Best-seller Snack Set as a grab bag now!		Authentic Japanese KOTATSU See fresh stock of our popular kotatsu heater tables, which let you warm yourself efficiently in winter, just like the Japanese do.
	Poddities iPhone 5 Strap Adapter Make your iPhone 5 even better with an phone strap adapter from Poddities. The adapter screws into your phone w/the included tools, and can be removed easily.		New 'Pokedex' Pokemon App for iOS Nintendo's first app for iOS is out, and it's an encyclopedia of every Pokemon ever. It works on iPhone or iPad, but you need an iTunes Japan account through us.
	A Photobook of Cats with Stuff Placed On Them You would be surprised at how cute these cats are, posing for the camera with vegetables on their heads. We love Japanese cats!		New All-Ages Manga Grab some fantastic manga, like the new Re-imagined Macross series + Axis Powers Hetalia and Helvetica Standard/Nichijou!
	Big Negi Pillow The negi (leek or spring onion) has become the symbol of Hatsune Miku, and we've got an awesome giant negi pillow for you to decorate your room with.		Miku Hatsune 1/8 Figure Racing Miku In Stock An amazing Hatsune Miku figure that has a body of a race queen. Big thanks for Goodsmile for coming up with this marvelous design.
	Other Popular Anime Figures Posted In addition to the awesome Yotsuba figures, we posted Rorona from Atelier Meruru, an epic Evangelion Revoltech and more.		Black Rock Shooter Can Pen Case The perfect place to hold your valuable study materials, like pens, pencils, erasers, and Pocky (always important to have with you at school).
	Our Famous Horse Head Masks Restocked We restocked our trademark Horse Head Mask today, but we were able to get 25 more, so they'll likely sell out before Christmas. Do you want one?		Restocked Japanese Study Products See restocked Japanese study products today, from ways to learn hiragana using easy to remember pictures to JLPT study books.
	Hello Kitty Salopette Pattern Tote Bags A super kawaii Hello Kitty tote bag made for carrying the accessories of your daily life. Carry bento, school stuff or anything.		Other Hello Kitty Items See some of our most popular Hello Kitty book bags approved for use in Japanese schools, plus our Hello Kitty Pencil Pouch and Cosmetics Case.
	Restocked Gothic Punk Fashions, Shimapan We've restocked some fun fashion items, including the Gothic Punk Monotone Dress and Pom Pom Leg Warmers, plus our world-famous shimapan!		Japanese Hachimaki Headbands Show your determination with our cool Japanese hachimaki kanji headbands. We've restocked a bunch of them today. Fight-o!
	Rilakkuma, Sushi Vibrating Massagers? These miniature vibrating keychains are the perfect way to grab a quick massage with Rilakkuma. Sushi vibrators restocked too.		Gorgeous Evangelion Stainless Steel Cups These high quality, stainless steel mugs are designed by the popular outdoor sports company LOGOS, so they'll last nearly all your lifetime.
	Japanese Home Cooking ~ Eigo de Kantan Washoku A very nice bilingual recipe book featuring over 60 Japanese recipes, that will delight your guests + help you learn Japanese, too.		Heart Patterned Roll Cake Maker Make your own kawaii heart roll cake in the microwave with this complete kit of tools for your kitchen. Restocked today!

Nestle Japan Limited Kit Kat Collection 30 Sticks Everyone knows Nestle Kit Kat from Japan is the best in the world, and we've got a super new treat for you today: the largest most deluxe Japanese Kit Kat boxed set ever seen! You get a giant box with a map of Japan that folds out, and 30 unique Japanese Kit Kat flavors you need to try, from Kyoto Green Tea to Kyushu Strawberry and Tokyo Black Sugar. view this product »

	Awesome New Snacks from Japan We've got amazing Lotte Rich Winter Toppo in Whipped Milk Custard flavor, wow. Also enjoy new Morinaga Choco Ball!		Even More Japanese Snacks Restocked See Kyoto Green Tea Kit Kat, Morinaga Grape Ramune, Black Black Caffeine Tablets, amazing "Pretz" in Wasabi and Okonomiyaki flavor and more!
	Hello Kitty Bento Boxes Restocked Plus we have many delightfully cute bento boxes available for making fun lunches for your friends and family.		Other Anime Bento Boxes Restocked See restocked bento boxes today, including Pokemon, Totoro, Tony Chopper from One Piece and more. So cute to eat out of!
	MECHANIZED Stylish Bento Box This modern bento box holds a hefty 850ml of food for you, making it great for anyone. Built in chopsticks, and it even comes with its own insulating bag!		TOTORO Trio Set of Utensils ~ Vegetable Garden Show your love for the Ghibli character, Totoro, with this absolutely superb eating utensil set, with spoon, fork and chopsticks.
	Lucky Cat Gold and White Display Set Bring love, luck and happiness into your life with this very special two cat Maneki Neko statue set. They will bring good luck into your home or business!		Restocked Yukata, Kimono and More See restocked kimonos for ladies and our stylish Men's Purple Wave Yukata too, plus traditional court handkerchiefs and kanji shirts!
	Hacker (Chelsea) 1/7 Figure *Preorder* This wonderful figure is sure to delight gothic lolita fans everywhere. Secure it for your collection today!		THE IDOLM@STER Beach Queens *Preorder* Break out the beach for all these amazing figures from the Beach Queens series, with Azusa and Makoto ready for your preorder.
	Ichika Takatsuki 1/8 Figure *Preorder* We love cute aliens with glasses, which is why we're bringing you this fabulous figure of Ichika from AnoHana.		Nadia 1/10 Figure Treasure Collection *Preorder* Get your nostalgia on with this beautiful figure of Nadia from The Legend of Blue Water. Don't forget to try in mind!

New and Restocked NSFW / 18+ products

	Love! New Half vol. 13 A wonderful photo magazine for the new-half and joso lover, with tons of digest live action shots of cute joso and "new half."		White Peach Story ~ Azusa Nagasawa Super hot I-Cup breasts AV actress Azusa Nagasawa releases her first ecchi photobook, which her fans will love. See restocked items, too.
	Shitoyaka na Retsujo - A Modest Lust 2 new hots manga in stocks whether you like hot girls in uniform or full color stories, coming with a like hentai anime DVD!		New Ero Doujinshi Posted Touhou's Mamizou goes to town on her favorite pretty boys in this 16-page doujin feast. You will never look at Touhou the same way again.
	Restocked 'H' Manga Volumes Today's restocked manga include Otome Saku, Fantasy H and Japanese Girls, Older Girl's Oppai for a Tired You and Marshmallow Oppai. Enjoy!		Today's Recommended 'Harem' Eroge Nukige are fun eroge visual novels that discard some of the heavier story elements and focus on the "H" part. Harem Party is a great game!
	Sangokuhime 2 Lead cute girls into battle in this moe retelling of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Features strategy gameplay and multiple routes.		Awesome Restocked Import Eroge Too We have Fate/stay night and Fate/hollow ataraxia, Tenioha! ~ Girls are "H" Too, Sakura Sakimashita First Edition plus the awesome Fault! by Tony Taka.
	Gucho Nure Monster ~ Midara Our customers love "monster girl" themed stress toys, and there's a new Gucho Nure Monster onahole posted today, for the Lovecraft fan inside you.		Parody Onahole Toys incl. Hatsune Miku! Enjoy awesome Hatsune Miku toys restocked, which let you show your love of the famous Vocaloid singer like no one else. Miku and Luka versions!
	Other Amazing Onahole Toys Restocked See our most popular K-On! themed onahole toy, plus the official lotion of Azunyan and more amazing products for otakus.		Groomin - Stealth Onahole for men We've restocked our popular Groomin stylish male stress toys, similar to the Tenga Egg series but they resemble hair wax. So cool!
	Futanari Lesbian Sisters 3D Deluxe From Next 11 comes this amazing 3D Blu-Ray for the Futanari lovers. 2 titles featuring 4 lovely futa girls, making love to each other.		Manish Golden Best **2 Discs & 8 Hours** From Prestige comes this super hot 8 hours/2 DVDs best of featuring only stylish and experienced women, who aren't the least bit "mannish."
	JULIA Premium Best 7 Hours *7 Hours* If you've missed JULIA's comeback, one of the most gorgeous body in the industry, you can still keep up thanks to TMA new best-of!		Panty Neglect Game!! From Apache comes this wacky production featuring hot amateur girls invited to play an ecchi game with no pantsu.

Finally, Restocked DVD & Blu-ray Discs Enjoy a health serving of excellent DVD & Blu-ray discs, including Futanari 8 Hours, Serina Tachibana's Super Bishoujo Girl, Flat Tits Paipan Sister Nakadashi and Flat Tits Twin Tail 8 Hours (wow), Yuma Asami Only Horse-Riding, Complete Works of Alice Miyuki 8 Hours, Nana Ogura 8 Hours, Female Director Haruna's Lesbian Nampa, plus Tight Fit Costumes 4 Hours and more. view this product »