So You Want To Be The Very Best, Like No One Ever Was? [Pt1]

“Welcome to the world of Pokémon!” This is the introductory line that begins so many fantastic adventures in the Pokémon franchise. When I say franchise, and not game series, I mean it. The world of Pokémon is huge, even bigger than you may realize…

Choose wisely

There are so many different forms of Pokémon media to enjoy, and since it’s all within the same world, each one helps you better understand the other. Here are just some examples of how much of a multimedia franchise Pokémon is. It includes…

• Core video game series
• Spin-offs
• Crossovers
• Multiple manga series
• Anime series
• Feature-length movies
• OVAs, and other shorts
• Children’s story books
• Educational and puzzle books
• An insane amount of merchandise

Comparing existing Pokemon areas to their actual Japanese counterparts.

What does this mean for your Japanese? Well if you’re already a Pokémon fan… everything! You have an instant, massive library of multiple types of media at your disposal, with the advantage of being familiar with the franchise. Whether you want to read picture books or manga, play a video game (most have kana/kanji options by the way), watch anime, or even research rare merchandise, you can do all of it with a Pokémon-based education. There are even vocabulary lists based on the games to help you along. I can guarantee being familiar with the media will make you feel all the more comfortable with it, and all the more pumped to stick with it.

Pokémon media is EVERYwhere

Here’s my personal experience using the franchise to help me with my Japanese. So back when Red and Blue came out in North America, I jumped on with Pokémania and played Blue all the way through (in English) with my trusty Squirtle. Years later, it was mostly my only exposure to the franchise except for a few anime episodes. That was until I met Animom, the Pokémon queen. With a rekindled interest in the world of catching them all, I wanted to try my first full length game in pure Japanese. So I picked Soul Silver for Nintendo DS. Had this been my first time in the Pokémon world, with my level of Japanese at the time I would have been quite lost.

Gentlemon, let us master the Japanese language!

So right away, knowing how the game mechanics worked and what the general plot was provided a huge confidence boost and got me very excited to jump into my first JRPG in its native language. Then when I came across some Pokémon picture books, I already had context on my side before I even opened the front cover. Same goes for the manga and the anime. Because I was familiar with the world of Pokémon, I was able to easily have fun trying out all the different types of media it has to offer.

You too can get this feeling learning Japanese with Pokémon!

Even the overall theme of dedicating yourself to the journey you have set out for is very inspiring. I can’t think of many other franchises that offer this much variety within the same world. And because it’s normally aimed at a younger audience, I also find it to be an incredibly accessible universe to immerse yourself in on your own Japanese journey to be the very best, like no one ever was.

Coming Soon to Animaritime 2013!

On a related note, I’ll be doing my first public presentation ever at Animaritime 2013, along with Animom. As you may have guessed, the topic is Pokémon and its evolution as a franchise. If you’re attending this event, please leave a comment or send me a message. I would absolutely love to meet a reader in person! There will even be a section on Japanese-only elements of Pokémon, so if you’re in the Fredericton, NB at the time, please say hello!

In this series we’ll be covering the various Pokemon merchandises out there and how you can pull fun Japanese from it, and so forth. Stay Tuned for our next segment on the anime side of Pokemon.

 

Monthly Lolita: Classic

Hello my little fashionistas! Back for more lolita? Good, because I’m here to serve you some beautiful Classic Lolita this month!.

As mentioned in the parent post, Classic is a more mature, refined style of Lolita. Although I mentioned before that the color scheme is normally neutral, blues and and darker reds, greens, and pinks are accepted. Prints are also acceptable, such as floral, fruits, stripes, dots and the like.

Although wigs are growing in popularity, natural hair is acceptable: updo’s are modern and clean.  If it’s acceptable on an older women, but still feminine, you can expect to see that style.

Make up is also toned down, but still mature. For example, nude colors for eyes and lips and light blush are the norm, but you can still play it up with soft colors.

Panda’s Outfit:

http://innocent-w.jp

Mikoto’s Outfit:

Where to buy!

http://www.marymagdalene.jp/

http://www.victorianmaiden.com/main.html

http://innocent-w.jp/shopping/index.html

http://www.milanoo.com/Classic-Lolita-Dresses-c1014

 

Monthly Lolita: Casual Lolita!

As stated in the original overview, Casual Lolita reflexes the sub-lolita in a simplified way.

This style is perfect for those who are trying to get their feet wet in the fashion scene but don’t want to go all of the way. It’s important the stay within the color scheme and the overall style of the category but the clothing can be much more simple. It’s also important to do your hair, but again, you don’t have to go all out.

Although die hard Lolita fashion lovers will only buy brand’s dedicated to Lolita, or even make their own clothes, causal allows wearers to include off brand pieces to complete the look. Tops can include turtle necks, cardigans, plain blouses, blouses with some frill, and some print blouses (Lolita friendly).  Skirts are still at knee length but a pannier isn’t required to hold the skirt’s shape. Accessories such as bags and shoes tend to be solid colors and plain, with maybe a ribbon.

Panda’s casual:

I actually chose to do it entirely out of a clothes from a store that I love.

Mikoto’s choice:

 

Amigurumi (編みぐるみ) tips, tricks, How-to’s!

Hello all! Today is a quick, cute little post. I asked my friends what I should write about and then it dawned on me, WHY NOT WRITE ABOUT WHAT I’M CURRENTLY DOING (and not studying!). By the title, it’s a little obvious that I’ve been either crocheting or knitting small, adorable little objects and so have my friends. So, Here’s some insight that I’ve gained while working on my projects! This will focus on crocheting although I am a knitter at heart.

Tools:

1) Crochet hoks. Be sure to choose a hook that allows you to maintain the proper gauge. Don’t know what gauge is? Read on!

2) Yarn needle. It’s a plastic needle that tends to be larger and thicker than a regular embroidery needle. It has a large eye to allow you to thread yarn. Yarn needles are used to sew arms, legs, and whatever else together to the body.

3) Polyfill- (or other stuffing) gotta keep that Amigurumi nice and fluffy!.

4)Yarn markers: Used to keep track of where your rounds begin.

5) Light source!

6) Yarn of course.

7) eyes (safety eyes or buttons)

Tips:

1) Start off with a middle color yarn, such as pastels, light colors, and tans. If you want to start off with black, be sure to crochet or knit with plenty of light. Light will help you see the stitches easier.

2) Practice your basic stitches (Single crochet SC, double crochet DC, chain, CH, increase ( 2 stitch in 1), decrease (2tog)) on basic amigurumi or other basic projects. You could go the scarf route but I know from experience that you get a little burnt out on it. Here’s some easy, fun projects!

Triple and Chain crochet project:

Single Crochet in the round, increase, decrease:

You may say, Wow panda, thanks for the lack of arms! Well, the ears on the bunny is to practice how to sew on some attachments. Arms and legs mean more crocheting! So, would start off with head and body shape only.

3) rest when your arms ache, and boy will they ache in the beginning!

4) Gauge is not always important as long as you have a consistent tension and use the same size hook for all parts.

5) I write or print out the pattern and mark off where I am.

Getting Patterns:

1) Make sure you’re getting it for your craft, Crochet or knit. It’s harder to find amigurumi in knit, but they are out there! Ways to find it is to use pinterest, google, etsy, lion heart brand. I tend to search Amigurumi, Crochet, (object that I want).

2) See if it’s been tested or not. This is when someone has crocheted it already and provided feedback. Some people crochet and then create a pattern and don’t always test the pattern out again. If you want to be the first, go ahead and try any and every project you come across. However, if you’re like me and have limited patience, be sure to use ones that have been tested. It helps if there’s a lot of comments and questions already answered if it’s a complicated project.

3) Be sure your project gives clear instructions of where parts go/contains a lot of pictures. I personally prefer a ton of pictures!

4)If you’re creating a character that is popular (say My little pony) be sure to look at real images of them to make comparisons.

Do you sew? If so, share some projects!

pinterest

My little pony

Ravelry

lions brand

Knit me

Etsy

 

Kimonoland: Culture and Where to get one

History of Kimono

Although most people, when asked about Kimonos, think they are a unique thing to Japan–however, Japanese embassies brought them back from China around the 5th century AC. Over the centuries, the kimono evolved and changed to different styles. However, western style clothing and the yukata (Which I purchased) eventually took the place of a formal kimono. A kimono is often worn with geta (wooden shoes) and tabi (special white socks).  ~Kimono literally means something to wear~

Kimono yukata market sakura

Yukata

A yukata is a  single layered cotton version of the kimono. It is said that Yukatas are often worn after bathing at a Japanese hot bath but can also be worn during festivals and other spring/summer events. Because it is unlined and normally worn without an under robe, it is not advised  to wear in the fall/winter months. Yukatas are normally worn with geta without tabi socks. As with kimono, there is a version for males and one for females.For Females, married and umarried women can wear long sleeves. ~Yukata literally means bath clothes~

Buying a Yukata/Kimono

There are some important measurements that you should know of your body before seeking out to purchase one (especially if you live in a country where kimonos and yukatas are not normally sold). You want your measurement at your hips and waist. You’ll also, depending on the tailor, want your shoulder and/or arm length.

Here is a good guide on where to measure and how to do so.

Going about purchasing:

As a plus sized girl, I had to do some extra digging for my yukata. However, I was able to find a site that makes beautiful formal kimonos and yukata: Sakura Market. Sakura Market is actually located in Tokyo, Japan. As you can see, they have everything you could possibly need for a proper attire. They have the under garments, the formal kimono, obi, geta, tabi, and yukata and more! They have average sizes for children, men, and women and also plus sizes. Your package is shipped by EMS and will be given a tracking number. Shipping took about a week but you can do a faster shipping option. The prices for the yukata (non-clearance) ranges from $40USD-$70USD. The Kimonos are much more, around 80-140USD. You can purchase a obi and geta set for around 40-80USD. Geta come in two sizes, regular (7-9 US size) and small (5-6 US size).

Wearing your Yukata:

If you’re like me, you had no idea how to properly wear one! Thankfully, Sakura Market has a wonderful video library on how to wear a robe properly and how to tie an obi. Although they do not speak, mostly because they are an international store, they do the process slowly and clearly!

My Yukata:

Because I just recently purchased a house and am moving, my yukata, geta, obi, and senshu are still in their packages and will be taken out once the move is complete. I will be making a small post then with me in my yukata and a short review of it! This is what it looks like on a wonderful model!

Yukata Kimono Market Sakura

Care for Yukata:

amazon washing bag

According to their site, you can machine wash the cotton yukata! However, it is advised you use a machine washing bag, like the one shown above. However, Please, PLEASE do not machine dry it. Allow it to air dry in a safe place!

 

Bentoland: Egg Mold

Another cute Bento tool! I bought it from Jlist also but is no longer available. There are similar egg shapers for around $3-4 USD.

Egg Shaper

All Egg shapers use the same concept. Boil an egg, shell it while it’s still warm, put it into the shaper, and place in a cold area. Here’s some tricks and tips I’ve found while using my egg shapers!

1) Be sure to use an egg that’s not too big or too small for the mold. Too large, and your egg wont fit and too small, the mold won’t be able to form the desired shape.

2) Be sure to boil the egg to form a hard boiled egg. You don’t want a soft yolk. I boil mine for 11 minutes. I always boil two eggs so if one doesn’t peel ”pretty” I have a backup.

3) Be careful when peeling the the egg. You should peel it the second it’s done cooking. I run my eggs under cool water before peeling and then whenever the egg gets to hot and starts to hurt my fingers. I rinse the egg once when I’m finished to clean off any shell that may remain. A tip to peeling an egg is to cause a lot of cracks near the top tip of the egg (the smaller rounded side).

4) Place the egg into the mold according to the instructions and lock the mold shut.

5) Place the egg into the freezer or fridge, you can also place in cold water.

6) Wait 15 minutes and carefully unlock the mold and take out the egg. It should be shaped into a lovely appearance now. No longer will it be a boring oval!

 

Review: Sand de Panda Sandwich mold/cutter

This is an adorable little tool to help make adorable sandwiches for bentos or just a get together! This particular mold is for a clover shape. Please read more if you’d like to learn more about it!

I personally bought mine from Jlist.com along with other items. Jlist is a wonderful site that sells Japanese goods internationally.

Jlist Product Shot

Here is a scan of the packaging.

The directions to use it are in Japanese, but I figured it out for the most part. The key part is to heat the bread up to make it soft and mailable.

The second step is to fill the bread with your toppings. The picture above shows you only putting a small amount (a drop per cavity on the clover). I actually put lunch meat and cheese on mine.

The third step is to place the whole tool (the green and the white) on the bread centered. You want to press down on the green part–this will seal the edges. I found I had to press all the way to the plate and then ‘peel’ away the bread and the crust. Another thing I found is that my bread was actually too small for this tool. It just wasn’t wide enough for it. Maybe Japanese bread is wider or I just had a small loaf!. I promise you my bread did not look as cute as theirs did, but it did however, look more adorable than just a sandwich! I cut mine in half, as is show, so that it would fit in my bento box.

It is a little wasteful because of the extra bread and crust, so I recommend you keeping that for recipes that use breadcrumbs or compost it. It is also time consuming but what Bento or party treats aren’t! I find it brightens my mood and I can see it being a hit on Saint Patty’s day.

Jlist also sells several other shapes. I plan to buy more and report on them as well.!