Tsumami zaiku was developed during the Edo Period (1603-1868) as a way to enhance the beauty of kimono with hair ornaments that represented the traditional Japanese themes of natural seasonal beauty. Time-honored patterns included chrysanthemums, sakura blossoms, and cranes, but modern tsumami zaiku has a much more lenient design that includes objects like stars and roses.

• 10 years ago

From the first black-and-white Game Boy to Nintendo 3D, Japanese artist memi's animation showed generations of Pokemon evolving with technology.

• 10 years ago

Video games have come a long way since the days when you were forced to play as one specific main character. If you were a girl who didn’t want to play as a boy character, or even if you were a boy who was tired of playing as a burly man, then your gaming options were limited.

• 10 years ago

Talented Japanese artist Shinrashinge wowed us last time with his Doraemon paper cup manga. This time, he's back with yet another classic - Dragon Ball!

• 10 years ago

March 6 is designated as "Otouto Day" or Younger Brothers' Day in Japan to celebrate all the annoying little brothers that bring much frustration and happiness to their older siblings. (Don't worry, there are days for other siblings too!) If you're an *otouto*, this is your day to go prank on your onee-san and onii-san! We've put together a collection of some of the most iconic anime younger brothers for all the younger brothers out there!

• 10 years ago

SILKY, CACAO, and HAPPY visit the café where MILPOM works part-time. They chat about their ideal type of men, which turns into a crazy girl talk!...

• 10 years ago

It’s March now, and in Japan that means it’s nearly the end of school year. For students in their final year of high school, it’s time for them to move on to college, work, or whatever else they want to do with their lives, and say goodbye to their teachers and friends.

• 10 years ago

Learn how to make these super adorable TOMPacasso cookies!

• 10 years ago

Head to these stores in Japan for all the amazing toys you could ever want!

• 10 years ago

Japanese illustrators have taken to Twitter to show appreciation for cosplay that have caught their eyes - and the results are stunning: the creation travels from 2D (the original anime, manga or game) to 3D (cosplay) and back to 2D (fan art) again!

• 10 years ago

Ever since my neighborhood’s conveyor belt sushi restaurant closed down, I’ve been hoping that some entrepreneur will build a new one nearby. So far, that hope has gone unanswered, and I’m wondering if Japanese Lego enthusiast Doctor Pei has a similar lack of revolving seafood dining options in his vicinity.

• 10 years ago

"I'm just a guy who's a steamed bun." - Saitama

• 10 years ago

March 2 is the birthday of Sanji from the wildly popular One Piece series. Sanji is best known for being an excellent cook for his fellow pirates, as well as a ladies' man (or so he thinks). If Sanji were to make your *waifu*(*husbando*?) bentos, he'd probably have put his face on it...

• 10 years ago

AMVs allow for a lot of creative freedom. An artist may expand on an anime and make it look twice as awesome, or captivate specific themes and emotions. In this case however, we found a few AMVs that take some memorable shows and turn them into something completely different and unexpected, making us question what part of the internet we just stepped into.

• 10 years ago

Well-known for their expertise in scent marketing, ZaaZ inc. has come out a new product - a spray that can instantaneously transform your bath or show...

• 10 years ago

How would you react if you found out not only that your teacher cosplays female characters, but that he’s kind of a cutie too?

• 10 years ago

Last weekend the world celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Pokemon. The kawaii critters and adventurers that have accompanied us through the years are 20 years old! Japanese artists are no exception in sharing the sentimental moment as they take to Twitter to share their love for the franchise with beautiful fan art!

• 10 years ago

Chun-Li from the Street Fighter series has accompanied us through our childhood as the heroine that kicks ass in the popular fighting game franchise. Born on March 1, 1968, she has indeed gotten quite old, but it's certainly not showing at all! Here are some of our favorite Chun-Li cosplay from TOM's Special Creators!

• 10 years ago

From the popular anime series ‘Osomatsu-san’ comes a collection of trading figures featuring the six brothers of the Matsuno family! The line-up includes Osomatsu, Karamatsu, Choromatsu, Ichimatsu, Jyushimatsu and Todomatsu all wearing their hoodies as cute collectible figures! Each of their characteristics have been faithfully sculpted and their facial expressions and poses represent each of their personalities for fans to enjoy!

• 10 years ago

With names that everyone around the globe has heard of, Japan has made some of the best-known toys in history! From Pokémon and Tamagotchi to classic Transformers, just who will win that ultimate prize of Japan’s greatest toy? Find out in our Top 5 list of Japan's best toys of all time!

• 10 years ago