Friday, November 30, 2012

Karasu Tengu - the Crow Tengu: The ancient form of the Tengu

Karasu Tengu (“Crow” Tengu) 烏天狗
"The ancient form of the Tengu was the “karasu” or “crow” Tengu. Portrayed as an evil crow-like creature with the body of a man, it was capable of kidnapping adults and children, starting fires, and ripping apart those who willfully damaged the forest, for the Tengu live in trees. Sometimes, too, the Tengu would abduct human beings, only to release them later, but the “lucky” survivor would return home in a state of dementia (called “Tengu Kakushi, meaning “hidden by a Tengu”)." - http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tengu.shtml





Saturday, November 24, 2012

Find the Elephants, and the letter mistake !

On first look you don't see the Elephants :) 
Nice label, isn't it ?


The label includes a letter mistake: 
see the name of the manufacturer,
 and find the mistake (a hint: N)

I have this lovely Japanese Cannon label, and I new that there is one more version, but while surfing the internet I discovered that there are few more...


This one is mine:

I also know this one:


But it seems that there are few more...




Box size
Box size - different facial expressions
 
...and Packet size



Got this beautiful one!

Torn Torpedo boat


Red Torpedo boat


...and green Torpedo boat

 

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

"No match for progress": the story of Wang Yuxiang : a Phillumenist from China


Beijing collector Wang Yuxiang and his matchbox collection.
Photos by Wang Ru / China Daily

According to the article: "In the 1990s, there were about 40 match factories across China. According to Wang, only three are still producing matches now.The existing match factories, like the oldest one in Beijing, now only produce orders from wedding planning companies and hotels. Some so-called match companies are in fact souvenir producers."
Read more: http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2012-11/19/content_15941650.htm


Another interesting articl of the China Daily  about Mr. Wang Yuxiang: 

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2012-11/19/content_15940433.htm