Wednesday, December 21, 2011

New Sametan! サメタン

We're excited to announce the release of the first full color Sametan figure. This version features full color details and two different color vinyl parts (a grey vinyl body and blue vinyl jeans). Each figure is hand painted by Koji at Cometdebris Headquarters in Tokyo. A portion of Sametan's sales will benefit PangeaSeed and their efforts to bring awareness to the plight of sharks worldwide. Sametan is available now in the Cometdebris online store. $45 each. Figures will ship in January.

www.cometdebris.com

Monday, December 19, 2011

Ryokan

I have never been a big fan of baths or onsen (hot springs), both of which are very popular in Japan. So I've always avoided staying at ryokans (Japanese style inns featuring hot spring baths and traditional Japanese meals). Decided to give one a try recently and actually enjoyed it. The one we stayed at included several hot spring baths, both public and private, and our meals were served in our room. We spent an entire day just taking baths, eating, and relaxing.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Morrissey

Morrissey at The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas. November 25, 2011. Good show, played a few old and new, and some classic Smiths songs.

Setlist:
I Want The One I Can't Have
You Have Killed Me
You're The One For Me, Fatty
When I Last Spoke To Carol
Black Cloud
Maladjusted
Ouija Board
I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
Action Is My Middle Name
Meat Is Murder
Satellite Of Love
I Know It's Over
Scandinavia
All The Lazy Dykes
People Are The Same Everywhere
Speedway
Encore: Still Ill

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Izu Wild Kingdom: Before & After

What was once a roadside attraction featuring stuffed animals from all over the world is now a thrift store filled with junk. The building remains the same as well as some of the interior decorations (fake palm trees and blue painted sky background), but it now houses racks of used dishes, clothing, broken electronics, and stuff that looks like trash. Back in 2004, I was fortunate enough to visit Wild Kingdom just before it closed down for good. I remember us being the only people there, and half the animals were dried up and falling apart. I didn't think it would last long.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Tamari Park

Skating with Bwana and Naoya at Tamari Park.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Maboroshi Hakurankai

Some more pictures from Maboroshi Hakurankai. Here's a reproduction of a seventies toy store. There are some new toys in there as well, but it's a pretty good display considering the other exhibits consist of junk and trash (literally).

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Maboroshi Hakurankai

Took another trip to Maboroshi Hakurankai in Izu. Here are some more pictures of the "Yasui Big Circus" taxidermy and mannequin pile-up.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

SAMETAN: New figure by Cometdebris to benefit PangeaSeed

We are very excited to announce the release of a brand new Cometdebris figure, Sametan (pronounced saw-meh-tahn). Sametan was designed by Koji Harmon, and sculpted by the talented Kiyoka Ikeda. Sametan stands about 11.5cm tall, and willl be made in Japan of high quality soft vinyl.

With reconnected fins, shoes, jeans, and a fancy spade belt buckle, Sametan is here to help spread the word about the plight of sharks worldwide. Did you know sharks are being overfished in many parts of the world, and many shark populations have declined by as much as 90%? Our oceans are dying, and when they die, so do we.

Every Sametan release will benefit PangeaSeed, a grassroots organization based in Tokyo, Japan dedicated to educating and raising international awareness on the plight of sharks and the destruction of their habitat. PangeaSeed is the first organization in Japan to raise public awareness regarding shark conservation and preservation.

Sametan will debut in San Francisco at PangeaSeed’s inaugural transcontinental art exhibition, Sink or Swim, featuring original works from 30 internationally renowned artists. The debut release is cast in beautiful crystal clear blue vinyl, unpainted, and is limited to 25 pieces. For those unable to attend the event, we will also have a limited number available on the Cometdebris website. Price is $40.

For up to date information on Cometdebris releases, visit www.cometdebris.com, follow us on Twitter, or like us on Facebook.

www.cometdebris.com
twitter.com/cometdebris
www.facebook.com/cometdebris
www.pangeaseed.com

Friday, September 16, 2011

Sink or Swim San Francisco

In the spirit of ocean conservation the Japan-based non-profit organization, PangeaSeed, in collaboration with Spoke Art, is pleased to announce our inaugural transcontinental art exhibition, Sink or Swim, featuring original works from 30 internationally renowned artists such as Dave Kinsey, Josh Keyes, Dan May, Jim Phillips, Jeff Soto and many more. This gathering of widely acclaimed artists from around the globe will address one the biggest threats facing the health of world’s oceans today – the rapid and mass depletion of sharks.

Did you know that scientists estimate global fish stocks will be in full collapse by 2048 if current consumption and destructive fishing practices continue? But what’s even more shocking is that the majority of the ocean’s shark species could be extinct within the next 10-20 years.

With each minute that passes close to 200 sharks are killed, adding up to around 80 million deaths each year. A majority of these sharks are killed only for their fins to satisfy an unsustainable appetite for shark fin soup. In the cruel practice known as “finning,” the shark is hooked and brought aboard the boat where its fins are then cut off and the still alive but limbless animal is tossed back into the sea. With no instruments to move, the helpless shark sinks to the ocean floor and eventually drowns.

Love them or fear them, sharks are essential if we are going to keep the oceans the sustainable resource that they should be. Older than the dinosaurs, for over 400 million years sharks have shaped and balanced the oceans. Since sharks are at the top of the food chain as an “apex predator” they play a vital role in ways average fish do not.

In virtually every part of the ocean sharks keep fish populations healthy and in proper balance. Already in areas where sharks have been over- fished we are seeing a change for the worse. Many species of sharks are now endangered, imagine the consequences for the oceans, and the people who depend on them for survival, if such an important animal is eliminated forever.

PangeaSeed is a Tokyo-based grassroots organization dedicated to educating and raising international awareness on the plight of sharks. Through volunteer activism and various mediums including art, music, film, and photography, PangeaSeed aims to create an open dialog with the global community to develop an understanding of the need to preserve and protect sharks and their habitat.

Sink or Swim is not only a reference to the cruel practice of finning but also a reference to our relationship with the oceans as a whole. As human activity is causing sea levels to rise and coral reefs to die, we see fish stocks rapidly disappearing. The global population must change course if we want future generations to experience the sea as we have. We are living at a crucial time in terms of sustaining the oceans. We may sink and fail, or we may find a way to succeed and swim.

In short, Sink or Swim is an SOS to the world that these issues facing the oceans need attention now more than ever. Following the success of Sink or Swim in Tokyo this past July, San Francisco is next in line to host this unique exhibition. Sink or Swim pays homage to the shark, this most important and beautiful of creatures, while critiquing their demise and offering hope for their future.

Sink or Swim will run in San Francisco from 23 ~ 25 September 2011. In support of proposed bill (AB376) to ban shark fin in California State, Sink or Swim offers the community new perspectives on this widely misunderstood and demonized animal. Also, in addition to raising funds to keep sharks afloat both in Japan and around the world PangeaSeed will donate a percentage of the proceeds from Sink or Swim to organizations aiding animals affected by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Date: 23rd – 25th September, 2011
Reception Party: 23 September 2011
Location: San Francisco, California USA
Venue: Spoke Art Gallery
Times: Fri 6PM – 10PM, Sat and Sun 12PM – 7PM

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Friday, August 5, 2011

Dolphin Watching

Ever since I heard the story of Izumi Ishii's change of heart (see previous post), I've been wanting to take his dolphin watching tour. Last week we decided to try it out. His tours run out of Futo Port in the Izu Peninsula. Futo is a pretty tiny place, a popular spot for diving lessons, and I believe they actually still hunt dolphin there. We boarded Ishii's small boat at noon for a two hour tour of the surrounding area. The weather was a bit cloudy and it rained a little, but the ocean was nice and smooth. Not a bad day for a cruise. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate any dolphins. I was not at all disappointed, just happy to be there supporting Mr. Ishii. The guy is a hero. We'll be back for another try soon. If you're ever in Izu, you should too.

Izumi Ishii's Website (In Japanese and English).

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Izumi Ishii's Inaugural Dolphin Watching Tour

Former dolphin hunter now leads dolphin watching tours in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture. For more information check out the link below.

Dolphin Whale Nature Watching Center

Monday, August 1, 2011

Ultraman vs. Hidora Exhibition

Izu's Shaboten Park was the location for the Ultraman episode "Terror On Route 87" which was filmed in the late 60s. The bird-like statue in the episode was actually an attraction at the park, and is still standing today. Shaboten Park features a live action "Ultra Heroes" show in the summer, and this year they set up a small Ultraman vs. Hidora (the monster in the episode) exhibition. The exhibition showcases Hidora (Hydra in the English version), and includes a small prop display and an Ultraman timeline. There's also a stage set up for photographs and exclusive Ultraman items available. Ultraman geeks might find this pretty interesting.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Maboroshi Hakurankai Part 2

Some more pictures of Maboroshi Hakurankai.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Maboroshi Hakurankai Part 1

Maboroshi Hakurankai is a new "theme park" in Izu. It just recently opened (July 16th) at the site of the Izu Green Park, which closed about 10 years back. Izu Green Park was pretty much in ruins (and still is) until Japanese publisher Data House took over and created this crazy attraction. Maboroshi Hakurankai is a "museum" featuring 3 areas in 3 separate buildings of the park: Ancient Civilization, the Showa Period, and Post War Japan. There are no food or souvenir stands, only a tiny bookstore featuring books on topics such as: how to kill yourself, sex techniques, famous killers, penguins, and stupid Americans. I can't even describe this place, everything inside is pretty much recycled junk, a lot of which came from two pretty amazing adult museums which are now closed: the Ganso Kokusai Hihokan and the Toba SF Miraikan, both in Mie Prefecture. The now clothed sex mannequins still stand in their sultry poses but no longer in adult situations. Yeah, they kinda go along with the themes of their respective areas, but half of the displays make no sense at all. Sounds like the last place you'd want to visit on a vacation to Izu. NOT. This place is heaven. There is just so much craziness going on it blows the mind. I can't even begin to describe the strange sensation and fear of just walking through the exhibits. The sights, smells, the mystery, the creepiness. I hope these pictures can better describe the insanity of Maboroshi Hakurankai.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Whac-A-%$#@

The Atami Adult Museum added this piece to its collection last year. It's a modified version of the classic whac-a-mole arcade game, with the moles replaced with men's and women's private parts. One more reason to visit.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Sink Or Swim

In the spirit of ocean conservation the Japan-based non-profit organization, PangeaSeed, is ramping up for it’s third annual art exhibition tailored to address one the biggest threats facing the health of world’s oceans today – the rapid mass depletion of sharks.

With each minute that passes close to 200 sharks are killed, adding up to an astonishing 80 million deaths each year. The majority of these sharks are killed only for their fins to satisfy an unsustainable appetite for shark fin soup in Asia and other parts of the world. In the cruel practice known as “finning,” the shark is hooked and brought aboard the boat where its fins are then cut off and the still alive but limbless animal is tossed back into the sea to drown.

All artwork is for sale with proceeds helping to keep sharks afloat both in Japan and around the world. Curated by Pangea Seed and Koji Harmon, featured artists include some of your favorites in the toy and art world such as: Bwana Spoons, Cometdebris, Cupco, Le Merde, Skinner, Suckadelic, and a ton more. Also, PangeaSeed will donate a percentage of proceeds to help aid animals affected by the March 2011 earthquake in Japan.

Show opens July 16th and runs through the 22nd. Check it out if you're in Tokyo!

M Event Space & Bar in Daikanyama (http://www.m-event-bar.com)

Pangea Seed (pangeaseed.com)