Hello everybody. It is that time of the year that is becoming a tradition at Maido - our third annual Japanese Cat Day celebration.
The Japanese National Cat Day is celebrated on February 22nd, as the date's numerals, 2/22 (ni ni ni), are pronounced fairly closely to the sound a cat makes in Japan - nyan nyan nyan (meow meow meow).
Surprisingly, many of Maido's customers and employees are cat owners. Every year, we collect photos of their cats to put them on display in our store and sell cat merchandise items.
In this week's blog posts, we will introduce the cat items we offer, share recipes (dishes for humans, not cats!) that are perfect to celebrate the Japanese National Cat Day, and show you pictures of everyone's cats. Let's get started.
***
Cat Products Maido Offers
Taachan & Peko-chan Mini Tote Bag
Friends Hill's Taachan and Fujiya's Peko-chan, both popular characters, have collaborated. Very cute mini tote bags are now for sale at our store in two colors. The mini size is not only perfect for a short walk or running errands, but is also just the right size for a lunch bag or a sub-bag for when you have a lot of stuff to carry. The inner pocket makes it extra versatile!
Things to note:
Size (when unfolded): Approx. 11.8 x 7.8 x 3.9" | 20 x 30 x 10 cm
Material: 100% cotton
Miya, Cat Hanging Spoon
This can be the cutest spoon you will ever see in your entire life! It hangs on the edge of your mug like the cutest hang-in-there-cat ever. It can be good as decor as well.
Things to note:
Size: Approx. 4.25" | 10.8 cm long
Material: Ceramic
Designed in Japan
Miya, Japanese Cat Teacup (right)
This is a teacup in a sushi cup style with sketches of cute Japanese cats to keep you company.
Things to note:
Size: about 2.8" diam. x 4" | 7 cm diam. x 10 cm
Capacity: 9.1 fl. oz. | 270 ml
Material: Ceramic
Made in Japan
Miya, Ceramic Cat Plates
Aren't these plates irresistible to cat lovers? Cats of all kinds and with different facial expressions are so lovable. On some of the plates, cats are drying laundry or fishing as if they were humans. Let's wish one day cats will be able to act like that, but until that day, enjoy dreaming with these dishes.
Maedasenko, Tama's Walk Furoshiki Scarf
Tama the cat furoshiki scarf is recommended as a lunch box wrapper, lunch mat, tapestry, or a small gift. Tama loves napping and taking a walk. This cute furoshiki features a scene of a Japanese traditional slope ground town with cherry blossoms.
Thing to note:
Size: Approx. 19.6 x 19.6" | 50 x 50 cm
Kuniyoshi's Ukiyoe Woodblock Prints Tenugui Hand Towel
This is a comical ukiyoe woodblock prints tenugui hand towel featuring cats performing the popular Asakusa-era juggling act of temari hand juggling, depicted by the popular ukiyoe artist Kuniyoshi Utagawa. The gauze material is soft and fluffy to the touch. It is recommended for use as a hand towel or around your face.
Thing to note:
Size: Approx. 12.6 x 35" | 32 x 89 cm
Material: 100% cotton
OSK, Lou Lou Poskety Black Cat 2 Lunch Box Set with Chopsticks
These lunch boxes are cute yet useful. They come with chopsticks that can be put on one of the lids and a band to put two boxes together. The top box has an S-shaped divider. You can put them in a microwave, so even if your lunch gets cold at school or the office, it can be reheated.
Things to note:
Capacity: 11.5 fl. oz./340 ml (top), 10.1 fl. oz./300 ml (bottom)
Microwavable with lid removed
Dishwasher safe
Dryer safe
Ag+ ion sterilization and deodorizing effect
Made in Japan
OSK, Lou Lou Poskety Black Cat 2 Lunch Box Set with Chopsticks
This lunch box is a single, high-capacity type. The raised lid allows you to fill the lunch box to the fullest (and even more!), and the 4-point locking system eliminates the risk of the lid coming off.
Things to note:
Capacity: 16.9 fl. oz./500 ml
Microwavable with lid removed
Dishwasher safe
Dryer safe
Ag+ ion sterilization and deodorizing effect
Made in Japan
OSK, Lou Lou Poskety Black Cat 2 Container Set
These containers come in a set of two and are very convenient. They can be used as lunch boxes, storage containers, or dessert containers as a part of lunch boxes. They can be stacked when finished eating or when storing.
Things to note:
Capacity: 480 ml (large), 300 ml (small)
Microwavable with lid removed
Ag+ ion sterilization and deodorizing effect
Made in Japan
***
Kaijirushi Products
Kaijirushi is a company that develops and sells kitchenware and beauty care products. Their cat shaped items are characterized not only by their cuteness but also by their functional significance. These products incorporate the know-how of a long-established cutlery manufacturer that has been in business for over 110 years. Those super adorable items surely make your daily life with cooking and wearing makeup etc. more fun and enjoyable.
*
Kaijirushi, "Nyammy" Kitchenware
"Enjoy cooking with cats" is this series' theme. While taking advantage of the performance of their best-selling products, they have incorporated cat motifs in a way that do not disturb the atmosphere of the kitchen. Whether you are a cat lover or not, these products will make you want to use them.
Santoku Knife
This *Santoku knife is suitable for cutting a variety of foods such as meat, fish, and vegetables. While enjoying the sharpness that only a cutlery manufacturer can provide, it has a blade made of rust-resistant stainless steel with an easy-to-clean coating. The cat's footprints are marked in 0.39"/1 cm increments to serve as a guide when cutting. The blade length is 6.5"/16.5 cm. It's an easy to use size.
*The Santoku knife is a general-purpose kitchen knife originating in Japan. Its blade is typically between 5.1" - 7.8"/13 and 20 cm long, and has a flat edge and a sheepsfoot blade that curves down an angle approaching 60 degrees at the point.
Fruit Knife
Like the Santoku Knife, this is also a knife with a real blade that is designed to be sharp and easy to clean. The direction of the blade and the angle of the handle for easy gripping were pursued for optimal cutting and peeling of fruits. The blade has an easy-to-clean coating. The cat's footprints are marked in 0.39"/1 cm increments to serve as a guide when cutting. The handle is shaped for easy gripping. It comes with a safety cap for smooth blade insertion and removal.
Measuring Spoons
This set of two measuring spoons of a parent cat (tablespoon - 0.5 fl. oz./15 ml) and a kitty (teaspoon - 0.17 fl. oz./5 ml), can be stacked for easy storage. The feet on the front are a clip, so it can be used to temporarily fasten bags of coffee, flour, etc. They are dishwasher safe.
Kitchen Scissors
These kitchen scissors have a silhouette of a cat sitting on a chair as a motif. The elastomer handle provides a firm grip, and the serrated blade prevents food from slipping. They come with a magnetic storage case, so you can stick them on a refrigerator, etc. The left and right blades cannot be disassembled.
Spatulas
These are nylon spatulas that feature an easy-to-grip handle with a sitting cat design to prevent damage to pans. (They are sold separately.) The top one has a smaller spatula area and is symmetrically shaped. The bottom one features a larger spatula area and is shaped like a Japanese fan. The bottom one is recommended for those who want something that can be used for all purposes, but if you are left-handed or have small pans and pots, the top one is recommended.
Ladle
This basic size ladle features an easy-to-grip handle with the design of a sitting cat. It is dishwasher safe.
Mesh Skimmer
This is a mesh skimmer. It is used to remove dregs when cooking deep-fried foods. It can be used for various purposes as well, such as separating boiled tofu, removing juice or soup from dishes, etc. It also features an easy-to-grip handle with the design of a sitting cat.
**
Kaijirushi, "Nyarming" Beauty Care Products
Kaijirushi offers a variety of products amounting to 10,000 types, including personal grooming goods such as razors and nail clippers, beauty care products, as well as the kitchenware we introduced above. Nyarming is a series of beauty care products that combine a cute cat design with practicality.
*
Puff Applicators
These are cat-shaped puff applicators with a hard gray side and a soft white side. The cat ears make it easy to apply even to the creases around the nose and eyes.
Hair Brush
This cat's paw-shaped hair brush makes you feel as if you are being stroked by a cat's hand. The moderate cushioning and rounded tip of the brush comfortably stimulates hair and scalp. It's perfect for brushing before and after shampooing, blow drying, and styling.
Beauty Scissors
These scissors feature the sharpness that only a long-established cutlery manufacturer can provide. The thin blazes are good to trim nose hair. When the cap is set on the blades, it looks like a cat is sitting.
***
We will introduce the recipes in the next blog post!
***
There is a lot of food items, housewares, stationery, and gifts available at the store and our online store, Maido! Kairashi Shop, where you can place your order for shipping or store pickup! Happy shopping. :)