For those of you currently undertaking Japanese studies, you are probably familiar with this book; for those of you who want to learn Japanese, then you should be familiar with this book. みんなの日本語 ("Minna no Nihongo"), English-translated, is available for a flat ¥2100 (~Php870) — not too bad. It isn't available in any bookstores in the Philippines. So if you don't want to spend your time photocopying this in the library, then buying a copy would be good for you (and us hihi, just kidding! ;p). Ateneans who are taking up any of the Japanese language classes offered by Ateneo (JSP1 to JSP105) will be using this book.

If you're not in a university anymore (hello graduates) and you want to learn Japanese on your own, this is a really good book. It's pretty straightforward and clear, with good examples and exercises. In my present Japanese language school, we use our school's own textbook. My Indonesian classmate and I can't help but compare our current textbook to Minna no Nihongo — in fact, we miss it.

There are two Minna no Nihongo books. Book 1 will help you pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Level 4. Book 2 will help you pass Level 3 and perhaps even Level 2. There are also other editions or supplementary books, such as the Kanji textbook and exercise workbooks. (For more information, check out their website.)

One book weighs about 500 grams so that will take ¥1100 for EMS shipping, If you have the two books shipped, it would take about ¥1800, a little bit cheaper eh, and more worth for your money! ;p

There is a Gundam store here in DenDen Town Osaka! Dont be deceived by the picture though, it is just two floors.

The merchandise is not so expensive, I guess, given that they are "original" items. I saw T-shirts for ¥1500-¥2000, Havaianas-type slippers for ¥500-¥700 and figurines priced around ¥300-¥1500. All of them are designed with different Gundam characters and other things reminiscent of the series.

Of special interest to me were the cosplay items like the gloves, the headgear and space-age type of clothes. Most of them cost around ¥10000 and above though. The music cds and the anime on video were also being sold for around ¥1000 and above.

The second floor sells Gundam figurines from the 80s-90s. All of things in the second floor are made in Japan (I checked) and seemed to be pretty complete. I think it would be better to buy the figures here than buy in the first floor even if the latter house the newer manufactured items.

Cat Chua Writes: Marc by Marc Jacobs
To all accessory maniacs (kidding!), we don't just sell manga, you know. ;p

Here in Japan starting from March early this year, the Spring/Summer 2008 catalog of Marc by Marc Jacobs is on sale. Big bookstore chains like Kinokuniya and Junkudo, and smaller bookstores, displayed MARC by MARC JACOB's full-color magazine (A4, 80 pages), at the frontmost part of their stores. Included in the magazine's price is also a roomy Marc Jacobs tote bag. So, understandably, there were a LOT of people crowding around the stalls! (Click for a picture of the magazine and the bag.)

( Click to read moar. )