+ Video

[~1:30] The video begins with Pluto-kun disguised as a ghost. He explains that much of the fear surrounding plutonium is due to misconceptions. He says that it is very unfortunate that plutonium is used in nuclear weapons [like the one dropped on Nagasaki]. But he hates war! He loves to work for peace. He aspires to be like dynamite, whose power has been used for the benefit of mankind.

[1:30] Pluto-kun provides some basic information about plutonium. He explains that plutonium is created from uranium in nuclear reactors. He also says it was discovered by the US scientist Glenn T. Seaborg in 1940, and that it was named after the dwarf planet Pluto. (See Wikipedia for more.)

[2:30] Misconception #1 -- Pluto-kun addresses the fear that criminals could obtain plutonium and build a nuclear weapon. He explains two reasons why this would be virtually impossible. First, weapons require plutonium with a purity of at least 93%, but plutonium from reactors is only about 70% pure. A high level of technology would be required to produce weapons from this plutonium. Second, a high level of security is maintained around plutonium in Japan, making it all but impossible to steal.

[4:00] Misconception #2 -- Pluto-kun addresses the fear that plutonium is deadly and causes cancer. Plutonium's danger to the human body stems from the alpha radiation it emits. Because alpha radiation is relatively weak, it does not penetrate the skin, and plutonium is not absorbed into the body if it comes into contact with skin. He explains that you would not die instantly if you were to drink plutonium. If swallowed, the vast majority simply passes through the digestive tract without being absorbed. If it enters the blood stream (through a cut, for example) it cannot be removed easily from the body. It accumulates in the lymph nodes before ending up in the bones or liver, where it continues emitting alpha radiation. Plutonium can also get into the liver or bones if it is inhaled into the lungs. It is important not to breathe it in or allow it to enter the blood stream.

[6:00] No human is ever known to have died because of inhaling or ingesting plutonium.

[7:00] Pluto-kun explains what would happen if criminals dumped plutonium into a reservoir that provides our drinking water. Plutonium is heavy and it does not dissolve easily in water, so most of it would sink to the bottom. Even if you were to drink plutonium-laced water everyday, the vast majority of it would simply pass through the digestive system without being absorbed by the body.

[7:30] Pluto-kun suggests that the dangers of plutonium are often overemphasized, making it seem scarier than it actually is. He explains that most people associate plutonium with deadly radiation and nuclear weapons, but he likens this to a fear of non-existent ghosts.

[9:40] Pluto-kun explains that he is not a monster, and he asks you to understand who he truly is. As long as people use him peacefully and with care, there will never be any danger or anything to fear. He will provide an endless source of energy for a long time to come. He will be a reliable friend.

Osaka's Marshmellow Kid

Nagoya Sweet Salami Co.

Sumitomo Calamari Ice Cream

Cheesus by Hokama Good Cheese Co.

Kyoto Seafood Processing Co.

Satoyama Whistle Co.

Hokaido Industrial Sushi Food Co.

[Link]

1 -- Kyuradorosu (vampire monster)/ Height: 5 meters/ Weight: 800 kilograms/ From Chiba
2 -- Kashuasu (pollution monster)/ Height: 10 meters/ Weight: 3,000 tons/ From Osaka

3 -- Gohoho (ice monster)/ 18m/ 10,000 tons/ From the South Pole, moved to Tokyo
4 -- Altamegaro (space monster)/ 35m/ Weight unknown/ From Alta W, planet 5

5 -- Deredoron (pesticide monster)/ 20m/ 10,000 tons/ From Tohoku
6 -- Tapikurosaurus (ancient monster)/ 35m/ 9,000 tons/ From Kyushu

7 -- Elekipurosu (electric humanoid)/ 25m/ 15,000 tons/ From Kurobe Dam
8 -- Meji (space wolf)/ 16m/ 5 tons/ From Meteoroid R

9 -- Eru (space monster)/ 32m/ 18,000 tons/ From the planet Pegasus
10 -- Puradon (space monster)/ 32m/ 5,000 tons/ From Galaxy W, planet 8

J -- Mambaa (monster fish)/ 20m/ 15,000 tons/ From the Arctic depths
Q -- Oapiaa (proto-Saharan)/ 6m/ 1 ton/ From the Sahara Desert

K -- Alien Achiira (space monster)/ 15m/ 9 tons/ From the planet Achiira, moved to Japan Alps
1 -- Methanoron (pollution monster)/ 28m/ 30,000 tons/ From Tokyo-Kawasaki-Yokohama area

2 -- Buranpiitaa (ultrahigh-speed monster)/ 25m/ 5,000 tons/ From the planet Narcissus
3 -- Aurororas (South Pole monster)/ 85m/ 80,000 tons/ From the South Pole

4 -- Andromeropius (space monster)/ 60m/ 10,000 tons/ From the planet Sparta
5 -- Peroggaa (adhesive monster)/ 30m/ 30,000 tons/ From Eagle Comet

6 -- Goroboasu (macro monster)/ 108m/ 180,000 tons/ From New York
7 -- Vacuuma (vacuum monster)/ 25m/ 6,000 tons/ From Yumenoshima

8 -- Metrokabayan (space eel)/ 46m/ 40,000 tons/ Origin unknown
9 -- Tibetron (Himalayan monster)/ 5 m/ 10,000 tons/ From the northern Himalayas

10 -- Aamu (radiowave monster)/ 60m/ 80,000 tons/ From Guam, moved to Shizuoka
J -- Jiradon (dragon)/ 15m/ 40 tons/ From the northern Alps

Q -- Kimu (space monster)/ 30m/ 20,000 tons/ From the Methane Nebula
K -- Alien Carter (alien)/ 28m/ 7,000 tons/ From the Carter Nebula

1 -- Oxydron (pollution monster)/ 35m/ 10,000 tons/ From the Tokyo suburbs
2 -- Heater (heat monster)/ 30m/ 10,000 tons/ From Hokuriku (northwest Honshu)

3 -- Jeunesse (Mach speed monster)/ 105m/ 100,000 tons/ From the M18 star cluster
4 -- Spater (space monster)/ 12m/ 2,000 tons/ From the Jupiter Nebula

5 -- Begovia (space monster)/ 70m/ 30,000 tons/ From somewhere in space
6 -- Orix (meteor monster)/ 3m/ 300kg/ From the Orionids

7 -- Kabisantaa (bacteria monster)/ 20m/ 7,000 tons/ From central China
8 -- Peshura (space mouse)/ 40m/ 20,000 tons/ From the planet Corona

9 -- Chiipaa (invisible monster)/ 23m/ 4 tons/ From Europe
10 -- H (hydrogen monster)/ 1,000m/ 500kg/ From Egypt

J -- Raru (monster bug)/ 19m/ 600kg/ From the tropics
Q -- Meromeron (Meron monster)/ 23m/ 30,000 tons/ From the Meron Comet

K -- Alien Morris (alien)/ 20m/ 10,000 tons/ From the Morris meteoroid
1 -- Smogger (pollution monster)/ 45m/ 20,000 tons/ From the Kanto area

2 -- Uradon (nuclear monster)/ 40m/ 30,000 tons/ From the ocean depths, moved to Osaka
3 -- Computron (mechanical monster)/ 35m/ 8,000 tons/ From Tokyo

4 -- Gurora (space monster)/ 95m/ 120,000 tons/ From the planet Beta, moved to Tokyo area
5 -- Perebon (Saturn monster)/ 25m/ 40,000 tons/ From Saturn

6 -- Menakujira (soft-bodied monster)/ 40m/ 40,000 tons/ From Okutama
7 -- Pla-king (plastic man)/ 20m/ 5 tons/ From Kanagawa prefecture

8 -- Okusu (space gorilla)/ 30m/ 30,000 tons/ From the planet Claude
9 -- Betarasu (fifth-dimension monster)/ 7m/ less than 1kg/ From the fifth dimension

10 -- Buruburu (ape monster)/ 45m/ 6 tons/ From the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro
J -- Glamingo (bird monster)/ 3m/ 400kg/ From northern Alaska, moved to Hokkaido

Q -- Pira (solar monster)/ 13m/ 300kg/ From near the sun
K -- Alien Iron (alien)/ 40m/ 20,000 tons/ From the planet Sigma

Jokers

[Link: Pachi Playing Cards Flickr set by Fiends Ain't Family]

The ad -- entitled "Geee / Harajuku Love Story" -- makes use of wirelessly-controlled Mouth LED technology developed by artists Daito Manabe and Motoi Ishibashi.

+ Video

Here is a rough translation of the dialogue that takes place as the smiling mob approaches.

[Man]: We can make it work. I'll do my best.
[Woman]: Will you come to see me if I get lonely at night, no matter what?
[Man]: I will go immediately. I'll fly.
[Woman]: Will you come and pick me up if I call you from Mt. Everest?
[Man]: I'll fly there right away.
[Woman]: Will you bring me hot nabe soup if I ask for it?
[Man]: I will. I'll bring a year's worth.
[Woman]: What if I asked you to take me to the moon?
[Man]: That might be difficult...
[Woman]: That's not good enough.
[Man]: But I can make you happy.

The commercial appears to have been inspired by an earlier project by Manabe and Ishibashi entitled "Party in the Mouth," which featured a mob of women with glowing LED smiles wandering the streets of Tokyo at night.

+ Video

Here is some video from the Laforet website:

+ Video

Evolta World Challenge III: Kyoto or bust! -- Photos via Sankei News

The Evolta humanoid, whose new design is meant to resemble an ancient highway traveler pulling a two-wheeled cart, measures 17 centimeters (7 in) tall and 40 centimeters (16 in) long. Constructed mostly of lightweight plastic, carbon fiber and titanium, the robot weighs about 1 kilogram (2.2 lbs). It is powered by 12 AA batteries and operated by remote control, and it can travel at a rate of 3 to 5 kilometers per hour (2-3 mph). If all goes according to schedule, the robot will complete the journey on December 10, after 49 days of walking.

On the 500-km Tōkaidō Road from September 23 to November 10, 2010

The Evolta robot is no stranger to endurance challenges. In May 2008 the battery-powered mascot climbed a 530-meter (1,740-ft) rope suspended from a Grand Canyon cliff, and in August 2009 it drove non-stop for 24 hours around the Le Mans race circuit, covering a distance of 23.7 kilometers (14.8 mi). Each feat earned the robot a Guinness World Record.

Evolta robot at Grand Canyon (2008) // Evolta robot at Le Mans (2009)

The current and previous versions of the humanoid were created by renowned roboticist Tomotaka Takahashi, founder of Kyoto University's Robo-Garage. The new robot features a hamster wheel-like design to facilitate movement over uneven surfaces, as well as a handcart that holds batteries. The batteries will be recharged once per day throughout the course of the journey.

Artist rendition of Evolta robot on Tōkaidō Road (2010)

The 500-kilometer (300-mi) Tōkaidō Road, which runs between Nihonbashi bridge in Tokyo and Sanjō Ōhashi bridge in Kyoto, served as Japan's most important transport artery during the Edo period. During its heyday in the 17th to 19th centuries, the road was one of the busiest highways in the world. In those days, it typically took travelers about 10 to 12 days to walk the route, weather permitting.

Tōkaidō Road photographed by Felice Beato in 1865

In the 17th century, the Tokugawa shogunate set up 53 post stations along the route, where travelers could find food, shelter and other services. These stations are perhaps best known through "The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō" series of woodblock prints by the great ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige, who first traveled the route in 1832.

Shinagawa, the first station on the Tōkaidō Road (print by Hiroshige)

The landscape has changed a great deal since then, and many of the old post stations have developed into towns and cities. The Evolta robot plans to pass through at least one station per day during the trek.

All of the action is being broadcast live on Ustream (morning to afternoon, Japan time).

The robot will also be tweeting its progress (in Japanese) at @evoltatoukaidou.

[Link: Evolta World Challenge III]

Hero Cigarettes, 1894

Tokio Beer, 1896-1906

Chūyū Cigarettes, 1900

Peacock Cigarettes, 1902

Kabuto Beer, 1911

Dai Nippon Brewery Company, 1912

Kembang Beer (Sakura Beer export label), 1912-1916

Sakura Beer, 1924

Umegatani sake, 1926

Sakura Beer, 1928-1932

Cascade Beer, 1929

Yebisu Beer, 1930

Minori Cigarettes, 1930

"Tobacco Profits for National Defense" Week, 1930 // Hibiki Cigarettes, 1932

Urara Cigarettes, 1932

Kirin Beer, 1933

Zuigan sake, 1934

Takara shōchū, 1935-1938

Gekkeikan sake, 1935-1938

"Defense for country, tobacco for society" (South Kyoto Tobacco Sellers' Union), 1937

Sakura Beer, 1938

Kirin Beer, 1939

Anti-black market poster (violators face 3 years in prison, 50,000 yen fine), 1948

Message from Japan Monopoly Corporation, 1954

[Sources: Tabako Omoshiro Catalog Zukan (Kodansha, 1987) and Meiji/Taisho/Showa O-Sake No Hōkoku Graffiti (Kokusho, 2006)]

Ad for Kinder-Puwder, King of Pediatric Drugs -- Morikawa Chikashige, 1880 [+]

Chasing measles away -- Utagawa Yoshimori, 1862

Ten realms within the body -- Utagawa Kuniteru III, c. 1885 [+]

Pills to cure toxic illnesses such as syphilis and gonorrhea -- Artist unknown, late 19th century

Protective gods help good drugs fight evil disease -- Utagawa Yoshikazu, 1858 [+]

Hōsō-e talisman print to ward off smallpox -- Artist unknown, c. 1849

Ad for drug to improve handwriting and reading skills -- Utagawa Yoshitsuya, 1862

Foods that can be eaten by measles patients -- Utagawa Yoshimori, 1860s

Pregnancy guide -- Hamano Teisuke, 1880 [+]

Eye, ear, nose and hand -- Ochiai Yoshiiku, c. 1865

Defeating cholera -- Kimura Takejiro, 1886 [+]

Hōsō-e talisman print to ward off smallpox -- Utagawa Toyohisa II, c. 1830

Three mighty men conquering measles -- Ochiai Yoshiiku, 1870s [+]

Measles treatment -- Ochiai Yoshiiku, 1862

Teaching on harmonious body and mind -- Utagawa Yoshikatsu, 1850 [+]

Measles-themed hand game -- Utagawa Yoshitsuya, 1862

Illustrated guide to parental obligations -- Utagawa Yoshitora, 1880 [+]

Shinto god from Izumo province for preventing measles -- Taiso Yoshitoshi, 1862

Seller of eyeglasses -- Katsushika Hokusai, c. 1811-1814

Hōsō-e talisman print to ward off smallpox -- Utagawa Yoshitsuru, c. 1849

Illustrated account of cholera prevention -- Taiso Yoshitoshi, 1877 [+]

Bodily functions personified as popular kabuki actors -- Artist unknown, late 19th century [+]

Methods for preventing measles -- Utagawa Fusatane, 1858 [+]

Defeating measles (personified as a child) -- Utagawa Yoshifuji, c. 1840

Pregnant women playing in summer heat (5 heads, 10 bodies) -- Utagawa Kunitoshi, 1881 [+]

[Link: UCSF Japanese Woodblock Print Collection]

+ Video

The event, which features periodic light and water shows, will continue through August 22.

This collection represents only a small portion of the figurative trademarks found in the Japanese Figure Trademark Database. To explore the contents, go to the search page and plug in the Vienna Classification category numbers for the type of figure you would like to see.

The database does not provide explanatory information about the characters, nor does it indicate the names of the companies that employ them.

[Thanks to Japanese Trademarks for pointing the way!]

Osaka Mercantile Steamship Co., Ltd., 1909

Osaka Mercantile Steamship Co., Ltd., 1916

Oriental Steamship Co., 1919 (Chinese poster)

Osaka Mercantile Steamship Co., Ltd., 1916

Japan Mail Steamship Co. (NYK), 1910

Korean Mail Steamship Co., 1918

Osaka Mercantile Steamship Co., Ltd., 1912

Japan Mail Steamship Co. (NYK), 1914

Japan Mail Steamship Co. (NYK), 1940

Osaka Mercantile Steamship Co., Ltd., 1909

Osaka Mercantile Steamship Co., Ltd., 1916

Oriental Steamship Co., 1914

Japan Mail Steamship Co. (NYK), 1909

Japan Mail Steamship Co. (NYK), 1928-1930