[More]

- Old-school Tokyo subway manner posters: 27 train etiquette posters from the 1970s-1980s

* * * * *

- Custom scooters: Photos of 30 Japanese scooter mods

* * * * *

- Post-apocalyptic Tokyo scenery: Fantastic photo manipulations by Tokyogenso

* * * * *

- Macabre kids' book art by Gojin Ishihara: Not just for kids

* * * * *

- Concept cars: A look back at 50+ years of Japanese concept car designs

* * * * *

- Japanese town logos: 50 examples of kanji-based logos for Japanese towns

* * * * *

- Kaikidan Ekotoba monster scroll: Mysterious mid-19th century scroll featuring 33 legendary monsters and human oddities

* * * * *

- Futuristic mega-projects: Shimizu Corporation's bold architectural plans for the world of tomorrow

* * * * *

- Horror illustrations by Tatsuya Morino: The great monsters of Gothic literature get a makeover

* * * * *

Selections from the Japanese urban legend series

- Ningen: Giant humanoid sea creatures of the Antarctic
- Sony timer: Rumors of a secret kill switch in Sony products
- Severed samurai head in Tokyo: A head buried in Tokyo has haunted the city for 1,000 years
- Secrets of the Tokyo underground: Rumors of a hidden city under Tokyo
- Hanako-san: Girl ghost haunts restrooms across Japan
- Human-faced dog: Encounters with mysterious canines
- Okiku doll: A haunted toy with hair that grows
- Urban legends from Meiji-period Japan: Phantom trains, bloody chocolate, and more
- Cursed commercial: Infamous Kleenex ad that sparked fear across Japan
- Human pillars: Tales of human sacrifice for large-scale construction projects

* * * * *

- Sci-fi illustrations by Shigeru Komatsuzaki: Fantastic art from the 1960s-1970s (bonus points for the comments)

* * * * *

- Manga farming: Nifty gardening technique by Tokyo-based artist Koshi Kawachi

* * * * *

- Paintings by Tetsuya Ishida: Surreal and provocative

Happy holidays, and thanks for reading. See you again in 2011!

[Photo: Satoshi Minakawa via today and tomorrow]

[Photo: ART SEKI]

[Photo: FREEDOM遊遊フレンド☆はぐれ雲]

[Via: Tokyo No Cocoro]

[Photo: Satoshi Minakawa via today and tomorrow]

[Photo: ART SEKI]

[Photo: ArtTruckSEKI]

[Via: DAVAO'S PRIDE]

[Photo: FREEDOM遊遊フレンド☆はぐれ雲]

[Photo: ART SEKI]

[Photo: Satoshi Minakawa via today and tomorrow]

[Via: SchlumpVibes]

[Photo: FREEDOM遊遊フレンド☆はぐれ雲]

[Photo: ART SEKI]

[Photo: ArtTruckSEKI]

[Photo: ART SEKI]

[Photo: FREEDOM遊遊フレンド☆はぐれ雲]

[Photo: ART SEKI]

[Photo: Satoshi Minakawa via today and tomorrow]

[Photo: ART SEKI]

Solar Tree: Coming in 2030 to a city near you

The envisioned tree-shaped charging station -- called the "Solar Tree" -- stands 12 meters (39 ft) tall and has three translucent round solar panels that follow the sun across the sky. With an expected conversion efficiency of 30%, the three solar panels together can generate 20 kilowatts of power. At the base of each tree is a clover leaf-shaped wireless charging pad that can recharge batteries from a short distance, without the use of cables or plugs.

As part of the exhibition, Nissan showed off the latest version of its EPORO robot car, which has been outfitted with a wireless power system. In addition to recharging itself under a Solar Tree, the robot can also repower itself on the go by receiving electrical energy via charging lanes on the road.

EPORO robot recharging under a Solar Tree

Solar Trees can be used individually as small-scale charging stations in urban areas, or they can be grouped into forests to produce energy on the scale of power plants. According to Nissan's design, a forest of 1,000 Solar Trees will be able to provide electricity for 7,000 households.

In addition to providing power, Solar Trees can provide some relief from the heat in summer. The translucent solar panels offer protection from UV light, while fine mist emitted from the edges of the panels works to reduce the temperature in the immediate vicinity.

Rei Densetsu / Rei Ayanami

Shinya / Sasami Sasagawa

StudioR / Tacchi Tachikawa

MAGI / EXIT TRANCE SPEED

Piskes / Haruhi Suzumiya

Itokuzu / Hayate Yagami

Itokuzu / Hayate Yagami

Wan / Koiiro Soramoyou

Regtan / Miku Hatsune

The entire collection is available as an iPad photo book, which also features background stories about each itasha and its owner.

[Link: Ita☆Sha]

Toyota Proto, 1957

Toyota Proto, 1957

Toyota Publica Sports, 1962

Nissan Prince Sprint 1900 Prototype, 1963

Toyota Concept, 1966

Mazda RX 87 (Bertone), 1967

Isuzu Bellett MX1600 (Ghia), 1969

Toyota EX-1, 1969

Toyota EX-II, 1969

Toyota EX-III, 1969

Mazda RX-500, 1970

Mazda RX-500, 1970

Isuzu MX1600-II

Nissan 126X, 1970

Nissan 270X, 1970

Nissan 216X, 1971

Nissan Skyline Concept, 1972

Toyota EX-7, 1972

Toyota RV-2, 1972

Toyota F101, 1973

Nissan AD-1 Concept, 1975

Nissan NX-21, 1983

Nissan CUE-X, 1985

Daihatsu TA-X80, 1987

Mitsubishi HSR II, 1989

Nissan Boga, 1989

Nissan Figaro Concept, 1989

Nissan FEV, 1991

Mazda London Taxi, 1993

Mitsubishi ESR, 1993

Suzuki EE-10, 1993

Nissan AP-X, 1994

Toyota Moguls, 1995 // Nissan Hypermini, 1997

Nissan TrailRunner, 1997

Nissan KYXX, 1998

Honda Fuya-Jo, 1999

Mazda Miata Mono-Posto, 1999

Isuzu Zen, 2001

Toyota POD, 2001

Isuzu FL-4, 2002

Honda IMAS, 2003

Honda KIWAMI, 2003

Honda Pro Drag Civic Si, 2003

Nissan Jikoo, 2003

Toyota FINE-S, 2003

Toyota MTRC, 2004

Infiniti Kuraza, 2005

Mazda Senku, 2005

Mitsuoka Orochi, 2005

Nissan Zaroot, 2005

Acura Advanced Sedan, 2006

Mazda Nagare, 2006

Nissan Terranaut, 2006

Acura Advanced Sports Car, 2007

Mazda Taiki, 2007

Nissan Mixim, 2007

Nissan Bevel, 2007

Nissan Pivo-2, 2007

Honda FC Sport Concept, 2008

Mazda Kiyora, 2008

Honda P-NUT, 2009

Infiniti Essence, 2009

Nissan Land Glider, 2009

Isuzu FC-12

Isuzu Fire Fighter 2

Isuzu FL-1/FL-4/FL-10

Isuzu Lunar Rover

Isuzu Super Heavy Dumptruck

Lexus Minority Report Concept, 2054

[Via: NetCarShow, Car Styling, ConceptNissan, Isuzu]

Three annoying train monsters (October 1982)

The three annoying train monsters shown in the poster are Nesshii (the sleeping monster), Asshii (the leg-crossing monster), and Shinbunshii (the newspaper-reading monster).

* * * * *

Don't throw chewing gum on the platform (September 1976)

Even Superman is no match for chewing gum discarded on the train platform.

* * * * *

The Seat Monopolizer (July 1976)

Inspired by Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator," this poster encourages passengers not to take up more seat space than necessary.

* * * * *

Don't forget your umbrella (June 1977)

This poster of the high-class courtesan Agemaki (from the kabuki play "Sukeroku"), whose captivating beauty was said to make men forgetful, is meant to remind passengers to take their umbrellas when they leave the train.

* * * * *

Space Invader (March 1979)

This 1979 poster pays tribute to the extremely popular Space Invaders video arcade game and encourages passengers to read their newspapers without invading the space of other passengers.

* * * * *

Isami-ashi: Wait behind the white line (May 1979)

The image of sumo wrestlers locked in combat serves as a reminder for passengers to stand safely behind the white line when waiting for the train.

* * * * *

Don't forget your umbrella (October 1981)

The text at the top of this poster -- which shows Jesus overwhelmed with umbrellas at the Last Supper -- reads "Kasane-gasane no kami-danomi" (lit. "Wishing to God again and again"). The poster makes a play on the words "kasa" (umbrella) and "kasane-gasane" (again and again).

* * * * *

Shimatta (March 1977)

This poster warns passengers against getting their shoulder bags caught in the train doors.

* * * * *

Coughing on the platform (January 1979)

Modeled after the paintings of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, this poster -- titled "Hōmu de Concon" (coughing on the platform) -- urges people not to smoke on the train platforms during the designated non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM). The poster makes a play on the words "concon" (coughing sound) and "cancan" (French chorus line dance).

* * * * *

Dream at home (December 1981)

This poster, which features Doraemon dressed as Santa, encourages Christmas and end-of-year drunks not to pass out on the train.

* * * * *

The Non-Thinker (May 1981)

The image of a cross-legged version of Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker" aims to encourage passengers to sit in a way that is considerate of other passengers.

* * * * *

Kappa, (August 1979)

The image of a kappa (river imp) against a backdrop of lit cigarettes serves as a reminder not to smoke on the platform during the designated non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM). The text at the top of the poster reads "Gaman gurai wa he no kappa," which translates loosely as "waiting is no big deal."

* * * * *

Umbrellas left behind in the subway (June 1976)

This Marilyn Monroe poster aims to remind passengers to take their umbrellas with them when they leave the train. The text in the top right corner -- "Kaerazaru kasa" (umbrella of no return) -- is a play on "Kaerazaru Kawa," the Japanese title for "River of No Return," the 1954 movie starring Monroe.

* * * * *

I'll stand up (July 1979)

Uesugi Teppei, a character from the popular manga "Ore wa Teppei," offers to give up his seat to the elderly and infirm.

* * * * *

Do not rush onto the train (April 1979)

This poster advises passengers not to rush onto the train at the last moment. The text (かけこみ禁寺） is a play on the words かけこみ禁止 (kakekomi kinshi - "don't rush onto the train") and かけこみ寺 (Kakekomi-dera - Kakekomi temple), which has long been known as a sanctuary for married women fleeing their husbands.

* * * * *

Clearly show your train pass (September 1978)

The image of Napoleon holding a partially concealed train pass is meant to remind passengers to clearly show their train passes to the station attendant when passing through the gates. The dictionary page in the background appears to be a reference to Napoleon's famous quote, "The word 'impossible' is not in my dictionary."

* * * * *

Humans are forgetful (February 1976)

This poster, which reminds passengers to take their belongings when they leave the train, shows Astro Boy returning a forgotten hat and umbrella to his creator, Osamu Tezuka.

* * * * *

When the bell chimes, it's too late (April 1977)

This poster, which depicts Cinderella rushing from the ball at the stroke of midnight, is meant to warn passengers against the danger of trying to rush into the train after the departure chime sounds.

* * * * *

Mary is tired (December 1977)

The image of Mary carrying baby Jesus aims to encourage passengers to give up their seats to mothers with small children.

* * * * *

No smoking during non-smoking hours (October 1980)

The "Journey to the West" monkey urges passengers not to smoke on the platform during the designated non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM).

* * * * *

You've had too much to drink (October 1976)

This October 1976 poster of a drinking Santa is addressed to the drunks on the train. The text, loosely translated, reads: "I look like Santa because you've had too much to drink. It's only October. If you drink, be considerate of the other passengers."

* * * * *

Wasureemon (June 1980)

Doraemon offers a friendly reminder not to forget your umbrella. The text at the bottom is a suggestion to write your name, address and company name (or school name) on your possessions.

* * * * *

Marcel Marceau (October 1978)

Marcel Marceau gestures toward a priority seat reserved for elderly and handicapped passengers, expecting mothers, and passengers accompanying small children.

* * * * *

I stepped in gum (March 1980)

The image of a cat stepping in gum is a playful twist on the popular children's song "Neko Funjatta" ("I Stepped on a Cat").

* * * * *

Clearly show your train pass (September 1976)

This poster is a reminder for passengers to clearly show their train passes to the station attendant, even when they fly like Superman through the ticket gates.

* * * * *

Please open it (July 1977)

This poster of a melting snowman aims to encourage passengers seated near a window to let cool air in when it is hot inside.

* * * * *

Non-smoking Time (November 1982)

The image of John Wayne on a mock cover of Time magazine serves as a reminder not to smoke on the platform during non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM).

* * * * *

[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]

Sphere-wheeled car -- Reiji Iizuka, 1936

This futuristic car with spherical wheels, illustrated by Reiji Iizuka, is based on an idea from a German inventor. The vehicle's tires -- a pair of oversized rubbery spheres -- offer a smoother ride than the conventional tires on a four-wheeled car, and they act as a cushion in the event of an accident.

* * * * *

Amazingly swift flying machine -- Matsujirō Murakami, 1936 [+]

This ultra-fast airplane, illustrated by Matsujirō Murakami, is based on a design by an American inventor. The vehicle is powered by propellers that blast air through a pair of large ducts.

* * * * *

Ship with built-in boat dock - Gyosui Suzuki, 1936 [+]

This safety-conscious passenger ship, illustrated by Gyosui Suzuki, is based on an idea by an American inventor. The hull of the ship is designed to open up in an emergency, and it contains a small fleet of boats that allow people to escape quickly and safely.

* * * * *

Mountain monorail - Kikuzō Itō, 1936 [+]

The design for this innovative monorail train, illustrated by Kikuzō Itō, originated with an American inventor. The two-wheeled design looks rather precarious, but the powerful airplane propeller and tail fin manage to keep the train upright and stable as it zips through the mountains. Extra wheels extend out from the sides when the train comes to a halt.

* * * * *

High-speed tank-style boat - Matsujirō Murakami, 1936

This high-speed battle boat, illustrated by Matsujirō Murakami, is also inspired by an American design. A pair of caterpillar tracks allow the vessel to roll across the water like a tank on land.

[Source: 昭和之雜誌廣告・ナツカシモノ]

The Missiler, 1970 [+]

Giant Shocker Machine, 1975 [+]

Space colony, 1980 [+]

Crawler, 1968 [+]

Mobile marine airport, 1980 [+]

Tokyo volcano, ca. 1965

Attack Boy, 1970 [+]

Undersea super tunnel, 1981 [+]

SHADO-mobile, ca. 1970 [+]

UFO, ca. 1970 [+]

Solar City, 1982 [+]

Thunderbird 1, 1964 [+]

Thunderbird 2, 1964 [+]

Thunderbird 3, 1964 [+]

Thunderbird ships, 1964 [+]

Rikishi Boy, 1970 [+]

Frog car boat, 1961 [+]

Baron car boat, 1961 [+]

Highway rescue boat, 1981 [+]

Space train, 1981

Moon bus [+]

Air car [+]

HariHari, 1970 [+]

Sea monster battle, 1954 [+]

The Mole (Jet-Mogura Tank), 1968 [+]

Thunderbird 6 - Sky-Ship 1, 1968 [+]

Thunderbird Mars Explorer - Zero X, 1967 [+]

Proteus Bluebird CN7, 1963 [+]

Long John - Spirit of America, 1963 [+]

Earthquake, 1979 [+]

Guardman Robot, 1970 [+]

* * * *

Edit: A few more images. (Thanks, Franz!)

Underground metropolis, ca. 1980 [+]

World Space Force, 1982 [+]

Horizon Car, ca. 1960 [+]

Ark of Space, 1968 [+]