Electirc fan precursor found in ukiyo-e print.

A precursor to the modern electric fan can be spotted in the right panel of "Ooku of Chiyoda," one in series of mid-1890s prints by Toyohara Chikanobu (1838-1912) depicting the daily lives of the ladies of the inner chambers of Edo Castle. Uchiwa (paddle-shaped hand fans) are placed at an angle into the wheel of the device which is cranked by hand. Word has it that the woman operating the fan went on to make a fortune in the national arm wrestling league.

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'Hiroshige Fan Prints,' by Rupert Faulkner. 

A fire-breathing Godzilla rises from the sea in Akita Prefecture

As the sun sets in Oga City, Akita Prefecture, a ferocious, fire-breathing Godzilla rises from the sea. 

The Godzilla Rock, which sits off the south-western part of Shiosezaki Peninsula in the Sea of Japan, is a small, inconspicuous rock formation during daylight but when viewed from the right angle at the right time of day transforms into the king of the kaijū. 

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"Greetings" from WORLD ORDER choreographer's group Hidali (feat. Nonstop)

Choreography group, Hidali, was formed by former WORLD ORDER lead choreographer, Ryo Noguchi, choreographer Takeatsu Nashimoto, and beat maker Yu Imai in 2013. Since then, membership has grown to include choreographers Tsutomu Sasao, Mikako Kano, and Aya Terasoma. Between them they have choreographed music videos and live performances for the likes of Will.i.am, Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliot, SKE48, Girls Generation, and SHINee, and have become regular choreographers for FEMM and Arashi. 

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Hidali have put together a collection of playful short videos to celebrate Japan's holidays on their official Youtube channel, featuring lifesavers, a funky grandma, a human Christmas-tree factory, and an incredibly strong-necked bather who could be the answer to Japan's dwindling sentō culture. The 7th installment, T.G.I.F., is a collaboration with Californian popper, Marquese Scott, aka Nonstop, famous for Youtube video 'Pumped Up Kicks.'

Add some kaijū to your kimono with Tōhō Kaijū Netsuke

Figure company Chara-Ani began releasing its Tōhō Kaijū Netsuke line this last February which already includes 3 Ultraman and 3 Godzilla series kaijū. Beginning in June, another 7 Godzilla series netsuke will be released.

Japan's 10 Most Terrifying Yuru-kyara Mascots

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Yuru-kyara (ゆるキャラ), literally "soft characters", are usually cute, anthropomorphic amalgams of the local products and landmarks of regions and cities that are intended to help boost tourism. They're seriously big business in Japan with approximately 1700 yuru-kyara entered into the 2014 Yuru-Kyara Grand Prix and still others that weren't. Amid all this cuteness, however, there exists a truly terrifying category of yuru-kyara that is the product of a designer's sense of humour, a tactic to enliven a town's dull image, or the unfortunate and unintentional result of a sincere attempt at cuteness.

For your consideration, in no particular order, the top 10 most terrifying yuru-kyara Japan has to offer.