Marie Mutsuki Mockett

I wrote last year how Kinokuniya in New York had reorganized its shelves to give priority shelf space to manga and anime. I also wrote how I'd once sat in a meeting with Japanese book publishers who talked about the growing interest of western youths in this Japanese export.



So, what do we make of this display? I went back to Kinokuniya just last week and found even more reorganizing; DVDs are now front and center. And then, just inside the door, was Shonen Jump along with . . . costumes.

I think it's a smart move. The second floor of Kinokuniya has always had "traditional Japanese gifts," which are generally along the lines of what JP refers to as being of the "tea and temple" variety; wrapping paper, washi mobiles, incense burners. But it appears that someone has gotten smart and has started to introduce some of the new obsessions the west has with Japan. How long before Kinokuniya notices that the Japanese grocery stores in NYC are renting out videos for homesick expats and ventures into the rental business? And then, of course, there is the new Uniqlo with its T-shirts and J-pop section. How long until we start to see some Japanglish shirts on the walls of the venerable bookstore?

First posted at Japundit where you can read the comments.