Calling all fans of Japan

[devi]

This has been bugging me all evening. Maybe one of you can help me. Isn't there a Japanese word which means 'big eyes, small mouth', and basically stands for their whole concept of cute? And what is it?

On a not unrelated note, how come I never noticed the Hello Kitty shop in Chinatown until kyte pointed it out today? They practically had to drag me out again, while I babbled "awwww!" and "Engrish!" and such stuff, and tried to get Chinese shop assistants to translate the Japanese on things, embarrassing everybody involved.

Comments

[kasku.livejournal.com]

*gasp*

I want to go to the Hello Kitty shop!!

[casca-2u.livejournal.com]

I'm not Japanese speaking, but I have heard that Kawai = cute; but I haven't heard about the association with big eyes or small mouth... This site is also useful and fun! http://physics.uwyo.edu/~brent/jal/jal-w5.htm

[kagomeshuko.livejournal.com]

I don't know about the whoe eyes and mouth thing. However, "Kawai" is cute. Then, there's those smaller characters or drawings and they are called "Chibi."

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[saffronra.livejournal.com]

big eyes, small mouth would be something along the lines of ookii me, chisai kuchi. but Japanese being Japanese, it's probably something entirely different! As other people have said, kawaii is cute.
Hello Kitty store in Chinatown is disgustingly expensive, there's also a Hello Kitty stall in Camden.

[sciamachy.livejournal.com]

There's also a dirt cheap (by comparison) one at Oriental City in Colindale.

[saffronra.livejournal.com]

ahhh, but then you have to take into consideration the fortune it costs to get there on the tube ;)
It's a lot less tempting to go all the way up to Oriental City now that the bookshop's closed. :( All that manga. Gone! Neither Mitsukoshi or the Japan Centre have such a good selection

[elethe.livejournal.com]

What Hello Kitty shop? Is it new? Maybe it's a magical shop that only reappears when you really need it.

[secretrebel.livejournal.com]

Chibi for small/cute
Kawaii for cute/charming

Hello Kitty

[killalla]

I vote with the folks above, who suggest "kawaii" or some approximation thereof. And yes, Hello Kitty - cute but deadly. I recommend the sanrio.com and associated websites if you want more information about characters and trends. In terms of purchase, I don't know where to go in England, but I can recommend the San Francisco flagship store in the US. The recent line drawn series is a particular favorite of mine.

[plasticsturgeon.livejournal.com]

The word "genki" comes to mind, although I'm pretty vague about that stuff.