TSURU, Yamanashi -- They look like very cute crabs holding up a pen with their pincers. One can almost hear them say, "Heave ho!"
They are actually crab-shaped pen holders produced by Minoru Tanaka, 45, a formative artist in Tsuru, Yamanashi Prefecture. The products have been highly popular ever since they caused a buzz on social media. Sales of the pen holders have also started at Michi-no-Eki (roadside rest area) Tsuru in the city's Ohara area.
Tanaka has been passionate about making things since his childhood. He even dreamed of building a robot like those in the popular anime series "Mobile Suit Gundam." He therefore enrolled in the University of Yamanashi's Faculty of Engineering, where he majored in mechanical engineering.
After graduation, Tanaka's first job was making prototype models of mobile phone straps and doll figures. He is now self-employed designing, making and selling miscellaneous goods and useful tools.
About three years ago during a Japanese sword boom, an idea hit him while he was looking at sword holders. "They look like crabs," he thought.
Based on the image in his head of freshwater crabs in his home prefecture's Katsuragawa river, Tanaka designed pen holders using 3-D computer graphics. He then produced prototype patterns with a 3-D printer, and now sells the products he makes with duplicates.
The crab-shaped pen holders are made out of resin and come in a choice of red, blue, green or beige.
Social media users said last year his products seemed real and were very cute.
Tanaka was flooded with orders for the pen holders. As he could not meet demand, he was forced to discontinue online sales. He now goes to craft exhibitions and flea markets in various places, where he sells the pen holders while exhibiting them and chatting with visitors.
He has received many inquiries about where he will next sell the pen holders. The information can be found on his website: http://ahnitol.com/
The pen holders, as products by a plastic artist native to the prefecture, came to the attention of a person in charge of Michi-no-Eki Tsuru.
Sales of the crab-shaped pen holders in the roadside rest area began on Feb. 21. The price is 500 yen (about 4.55 dollars) each, not including consumption tax.
Tanaka said: "I'm very happy, as my products are now also seen by people in my hometown area. I want people to hold them in their hands."
For telephone inquiries to Michi-no-Eki Tsuru, call (0554) 43-1110.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
