Weird Japanese Notepad Origins?

March 22, 2005 10:22 AM

I'm looking for information on the origins of a small Japanese notepad I've acquired. Primarily I'd like to know who the characters in the illustrations are, and why one is examining the other's backend.

There's very little Japanese text, but it appears to be repeated throughout.

I've posted images here.

posted by adamkempa to Society & Culture (3 answers total)

It says "I'm a common pug" and the nose in the rear probably is meant to reinforce that.
posted by planetkyoto at 11:05 AM on March 22, 2005

Oops, someone already wrote that, except the common ("ko") part.
posted by planetkyoto at 11:06 AM on March 22, 2005

Patrick wrote: "Japan produces a huge amount of these cute stationary items with random expressions so it may be difficult to find any more information on origin or lineage."

So I guess they aren't recognizable characters, but just generic critters who inhabit stationary? Disappointing. Thanks Planet Kyoko / Patrick!
posted by adamkempa at 11:09 AM on March 22, 2005