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Honestly, I’ve never really seen the point in hanging a clock on the wall in your home. Between the time displays on my PC, phone, TV, DVD player, PlayStation, and microwave, I’ve got plenty of ways to tell the current hour and minute without a dedicated timepiece taking up space where I could hang other things, like the California license plate in my living room that simultaneously makes me miss my home state and driving whenever I look at it.

I’m just not convinced that having a wall clock makes your home that much more convenient. However, it can make it a lot cuter, if it’s one of these adorable Japanese dog or cat-shaped clocks with an amazingly lifelike wagging tail.

In the U.S., saying someone studied basket weaving in college is a thinly veiled accusation that they coasted through their higher “education” taking courses that were neither challenging nor useful. Basket weaving is indeed a skill, though, and it’s the main area of expertise of Japanese artist Keitaro Fujii, who graduated from Musashino Art Academy’s design department in 1977.

But while the Tokyo-born Fujii’s prized rattan works have been exhibited not only in Japan, but also the U.S., Germany, and France, he also occasionally dabbles in creating things other than baskets, as I found out while walking through the Tobu Department Store attached to Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo.

Up on its sixth floor, Tobu has a fine art and gift section, plus a small gallery. You’ll find similar things in most major Japanese department stores, usually offering paintings, flatware, photo frames, and other interior appointments. What they don’t usually have, though, are these.

Clocks on wall

Priced at 21,600 yen (US$174), these kitties and pooch are from a line of animal clocks designed by Fujii. Even though they’re composed of gears springs, as opposed to the pure love that many pet owners will tell you their animals are made of, the way they swish their tails back and forth is every bit as adorable as the real thing.

Clocks close up

Hmm…maybe there’s something to be said for having a clock on the wall after all.

Store information
Tobu Department Store, Ikebukuro Branch / 東武百貨店 池袋店
Address: Tokyo-to, Toshima-ku, Nishi Ikebukuro 1-1-25
東京都豊島区西池袋1−1−25
Website

Reference: Craft Ogawa
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