The age of the geek with expendable cash is truly upon us, as many people who grew up on comic books and cartoons are turning into adults with well-paying jobs. There is also a growing population of people in Japan who are forgoing a traditional relationship and instead spending more money on themselves. These burgeoning consumers might be the reason why you will find geek-centric yet sophisticated household items. That way, responsible adults can still revel in their fandoms but still be refined home decorators.
It’s time to get our wallets ready again, since now you can buy Mobile Suit Gudam plates covered in Kanazawa gold leaf.
There is a style of traditional craftwork produced in Kanazawa that turns gold into gold leaf. The time-honored technique is brilliant, both in ingenuity and shininess.
Gold leaf is gold that is hammered around 10,000 times to create a sheet of gold foil that is only 1-2 millimeters (0.04-0.08 inches) thick. The precious gold leaf is used as an accent or even the main attraction in many different items ranging from fountain pens to Japanese fans and decorative trinket boxes. Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture produces 99 percent of the gold leaf in Japan and proudly calls it Kanazawa-Haku. If you have visited Kyoto before, it is likely that you have seen this special gold leaf in person, as the famous Golden Pavilion is covered in gold leaf from Kanazawa.
Mobile Suit Gundam fans can rejoice as a brand new collaboration combines the dazzling Kanazawa-Haku with the iconic mechanical designs of Kunio Okawara. You have probably never seen Gundam and the Zaku so traditionally stylish before.
Coming in a set of two, these beautiful plates would look amazing on any coffee table, or mantel, since the plates come with stands as well. That’s just fine and dandy since you won’t be getting very much function out of these dishes anyway as they are only 14 centimeters by 14 centimeters (5.5 inches x 5.5 inches).
▼ Would you put your dirty food on here? We think not!
Gundam and gold leaf fans will have to head over to the Bandai Online Store if they want to pre-order the Gundam Gold-Leaf Glass Plates. You can do so from now until September 24 at 11:00 p.m. JST. After that, you’ll have to go in person to any Gundam Cafe location in Japan. The beautiful plates will cost 8,424 yen (US $69.91), but from the look of it, they are worth every pretty penny.
▼ Amuro will also be buying a set.
Source: Japaaan Magazine
Images: Premium Bandai