Have a Break

I traveled to Fukushima Prefecture in October. It was my first visit in over three years due to the Corona disaster.
While enjoying the autumn leaves that began to change colors earlier than in Nagoya, I saw Mt. Iimori, the place of the Byakkotai’s suicide attack, and “Sazae-do” (official name: Entsu Sansodou) with its unusual architectural style, and “Ouchi-juku” where houses with thatched roofs line the street and the atmosphere of the Edo period remains.

During the trip, I went to that “TOKIO-BA” because I just passed near Nishigo Village.

“TOKIO-BA” is a creative project started by three members of TOKIO, who are working to promote the appeal of Fukushima Prefecture, in Nishigo Village, Fukushima Prefecture. On the day I visited, “Fukusima BArche”, a marche selling Fukushima products, was being held and many people were visiting.

TOKIO-BA seems to have 80,000 square meters of land, but there is almost nothing there yet.
A search for “TOKIO-BA” on J-PlatPat shows that a Japanese trademark application has been filed.
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/TR/JP-2021-075718/1C48139A269BBBB84029A8C7E9A3611DD45346431BF125E59935356167DB1568/40/ja
Looking at the designated goods or designated services seems to give us a glimpse of what they are trying to do here. I look forward to seeing what they are going to do in the future.(Syszo)

TOKIO-BA – TOKIO Inc. (Japanese only)
https://www.tokio.inc/s/tokio/page/tokio-ba?ima=1624

　The other day I found a registered trademark on a package of chestnuts. Fukuguri are sweet roasted chestnuts.

　I enjoyed eating these roasted chestnuts on their own and as Mont Blanc cake.

The roasted chestnuts I have had so far have been chestnuts with all the skin on and without the skin. Chestnuts with the skin on have flavor. However, if the chestnuts have the skin all over them, it takes time to peel the skin off, and it is very hard to get your hands dirty.

As stated on the package, these roasted chestnuts are easy to peel because the skins of the roasted chestnuts are cracked. They are also easy to cook and eat. (Raspberry)

“Fukuguri Chestnuts”
Owner: Shinko Trading Co. , Ltd.
Japanese Trademark Registration Application: No. 2011-64660
Registration Date: March 30, 2012

　The other day, according to the news, the release of artist Ringo Sheena’s album bonus goods has been postponed because they resemble the Help Mark.
　The Help Mark, which is a combination of a white cross and a heart, is a pictogram created by the Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to make it easier for people to get help by letting them know that they need assistance or consideration even if it is not apparent from the outside, such as the use of artificial legs or joints, or internal disabilities. The Help Mark has been displayed on the Toei Subway Oedo Line since October 2012. The trademark “Help Mark” has no designation, and the right holder is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. (Japanese Trademark registration No. 5624913)
　The Help Mark is also distributed at the section in charge of disability welfare in each municipality and at prefectural public health centers in Aichi Prefecture.

　In addition, the Red Cross “Red Cross Mark” is a mark to protect people injured in wars and conflicts, as well as military medical units, Red Cross rescue workers and facilities that provide aid to such people, and it is strictly prohibited by international and domestic laws to attack hospitals, rescue workers, etc. that display the “Red Cross Mark. International and national laws strictly prohibit attacks on hospitals, rescue workers, etc. displaying the Red Cross symbol. The use of the Red Cross logo is restricted to the Red Cross Society and organizations that are legally designated to use it, and its use is also prohibited for general hospitals, medical supplies, etc.
　I hope for a world where everyone can live with kindness and help each other. (Marron)

Help Mark, a sign of mutual aid (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health Website)
https://www.fukushihoken.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/helpmarkforcompany/

A family member of one of our firm’s employees bought a lot of hanpen (fish paste) at “Nagoya Kamaboko Uomata,” which was introduced on TV. It was mentioned in the firm that the hanpen were delicious.

I looked up “Uomata” at work and found that it was the store for which we had registered the trademark.

If you are ever in Nagoya, please visit Uomata.
We recommend their shaved ice in the summer, baked sweet potatoes in the winter, and special soft-serve ice cream and shakes all year round. (Rice Ball)

It is October, and the end of this month is Halloween.
Although not as many as in the past, Halloween goods can be seen everywhere in town, reminding us that autumn has arrived.
The most familiar Halloween goods are the standard snacks sold in supermarkets and other stores. Illustrations of pumpkins, ghosts, witches, skeletons, bats, black cats, etc., are colored orange, black, and purple for Halloween. All of the cute illustrations are eye-catching.
Looking closely, it seems that many large bags of snacks are sold with Halloween illustrations. Just because the package design is different from the usual, it gives a fun and rich feeling.

Incidentally, the “TRICK OR TREAT” on the top of the package of the product introduced here was registered as a trademark, but the registration date is 47 years ago. I was surprised to learn that they had already registered a trademark related to Halloween nearly 50 years ago, when the word “Halloween” had not yet taken root. (Time)

Registered Trademark
Owner: Morozoff Limited
Japanese Trademark Registration No. 1114436
Registration Date: April 9, 1975