What's the NEW VINTAGE? Vol.116 Speaking of "the best character ring in Japan," Jap Studio is the best!

In the 1990s, the term "vintage" was used to describe vintage clothing that did not meet the definition of "antique," but still had value, as opposed to "antique" clothing that was 100 years old. Nowadays, there is a movement to find new value in "new vintage," even in old clothes from the 1980s onward, which used to be called "regular" vintage clothes. In this project, four vintage clothing stores with different styles propose new ways to enjoy vintage clothing. Each of them will talk about the charm of vintage clothing with their own sense of style.

This is the 15th season of this series! This is the 116th installment, the first round of the series with all new stores. This is the 116th issue of the series, and it is the third appearance of Mr. Koji of "danjil" since Season 9. What new vintages will he introduce?

Text_Tommy
Edit_Yosuke Ishii

Koji / danjil Manager
Vol.116_Jap Studio's silver ring

It's been a long time. This is the third time you have appeared on the show, having previously appeared in Season 2 (2021) and Season 9 (2023).

I am glad to be invited back like this!

So far, you have introduced us to such items as HERMES' Turbo, KIK WEAR's knit polo shirts, OAKLEY's Icon backpack, and NIKE's NIKE ZOOM AIR URL. What is the new vintage you are going to introduce this time?

I checked our past articles again, and I realized that accessories have not appeared in the past. Compared to clothing, bags, caps, and shoes, accessories may be a lighter item in a coordinate, but we have prepared something that we think is interesting from our unique point of view. This is the "JAP Kobo" ring.

I was an American TOY fan in the 1990s, and I miss it very much! Indeed, I was curious every time I visited "Danzil".

In those days, many vintage clothing stores were owned by owners who said, "I love anything American! Many of them had not only vintage clothing but also imported toys and miscellaneous goods. I think many people were imprinted with vintage clothing and the culture of the area as one set.

Can you tell us what kind of brand "Jap Studio" is to begin with?

I looked into it again, but it's a bit long (laughs). The brand itself started in 1981. The brand itself was started in 1981, and at first they were producing and wholesaling small leather goods such as wristbands with studs, belts, and accessories, mainly in Harajuku.

So it's a brand with a long history.

That's right. The brand also began to handle tour costumes for musicians. According to the brand's history on its official website, it seems that St. Kemma II, led by the late Mr. Demon Kogure, Jun Togawa, Stalin, LUNA SEA, and others were among those who worked with the brand. In parallel with these, the brand also started a rock fashion brand and began to produce accessories.

Heh. It states, "Around 1992, I began to focus on the production of figurative special costumes and art accessories, and I was also implicated in the sexy costumes of the stand-up gals. I did not know this (laughs).

In 1995, he started working on costumes for movies and video game commercials, and in 1996, he released silver jewelry featuring Marvel Comics characters such as Spider-Man. The "Jap Studio" that we saw in magazines seems to have started around this time.

When did "Danzil" start dealing with them?

I think it's about the Corona Disaster. I was once again intrigued by the mix of Japanese culture, hardcore, punk, and various other cultures in one place. The originality is the same, but above all, the quality is amazing. It takes more than ordinary skill to achieve both that detailed modeling and thinness.

This is a very exciting time for us! And now, what we have prepared for you....

R2-D2 ring from Jap Studio, ¥43,780(Danzil)

First up is the "R2-D2 RING" from the collection released in 1997 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the "Star Wars" movie. The head and arm parts are movable, and the prototype sculptor is Noboru Kawakami.

Chewbacca ring by Jap Studio ¥32,780(Danzil)

The "CHEWBACCA RING" beautifully expresses the flow of Chewbacca's body hair. The prototype artist for this ring and the "BOBA FETT RING" was Mr. Tatsunori Minamisaka. Boba was a favorite of HIKARU of "BOUNTY HUNTER" at the time. BOUNTY HUNTER's HIKARU was also a fan of Boba, howling, "It's so cool!

Boba Fett ring by Jap Studio ¥54,780(Danzil)

They are all the most popular characters in the series. And then there's this one, which is really amazing!

Jabba the Hutt ring by Jap Studio ¥54,780(Danzil)

It is "JABBA THE HUTT RING". The prototype sculptor is Takayuki Takeya, and his sense to make Jabba's huge body into a compact ring is really amazing! While most of these products usually only include the main characters, the fact that they also include maniac characters in the lineup is very typical of this maniacal Japanese brand. Also, the fact that the prototype maker's name is clearly displayed on the model shows the strong pride they take in their sculpting, which is very good.

Is this the same collection?

Darth Maul ring by Jap Workshop ¥54,780(Danzil)

This one is the new character "Darth Maul Ring (DARTH MAUL RING)" from the collection released in conjunction with the movie "STAR WARS EPISODE I," which was released in the summer of 2000. At the time, HIKARU, a bounty hunter, was also recommending it in a fashion magazine. There are few people who have this area, and I personally recommend it.

The popularity of the "Star Wars" series is ironclad in the vintage clothing industry, isn't it? Are there any other items from "Jap Studio" that you are interested in?

Alien 3 Ring by Jap Workshop ¥43,780(Danzil)

This collection is probably a collection of three sculptures from the 1998 movie "ALIEN". Among them, this "ALIEN-III RING" is basic and easy to wear. The prototype was made by Yuji Chimi. And the other one is even more amazing.

˜Oh~!　Comes with box & special case!

Jap Studio's Chestbuster Ring ¥65,780(Danzil)

The "CHEST BUSTER RING" is based on the Chest Buster, a juvenile alien that made a deep impression in the movie. The prototype sculptor is Naoki Hidaka. The prototype was made by "Jap Studio," and the figure maker "Medicom Toy" was asked to make the soft vinyl case in the shape of an alien egg pot.

It's the best combination, isn't it? I can only say, "Oh my God! How do you think the younger generation reacts to these kinds of heavy and dark silver jewelry?

Surprisingly, the younger generation in their 20s has responded well to it. Therefore, the brand is selling well both to our generation in their 40s, who are nostalgic for the brand, and to the younger generation, who are new to the brand. Since it is a Japanese brand to begin with, we are able to find it when we stock it, but I feel that it is becoming more difficult to offer it at a reasonable price compared to when we first started dealing with it.

It is also good to look at it as a work of art, because it looks good just by displaying it without wearing it. By the way, how do you feel about the brand "Jap Studio" now?

That's what makes it interesting to check out the official website. In the brand history, you will be surprised to find many names of clients that will make you say, "Oh, is that one of them? and especially in the section from 2000 to 2003, you will find the names of top brands in Uraharajuku, which is a must-see. Why don't you try digging with those as a reference?

Koji / danjil Manager
In 2003, "danjil" opened a vintage clothing store in Machida, known as a mecca for vintage clothing in the southwest area of Tokyo, featuring a lineup of items related to American culture from the 1980s to the 2000s. 22 years later, the store is celebrating its 22nd anniversary and is filled with items related to street culture and American sports, making visitors "lovers" fainter in agony. The store, now in its 22nd year, is filled to the brim with items related to street culture and American sports, causing the "lovers" who visit the store to fainter in agony. He is also the director of the COTTON PAN brand.
Instagram:@danjil2