When I was living in Hawaii, I met another magician who sold magic supplies he purchased in Japan. He sold me several Japanese Super Soft Spongeballs, and they FAR exceed the quality of the spongeballs available in the US. I’ve since purchased every one he stocked, and now need more. He isn’t sure when (if ever) he’ll get them back.
After a little research, I’ve found that the maker (Tenyo Magic), only markets the size I need in Japan. They sell a package of much smaller ones in the US, but they are too small for my needs. I contacted Tenyo, but they told me that they only market them in Japan. The only way to get them is to purchase them in Japan. I’ve scoured the internet looking for a US magic shop that imports them, but found nothing. I’m desperate to replace the ones I have, but I can’t book a flight to Japan for it…
If any Dopers in Japan would be willing to visit a magic shop and purchase some for me, that would be fantastic, and I would be ever so grateful. If you verify that the shop has them in stock, I can send a money order (with a little extra something for you!), in advance.
Tenyo says the product name is: Super Ball (L) 80mm. They are red sponge balls about 80mm in diameter. 70mm or 90mm would also be acceptable. I would like to purchase at least two dozen. Any Japanese Dopers able to help out?
If all else fails you could try a Japanese buying service. There are quite a few companies online who will buy products for you on your behalf in Japan and have them shipped out to wherever you are.
I’ve never used one myself and I have heard they can be quite expensive, but a google search for ‘Japanese buying service’ should bring up a few options to try.
The Tenyo site says to contact local magic dealers. If you can find any of those specifically, it might help those who aren’t in the magic know. They’re most likely only in major cities (Tokyo, Sendai, Osaka, etc). Not sure when I’ll be in Tokyo next, but I don’t think in the next 6 weeks, so Auto might be your best bet unless TP has some time. Gomen.
I just saw this. I’m afraid I live in total inaka Hokkaido so I’d have no idea where to even start looking for these. I hope someone in a more metropolitan area comes in soon. Good luck with the ball-grabbing!
Thank you anyway. And I’ll see if I can compile a list of areas with magic shops. The buying services do seem to be a little expensive. Great idea, but not worth the cost for this type of item.
Where will you be visiting Auto? I’ll see if I can find a shop nearby.
My son will be stationed in Japan (Yokohama/Yokosuka area) starting the latter part of August. He said it sounded like a scavenger hunt, and would be willing to try to find them. Going to Tokyo would not be much of a problem if that was the best place to go.
I’m going to Japan the end of the month I’ll be in Yokohama, Kyoto, and Tokyo. I don’t have much time for scavenger hunting but could help you out through various means if you need. Provide locations that sell them and time allowing I could stop in and pick them up. I could provide hotel info and you could place an order to be mailed to my hotel.
The others with more open schedules and better Japanese communication skill are probably better suited to help you but my offers there.
Sorta related I know a few people who run importation and online businesses for all types of odd items like those. How much of Tenyo’s line is currently unavailable in the US? In your opinion would North American distribution of their products be desirable to people in the US other then yourself?
I’ll contact Tenyo to see who stocks them in Tokyo. Perhaps one of the shops is close to where either you or Autolycus is staying. If its not convenient for either of you, I can arrange for shipping to a hotel.
As far as importing the rest of Tenyo’s line, I don’t know how much they offer in Japan but not the US. Their US line is fairly extensive for a unique magic vendor. There is a market for the premium sponge balls. Every pro magician I’ve shown mine to has loved them and admitted they were far better than their own US bought sponges. But most magicians are not aware that they exist as an option. Its a premium item they need to be made aware of, before they can know that they NEED them! I bought every sponge ball my Hawaiin friend had, and quickly resold every one of the smaller ones (the ones to small for my use).
I would love to help in some way too, but Im in the middle of moving to Yokohama, and there could be a China trip sometime soon, so Im not sure how useful I would be.
My gut feeling, is that it would be best to look for it in Yuzawaya in Kamata, or the Tokyu hands stores.
Oh, and anyone coming to Tokyo, is welcome to have a beer with me in Shinagawa
Can’t read it, but from the photo those appear to be the same prepackaged set that is available in the US. They are too small. However, I asked Tenyo for a list of Tokyo shops that would carry the size I am looking for, and they gave me a list. Here is the email:
Dear Mr. Shai’tan,
We sell our sponge balls in Tenyo magic counters in the following department
stores. Please ask our dealer the quantity in store stock. (Currently, Tenyo
head office doesn’t have them in our stock.)
[Shinjuku area]
Takashimaya
Isetan
[Ikebukuro area]
TOBU
[Yokohama area]
Takashimaya
Please show a memo to our dealer, they will understand it.
We hope you’ll have a good time in Japan.
Sincerely,
Kenichi Komiya
Tenyo Co., Ltd.
The last one appears to be in the area that you are moving to, and where boytyperanma will be staying. If you speak Japanese, and you don’t mind helping, you could contact the store to find out how much they are, and how many they have. As far as I know they are sold individually, but if they have the 80mm (or 70mm/90mm) in four-packs, that’s fine too. Or even some sort of bulk-package. I just need to know how much money to send my helpful proxy shopper. The shipping will be cheap. They squish VERY flat/small (does not harm them), and can be smashed into a very small package. If the purchaser is just there for a short trip, they could even wait and ship them state-side. Doesn’t matter to me. I’m just excited to finally be getting new ones!
I work in Shinjuku, and spend more time in Isetan and Takashimaya than at work. And I speak jive. It would be a pleasure–nay, an honor–to grab your balls for you.
Boytyperanma, donchoo worry about scavenger hunting luv. I can grab them this weekend.
Hehe, naw s’all good. But, I would like to meet up with you Kinki, and whoever else is available, on August 2-3rd or so when I’m in Tokyo. Once I’m in Aomori, it’s gonna be hard for me to visit Kanto or souther.
Oh darn! I work in Shinjuku as well and visit the local department stores too. However, I’m a little late as Shai’tan’s balls will be claimed by another. Darn! Hehehe.
