Knit Cap Cup is back for their 3rd year! If you didn’t get in last year this is your chance to shine. It’s a contest open to anyone and you get to design your own knit cap. Looks like they added a scarf to the lineup this year. However you do need an address in Japan to enter. If you have that, this is how it works.

1. Fill out the entry form
2. Receive an e-mail that has your entry number and a design template (.bmp file)
3. Go to town on your template!
4. Send it in by e-mail. Entry is about $40 but you will receive your own original cap.
5. In about 1 month your knit cap arrives in the mail
6. In October every entry will go on sale on their website.
7. You get 50% of the profits.

Your own originally designed knit cap for $40 plus the chance to pocket some extra cash? What do you have to lose?

This is going to be a slightly nerdy post but I was so excited when, just yesterday, Kyoto’s Ryukoku University unveiled a digital archive of legendary Japanese director Akira Kurosawa. Consisting of over 20,000 photographs, manuscripts, notes and other artifacts, this is easily the most extensive database of memorabilia related to the director and his work, as well as a fascinating look behind the scenes.

The interface is surprisingly user-friendly, however it’s completely in Japanese. But if you are able to recognize some movie titles in Japanese you may be able to navigate around.

Check out these images from the set of The Seven Samurai…

…and this one from Rashomon…

…and these of Kurosawa in New York walking around Rockefeller Center! Right where I work!! AAHHH!

via Mainichi Daily News