The Japanese, ever thoughtful, have trouble accepting anything without feeling obliged to give something back. When given money at a wedding or a funeral, you’re expected to reciprocate by sending a gift back, worth about half as much as the money received. Usually they’re useful household items like a set of bath towels, comforter sets, and even hot-water dispensers. In Japan, there are entire catalogs devoted to these “return-gifts”. On Valentine’s Day, it’s quizzically the guys who receive chocolates, and two weeks later, on White Day, they’re expected to send sweets back to the ladies. When Japanese go on vacation, they go crazy buying souvenirs, wanting to share their experience with others. The idea of accepting without reciprocating is distasteful to Japanese... which explains the runaway success of chocolate and souvenir companies in Japan.

If you’re ever unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of a gift in Japan, the impressive array of 30,000 gift items and doodads from Motobayashi Co., Ltd. could give you a few ideas for your “return gift”. The Shop Bag Clock is a clock in the shape of a shopping bag, and its convenient handle makes it easy to carry from room to room. For the considerate smoker, there are assorted smoking accessories, such as the portable ashtray... a foil-lined plastic pocket that conveniently stores cigarette ashes. The vision of Motobayashi is to create clever everyday items that are both useful and stylish... a no-brainer in the competitive sport of gift-giving in Japan.