Hiya Kitty, the cute small, white cat from Japan, is recognizable worldwide, and for good cause. Launched in 1974 by Sanrio, the cat, whose full title is Kitty White, was born in London on November 1, 1974. Followers worldwide are celebrating her Fiftieth anniversary this 12 months, and shops and on-line websites have tons of merchandise to mark this milestone. Collectors can’t get sufficient of the lovable cat-themed gadgets, and like different toy icons like Barbie or GI Joe, there are literally thousands of iterations to contemplate.
THE BIRTH OF AN ICON
Sanrio launched the character in 1974 within the UK, but it surely took off when gross sales started in the US in 1976. The unique creator, Yuko Shimizu, got here to Sanrio when the founder, Shintaro Tsuji, realized that rubber sandals with flowers didn’t promote in addition to these with cute cartoon characters. Shimizu, a cartoonist, got here up with the thought inside a number of days.
The primary merchandise that included the feline face was a vinyl coin purse. Whereas a number of anniversary reproductions exist, collectors speak about a legend behind the model, which claims that solely one of many unique coin purses exists. It sits in a vault on the firm headquarters in Japan. Nonetheless, if collectors need to personal one thing that evokes the start of a worldwide phenomenon, it’s potential to seek out one of many recreations.
STAYING POWER
Concerning toys which might be additionally collectible, tendencies can come and go. Simply ask anybody with an attic stuffed with Beanie Infants in lucite bins. As soon as thought of an asset class of collectibles that may solely recognize in worth, many nonetheless love them, however they don’t promote for 1000’s of {dollars}. Chances are high that cache of beanies isn’t going to fund your retirement.
What Sanrio has managed to do is deal with the recognition of the character. Initially, the gadgets produced with Hiya Kitty branding had been cheap toys and trinkets geared toward youngsters. They bought properly however had an actual resurgence within the mid-Nineties when the model re-launched some items as “retro.” At that time, each child from the Nineteen Seventies wished to really feel younger once more and imagine that slightly white cat wasn’t only a toy however a connection to their childhood.
In a latest article, the toy’s present designer, Yuko Yamaguchi, mentioned this connection: “[She has no mouth] so that individuals her can mission their emotions onto her face as a result of she has an expressionless face. Kitty seems to be completely satisfied when individuals are completely satisfied. She seems to be unhappy when they’re unhappy. For this psychological cause, we thought she shouldn’t be related to any emotion—and that’s why she doesn’t have a mouth.”
IS HELLO KITTY ANIME?
Whereas she does seem in cartoons and different anime-adjacent merchandise, Hiya Kitty is a part of the Kawaii tradition in Japan. Kawaii is loosely translated to “cute,” but it surely’s greater than that. The literal translation is “acceptable for affection” or “potential to like.” Kawaii merchandise is supposed to be playful, and Hiya Kitty is arguably a textbook instance of the idea.
Sebastian Masuda, a Japanese social media star and creator, is credited with beginning the tradition of Kawaii. In an interview with The Comm, he talks about how kawaii helped folks through the Pandemic, stating, “Kawaii is extra like a philosophy, so I believe it’s extra vital to consider it like throughout this Pandemic throughout which nobody can costume up, and we have now extra time to suppose. So we’re having conferences with a number of totally different nations to debate how we will unfold kawaii world wide. If we consider kawaii as a philosophy, we will turn out to be happier and extra peaceable.”
FINDING HELLO KITTY IN THE WILD
The advantage of Hiya Kitty is that she is in every single place. The Sanrio web site has all of it for the most recent Fiftieth-anniversary merchandise, however different on-line websites can have tons of of classic Hiya Kitty gadgets alongside newer creations.
Retail large Nordstrom has additionally gotten into the sport with a pop-up store that includes unique clothes, footwear, and equipment that includes the feline phenom. One in every of their companions is Asian American knitwear designer Chet Lo, who created a knit costume that sells for $640, however Nordstrom additionally carries sweatshirts and T-shirts by Champion which might be extra reasonably priced.
Adidas Stan Smith footwear are additionally a part of the Nordstrom unique Hiya Kitty choices and have been flying off the cabinets.
For thrifters seeking to discover some offers, they received’t be disillusioned. Social media websites like TikTok and Instagram are stuffed with reels from followers and collectors who scour thrift shops for something associated to their favourite kitty and submit their hauls. An area information station in California just lately featured a Hiya Kitty collector who has her whole dwelling crammed together with her finds. Whereas exhibiting the reporter round, the collector, who solely shared her first title for security causes, identified the primary Hiya Kitty merchandise, a set of erasers. Since then, she has amassed 1000’s of different gadgets.
With a model like Hiya Kitty being so common, followers ought to be cautious and look out for knock-offs. Specialists advise followers that Hiya Kitty’s bow is at all times on the left ear, there’s by no means a mouth on any product, and there’s normally a copyright label. Some gadgets have a hidden holographic, light-sensitive mark to authenticate the piece.
For a easy character like a small cat with no mouth, Hiya Kitty has endurance that not each collectible model achieves. Because of its reputation world wide, there’s loads of Kawaii kitty cheer to go round.
Brenda Kelley Kim lives within the Boston space. She is the creator of Sink or Swim: Tales From the Deep Finish of All over the place and writes a weekly syndicated column for The Marblehead Weekly Information/Essex Media Group. When not writing or strolling her snorty pug, Penny, she enjoys yard gross sales, flea markets, and badminton.
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