NHK Pokemon Special Featuring smpratte

My best guess is he actually said “Hunting/Chasing after Moby-Dick” since Moby-Dick in Japanese is called “White Whale”. The analogy doesn’t really exist in Japanese as far as I know though

2 Likes

Chasing one’s white whale is also a common expression in English that was probably translated 1:1.

However, we should still acknowledge that Scott loves that sperm/sperm whale expression that I’ve never heard anywhere else except from him. If Japan learns anything it should be that this exotic American collector is obsessed with whale sperm.

8 Likes

sperm whale sperm to be precise.

1 Like

Scott,

What an amazing achievement - takes me back to the early days when we literally had no info other than random rumours. Look where this community is now, a truly humbling moment.

Congratulations on maintaining your position as a truly premier collector and figurehead, and look forward to seeing it continue to grow. Enjoy this!

dogma

10 Likes

Thanks dogma! That really means a lot! Always nice to see you/an og pop in! It’s crazy how far the hobby has come! :blush:

3 Likes

That would be confusing because whale sperm is actually a delicacy in Japan :joy:

One thing I want to know is how many times did you have to rehearse the famous Japanese TV “we just turned up at house unexpectedly and this is the first time we have met” door opening and greeting shot?

1 Like

Is what now?

image

3 Likes

Yes, look up shirako. I’ve never tried it but I have seen it for sale in various places including served as sushi. I heard it’s creamy in texture. Unfortunately it’s a winter food so maybe World’s 2023 is non-starter.

But actually thinking about it, because of an amusing quirk of the Japanese language, saying “I’m sperm of a whale” would be a completely reasonable and natural thing to say in a specific situation in Japan.

2 Likes

:nauseated_face:
I love whale meat as much as the next guy but I’m not sure if I’m ready for this.

1 Like

It’s great to learn new things about different cultures, but I’m going to take your word for it on this one, and not input that into google haha.

okay but any other guitars besides that JEM? :eyes:

2 Likes

I have a few cordobas! Also a couple other Jems in cases. Typing this out I realize I get a type I like and stick to it. :sweat_smile:

4 Likes

Funny seeing the Ibanez guitar in the background wich coincidentally is a famous Japanese guitar (I wonder if the journalist noticed this). I myself prefer ESP (both amazing Japanese brands)! Like with Pokémon cards, a recurring debate in the electric guitar world is American versus Japanese models (e.g., Gibson/Fender vs. Ibanez/ESP), and similarly you have “investors” and “players”. It is also funny to compare prices between instruments and cards, as a high end Pokémon card can be equivalent to some amazing highly collectible vintage guitars.

2 Likes

Didn’t think I’d read a comparison of guitars to Pokémon today but glad I did! :guitar:

I’ve always been into Ibanez, the Japanese promos of guitar. Huge Steve vai and satriani fan. Borderline obsessed. I’ve messed around on strats and telecasters but they always felt more limited, like English Pokémon cards.

2 Likes

Ibanez are great. They play amazing and were innovative, especially the JEM design. Steve Vai makes them sound really cool. I could never get a sound I liked out of them though :laughing:, as much as I liked the design.

I’m with you on the Telecaster, that’s my least fav 50s guitar. Much prefer a Les Paul or Strat. I hated the Strat for the first few years of playing guitar though. Felt so weak and sloppy. But once I practiced more and evolved my playing, I fell in love with the front pickup sound. Like, the Andy Timmons tone. To me this is the most beautiful and pure electric guitar tone for less heavy stuff:

1 Like

I had this early serial number Ibanez M8M from the Sugi “custom” shop in Japan, insane piece of gear. Easily one of the best guitars I’ve owned, only sold it because I’m done with 8-strings and 29,4 inch scale lengths.

5 Likes

ooh, nice! jems are really wonderful. truly elegant.

gotta have one in the background for the next grandma house video :joy:

3 Likes

if you’re into 8-strings, we got to talk music! I work in the industry as an artist manager for heavier bands. can definitely geek out on gear with you haha

2 Likes

This is quite random, but today I’ve come to the north of Japan for a business trip, and I noticed while walking to my hotel that just round the corner is the trading card shop that is introduced at 13:25 in the video!

If I have time I’ll try to drop by tomorrow! (Unlikely)

3 Likes