It’s JUS.
Are you familiar with the term "subliminal effect"?
If you’re a movie buff, you might have heard this urban legend before.
They say that in movie trailers or before the main feature, they insert a single frame—a fraction of a second—of a cola or beer advertisement.
Of course, it happens so fast that viewers don't consciously notice it.
But the idea is that the image enters the brain, creating an unconscious craving for that cola or beer.
Whether or not major beverage companies are actually doing this is a matter of debate.
Believe it or not, it’s up to you!!
However, in Japan, the NHK and the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association have banned the use of this kind of subliminal expression in broadcasting.
In fact, there was a news story about a single frame of a certain religious leader’s face being inserted into the anime "City Hunter 3" for mind-control purposes.
Today, I experienced a subliminal effect just like that. Well, probably.
A customer who stopped by from Osaka today told me they run a hot dog shop there, so as the Tokai region’s representative foodie, I naturally accepted their shop card and business card.
I had never been there, and to be honest, I didn't recognize the name when I heard it.
But then!! In the next instant, my "foodie sensor"—which occupies 90% of my brain—started going "Beep, beep, beep!!"
First, take a look at this.
The 2018 FUJI catalog. Every single year, I read it until the pages are worn out. I naturally memorize the colors, specs, and prices, but I never imagined I’d unconsciously memorized something like that too.
The FUJI BALLAD page.
I think this is the most opened page in the entire FUJI catalog. It’s got a great balance of price and specs, so I often recommend it as an option for those considering their first sports bike.
And it’s not this model on the right side of the BALLAD page!! It’s the sign in the far right corner—
This sign!!
Yes! The owner of the shop on this sign and his wife were the ones who came in. Totally by chance!
They were visiting from Osaka on their way to see a Shiki Theatre Company musical.
After looking at their shop card, I thought, "Wait? I feel like I've seen this somewhere... What was it? What was it? I'm sure..." and when I pulled out the FUJI catalog, the wife said, "Ah! That's it!"
I replied, "I knew it!!" and we gave each other a high-five!!
The owner loves bicycles and was asked to participate in the catalog shoot by chance. He said he’s been to many different bike shops, but I’m the first person who ever noticed this just by being handed a shop card. It’s true, the shop name is only printed in the corner of this one page.
They were very moved.
I'm honored.
Since I’m a foodie, I guess information about restaurants gets inputted into my brain automatically, even in a bicycle catalog, without me even realizing it.
"FAT DOG STAND" in Chuo-ku, Osaka. This must be fate; I’ll definitely stop by for a hot dog next time I'm in Osaka!! Can't wait!!
Anyway, speaking of FUJI, the 2018 models have arrived!
FUJI BALLAD R Size:49 Color:British Green ¥92,000(excl. tax)
This is FUJI's prized urban chromoly road bike. It has a classic, nostalgic look, but this year it’s been updated with the new Shimano CLARIS STI levers. Last year’s model used downtube shifters, which meant you had to take your hand off the bars to shift, but with these STI levers, you can shift without letting go, making it much easier for those trying out a road bike for the first time.
It comes in six sizes, so even smaller women can find a perfect fit—that’s the real charm of this bike.
FUJI SINARI Size:52 Color:Dark Chrome ¥260,000(excl. tax)
This high-grade chromoly road bike, which was sold until 2015, is making a long-awaited comeback. The horizontal frame with Reynolds 525 chromoly tubing and lugged construction is, in a word, beautiful. The supple, smooth ride characteristic of chromoly reduces strain on the rider. It comes with a no-compromise assembly featuring an 11-speed Shimano 105 groupset. The combination of traditional drop bars and silver quill stem parts creates a vibe that truly deserves to be called "neo-classic"!
It’s getting colder here in the Tokai region every day, but I encourage you to get out and ride your bike this winter to feel your own body temperature rise! I’m sure you’ll find something new!
A glutton. Subliminal in my brain.
