The Zakka Kit is a mystery box from Neko Box that's full of 5-8 fun and quality stationery products that you'll be excited to use each month!
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out our review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About The Zakka Kit
The Subscription Box: The Zakka Kit
The Cost: $19.99/mo + shipping
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your first box!
CODE: 10MAIL
The Products: You'll always receive 5-8 fun and quality stationery products that you'll be excited to use each month!
Ships to: The US for $6.50 and Worldwide for an additional cost
Good to know: Boxes ship from Japan
The Zakka Kit January 2018 Review
The first thing you see when you open the box is the info card for the month and theme which is Lucky Charms. You can win $10 off by tagging them in social media photos!
The reverse side has all of the month's items listed out with a short description. This month has a value of $25+ USD listed.
Daruma Stamp by Kodomo No Kao
I just recently learned what these familiar Japanese icons are: Daruma! They're modeled after the founder of Zen and Buddhism, Bodhidharma, and are a symbol of good luck, the setting of goals, and perseverance. I've always been drawn to this little guy and now I know why.
Attached to the block of wood is a small rubber stamp bearing the iconography.
Here it is covered in gold ink so you can see it a bit better.
Gold Color Kiss Ink Pad by Kodomo No Kao - Retail Value $3.49
Good thing, they've included an ink pad as well in gold (a very lucky color indeed).
This one-inch pad is the perfect size for the small stamp.
Here they both are in action.
Maneki Neko + Inu Hariko Stickers
Next are some good luck stickers in the form of cats and dogs! Maneki Neko translates to "beckoning cat" and is probably familiar because of how often Japanese and Chinese store or restaurant owners have them inside their establishments for good luck. Though I've seen the Inu Hariko before, it isn't as familiar and I have to say I didn't realize it was a dog until now! It basically translates to "paper mache dog" (these figures were most commonly made of paper) and symbolizes protection.
These stickers are made of a textured paper and have red, black and gold metallic ink.
Lucky Charms Print
The print I received ended up being what I now know to be an Inu Hariko. See how much I learn with all of these fun boxes? Our happy little doggy friend is wearing its signature red kerchief and has what looks like Cranes flying overhead. You can totally use this as a postcard if you don't want to use it as a print.
Lucky Symbols Stickers by Shinzi Katoh x Seal Do
Awww, I love Shinzi Katoh and haven't seen anything by him recently at all. So happy to see these included in the Zakka Kit this month even though I don't recognize the style as quickly. There's a koi fish, Maneki nekos, a bell, and other imagery that I assume to bring good luck.
Lucky Charms Memo Pad
Again, I have received the Inu Hariko version of the memo pad and am not mad about it at all. This four-inch square notepad has an embossed plastic cover and is chock full of pages.
Here are the four different designs that can be found within the pad. All so cute!!
Zebra Sarasa Clip Gel Pen in Milk Blue, 0.5mm - Retail Value $1.75
If you follow my stationery subscription reviews, you know I am head over heels in love with the Zebra Sarasa Clip Pen. I find it to just be perfect in every way, and it has a TON of colors (here, in milk blue).
The handy clip here is one of my favorite features of this pen. If I'm running around and need a writing utensil, this is easy to push open and clip onto my shirt.
Here's a writing sample of the pale milky blue color my pen came in. A color I don't already have! Shocking! This is also a 0.5 mm tip which I find to be a little thick but works for this soft hue.
Kitty Stickers
Per usual - there were a few stickers floating around in the box, and this time they're both kitties! A pile of three kitties, then one waltzing into a paper bag (as they do).
Verdict: I was digging the theme for this month's Zakka Kit! I can use all the luck I can get, and learned a few things along the way. I'm always stoked to receive stickers and this month I got two sheets. I also got a really cute notepad, stamp and ink pad set, and a new color of my favorite pen! For $26.49, I got seven lucky items that I can use to turn my luck around in the new year.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but you have until the 21st to receive the February box.
Coupon - Use code 10MAIL to save 10% off your first box!
Value Breakdown: At $26.49 ($19.99 + $6.50 shipping to Pittsburgh) for this box, you're paying approximately $3.78 per item.
Check out all of the stationery subscriptions in the Paper and Stationery Subscription Box Directory!
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What do you think of The Zakka Kit this month?
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