The 12th Zunko Stamp Rally Crowdfunder is Here!
Zunko’s stamp rally’s have been held each year since 2013, and this year marks its twelfth installment! This year’s rally and crowfunding campaign is running from December 9th at 19:00 JST!
The stamp rally was decided as a way to bring people to the city of Shiroishi, a city in Miyagi Prefecture, Tohoku region, which our titular character represents! It’s a way for people to help revitalise Tohoku, by working together with communities and artists, especially those local to the area. Let’s find out more about what this event is all about below!
What is the Tohoku Zunko Stamp Rally?
This event is free to participate, and those who join in will have the chance to visit various areas/landmarks in Shiroishi, collecting stamps as they go!
- All of the areas will be centered around Shiroishi, Miyagi
- The stamp rally will last for between 1 and 2 months
- No need to preregister or pay to jon in!
- There will be 15 places to visit for the rally
- Many of the areas to visit will also have Zunko-themed merchandise or menu items available!
If you’re curious, you can actually check out a broadcast of the first day of the 9th Zunko Stamp Rally which was uploaded to KHB On Demand : スーパーJチャンネルみやぎ【白石市 アニメで町おこし】（KHBオンデマンド）/ (Super J Channel Miyagi [Shiroishi City Town Revitalisation With Anime – KHB On Demand).
>>For more information on the previous Zunko stamp rallies, check out the link below!<< https://fuboh.jp/zunko/category/archive/
The theme for this year’s stamp rally
The theme this year is “もしも、ずん子ちゃんが〇〇だったら”, or “What if Zunko-chan was 〇〇*”
If the crowdfunding goal is met, there will be an event related to this theme beginning around March/April 2021. “What if Zunko was a store clerk?”, “What if there was a place that Zunko and co. could always gaze at?”, “What is Zunko-chan was sitting right next to you?”… The possibilities for this theme are endless! During the stamp rally, the organisers would like the city of Shiroishi to become somewhere where the question of “what if?” can be explored.
※Please note that this is an estimate as to when the event will take place, depending on the spread of coronavirus.
*〇〇 – This is usually a way of representing a variable. In this case, examples are most likely to be occupations or other ideas relating the the character Tohoku Zunko!
Life-size cardboard cut-outs of Tohoku Zunko
^ Examples of cardboard cut-outs from previous stamp rallies ^
As with previous iterations of the stamp rallies, this year the organisers are working on installing plenty of life-size panels of Tohoku Zunko, all of which are illustrated by artists with a love for the zunda-loving vocal synth! These cardboard cut-outs will represent Zunko partaking in various activities, in relation to the theme of “what if?”.
Applications for illustrations of Zunko for the life-size panels will begin in mid-December, so we’ll keep you updated!
The crowdfunding campaign – how you can help!
People wanting to support this project can donate money via their official crowdfunder on GREEN FUNDING! You will need to login/create an account here to proceed with supporting them:
Here are the different plans and what you’ll get for them
>> Message Plan – ¥600
You’ll get a thank-you message and receive the latest updates abou the Zunko stamp rally by email! You’ll also receive leaflets and a stamp card to participate in the rally before it starts.
>> Shiraishi（4614）Supporter Plan – ¥4,614
In addition to everything in the previous tier for ¥600 …
Your name will be printed on the leaflets for the stamp ralle, etc. You’ll also receive a so-called “supporter pass”, which will allow you to make use of supporter-only services at the various stations for the stamp rally!
The first 300 people who apply for this will also receive a commemorative over-mask! (please note that the mask is meant to be worn over a more effective mask in order to stop virus particles. On it’s own it acts as more of a decorative piece/ less practical accessory).
>> T-shirt Plan – ¥12,000（¥10,000 for early supporters）<<SOLD OUT>>
In addition to everything in the tier for ¥4,614 …
you will receive a commemorative T-shirt which is said to be of a “light zunda* colour”! Your name will be printed on the back of the T-shirt too!
(Sizing information can be found on the official crowdfunder page here).
* – “Zunda” is a paste made from boiled, mashed green soybeans, which Zunko absolutely loves eating!
※Early supporter price limited to 10 people
>> Shiraishi’s “food” Preparation Plan – ¥16,000
In addition to everything in the tier for ¥4,614 …
You’ll receive 2kg of Miyagi Shiroishi “Sasanishiki” Rice , 1x Zunda “uumen*” noodles, 3x Zunda youkan** and other Shiroishi food that you can enjoy at home. That way, even if you can’t join in with the stamp rally, yiu can still enjoy specialities of Miyagi prefecture.
*- “uumen” is type of sōmen made without added oil, and it’s a specialty of Miyagi prefecture, which is most commonly eaten in a warm broth.
** “youkan” is a jellied dessert made from red bean paste, agar, and sugar, usually sold in small bars.
>> Arcade Tapestry Plan – ¥17,000
In addition to everything in the tier for ¥4,614 …
During the stamp rally, there will be tapestries decorating certain indoor shopping arcade areas! With this plan, you’ll have your name added to one of them, and after the rally is finished, you’ll receive said tapestry to keep!
※Limited to 30 people
>> Station Front Shopping District Tapestry Plan – ¥17,000 <<SOLD OUT>>
In addition to everything in the tier for ¥4,614 …
Your name will be printed on a tapestry used to decorate the shopping district in front of the station, and once the stamp rally is over, you’ll receive two of said tapestries!
※Limited to 20 people
>> Shiroishi Washi Paper Business Card Holder Plan – ¥20,000 <<SOLD OUT>>
In addition to everything in the tier for ¥12,000…
You’ll receive a business card holder made using a stone rubbing printing/dyeing technique on Shiroishi Washi paper. These use Shiroishi washi paper which is courtesy of Kurafuto, who also organise plenty of events in regards to the art of Shiroishi Washi paper, all made from local materials. The previous version of the print for the business card holders was more of a mulberry, but this time they will be green, sporting a Zunko-inspired woodblock seigaiha print (seigaiha is a traditional Japanese pattern representing ocean waves).
※Limited to 7 people
^ The woodblock used to create the print ^
>> Three Tohoku Sisters Kokeshi Plan – ¥24,000 <<SOLD OUT>>
In addition to everything in the tier for ¥12,000…
You’ll receive three kokeshi dolls of Tohoku Kiritan, Zunko and Itako, designed and produced by local craftsmen.
※Limited to 27 people
>> Sakura Zunko Seat Cover Plan – ¥30,000
In addition to everything in the tier for ¥12,000…
The concept of Sakura Zunko has been around since their 7th stamp rally, an this time they’ve tested the seat cover in at least three models of car (including Taxi Totota Comforts, Prius and HIACE) to ensure that it can be installed in pretty much any car type. You could even potentially add stuffing to create a more 3D Zunko-chan.
>> Bicycle rental Advertising Plan – ¥35,000
In addition to everything in the tier for ¥12,000…
Illustrations of the three Tohoku sisters will be pasted, A4 size, onto the baskets of rental bicycles around the city for the duration of a year! With this plan you can advertise your business services alongside these illustrations on the basket. All adverts will be assessed prior to being added to the baskets.
Duration: from March 12th 2021 ~ March 11th 2022
※Limited to 3 people
For anyone wanting to send in an advertisement for the baskets:
If you want to send the full image data file…
- Please make sure it is A4 size (210 x 297mm)
- Created in Adobe Illustrator CS6 or an earlier program
- Image resolution: 150 – 350dpi
If you want to send just the image file
- Please make sure it is A4 size (210 x 297mm)
- Image resolution: 150 – 350dpi
- Formats accepted: JPEG, PNG, PSD etc
>> All Limited Merchandise Plan – ¥50,000 <<SOLD OUT>>
In addition to everything in the tier for ¥12,000…
You will also receive the business card holder, Kokeshi dolls and Sakura Zunko seat cover.
※Limited to 3 people
>> Zunko Bus Advertisement Plan – ¥60,000
In addition to everything in the tier for ¥12,000…
Illustrations of the three Tohoku sisters will be pasted, onto the passenger seat side windows of the new Zunko bus (Shiroishi Citizen “Kyassukun”) for one year! With this plan you can advertise your business services alongside these illustrations in the windows. All adverts will be assessed prior to being added to the bus.
※Limited to 2 people
For anyone wanting to send in an advertisement for the bus windows:
If you want to send the full image data file…
- Please make sure it is 500 x 200mm (or a maximum of 506 x 206mm)
- Created in Adobe Illustrator CS6 or an earlier program
- Image resolution: 150 – 350dpi
If you want to send just the image file
- Please make sure it is 500 x 200mm (or a maximum of 506 x 206mm)
- Image resolution: 150 – 350dpi
- Formats accepted: JPEG, PNG, PSD etc
>> Bus “wrapping” Plan – ¥270,000 <<SOLD OUT>>
In addition to everything in the tier for ¥12,000…
You will be able to paste your advertisement on the driver’s side of the of the new Zunko bus (Shiroishi Citizen “Kyassukun”). There is no specific duration that the adverts will remain on the bus, and it’s assumed that they will stay until the bus itself is no longer in use. All adverts will be assessed prior to being added to the bus.
※Limited to 1 person
Full list of plans and what each one includes, for comparison purposes:
※Please note that the gifts for backers of the crowdfunder are said to start being posted in late February, with certain gifts (such as the tapestries being used as event decorations) not being sent out until late April/early May, provided the event isn’t delayed due to coronavirus.
※Payment methods accepted include domestic issue credit cards, convenience store payment, Paidy or bank transfer. Because of the limited options, it may not be possible to donate if you are living outside of Japan, so please keep this in mind.
※All prices are in JPY
Crowdfunder results
As of writing, the crowdfunder has already reached 79% of it’s goal – ¥1,975,662 JPY- on the first day with over a 100 backers! Let’s hope that they’ll reach their end goal soon. We can’t wait to see the next steps in 11th the Zunko Stamp Rally!
**UPDATE ON DECEMBER 11 2021**
The crowdfunding goal has now been reached! The stamp rally will definitely be held, though we don’t have any exact dates!
Now that the first goal has been reached, a second goal of 2.7 million yen has been announced too, and this is to do with creating the life-sized panels of Zunko and co. to decorate areas other than the designated pitstops during the rally! Stay tuned for more details.
**UPDATE ON DECEMBER 14 2020**
Since the second crowdfunding goal has been reached, the third has now been announced for 2.9 million yen! Now they will be holding a campaign to design posters for the sake of informing people about infectious diseases and how to stay safe. These posters will be placed not only in stamp rally pitstops, but also across Shiroishi in stores and public facilities.
**UPDATE ON DECEMBER 16 2020**
The Third goal has now been achieved, which allows for the announcement of a fourth stretch goal to be added for 3 million yen: they will start a project to decorate rental bicycles around Shiroishi with images of the Tohoku sisters!
~Tanudama
1 Response
[…] 12th Tohoku Zunko Stamp Rally was announced recently, and the crowdfunder for said event has already reached over 3 million yen with more than 200 […]