Yesterday, Matsuzakaya, one of

Yesterday, Matsuzakaya, one of Tokyo's venerable department stores, delivered a Winter Gift catalog to our house. In the packet were enticements to us--a free ticket to Matsuzakaya's next art show and a washcloth.

But the catalog itself was the showpiece with 16 pages of boxed gifts. 550 variations on a theme, really. Let me explain.

The gifts are arranged in price points with 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen being the most common. In the 3,000 yen category, here are some samples of what you might give (or receive):

• 2 canisters of green tea
• 12 cans of Asahi Super Dry beer
• 6 bottles of salad oil
• 7 jars of instant coffee
• assorted cookies
• 2 small hams
• 24 pickled plums
• 8 cans of soup
• 2 embroidered hand towels
• 3 pairs of socks
• 15 bars of handsoap
• 3 boxes of laundry detergent
• 4 packets of bath salts

The 5,000 and 10,000 yen gifts are more of the same. 5 pairs of sock. 24 bars of soap. Two slightly larger hams.

There is a half page in the catalog labeled "Unique Gift." While I wouldn't call their suggestions unique, a board game, a clock, potpourri, a Pinocchio puppet and a travel pillow are strikingly individual after the 500 boxes on the preceeding pages.