To download the Mac and PC icons please refer to my Downloads Page, where you'll find all my icon sets, my terms of use and the licenses I offer.

A systen Mac OSX set based on traditional Japanese culture. No PC version available at this point because PCs don't have this system breakdown. However, should anyone like to convert the icons for me, I wouldn't mind releasing them for PC.

PS: A full explanation of the icons is included in the Read Me file, but for those who don't download them, here it is:

Finder: I offer two new versions of the finder face: manga and ukiyo-e.

Computer: The original computer!

Home: Based on my friends' village house.

Documents, clipping, folders: Origami paper and a folded pocket for the folders.

Documents folder: Origami paper is sometimes sold in fanned-out packs.

System and Classic folders: Japan's current flag and the more ancient Emperor's standard (I know it's still in use, it's just much older).

Desktop: A desk all set for calligraphy work!

Users: 3 Noh masks.

Applications: fude, the calligraphy brush.

Delete: tantou, the dagger that accompanied all warriors besides their swords.

Eject: The background motif comes from a Japanese family crest.

Customize: Bonsai basami, the shears used to "customise" and care for bonsai.

Burn: hibachi, the brazier.

CD, CD-R, DVD, DVD-R: I used tsuba, sword guards, whose circular shape was appropriate; the simple shape is for CDs, the more elaborate one for DVDs, and the blank version of each is for the recordable devices.

Internal HD: Tansu , a wooden chest. Obviously the place to store everything else.

External HD: Ishidourou , the stone lantern that is erected in gardens. It's external and it's hard...

Removeable HD: Inrou, a medicine purse that was carried around hanging from the belt.

iPod: Wouldn't this baby look wonderful as an inrou? :^)

Favorites: Maneki-neko, of course!

Find: Shikoku, a Japanese dog breed. Fetch!

Drop box: Tokkuri, the sake bottle. After all, everyone pours from it instead of drinking directly from each other's cups...

Library: A scroll.

Public and Private: The torii is a large archway that marks the entrance to a Shinto shrine. In contrast, Jizou-bosatsu represents the effigy of the deity, usually hidden within the shrine. Hence the public/private folders.

Movies: Classics of Japanese cinema, Kurosawa to be more specific.

Music: Biwa, the Japanese lute.

Pictures: From a karuta (card) game.

Trash: Choose between the Daruma doll whose eyes are colored in when the trash is full, or the open/closed kasa

Network and sites folder: Based on an ancient Japanese map.

iDisk: Noren, an entrance curtain omnipresent in Japan. It consists of two or more flaps of fabric one walks right through, with a design printed over both.

Fonts: I'm sure you've guessed it – the Kanji for "character".

System preferences: An example of sumi-e, ink painting.

Icons folder: Double reference, as the icons used literally are Japanese icons.

Extra icons just for fun: A happi or worker's jacket, a shamisen, which is a string instrument, an o-mamori, a kind of talisman, a chouchin or paper lantern, and a family of koi, the sacred carps.

Nihon no Otaku set © Joumana Medlej, January 2005