What would it look like if you opened a can that’s been sitting around for half a century? A Japanese female netizen who loves collecting 'Showa retro items' recently shared a video on social media of her opening a vintage sardine can. According to Japanese media Hint-Pot, this woman, known as 'May' and in her 50s, has been collecting retro items for 25 years. The 'Meidi-ya' sardine can that drew so much attention was a treasure she found about 4 or 5 years ago at a flea market. Since there was no manufacture date printed on the can, she contacted the original manufacturer to investigate. The company replied they 'didn’t know the exact manufacture date,' but sent her an old catalog, confirming it was 'definitely produced over 50 years ago.'
May originally kept the can carefully in a clear plastic bag, but recently discovered a gap in the can and that some liquid had started to leak out, so she decided it was time to open it. Wearing gloves, she carefully opened the can. The shocking thing was, despite sitting around for half a century, the sardines inside still looked beautiful and shiny, neatly arranged—as if they could be served at any moment. There was no sign at all that they'd been sitting for 50 years.
The video stunned a huge number of netizens, with many exclaiming: 'The sardines inside probably never imagined they'd be preserved so well!' and 'The old cans really can be stored for 100 years!' Many people also commented emotionally: 'Thinking that these sardines were still swimming in the sea 50 years ago is really moving,' and 'I wonder if the workers who packed the can half a century ago are still alive? The craftsmanship back then was really meticulous.'
May was very surprised by the huge response. She revealed that, actually, the video was shot three years ago, but she recently felt like uploading it again and was amazed that the reaction was even stronger this time. As for the 'elderly sardines,' she laughed and said the smell of old oil was so strong that she didn't have the courage to taste them. After taking some photos, she threw away the contents, but kept the cleaned empty can as part of her collection.
The video stunned a huge number of netizens, with many exclaiming: 'The sardines inside probably never imagined they'd be preserved so well!' and 'The old cans really can be stored for 100 years!' Many people also commented emotionally: 'Thinking that these sardines were still swimming in the sea 50 years ago is really moving,' and 'I wonder if the workers who packed the can half a century ago are still alive? The craftsmanship back then was really meticulous.'
May was very surprised by the huge response. She revealed that, actually, the video was shot three years ago, but she recently felt like uploading it again and was amazed that the reaction was even stronger this time. As for the 'elderly sardines,' she laughed and said the smell of old oil was so strong that she didn't have the courage to taste them. After taking some photos, she threw away the contents, but kept the cleaned empty can as part of her collection.