Tag: Japan

Art

Take a look at the Japanese factory where manhole cover designs are made!

After World War II, urban planners in Japan began allowing each municipality to design their own manhole covers. This was done in an attempt to raise awareness for the country's expensive sewage projects. And now, over 19,000...

By Umar Ansari · Sep. 07, 2017

Vintage

Original watercolor art of Ghost in the Shell will be on display at London's House of Illustration

The Hollywood remake of Japanese sci-fi anime Ghost in the Shell was one film that most movie-goers anticipated for mainly for Scarlett Johansson’s participation. But before the big-budget film came to be, Hiromasa Ogura’s...

By Mariza Monta · Sep. 04, 2017

Art

Less well-known but highly talented independent Japanese animators create short films in one-man operations

We are all aware of the success of Studio Ghibli’s films. They have become the benchmark of quality and passion when it comes Japanese animation. These films have garnered global fame and admiration. However, Miyazaki's success...

By Sharee Ann Narciso-Tolentino · Aug. 21, 2017

Fashion

Future of fashion: solar-powered coat made by COMME des GARÇONS alumnus can charge all your electronic devices

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to have access to a charging station all the time even if you’re in the middle of literally nowhere? Junya Watanabe just made that possible. And he’s even nice enough to let you wear it. The futuristic,...

By Mariza Monta · Jul. 24, 2017

Culture

Michael Wolf captures different emotions in Tokyo’s congested subways

Known mostly for his magnificent architectural photographs of bustling cities like Hong Kong and Chicago, Michael Wolf is no stranger to the chaos and madness of rush hour. The German-born photographer, who has been residing...

By Mariza Monta · Jul. 17, 2017

Food and Beverage

Intricate geometric carvings on fruits and vegetables that would stop you from eating them

Mukimono, a traditional practice in Japan, is the astonishing art of carving out shapes, even faces, on various fruits and vegetables. It is extremely time-delicate as discoloration of the piece can start once it is gutted or peeled...

By Mariza Monta · Jun. 26, 2017

Art

Suspended pine tree in the coldest place in Japan looks like a huge figure when covered in snow

We have featured Azuma Makoto countless times because of his highly interesting, truly unique botanical art and now, another one of his works has furthered our love for his creation. Trees of all kinds are one of the main components...

By Mariza Monta · May. 30, 2017

Culture

Yoko Ishii takes us on a rare journey to a land where deer freely roam the streets

Nara is the only city in Japan where Sika deer are free to walk the streets whenever they want. There are even a special rice biscuits made just for deer and people can buy them in any store around the place. However, not everyone loves...

By Venesa Musovic · Apr. 07, 2017

Nature

700-year-old sacred tree located in a Japanese train station

Kayashima Station in the Northeast suburbs of central Osaka, Japan hosts a 700-year-old tree. The massive camphor tree has been around for centuries and is associated with a deity. The station first opened in 1910 and was soon...

By Umar Ansari · Mar. 07, 2017

Cute

Japanese illustrator Maori Sakai perfectly captures happiness in her artwork

Born and raised in Japan, Maori Sakai has never seen herself doing anything other than creating interestingly cute, whimsical art. After attending Kuwasawa Design School in Tokyo for three years, she went on to work for a production...

By Mariza Monta · Feb. 24, 2017

Vintage

Photographer takes on experiment with a $1 camera in Japan and the results are dreamy

In this modern day and age, it would be weird for someone to replace a good digital camera (or a mobile phone) with a $1 point-and-shoot 35mm camera. For photographer Skyler Adams who has self-diagnosed himself with GAS (Gear Acquisition...

By Mariza Monta · Feb. 15, 2017

Industrial design

Everything that a nomad in Japan needs is in “Hako”

In Japan, there are many people that often move from place to place for many reasons that are very different from one another. Mexican designer Gerardo Osio wanted to give nomads in Japan a sense of belonging. His design was created...

By Venesa Musovic · Jan. 31, 2017

Art

More heads are certainly better than one in this Japanese artist's sculptures

Yoshitoshi Kanemaki is accustomed to abnormal figurative sculptors, seeing as how wonderful some of his latest creations are. The Japanese sculptor produces sculptures that feature various facial abnormalities and deformities....

By Umar Ansari · Dec. 26, 2016

Fashion

Elaborately-dressed bagworms dresses female consumer culture in Japan

Aki Inomata is tackling female consumer culture in Japan as part of her elaborate series in an odd and creative way! The artist dressed female bagworms with pieces of extravagant attire, designed to be protective cases of...

By Umar Ansari · Dec. 02, 2016

Inspiration

This Japanese museum is dedicated to funny rocks with human faces

By Umar Ansari · Nov. 29, 2016

Industrial design

Bring your baby everywhere with this transforming stroller/tricycle

Located two hours northwest of Tokyo is Chichibu, Japan is the only place in the world you'll find a museum dedicated to funny-looking rocks. Yeah, you read that correctly. It’s officially called the Chinsekikan, or "Hall of Curious Rocks," and contains a ton of "jinmenseki," rocks with human faces. It's run by Yoshiko Hayama, widow of the original owner who passed away in 2010. The late Shozo Hayama was an avid collector of rocks and spent 50 years collecting ones that reminded him of faces. Hayama believed that nature was the best and only artist. Check out some of the freaky rocks below and if you're looking to visit the museum, make sure to plan ahead because it often closes unexpectedly for personal reasons. ...

By Umar Ansari - May 04, 2016

Architecture