Art & Design | Tokyo Weekender

Legendary Artist Keiichi Tanaami Passes Away Aged 88

Matthew Hernon — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 02:08:22 +0000

It has recently been announced that legendary artist and graphic designer Keiichi Tanaami, who was renowned for his vivid pop style of painting that reflected his childhood memories of World War II, passed away on August 9 of a subarachnoid hemorrhage. He was 88. The Life and Career of Keiichi Tanaami Born in Japan’s capital on […]

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Sense of Structure: From Horyuji Temple to the Universe

Jennifer Pastore — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 03:48:44 +0000

Architects design buildings, but how do they know their plans won’t collapse? They have structural engineers. What Museum in Shinagawa is presenting part two of Sense of Structure: From Horyuji Temple to the Universe (SoS) through August 25. This exhibition, spotlighting the overlooked field of structural engineering, displays architectural models that range from ancient temples […]

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An Experiment in Dye: Buiasou’s Ingenious, Modern Indigo Creations

Kim Kahan — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 09:57:16 +0000

This article appeared in Made in Japan Vol. 4. To read the entire issue, click here. At first glance, it may seem like an unexpected pairing: a tiny farm of Japanese craftsmen practicing traditional dyeing techniques, and Arc’teryx, a global brand known for its sleek, hi-tech climbing gear. But Kakuo Kaji, the blue-nailed founder of Buaisou […]

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Inside Tenga: How a Sex Toy Company Became a Global Icon

Lisa Wallin — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 04:18:14 +0000

This article appeared in Made in Japan Vol. 4. To read the entire issue, click here. Since its launch in 2005, Tenga has become a household name in self-pleasure. Even if you think you haven’t heard of it, you’ve probably seen its products. Its iconic red, hourglass-shaped vacuum cups, designed for male enjoyment, are everywhere in […]

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Hitoshi Saruta’s Architectural Symphonies of Light and Shadow

Jennifer Pastore — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 08:44:13 +0000

When we meet at his Akasaka atelier, Hitoshi Saruta cuts a stylish yet approachable figure. With curly gray hair and round glasses, he is dressed in all black, from his V-neck sweater to his leather shoes. His appearance fits neatly with the meeting room of his firm, Cubo Design Architect. The rectangular chamber, which Saruta […]

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Heishiro Ishino’s Astonishing, Otherworldly Sculptures

Kim Kahan — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 09:39:42 +0000

This article appeared in Tokyo Weekender Vol. 2. To read the entire issue, click here. Flung out to the wind, an arm desperately tries to escape the clutches of its own body, perpendicular to a horn atop its form, pointing up toward the heavens, as feathers and swirls move and rage around in complex labyrinthine shapes. […]

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An Inside Look at Takigyo, Japan’s Ancient Art of Waterfall Meditation

Kim Kahan — Fri, 31 May 2024 06:18:31 +0000

Joe Magowan is a photographer from London specializing in music and documentary photography. He shoots predominantly on film, using his trusty Nikon and Hasselblad to find shots of life in the city. In addition to street snaps and musician shots, he has also directed, produced and shot a documentary covering the lives of My Bad […]

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Hidden Gems of the Tokyo Art Scene

Jennifer Pastore — Thu, 16 May 2024 10:25:49 +0000

While Tokyo is home to many famous museums and galleries, there are a number that fly under the radar. Here are a few venues worth visiting on your next art outing. 1. Art Factory Jonanjima: Manufacturing Creativity Art Factory Jonanjima is a multistory art complex in the Jonanjima warehouse district near Haneda Airport. Offering studios […]

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Famous Mangaka Recreate Historical Figures in Their Style

Samantha Low — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 08:37:05 +0000

It’s the history lesson you wish you had while you were at school. 16 of Japan’s most celebrated manga artists have combined forces to draw the cover art of Educational Manga World History. Published by Shueisha, this reprinted series is scheduled for release later this year on October 4th. A Crossover for the History (and […]

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Super Delivery International: Bringing Japan to Your Door

Genie Harrison — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 08:01:10 +0000

Japanese design is appreciated far beyond the country’s borders. The minimalist aesthetic and integration of style with functionality has had considerable influence all over the world, in industries as varied as fashion, technology and product design. Yet despite global admiration for Japanese design, the country’s considerable distance from much of the world often forestalls the […]

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