japanese art, design and culture

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Year: 2007 (page 10 of 10)

Quatre Saisons

July 29, 2007 / Johnny / 5 Comments

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TRENDING RIGHT NOW

Japan’s Jimi “Mundane” Halloween Contest of 2019
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Whimsical Ceramic Banana Peel Art by Koji Kasatani

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Just days after birth, baby macaque ‘Punch’ was ab

Just days after birth, baby macaque ‘Punch’ was abandoned by his mother and rescued by zookeepers at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture.
When he was about 1 week old he was given an oversized orangutan stuffed animal so he wouldn’t be lonely. Punch quickly became attached to the stuffed animal, treating it like the mother he never had and sleeping with it, eating with it and playing with it.
Earlier this month, when he was about 6 months old, zookeepers began the journey of integrating Punch with other monkeys at the zoo. It hasn’t been easy for little Punch, but his plush “mom” has proven to be a vital tool of support. He carries it with him everywhere and retreats to when he feels scared or anxious.
Punch’s attachment to the stuffed animal not only surprised staff at the zoo but has captured the hearts of people across Japan. Unprecedented lines are forming at the zoo as people swarm to cheer on Punch-kun, as he is affectionately called.
The hashtag “ganbare punch” (がんばれパンチ), or “you can do it, Punch” has garnered thousands of likes and posts.

Walking through the 100th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition

Walking through the 100th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition in Tokyo, you quickly realize you are not simply looking at trees. You are standing in the presence of time.
Some of the bonsai on display are older than anyone in the room. Older than the hands that currently tend them. They have survived earthquakes, wars, economic booms and quiet decades. They have outlived empires of fashion and ideology. And if cared for well, they will outlive us too.
The Kokufu Exhibition, first held in 1934, marks a century of honoring this quiet endurance. But the true centennial figure is not the institution but the trees. A white pine refined over generations. A juniper whose deadwood tells a story of imagined alpine winds. A flowering plum that has bloomed for more springs than any single owner could witness.
Bonsai asks something radical of us: stewardship without possession. No one truly “owns” these bonsai. Each caretaker is a temporary guardian in a lineage that stretches backward and forward in time.
📅 Dates:
Part I: February 8–11, 2026
Part II: February 14–18, 2026
📍 Location: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan

Spring in Japan isn’t just about cherry blossoms.

Spring in Japan isn’t just about cherry blossoms. Ok, fine it’s mostly about cherry blossoms. But if you’re looking to combine some gallery hopping in between the ohanami, we’ve got you covered. From futuristic anime retrospectives to centuries-old woodblock prints brought together in major museums, here are five art exhibitions not to miss in Japan this spring.
1. Ghost in The Shell: The Exhibition — Tokyo (Jan 30–Apr 5, 2026)
Dive deep into one of the most influential sci-fi franchises of the last 30 years in this massive retrospective in Tokyo’s Toranomon Hills at @tokyonode
2. Kyoto Nippon Festival 2026 — Kyoto (Feb 1–May 24, 2026)
More than a single exhibition, the @kyotonipponfes transforms the historic Kitano Tenmangu Shrine grounds into a living art and cultural showcase.
3. From Kiyochika to Hasui: Ukiyo-e and Shin-Hanga Woodblock Prints — Tokyo (Feb 19–May 24, 2026)
The Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum in Tokyo, which is an art of work itself, will host this beautifully curated exhibition tracing the evolution of Japanese print art, from late-Edo period master Yoshitoshi Kiyochika to early 20th-century shin-hanga artists like Hiroshi Hasui.
4. Yokai Immersive Experience Exhibition — Tokyo (Mar 27–Jun 28, 2026)
Step into the mythical world of yokai, brought to life with cutting-edge digital technology. After a successful showing in Nagoya, this touring immersive exhibition lands at @warehouse_terrada in Tokyo this March.
5. Kyosai’s World: The Israel Goldman Collection — Tokyo (Apr 22–Jun 21, 2026)
At the @suntory_museum_of_art, discover the witty, inventive, and often playful creations of Kawanabe Kyōsai (1831–89), one of the most celebrated artists of the late Edo and early Meiji periods.

It’s the last season of Japan’s ancient calendar o

It’s the last season of Japan’s ancient calendar of 72 microseasons. That means this week kicks off microseason 1, which signifies the start of spring. Become a subscriber and follow along!
——鶏始乳 (niwatori hajimete toya ni tsuku)——
This is the time of year when, sensing the arrival of spring, and triggered by the lengthening daylight, hens begin laying eggs. For the modern-day grocery store shopper this may seem odd but eggs are seasonal too. Before we had year-round factory production, eggs were a precious commodity because they could only be obtained from February to around the end of March.
——seasonal haiku——
水枕ガバリと寒い海がある
mizumakura gabari to samui umi ga aru
A water pillow
sloshing, becomes
a frozen sea
The poet, Sanki Saito (1900 - 1962), likely had a high fever and was trying to cool it sleeping on a water pillow, perhaps filled with ice. As he drifted in and out of conciousness he probably pictured himself drifting on a frozen sea
——seasonal activity——
Setsubun (節分) literally means ‘seasonal division’ and refers to the day just before the first day of spring in the traditional calendar. This year it falls on February 2, which is unusual as it typically falls on Feb. 3.
The main ritual during setsubun is mamemaki in which roasted soybeans are either thrown out of the front door or, if you have kids, at a member of the family wearing a demon mask while shouting “Devils out! Fortune in!” This time of year was felt to be a time when the spirit world became close to the physical world, thus the need to perform mamemaki to drive away any wandering spirits.
Another ritual that has regained popularity in recent years is the ehomaki (‘lucky direction roll’). It’s meant to be eaten at once, continuously, without removing it from your mouth, completely in silence, while holding it facing the auspicious direction of the year. The correct direction for 2026 is: “south-southeast”

Hayasuhime Shrine in Oita prefecture is a rarity i

Hayasuhime Shrine in Oita prefecture is a rarity in Japan because it is dedicated to the octopus. When local sculptor Kousei Hashimoto (@kousei_ha) was tasked with creating a new deity to be enshrined, he expected for it to be completed by the end of the year. But the neighborhood cats had different plans.
Hashimoto explained that, because the sculpture was made from cardboard, cats kept coming around and using it as a scratching post so he had to constantly make repairs. What’s more, he would find cats sleeping with it in order to keep warm during the cold winter months.
Although the deity was recently enshrined, Hashimoto may find himself with a never-ending job.
According to legend, a giant octopus once guarded a sacred sword at the bottom of the nearby Hayasui Strait. The shrine, which is dedicated to this deity, is popular for praying for good fortune and safety at sea.
A popular ceremony involves donating a drawing of an octopus and praying for safety. During the period, worshippers must abstain from eating octopus in order for the prayer to work. For this reason, the main hall is also decorated with drawings of octopuses from past ceremonies, creating a surreal sight.

The Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Art (“TARO

The Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Art (“TARO Award”), named after one of postwar Japan’s most celebrated artists, was announced yesterday.
The top prize went to Tetsuo Takata, who has spent the last 8 years drawing over 5000 portraits of the people of Fukushima who were affected by the 2011 tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster.
2026 is the 15-year anniversary of the tragedy, and Takata’s work titled “FUKUSHIMA5000” is made up 5440 portraits, one for each day of the past 15 years.
In a statement, Takata explained that he was a survivor of the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. His family’s home sustained damage but was not at the center of the disaster and so their voices were largely ignored. This experience motivated him to give everyone he could, a voice. Takata’s portraits include the heroes who worked to cool the reactor and decontaminate the land but also everyday residents who experienced their own hardships.
You can see Takata’s work, and other recipients, at the @taro_okamoto_memorial_museum in Kawasaki now through March 29, 2026.

Each year, 5 zoos from across Japan come together

Each year, 5 zoos from across Japan come together to compete to see which of their capybara will take the longest bath.
And while 1st place went to Nagasaki Bio Park’s “Prune” with a dip lasting 1 hour, 45 minutes and 18 seconds, we would like to honor the true queen: “Sheeta” from Ishikawa Zoo who went “I’m good” after only 17 seconds.
Despite coming in last place, Sheeta appeared unfazed, and received a certificate and a stalk of broccoli for her effort. You do you, queen!
It’s a little known fact that Capybaras hot baths originated in Japan back in 1982 when a zookeeper discovered that these large yet gentle rodents loved hot baths.
The capybara long bath contest is now in its 12th iteration, having been started back in 2014, and takes place every January.
Participating zoos are:
Saitama Children’s Zoo Park in Higashimatsuyama, Saitama Prefecture
Izu Shaboten Zoo in Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture
Nasu Animal Kingdom in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture
Nagasaki Bio Park in Saikai, Nagasaki Prefecture
Ishikawa Zoo in Nomi, Ishikawa Prefecture.

Kirishima Shuzo, the iconic Japanese shochu maker,

Kirishima Shuzo, the iconic Japanese shochu maker, has teamed up with Starbucks Japan to create a one-of-a-kind collaborative facility where coffee, craftsmanship and sustainability come together under a single bamboo roof.
Here’s a look inside KIRISHIMA GREENSHIP icoia, which opens this week on Jan. 27 in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Prefecture.
Designed by Kengo Kuma as a welcoming space for relaxation (or “ikoi” in Japanese), icoia houses two main retail spaces: a store offering sake, goods, and lifestyle items, and a coffee shop. Complementing these two shops are a glass-walled botanical garden, a rooftop garden, an indoor koi aquarium and an open lawn area, all set against the backdrop of Mount Kirishima and the Okimizu River.
But what truly differentiates the facility is its commitment to sustainability and willingness to experiment with alternative sources of energy. The botanical garden utilizes thermal energy from distilled wastewater generated during shochu production to grow subtropical coffee and sweet potato plants. And the facility’s electricity is entirely powered by renewable energy that converts biogas generated from sweet potato waste and coffee grounds into electricity.
Read more on S&T today: spoon-tamago.com

私たちの消費生活（Our consumer life） We’re loving this ill

私たちの消費生活（Our consumer life）
We’re loving this illustration by @shunpei_kamiya
Which brands would be in your ideal neighborhood?

We’re ringing in 2026 with a look at 6 new art and

We’re ringing in 2026 with a look at 6 new art and architecture projects that we’re looking forward to seeing this year. From Hakata and Kyoto to Nara and Tokyo, these hotels, museums and parks are set to transform their respective neighborhoods all across Japan.
1. The Gateway Park “HAKATA MEIJI” (Spring 2026)
2. Imperial Hotel Kyoto (March 5, 2026)
3. MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives (March 28, 2026)
4. Starbucks Cafe & Art Gallery Yanaka Gotenzaka (March 28, 2026)
5. Nara Prison Hotel (April 27, 2026)
6. Yurakucho Park (2nd half of 2026)
More on S&T today: https://spoon-tamago.com/

Starbucks hits different in Japan. They have a “Ji

Starbucks hits different in Japan. They have a “Jimoto Made” series in which stores across the country collaborate with local artisans to create coffee mugs and tumblers, which are then sold only at those local outlets.
Jimoto is a japanese word meaning “local area” and the initiative aims at highlighting and preserving local craft and materials.
Read more about the initiative on S&T: https://spoon-tamago.com/starbucks-japan-jimoto-made-series/
*not a sponsored post. We just really love this concept*

At a ceremony yesterday January 7, a calico cat na

At a ceremony yesterday January 7, a calico cat named Yontama was appointed the fourth feline stationmaster of a local Japanese railway Wakayama Electric Railway.
Yontama’s predecessor Santama passed away late last year, leaving the prestigious role vacant. In assuming the position, Yontama continues an almost two-decade tradition that has boosted tourism and helped rescue the line from financial difficulties.
You can read more about the tradition here: https://spoon-tamago.com/tama-the-station-master-cat/

On the morning of January 5, 2026, Kawasaki police

On the morning of January 5, 2026, Kawasaki police received a call that a horse was roaming the neighborhood. It turns out that one of the horses at nearby Meiji University’s equestrian club had escaped.
The horse caused quite a bit of commotion in the neighborhood but, within 30 minutes, had returned home. Nobody was hurt, including the horse.
Happy New Year of the horse!
(video by X user usa_pom)

Happy New Year of the horse! We have an annual t

Happy New Year of the horse!
We have an annual tradition (started in 2010!) of rounding up new years cards created by some of our favorite artists and designers.
Because the horse represents strength, speed and energy, 2026 can be a time for bold moves, adventure, and breaking free from old patterns.
We hope these designs will inspire everyone to have a dynamic and transformative year!
See the full collection on S&T today: spoon-tamago.com

Happy New Year of the Horse! “Amerika” by Hirosh

Happy New Year of the Horse!
“Amerika” by Hiroshige Utagawa
In the mid-1850s, prolific woodblock print artist Hiroshige created this image of what he thought symbolized America: an elaborately garbed white aristocrat on horseback. The image reflected Japan’s curiosity and apprehension about the outside world after isolation.
P.S. 2026 is America’s 250th birthday!

Along a narrow residential street in Kanawa, the h

Along a narrow residential street in Kanawa, the historic heart of Beppu City known for their geothermal hot springs, is an inconspicuous 2-story home that has been transformed into a surreal site-specific installation by Japanese art collective Mé.
Two gigantic holes have been carved into the sides of the building as if it were made of clay. The gaping holes reveal a cavernous interior reminiscent of the underground caves where hot springs bubble up from.
Visitors will be able to enter the installation beginning next month in January.
Read more on S&T: https://spoon-tamago.com

Japanese art duo ZUGAKOUSAKU & KURIEITO meticulous

Japanese art duo ZUGAKOUSAKU & KURIEITO meticulously recreate ordinary environments entirely from cardboard. At an exhibition at Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, the pair turn their childlike creativity to the grimy streets of Roppongi. Everything from manhole covers and tactile pavement to signage and litter have been hand-crafted from cardboard, revealing slightly off kilter worlds.
Read more on S&T: spoon-tamago.com

As we near the end of 2025, we like to reflect on

As we near the end of 2025, we like to reflect on the stories that most captivated our readers’ attention, and as always, certain themes tend to emerge.
2025 was a year of loss, but also new beginnings. Artists continued to push old traditions and techniques into the future. From travel destinations and language-learning to reviving craftsmanship and discouraging food loss, these were the stories that mattered most to our readers.
⑤ RIP Kimiko Nishimoto
2025 was a year of loss: we had to say goodbye to Japan’s most-creative obachan.
④ Urushi Snowboarding
Artist @morinosumire senior thesis made quite a statement: dressed in a kimono, Mirono slid down a mountain on a urushi lacquered snowboard she had crafted herself. More than a personal statement, it was meant to shine light on the existential crisis of Japan’s craft industry.
③ Nihonga Hamsters
Coming in third is the Japanese artist @otamashimai and her Nihonga-style images almost exclusively of hamsters. We spoke to the artist early in the year about her artwork and her hamsters.
② The Arimaston Building
For the past 15 years architect Keisuke Oka has been constructing a tower of concrete entirely by hand. And after years of doing everything from gathering materials to mixing concrete, the scaffolding came down over the fall, revealing the face of the intricate, organic structure. The Arimaston Building (蟻鱒鳶ル) is set to be completed in early 2026.
① Bread Wrapping Paper
Our most-popular post of 2025, just in time for Christmas, was this wrapping paper that turns all your presents into bread. Conceived by Japanese graphic designer @tsujio_ippei.
Check out the full list on S&T today: spoon-tamago.com

Shuetsu Sato began working as a security guard at

Shuetsu Sato began working as a security guard at Shinjuku Station in 2002. With constant construction and infrastructure upgrades, it was Sato’s job to redirect crowds using a megaphone.
However, he found it to be an ineffective tool that was ignored by most. So with a few rolls of duct tape and a craft knife he took it upon himself to create some eye-catching signage.
Over the years, a cultish appreciation has grown for Shuetsu Sato’s work with fans dubbing his typography as Shuetsu-tai (Shuetsu font).
This year, the Japan Sign Design Association (SDA) recognized Sato’s and his ‘Shuetsu Font’ with a 2025 platinum honorable mention!
Congratulations Sato-san!

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