a 700-year old camphor tree pokes its head out of Kayashima Station (photo by Kosaku Mimura/Nikkei)
In the Northeast suburbs of central Osaka stands a curious train station unlike any other. Kayashima Station features a rectangular hole cut into the roof of the elevated platform and, from inside, a giant tree pokes its head out like a stalk of broccoli. It’s almost like a railway version of Laputa.
“Flat Ikebana” by Anju Miyawaki
If you’ve ever studied ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, you’ll know that one of the most important principles in orienting your piece is that it must look beautiful from the front. Taking that restriction to heart, and reinterpreting it, Japanese art student Anju Miyawaki created a series of two-dimensional pressed flower arrangements.
Art student Maho Takahashi has created an intriguing series of sculptures. Simply titled “Lines” the minimal, geometric sculptures utilize only 2 materials: paper and mechanical pencil lead.
“cm-VEGE” by art student Takuma Kamata
Our industrialized economy has consistently evolved to become more rational and efficient to the point that so much of our food is now processed so that it looks the same, tastes the same and can be shipped anywhere in the world. Raw fruits and vegetables are one of the last un-touched frontiers of food but even that is changing with genetic modification.
a traditional rakugo theater and stage
My kids, 10 and 8, are hooked on rakugo. I never thought I would say that, and it still feels weird that they look forward to watching an ancient (at least for them) form of Japanese comedic storytelling.
Rakugo originated in the 9th and 10th centuries by Buddhist monks who sought to make their sermons more engaging. Rakugo as we know it today was formed around the mid-1800s when the word, which literally means “fallen words” began to be used more commonly.
Arashiyama (left) and Kinkakuji (right) of Kyoto covered in snow
Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, with its old temples and gardens, is a picturesque city as it is. But add heavy snow, like a lot of Japan saw over the weekend thanks to a cold front, and these sites get transformed into magical wonderlands.
Last year, while on assignment in Tokyo, the UK-based photographer William Green stumbled upon an unexpected sight while wandering the massive city. “I came across this one street – it’s not a taxi rank, but there were loads of people asleep.”
Illustrator Shinji Tsuchimochi finds inspiration in Shimbashi, where many of his illustrations come to life
For some, Shimbashi, located south of Tokyo Station, smells a little stale: where old people go to do old people things. But for illustrator Shinji Tsuchimochi, the artist behind the popular book 100 Views of Tokyo, it’s a hidden trove of small bars and eateries that hearken back to a more traditional Tokyo.
Never Young Beach are a Tokyo-based indie rock band headed by Yuma Abe. Despite being in their mid-20s, Nebayan, as they’re colloquially called, come together to make a sound that hearkens back to simpler and – for some – better times. It’s 70s Japanese folk meets tropical indie rock.
The New York-based Japanese artist Meguru Yamaguchi has collaborated with fashion brand Issey Miyake Men, installing a series of artworks in the Ginza storefront and also creating a series of garments with his signature brushwork.
