Spoon & Tamago

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Music Monday: androp

July 11, 2016 / Johnny / Comments Off

Androp is a Japanese rock band formed around frontman Takahiro Uchisawa. Their name, intended to be ambiguous and meaningless, is a portmanteau of the words “and” and “drop.” But there is nothing ambiguous about the group’s music. Rather, they create meticulous, calculated sounds with an emphasis on artistic music videos and performances that have won over wide ranges of fans.

Their calculated style extends even to the naming of their albums, a plot 6 year in the making: the first letter of their past 6 albums spells out the band’s name (anew, note, door, relight, one and zero, period).

San Grams: A Third Wave Green Tea Shop and Cafe

July 10, 2016 / Johnny / Comments Off

While some may sneer at the third wave coffee movement, a generation of independent coffee roasters motivated to enhance the experience of coffee, it’s here to stay. They offer a higher quality coffee with emphasis on everything from beans to preparation and consumers are buying it.

Now, what could be called the third wave green tea movement is taking foot. And it’s happening in the heart of Japan’s green tea industry of Shizuoka, where, just about 1 year ago, a new green tea specialty shop and cafe called San Grams opened.

Hanging Animal Furoshiki

July 8, 2016 / Johnny / 1 Comment

A fun and adorable, contemporary twist on the furoshiki (風呂敷), a traditional wrapping cloth that’s been around in Japan since the 700s. With a few simple folds these unique furoshiki transform into a carrier that resembles hanging animals that will transport your stuff anywhere!

The Surreal Levitating Air Bonsai Are Now Available

July 7, 2016 / Johnny / Comments Off

Back in January of this year the Hoshinchu team released a fascinating product: the air bonsai. It was a levitating plant propelled into the air with a magnetic force, creating a surreal, magical bonsai. The Kyushu-based company was looking for funding on kickstarter, and they got it. The Air Bonsai surpassed everyone’s expectations and raised close to 1 million dollars.

The Roasters: a small coffee roasting plant and cafe in Wakayama

July 6, 2016 / Johnny / Comments Off

The Roasters is a small, independent coffee bean roastery in Wakayama. It was started by furniture designer Ken Kamiya, who grew up in the area but had relocated to Fukushima where he worked. But with the fallout of the nuclear power plant in 2011, he decided to make a U-turn and move back to Wakayama, taking his family with him.

Magical Photographs of Fireflies from Japan’s 2016 Summer

July 6, 2016 / Johnny / 5 Comments

2016 summer firefly selects - spoon and tamago (2) — photo by fumial

Each year when summer comes along, we all look forward to different things. Some of us head to the beach, others to the mountains for camping. Some look forward to the epicurean delights like watermelon and ice cones. But for a select group of photographers in Japan, Summer signals the arrival of fireflies. And for very short periods – typically May and June, from around 7 to 9pm – these photographers set off to secret locations all around Japan, hoping to capture the magical insects that light up the night. But we’ll let you in on a little secret. One popular spot is Senri Ryokuchi Park in Osaka.

Anonunoya Creates Perfectly Equipped Tablecloths for Craft Fairs

July 5, 2016 / Johnny / Comments Off

a tablecloth specifically for fair booths

If you’ve ever sold anything at a craft fair you’ll know that being organized can make all the difference. There are so many small things you need like calculators, scissors, stamps, bags, cash – and those are just the basics – that it’s sometimes hard to stay sane through it all. Well, Anonunoya is a Japanese online shop that sells a very specific product: tablecloths and aprons specifically designed for selling at craft fairs, or any kind of booth really.

Studio Ghibli Celebrates 30 Years of Film Making With Food, Toys and a Huge Retrospective

July 5, 2016 / Johnny / 1 Comment

In 1984 filmmaker and animator Hayo Miyazaki released Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, ushering in a golden age for Studio Ghibli, as well as anime. 30 years later the studio found itself in limbo when Miyazaki announced his retirement. But that hasn’t stopping them from celebrating. This week, a large-scale exhibition opens in Tokyo’s Roppongi Hills. Highlights will include tons of memorabilia, Ghibli-themed food and limited edition toys.

Showa 88: an imaginary past photographed by Kazuyoshi Usui

July 5, 2016 / Johnny / Comments Off

Japan’s Showa period lasted from 1926 to 1989, ending with Showa 64 when Emperor Hirohito passed away. But if the Showa period would have continued, this year would be Showa 91; 2017 would be Showa 92. Which brings us to the work of photographer Kazuyoshi Usui. In 2011 he presented “Showa 88,” a look at Japan’s colorful and vivacious past, which extends into today.

Utilitarian Vessels Transformed Into Otherworldly Ceramic Objects by Keiko Masumoto

June 30, 2016 / Johnny / 3 Comments

When it comes to art and craft, there’s a fine line between the two. Can art be utilitarian? Can craft be simply decorative without serving any functional purpose? What ceramic artist Keiko Masumoto wants to do is to take that fine line and crumple it into a ball and kick it around a little.