Spoon & Tamago

Page 191 of 406

Visual Effects and Live Action Converge With Nobumichi Asai’s Facial Projection Mapping

We all know that visual effects are the stuff of films, enabling harry potter’s transfiguration spells and animating Iron Man’s full-body suit. We’ve come to accept these effects because we separate them from film and live action. But these boundaries are slowly fading. Case in point: Nobumichi Asai, a Japanese digital artist and leader in projection mapping technology, recently created OMOTE, a fascinating video that show what can be done when projection mapping and face tracking technology combine.

Tachinomi Ryoma

August 18, 2014 / Johnny / Comments Off

This local watering hole will have you on your feet. Literally! The small izakaya-style bar is standing room only (tachinomi means stand and drink). But with over 100 varieties of shochu and wallet-friendly dishes (mostly under 500 yen) you’ll be glad you came. But Tachinomi Ryoma doesn’t take reservations, and they’re known to fill up by 6pm so head there early!

[Tachinomi Ryoma]
– 2-13-3 Shinbashi, ALC Bldg 1 Floor, Minato-ku (Google Map)
– Tel: 03-3591-1757
– Hours: 16:30 – 24:30
– Closed Sundays and holidays

Akihiro Mizuuchi Created LEGO Chocolate Bears for Valentine’s Day

August 18, 2014 / Johnny / 2 Comments

photos courtesy Akihiro Mizuuchi | click to enlarge

Japanese illustrator and designer Akihiro Mizuuchi decided to do something special for Valentine’s Day this year. He created his own chocolate LEGO bricks and then built chocolate LEGO teddy bears with them. Now that’s love!

Old Hat Tokyo: a Japanese reincarnation of Savile Row

August 17, 2014 / Johnny / Comments Off

Tucked away on in the 3rd floor of a nondescript building just steps from Meijijingumae Station is Old Hat, a Japanese reincarnation of of a british tailor you might find on Savile Row. In fact, the owner, Shinichi Ishida, decided to open the shop on a whim when he convinced a tailor in London to approve a sister shop in Tokyo.

But just because their clothes are used, don’t expect to dress yourself on a dime. At Old Hat you’ll find a carefully tailored selection of vintage trench coats from the 30s ~ 70s, as well as custom made leather boots and shoes that can cost you several hundred dollars.

[Old Hat]
– 6-28-5 Miyazaki Bldg, Floor 3, Jingumae, Shibuya (Google Map)
– Tel: 03-3498-2956
– Hours: 12:00 ~ 20:00

Seiyoryori Toyoken: the king of Yooshoku

August 16, 2014 / Johnny / Comments Off

Don’t be fooled by the misnomer Yooshoku (洋食), which literally means western food. “Yooshoku is a Japanese creation and one of the most finest cuisines in the world” says Yoshihiro Narisawa, a Michelin-star chef who now sits at the helm of a restaurant with a 125-year history. At Toyoken, Narisawa blends his elegant dishes imbued with a profound reverence for nature, with a French-Japaneseness. The menchi-katsu croquette (2,520 yen) blends matsuzaka beef from Mie prefecture with free-range kurobuta pork from Kagoshima. The matsuzaka beef stew (3,990 yen) will melt in your mouth.

[Seiyoryori Toyoken]
– Akasaka Tower 1F, Moto-Akasaka 1-2-7 Google Map
– Tel: 03-5786-0881
– Hours: Lunch 11:30~15:00 | Dinner 18:00~23:00

Japan’s Natural Light Shows Photographed by Takehito Miyatake

August 16, 2014 / Johnny / 1 Comment

Genji botaru fireflies around a small bridge over the Shimanto River (Kochi Prefecture) | © Takehito Miyatake click to enlarge

A flight of hime botaru fireflies light up the forest to create a dreamy, fairytale-like spectacle

Japanese photographer Takehito Miyatake’s photos of magical firefly trails, glowing squid and awe-inspiring volcanic eruptions has recently won him Grand Prize at the 2014 Nikkei National Geographic Photo Awards. Miyatake’s long-exposure photography, which can last anywhere from 15 seconds to 30 minutes, captures what he describes as the “light of Japan.”

However, as it turns out, Miyatake’s profound reverence for the power of nature is rooted not in photography but in waka, a classical form of Japanese poetry.

An Undulating Facade of Metallic Louvers Defines This Tokyo Residence and Store

August 15, 2014 / Johnny / Comments Off

dear jingumae project by amano design office

Photos by Nacasa & Partners Inc. | click to enlarge

“The client requested a design that would have a façade expression differentiated from the surrounding buildings,” says Amano Yoshihiro, head architect of Amano Design Office. And they certainly made it happen. Completed in March of this year, the “Dear Jingumae Project” is a renovation of a 25-year old office building.

Kyoto photographer uncovers the inspiration behind Japan’s most beautiful sweets

August 14, 2014 / Ginisty Gauthier / 1 Comment

It takes a true adventurer to investigate the secrets of wagashi sweets, Japan’s most beautiful confectionery. The traditional sweets come in all shapes and sizes, as their creators draw inspiration from unique sights offered by the changing seasons. Walking around his hometown Kyoto and all over Japan, Hajime Nakamura looks for visual connections between the creative confectioneries and the country’s natural sights.

Biei | one-of-a-kind artisan crafted LED light bulbs

August 13, 2014 / Johnny / 3 Comments

Only 1 is a relatively new Japanese retailer of LED lighting. They’ve tasked themselves with providing a selection of one-of-a-kind LED light bulbs that you probably won’t find anywhere else. And so far they’re succeeding. One of their most eye-catching collections is Biei (美影, or beautiful shadow), a series of LED light bulbs hand-crafted by artisans.

Stay in Artist Designed Hotel Rooms at the Park Hotel Tokyo

August 12, 2014 / Johnny / Comments Off

Ever get the urge to sleep in a museum? Well now you can, sort of. For the past 2 years Park Hotel Tokyo has been sponsoring their Artist in Hotel project, an initiative that invites artists to stay in one of their rooms and transform it into their own artwork. Artists are given complete freedom to paint on walls, sculpt objects and do generally whatever they please during their stay. Guests can then stay in those rooms for an intimate experience with the work. After all, what better way to get to know something than to sleep with it?