Spoon & Tamago

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London-Based Illustrator Edward Luper’s 36 Views of the BT Tower

August 5, 2021 / Johnny / Comments Off

In the early 1830s, Katsushika Hokusai created 36 Views of Mt. Fuji. Images from the series would go on to becomes some of the most iconic images Japan has ever produced, their vast reach and influence being almost impossible to measure. And 190 years later, they continue to inspire. The London-based artist Edward Luper grew up looking at one of his city’s landmarks: the BT Tower. And his love and admiration for Japanese prints eventually led him to create an homage to his artist hero Hokusai. “London is my Edo,” says the artist. “And although I don’t have a Mt Fuji, I do have the BT tower.”

Creepy & Crawly Plush Sculptures by Hine Mizushima

August 4, 2021 / Johnny / Comments Off

Among the many skills of Vancouver-based Japanese artist Hine Mizushima is slow crafter, needlefelter and miniature collage artist. Her work often manifests itself in animals, sea life, parts of the human body and other curiosities of the natural world. For a recent exhibition in Tokyo she turned her eye, and needle, to the world of creepy and crawly insects, creating plush specimens of mosquitos, fleas and centipedes that would otherwise make our skin crawl.

A Small Furniture Company in Hokkaido Created 5000 Medal Cases for the Tokyo Olympics

August 2, 2021 / Johnny / 1 Comment

unless otherwise noted, all photos courtesy Shinya Yoshida

Nestled deep in Northern Hokkaido is the town of Tsubetsu: pop 4400. It’s home to Yamagi Mokko, a 3rd generation family owned furniture company with just 22 employees. But size is not always an indicator of success. Back in 2019, the company won a contract to design and create 5000 wooden cases for Tokyo Olympic medals.

Playful Everyday Olympics by Tokyo-Based Illustrator Adrian Hogan

July 25, 2021 / Johnny / 2 Comments

With a little bit of close observation, the spirit of sporting, competition and the Olympics can be found all around us. And for Tokyo-based illustrator Adrian Hogan this rang true, especially over the last two years as Japan struggled to contain the coronavirus while also preparing to host one of the world’s most notable sporting events.

Hydrogen-Burning Tokyo Olympic Cauldron Designed by Nendo

July 25, 2021 / Johnny / 1 Comment

The climax of the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony was undoubtedly the moment when the torch was passed to star athlete Naomi Osaka, who made her way up to a Mt. Fuji-esque podium. Once she arrived, the mountain opened up in front of her, revealing a set of stairs leading up to a large, white, spherical form. The object then began to rotate as 10 panels detached and “blossomed” into the ceremonial cauldron of fire.

Misia’s Kakigori Dress for the Olympic Opening Ceremony, Designed by Tomo Koizumi

July 25, 2021 / Johnny / Comments Off

all photos courtesy Tomo Koizumi

One of our favorite moments of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics opening ceremony was seeing and listening to Japanese singer-songwriter Misia perform Kimigayo, Japan’s national anthem. And while it was one of the best renditions we had ever heard, we also couldn’t take our eyes off of her scrumptious dress. Although it’s been dubbed the “cotton candy dress” by various western media outlets, in our book it’s the “kakigori dress”: Japanese shaved ice, and in every flavor.

Fukuoka to Paint Giant Port Crane as Giraffe, Hopes it Will Cheer up Children in Hospital

July 22, 2021 / Johnny / Comments Off

rendering courtesy Fukuoka City

Here’s your wholesome story of the day: Fukuoka City has stated its intent to re-paint one of their port cranes to look like a gigantic giraffe. Unveiling the initiative on July 20, 2021, the mayor noted that he hopes it will cheer up the kids in Fukuoka Children’s Hospital, which looks over the port. The zoomorphic paint job is expected to be completed by February 2022.

Fukuoka’s Island City has a total of 6 cranes, each towering 100 meters (328 ft) into the sky. The paint job is expected to cost 100 million yen (about $900k usd) but if the first one proves popular, the city will consider painting the other five as well.

Capybara Onsen Cheesecake

July 18, 2021 / Johnny / Comments Off

Many of you know that we have a soft spot for capybaras. So we were absolutely smitten when we discovered this capybara cheescake depicting the oversized yet gentle rodents soaking in an onsen, or Japanese hot spring. The delectable delight was created by university student and baker rinsforest, who says that they were inspired by the real life capybara hot springs of Japan.

Giant Head Hot Air Balloon Floated Over Tokyo in Surreal Art Installation

July 16, 2021 / Johnny / 1 Comment

all photos by Kozo Kaneda

If you were in Tokyo yesterday and looked up into the sky, or out your window, there was a good chance you might have thought you were still dreaming. At approximately 8AM, a giant hot air balloon began to inflate and then slowly rise into the sky from Yoyogi Park. Shaped like a giant head of a random person, the hot air balloon was a one-day installation by Japanese art collective Mé and titled “Masayume” which means ‘dream come true.’

Animism Meets Craftsmanship in Japanese Obake Lanterns

July 15, 2021 / Johnny / Comments Off

Summer is a time for scary stories, but also lanterns, or chochin in Japanese. In fact, Japan’s peak lantern production happens in July ahead of Kyoto’s famous gion matsuri, which see streets and floats lined with lanterns. So now is a perfect time to admire these handmade lanterns designed by Ryosuke Harashima, which combine elements of tradition and ghouls.