One of the invisible victims of the global pandemic and physical distancing measures have been stray animals. When the streets of Tokyo emptied out in April as the city entered a state-of-emergency-induced lockdown, many strays were left to fend for themselves. Sadly, two kittens, Olive & Pepper, were abandoned on a roof in Tokyo. But the story has a happy ending.
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It’s been a dark couple of months for New York City as the global pandemic locked down the city. Citizens, forced to stay home, have waited out the days absorbing the sad and depressing news. But it’s often darkest just before dawn, and for Brooklyn-based artist and designer Sho Shibuya (previously), the city’s sunrises offered a means of coping, as well as a silver lining to what was otherwise a terrible situation.
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all photos courtesy Otozuki
As hostess workers in Japan cope with the fallout of COVID-19, they’ve found an unlikely ally. Otozuki, a manufacturer of traditional kimono garments, has teamed up with a company that runs nightclubs to develop hostess-friendly face masks that make it easy to sip drinks and converse with customers while maintaining a safe environment.
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all photos by Masayuki Hayashi
Japanese contemporary design studio we+ has created an ambitious floor lamp that is both visually arresting but also in-tune with nature. By generating a rapid vortex and pouring molten wax inside to create a mold, the design duo created a structural aluminium lighting fixture that visualizes the flow of water.
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The ume, or plum, arrived in Japan from China over 2000 years ago. And while the blossoms have always been appreciated for their beauty, it’s the fruit that has become indispensable. From acting as provisions during difficult times of war and famine to being one of the most popular home remedies, plum fruit and their myriad uses have stood the test of time and have earned a special place in the Japanese palette.
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A little less than 1 year ago, a violent arson attack on Kyoto Animation resulted in the tragic death of 36 illustrators and animators. One of those was 23-year old Yuki Omura, a young and upcoming illustrator who had just joined the studio out of college.
Now, his mother’s hometown is remembering him, and paying homage to his art, by recreating the last page of his picturebook in the form of rice paddy art.
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Please allow us to share our current obsession: retro Japanese rounded-corner windows. We occasionally come across these on our walks around Japan. They can be spotted on storefronts but also older apartments or office buildings. But wherever they are, there’s something endearing and nostalgic about their softness and hues.
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photos by Takumi Ota and Yoshiyuki Yano
Kura Sushi, Japan’s 2nd largest kaiten-sushi chain, has unveiled a new global flagship in Tokyo’s Asakusa district. The conveyor belt-style sushi shop, with the help of creative director Kashiwa Sato, has completely reimagined the format of the store and created a foreigner-friendly restaurant that combines sightseeing and eating. They’re calling it, “SightEating.”
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all photos by Akihiro Yoshida
If you’ve paid a visit to Lawson lately you may have noticed something different along the aisles of tightly packed milk, breads, juices, toothbrushes, toilet paper and anything else you may or may not have stopped by to pick up. Japan’s 3rd largest convenience store chain recently hired design firm Nendo to rebrand the packaging on over 700 private label products.
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Amid the ongoing protests and marches following the brutal murder of George Floyd by police, Japanese artists in Japan and abroad are showing their support for the Black Lives Matter movement in the form of diverse artworks. The original works areintended to stir up support, as well as raise funds with proceeds going directly towards organizations working towards justice.
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