Thanks to Superpunch for the heads-up on this upcoming Robot-filled event in Philadelphia.
August 6th, from 6-9, The Autumn Society, (which sounds like an organization for Secret Agents), hosts the tribute to Japanese Pop Culture. The exhibit will be held at Brave New World Comics, a Philadelphia comic institution and I’d think it was worth the trip if I could buy one of these adorable posters there!
More and more, what I’m realizing I’d like it if the Upon a Fold folks just planned our Japan trip for us. Every time I think they’ve outdone themselves with their offerings, they come up with another goodie I just have to have. This time, it’s a guide book: Tokyo By Tokyo.
The book itself looks lovely enough, but also promises to contain tips about the kinds of things you’d never know about as a mere tourist–just the kind of traveling I like! According to Upon A Fold, the book is “written by saavy Tokyoites sharing their insider tips on the best places to visit when in Tokyo.” (via)
Okay, so admittedly, I also like that it looks a bit like a retro textbook.
Claska is more than just a guidebook publisher. It’s also a hotel, and small gift shop and gallery. The shop is focused on Japanese Ceramics and looks simple and lovely.
Perhaps it would be best if all the suitcases I take with me to Japan are empty so I can just fill them there? Sigh.
Somehow, I think when my mind travels through Japan, it’s already time lapse. This movie is the real thing. (Thanks Snow Mag!)
Hayaku: A Time Lapse Journey Through Japan from renowned Snowboard filmmaker, Brad Kremer. Completely mesmerizing. (You can check out more of his work here.) If his snowboarding movies are anything like this, I might start watching those too!
I think I’ve mentioned that we are in the long term planning process for a trip to Japan. Of course, I’m always looking for the best travel help I can get–or maybe just the most fun. This morning I am wishing I could get my hands on these Zines featured on Upon A Fold.
First, a gorgeous phrase book, made with hand-cut rubber stamps by artist Riyo Kihara.
Personally, I think I’d just frame it, but only after memorizing the helpful phrases!
And I’m sure I’d find plenty of fun hints in this adorable Tokyo guide by Ebony Bizys.
Clearly, Zines have come a long way since I got that one about Evil Knievel from the guy who worked at Kinkos. (For more on the Zine Fair, visit Upon A Fold.)
I’m not sure if the transit maps on these journals will actually help you find your way, but at least you can look cool while being a tourist in New York, London, or Paris. New at Japanistic, these journals come from a Japanese company I adore but which is hard to find in the U.S. We’ve just gotten our new shipment, and now, you can too. Use it to guide your way, but also to take notes about your favorite spots. (All are featured at the New Products section at Japanistic, with many more goodies to see!)
In doing research for one of my other blogs–shameless promotion for my parents made me wear this–I stumbled upon these images of historical monument stamps in Japan. According to dotpattern, historical venues in Japan often have rubber stamp stations-”a simple card table with stamp pads at train stations, temples, and shrines.” (via)
The obsessive-compulsive crafter in me loves the idea of checking off the historical monuments visited with a cool stamp.
This one “glorifies the various forms of Shinkansen or ‘bullet train’ at the main strain station at Tokyo.”
From the train station at Hamamatsu City.
I love this one of Kyoto.
Stampers fill rally books as they travel for a terrific momento–or at least, that’s how I think of it. Then again, our poor kid has more than 20 photos albums filled with photos of him, and he’s only 9!
Of course, since we are fans of Astro Boy, I loved this stamp book, meant for the Astro Boy stamp rally for his official “birthday” in 2003.
The book was part of Stamp Rally held throughout train stations in Tokyo prizes for dedicated stampers!
I wonder who won the 10000 Yen prize that was offered. Who wouldn’t love a Stamp Scavenger Hunt with money involved!?!
This past June, the family and I went to South Korea for ten days. One of our favorite hot spots was the amazing Totoman Toy Museum in Insadong.
Tucked into a second story spot on the main drag, Totoman is easy to miss. Costing 1000 won for admittance, the “museum” is really one large room, crammed with endless toys from the 50s through today, many from Japan. There’s no really rhyme or reason to the organization, which is part of what makes it so compelling. Every nook has more to see, with things piled on top of one another, generations of toys lumped together.
Of course, we had some personal favorites. Who doesn’t love a child with a machine gun?
There were plenty of treasures to buy and we stocked up on stickers, wall art, and small notebooks.
I did get a little obsessed with the collection of rubber stamps.
Of course, our favorites were the Japanese toys–and Tintin just loved Ultraman.
Posted in Craft, Culture, Vintage, art, travel
Tagged Japanese Toys, Kids with Machine Guns, Rubber Stamps, Seoul, South Korea, Tintin and Ultraman, Totoman Toy Museum
At Japanistic, we’re nothing if not troopers, and we had to be for our latest adventure.
At the gorgeous Brooklyn Botanic Garden, May 2nd and 3rd was the Sakuri Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival.
Two days of activities and attractions, in addition to their fabulous cherry blossom
We went on Sunday, and we pleased to see that the pouring—POURING—rain had done little to dissuade the crowds who were in attendance. Sure it required some re-organization, but everyone was in good spirits, patient, and in awe of the garden, even in the rain.
A few highlights for us:
Max Kitano, who made amazing creations out of sugar. Origami cranes, the Hokusai Wave, and gorgeous cherry blossom branches. (Of course, my little boy is a great fan of any art form which involves a small blow torch!)
The adorable Sushi Pillows (find them at sushipillows.com). So cute, even in the rain. And talk about troopers—their tent was leaking, they were standing in a puddle, and still smiling.
Taiko Drumming while we ate Bento Boxes, sitting on the not quite dry ground. Noodles so yummy, my guy has asked if we can find the restaurant that made them so we can go there next time we’re in New York! And a delicious seaweed salad.
Of course, the festival did bring out all sorts of fans of Japanese culture, whether to hear music spun by a JPOP dj, or to have a chance to dress as their favorite Anime character. Either way, there were many photo ops for everyone!
We left with our pants wet to our news, ready for the nearly 4-hour ride back to Massachusetts, but satisfied that we had appropriately honored one of our favorite flowering trees!
The Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery will offer a variety of programs, exhibitions and tours to celebrate the 2009 National Cherry Blossom Festival, March 28 through April 12, in Washington, D.C.
Coinciding with the festival, the Sackler Gallery presents “The Tale of Shuten Doji,” March 21 through Sept. 20. Colorful illustrations on scrolls, screens, fans and books from Japan’s Edo period (1615-1868) tell the heroic tale of the conquest of the terrifying red monster Shuten Doji by the hero Minamoto Yorimitsu (948–1021), known as Raiko. Docent-led tours will be available throughout the duration of the exhibition.
Visitors can also explore the Japanese galleries in the Freer and learn how artists from the ninth through 19th centuries developed a distinctive repertoire of techniques for applying gold and silver to works of art in “Moonlight and Golden Clouds: Silver and Gold in the Arts of Japan,” on view through Nov. 8. In the adjacent galleries, 13 ceramics from China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan show how broken clay vessels were mended with lacquer resin and sprinkled with gold dust—transforming their appearance and creating a new component of appreciation in “Golden Seams: The Japanese Art of Mending Ceramics,” also on view though Nov. 8.
In the Freer and Sackler’s ImaginAsia workshops, children ages 8-14 and their adult companions can experience an exhibition and create a related art project to take home. On March 28 and 29, ImaginAsia presents an “Anime Artist Workshop,” which explores how contemporary artists draw upon the traditions of Japanese masters. On April 4-19, participants can learn about the exhibition “Moonlight and Clouds” and make their own silver and gold creations.
On Saturday, March 28, the Freer Gallery hosts the seventh annual “National Cherry Blossom Anime Marathon” in cooperation with the Japan Information and Culture Center and Otakorp Inc. The daylong event, beginning at 11 a.m. in the Meyer Auditorium, features a costume show and exhibition courtesy of the DC Anime Club.
Nine Japanese films are also coming to the Freer in the traveling retrospective “In the Realm of Oshima,” showcasing the brash, rebellious, passionate and conservative films of director Nagisa Oshima. Films will be screened on Fridays and Sundays from March 6 through April 5; two tickets per person will be distributed at the Meyer Auditorium one hour before each screening. For up-to-date information on show times and film titles and descriptions, visit www.asia.si.edu.
“The Tale of Shuten Doji” has been made possible with support from the Anne van Biema Endowment Fund.
“In the Realm of Oshima” was organized by James Quandt of the Cinematheque Ontario and sponsored by the Japan Foundation, the Kawakita Memorial Film Institute and Janus Films.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual two-week, citywide event featuring daily cultural performances, arts and crafts, exhibits and demonstrations, sporting events, international cuisine and other special events. It will be held March 28-April 12, with the parade April 4. The 2009 festival celebrates the 97th anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees to United States from Japan and the enduring friendship between the citizens of the two countries. — www.newsdesk.si.edu
Posted in Culture, News, east meets west, travel
How cool is this… It is a 23.6 foot tall aluminum robot called “Giant Torayan”. Created by Japanese artist Kenji Yanobe, the robot blows fire into the air during a rehearsal of the “Roppongi Art Night” special art event at Roppongi Hills in Tokyo, Japan. The event is aiming to transform the entire area of Roppongi with art emphasizing the theme of “Encounters.”
Thanks to Katsumi Kasahara of the AP for the article and photo.
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