We’ve been doing a bit of reminiscing today with the Kit-Kat map of Japanese flavors divided by region and wanted to share it. This is at least two years old so there’s nothing new here but we still love it. Unfortunately, we can’t find an english version of this so, if you happen to stumble upon one, give us a shout.
The first time I saw Robert Frank‘s photos for his project ‘The Americans‘ I got a glimpse of the connection between exhausting road trips and great photographs. Perhaps it has to do with the lack of sleep, the lack of good food, the monotony of endless roads that push your body –and your head– to the limit. After all, extreme fatigue does develop a sense of acute awareness and sensitivity that’s difficult to replicate with non-chemical (and may I say, legal) substances.
Unlike Frank’s compilation, Tina Bagué and Tori Morimoto‘s Japan Photo Project is less about Japanese society and more about the culture and beautiful landscapes of the country, less about capturing instants and more about knowing the right towns. But the veil of fatigueness-channeled perception is there. No question about it.
Plus, the JPP blog is the perfect traveller’s guide. In 365 days they visit all sorts of towns and meet all sorts of people. Next time I’m in the country, I’ll be sure to throw away my Lonely Planet and instead, read their blog carefully and save every single stop in a map.
A compilation of the photographs has recently been published. The book is called, ‘Japan’. Published in collaboration with the Catalan publisher, The Private Space, Japan’s first edition is officially sold out but, after December 8th you’ll be able to order the book here.
Honest design is what we try to pursue by logical thinking. An ideal form is derived naturally through the process of attempting to maximize the potential of client’s demand, material and its function. I realized that it was important to make ‘honest’ design by going back and forth and to be surrounded by different materials to be used in the experimental process. In architecture or interior, product and furniture design the attitude does not change. I try to maintain a similar philosophy.
Ashizawa Design Co. is based in Tokyo. For an overview of some of his work in interior design, architecture and furniture take a look at this image search.
We have a thing for Japanese knives at Vostok. Javier brought with him from Japan three beauties with engraved blades and wooden handles for Ricardo and myself. It’s not that we’re great cooks (though we’d like to think we are), it’s just that there’s something about the craft behind the surgical precision of a sharp metal blade and the raw familiar smoothness of wood that’s timeless and beautiful.
Hirosaki Knives have been around for approximately 1000 years. The cases for the knives are made from paulowina wood and apple tree wood. These woods are used not only for the unique look of the design, but also the efficiency of the protection of the knives. Paulownia is unique to the history and culture of Japan. Finally, the apple tree that is used as the rail and connection comes from the apple tree in Hirosaki which is the most famous producer of apples in Japan.
I fell in love with Haruki Murakami four years ago. The most un-Japanese of Japanese writers had me at hello. Our affair lasted 18 months and when it ended I promised myself never to go down that path again. I felt irritated by every new pot of pasta he boiled, by every new jazz song he hummed, by every new shirt he ironed. No more moons, no more dreams, no more unknown female voices stalking you on the other side of the phone. It’s my fault really. I have a tendency to binge on things I like and then feel nauseated by the slightest reminder of them.
Perhaps I will read 1Q84 after all. Just, you know, one more for old times sake.
I suggest reading the entire NYT piece, The Fierce Imagination of Haruki Murakami, and if you’re interested in buying the paper edition of the book, watching this video of Alfred A. Knopf’s cover designer for 1Q84 for a sneak peek of what your money will be worth. Fun fact: “The title of “1Q84” is a joke: an Orwell reference that hinges on a multilingual pun. (In Japanese, the number 9 is pronounced like the English letter Q)”.
UPDATE 31/09/2011:
A beautiful signed and numbered (only 111 copies) limited edition of 1Q84 is now available. This project is a collaboration between Simon Rhodes, Kristen Harrison at The Curved House and designer Stefanie Posavec. Covers printed by Justin Knopp at Typoretum. Photos available here.
Remember that psychedelic TV show Bill Murray’s invited to in Lost in Translation? Well, that to me is modern Japan in a nutshell. Wild, maniac, riotous, and completely out of this world. Japanese pay enormous attention to things we’d be oblivious to and find satisfaction in places that are an absolute mystery to us. I admire them for that.
Happens to be that Mr. Kawaguchi will be in Madrid next week in the third edition of Asia Geek, an event organized by Casa Asia and Fundación Japón. We’ll be there so if you happen to drop by, come on over and say hi.
‘Til then, here’s his conference on TEDx Tokyo on…above all things, Japanese toilets, to keep you entertained.
1980 photograph by Italian photojournalist Mario de Biasi part of the “Changing Japan 1950-1980” exhibition at the JCII Photo Salon in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward. Open until October 30.
There are three ways of funding Japan’s reconstruction (total damage amounts to 7% of country’s GDP): issuing government bonds, increase in taxes or expenditure shifting (spend less on non-essentials and more in affected areas). Much has been debated and the government has decided on government bonds (to be paid in ten years). Economist and former government economic adviser, Takatoshi Ito considers this to be a huge mistake. The main reason: Japan’s working-population is getting smaller and not necessarily richer. The burden of debt will bring about new problems in ten years. His proposal: make the baby-boom generation (today’s highest income profile sector and tomorrow’s retirees) share the burden along with the rest of the population. Don’t wait 10 years, do it today: increase VAT taxes, that way everybody pays.
Unfortunately Mr. Takatoshi Ito’s motion (and that of other economists as well) will remain unaddressed; taxes are infinitely unpopular.
Almost seven months have passed since 3/11. Time enough to erect a barrier separating what was from what will be. And it looks like Japan is making the most out of it.
The bittersweet reality of catastrophes is that, despite everything, they honor you with a precious gift: the opportunity to start over. Funnily enough, what comes across most strongly is their desire to start anew, create something that’s their own and not just an interpretation of other cultures. This documentary grasps a tiny tiny glimpse of that.
