spoon !

Just a continuation of my facination with spoons.

Handcarved Japanese ones are my favorites.

more reasons to go to japan - beer sake shochu

For Kogoshima - the speciality is Soju made from sweet potatoes.

Served hot or on the rocks, they water it down quite a lot. This makes is especially refreshing, but also by diluting a fairly strong liquor you can really get the complexities of flavors.

MORE REASONS TO GO TO JAPAN - NOTO

my favorite store in japan

Apparently big changes are afoot at my favorite store in Japan.

For years known for its "no brand" approach. It has been slowly and inexorably moving away from this idea - towards "minimalism".

I sort of understand this. Trust me I have heard this on a number of occasions, I did not make it up.

muji bike

Museum - Design Sight 2121 - Tadao

The name doesn't really make any sense but the new design museum by Tadao Ando is small and really beautiful. The concrete folded forms feel light and delicate.

Next to Tokyo's latest uber-mall "Tokyo-Mid-Town" in rare bit of open space in Roppongi. Exhibitions are currated by minimalist superstar Naoto Fukusawa (of 0-+ and Muji fame), Issey Miyaki and Taku Satoh.

The exhibition I saw was on the nature of written language exploring alphebets from all over the world and their relationships to the respective cultures.

before

AFTER

More reasons to go to Japan ..... a nice lunch in Ometasando.

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT IN JAPAN - 1927 - JIYU GAKUEN

Just back from a week in Tokyo and Kagoshima (southern Kyushu). Shin Nakahara from Play Mountain / Landscape Products hosted the "For Stockists Show".

The show was at the "Myonichikan" or "House of Tomorrow". Designed in 1921 this is one of the last remaining FLW buildings in Japan. Started at the Jiyu Gakuen a school for girls.

Easy to find from the Ikebukuro station on the Yanemoto line.

Details Details Details - FWR - MYONICHIKAN

BLACK CAT

My favorite Japnese Graphic. Kuro Nekko or "Black Cat", the Japanese UPS.

Great graphic communication. The idea that they are as careful carrying your packages as the mother cat her kitten. Definitely not the American UPS