Last week’s post was about Matsumoto (まつもと / 松本), so this week I need to start with と (to). A big thank you to Mark Venning who suggested Totoro (the main character from My Neighbor Totoro (となりのトトロ /Tonari no Totoro), tonkatsu (豚カツ / a pork cutlet dish), Tokyo (東京), Tottori (鳥取県) and Toto (TOTO株式会社 / Tōtō Kabushiki-gaisha – the lavatory manufacturers), and to my colleague, Susan, who … Continue reading
I recently came across a new origami-themed online store which is opening on Sunday 1st July. Allow me to introduce… OrigArti! OrigArti’s founder, Brighton-based artist Jimmy Dean, took a little time out to explain what OrigArti is all about: I started to watch anime from the age of nine and since then I have developed … Continue reading
Do you remember when I was hit with egg-hunting fever and I ran all over London taking photos of artistically designed eggs? Well, at that time I came across a Japanese artist called Daisuke Sakaguchi, who designed a gorgeous egg called “Mirai” (meaning “future”). Now the egg fever has passed, but I’ve been hit with a … Continue reading
Never having made it as far south as Okinawa while I was in Japan, I was intrigued to hear about an exhibition in London influenced by Okinawan culture and traditions. Tonight, I went along to the opening night of LOOCHOO ‘Time’ at The Crypt Gallery in London to see what it was all about… In the … Continue reading
If you’re a follower of my other blog, Picturing England, you will know that I am currently obsessed with The Big Egg Hunt. I haven’t mentioned it here because it didn’t seem to be anything to do with Japan… that is, until now. 209 large, decorated eggs have been placed in various locations across London, … Continue reading
On Friday I decided to check out Satoshi Dáte’s latest exhibition, Alchemist’s Mind. Satoshi Dáte is a graduate of Central Saint Martins, and I first came across him last year at Hyper Japan. Satoshi Dáte, who was born in Tokyo and now lives in London, is the creative director of the fashion design label Satoshi Datenow. He blends art and music … Continue reading
This afternoon, I paid my first ever visit to London Fashion Week. I’m not especially into fashion but, like art, I find it interesting to look at and fun to photograph. London Fashion Week probably wouldn’t have even been on my radar though, if it hadn’t been for this exhibition: JAPAN: International Fashion Showcase 2012 organised by … Continue reading
Haikugirl’s Japan has been down for maintenance today in order to undergo a little freshen up. This site has been running since 2007, and things had got a bit cluttered up, so I thought it was time for a de-junk. I hope you like the new look! Here are a few notes about the key … Continue reading
Tokyo Rising is an urban exploration documentary produced by VICE Media and sponsored by Palladium Boots, which highlights different cities across the world and the creative youth behind them. The host, Pharrell (of N*E*R*D), travels to Tokyo and explores how the youth are rising to meet the challenges of the “3/11 disaster” and asking the question of … Continue reading
Yesterday was an interesting day. My mum spotted a manga exhibition advertised in nearby Gosport and we decided to go and check it out. I’m not a huge manga fan, but I do appreciate good art. Still, it wasn’t the manga that sold me on going to the exhibition… it was the promise of sumo! … Continue reading
Haikugirl's Japan 