What is wabi sabi?
Wabi sabi 侘び寂び is a Japanese concept that often has foreigners scratching their heads in bafflement. The first part of the expression – wabi –…
Culture
Kotodama: the belief in the magic power of words
Kotodama (言霊) refers to the belief that words have mystical powers. It combines the word for ‘speech’ (言 koto) and the word for ‘soul’ (霊 tama). Kotodama presupposes that…
Kyoto now has its own lofi & hip hop video with a hunky ‘street god’ and recorded sounds from the city
During a time when a lot of us were kept indoors, one new thing we were tasked with was to find a way to entertain…
Crowdfunding project to save former Osakan brothel-building-turned-restaurant Tai Yoshi Hyakuban
Japan is a country full of architectural marvels and wonders. Whether you’re looking at a historic temple made using the kanawa-tsugi method (entirely free of…
Theatrical release of “The Flowers of Passion” documentary on Japan’s underground idol scene
You may have heard about the underground Japanese idol scene, and some of our readers may even have had a chance to attend some live…
Get your fragrance on the go with stylish paper incense sticks and case from Japan
The use of incense in Japan is steeped in tradition, but that doesn’t mean renowned makers are afraid to put new twists on their aromas….
Traveling Tokyo Lululun beauty masks aim to provide to Edokko skincare
While there are definitely some Japanese beauty masks that stand out due to their interesting aesthetics, many are praised for their use of quality ingredients…
New Tempyo setta sandal lineup from Nara use designs from world heritage site and Japanese artisanal skill
Setta are traditional style Japanese sandals. For many years, the industry had been protecting traditional techniques quite conservatively until a Setta design company, “DESIGN SETTA…
Japan’s famous all-female musical review Takarazuka’s new project Takarazuka Live Next announces their first performance
The first show of Takarazuka Live Next will be starring Sho Ayanagi, a graduate from the renowned all-female musical group “Takarzuka”, celebrating her beginning of…
Japan Travel Guide: A visit to the Kamakura Museum of Literature
This June, I decided it is time to escape a little from the busy Tokyo and headed to Kamakura, one of my favorite places in…
NAKED co-creates ‘new normal’ pandemic adapted night-worship with Toyokawa Inari, with protective fox masks and distance lanterns
Shrines and temples have long been a symbolic place to connect with one another, but sadly the number of worshippers across Japan has decreased by…
[Kimono Style] Creator Mamechiyo’s Kimono are for Today’s World
Kimono is inclusive, and it’s for now. It welcomes everyone, according to kimono pioneer Mamechiyo. Above all, it connects with life and with place, and…
Hibiya Festival 2021’s Sanriku Performing Arts Dance pays stunning tribute to the resilience of the Tohoku region
Festivals are an important part of culture here in Japan. There are celebration days held for almost anything you can think of, and, as they’re…
Let your cat ride the wave with a claw post inspired by Japan’s most iconic woodblock print
Japanese online retailer Felissimo’s Neko-bu (Cat Club) features quite the exhaustive lineup of goods and accessories to make even the most fussy feline companions purr,…
Highest grade wagyu served as traditional Japanese woodblock prints in delicious meat art
When it comes to wagyu, Omi beef (Omigyu) is considered part of the high quality meat trinity in Japan, alongside Kobe beef and Matsusaka beef….