Break the Silence

Finally breaking the silence!

Summer is hot & humid, and according to the calendar – almost over. Temperatures will however keep us in summer mood for yet another month or two.

Today it was time for sewing, burning heavenly incense by Lisn & listening (or, ‘lisning’? ;)) to brazilian retro vibes by Kyoto Jazz Massive: https://soundcloud.com/kyotojazzmassive/brazil-selection-2005-10-years-ago

I’m making these headbands from Japanese vintage dead-stock fabrics. I’m so in love with the patterns myself.

Pretty in Pink

Took this photo today on my way back home from the supermarket. Sakura is here, spring is here! I better work hard today, in order to meet my deadlines earlier than expected. I want to take a stroll to Ueno park tomorrow, as more pink beauties and the hanami craziness await!

Tokyo Fashion Week AW15 – The Magic of Jotaro Saito

GOOSEPUMPS. That, and pleasant shivers down my spine, is what I got when I attended the Jotaro Saito runway show today. The audience was full of elegant Kimono-clad ladies, I felt I was definitely in good company.

Jotaro Saito is a modern Kimono designer, just like his father Sansai Saito was (he held his farewell show together with his son last autumn). The art of Kimono dyeing runs in their family. Jotaro Saito aims to present Kimono as “fashion matched with modern space.” In addition to being a Kimono designer, he is also a costume, interior and product designer.

The contrast of the traditional and the modern was evident in the show, in a well-executed way. The combination of lights, music, models – everything, was perfect, at least for me. I loved the music choices they had, like Hybrid and London Grammar. The bass was heavy and pounding, as the models looking like gods and goddesses glided on the runway. The lights created a beautiful, graphic, asymmetric pattern, in shades of gold and petrol. Sadly the photos I took with my camera phone are way too fuzzy and pixelated to share (I need a proper camera!)..

As for the Kimono, I certainly agreed with the colors and patterns. Fresh, delicious jewel colors, with monochrome tones. My eternal favorites. Graphic patterns mixed with beautiful floral patterns and shapes – I love contrasts. My only dislike are the fur shawls and scarfs. I don’t know are they real or not, but in any case, fur is not on my menu. I prefer to stay away even from fake fur, as I feel it is still sending a wrong message.

At the end of the show, the smiling designer came down the runway with his models. So many ladies rushed from the audience to present him with flowers and gifts. You could feel the admiration and respect towards the brand and the designer from everyone in the audience. You could feel the love.

I truly am touched and grateful to be able to see this show. I think it’s wonderful that the genius style, that is Kimono, is going on strong. Think of how many traditional garments do you know, that are still being used in daily life, at least for some? That are still cherished and manufactured, sold even in department stores? Respecting and remembering tradition does not mean it should stay static, unchanged. It can still evolve and stay with the time, without loosing it’s true nature.

Images below except for the last one via tokyo-mbfashionweek.com

Tokyo Fashion Week AW15 – Stretsis & a kawaii take on the 70’s trend

Hi, long time no see!

It has been a bit quiet here, but since today is the start of Tokyo Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week AW15, and I am attending a few shows, I figured this is a good moment to re-activate the blog and, myself. I’ve been very busy, and I also paid a month long visit to Finland back in December, but am now back in Tokyo, ready for spring and ready for new discoveries!

So, today and the TMBFW started with the Stretsis AW15 show at the wonderful Hikarie building in Shibuya. Stretsis (‘sisters’ spelled backwards), is a romantic and feminine ready-to-wear line for women, designed by Pim Sukhauta. She started the brand officially in 2002, after graduating from the Parsons School of Design. The core of the brand is sisterhood, and the strong bond between Pim, her older sister Kly and younger sister Matina. They are all involved with the brand, with Kly taking care of marketing, and Matina designing accessories.

The 70’s vibe is all over the catwalks currently (and I’m loving it!), and so it was also in the Stretsis show. The theme was fairytale like, magical forest, where these ethereal fairies would glide amongst the flowers and mingle with cute animals of the forest. The Stretsis take on the 70’s was the romantic one: flowers, frills, pastels, embroideries, chiffons, billowy dresses. For me personally, the brand is maybe bit too ‘young’, as the color scheme and materials are very girly and ‘kawaii’, but I did love the silhouettes and the details. I’ve had my mind on the 70’s flare pants for a moment now, and Stretsis had some pretty nice proportions for these. There was also another nice blast from the past – the head scarf. A very simple idea, but after a 20 year absence (it remember this being a trend in the 90’s as well), it feels very fresh. I for one will definitely cover my locks with some nice scarfs this summer! Below are some of my favorite looks from the collection.

All images below except for the last one via 

http://tokyo-mbfashionweek.com/

Treasures for All the Senses

Every year, they organise a matsuri(festival) dedicated to Chrysanthemums, a.k.a, Kiku, in our neighborhood. In addition to watching and buying the beautiful multicolored flowers, we can also enjoy an array of music and dance performances, enjoy some Oden (simmered winter dish) or sip some beer, chu-hai (shōchū based drink, somewhat similar to cider), or special Chrysanthemum sake. The festival is mainly arranged in the courtyard of the Daienji-temple in Yanaka, but spreads out to the neighborhood as well.

We woke up really late today (as so often in weekends), but went out to enjoy the last hours of the matsuri – for today that is, as the matsuri continues tomorrow. We enjoyed a cup of the Kiku sake, whilst listening to some music performances at the temple garden. The sake is so nice, as it’s not only pleasure for the tastebuds, but also pleasure for the eyes; bright yellow Chrysanthemum petals in the clear sake, served from a cup carved from a piece of bamboo. Mmm.

Later we also had a stroll to our neighborhood to buy some of our favourite myoga sushi to eat as a snack. Opposite to this lovely, small sushi place (run by a group of grandmas and grandpas) is a new fascinating shop called Ethnorth Gallery, which is selling household items, accessories and clothing made by various Asian ethnic groups. I love everything they have in the shop, and if I just had the money, I would buy them all.. this time I got just two ornamental hooks which I already made into earrings, and some Nepalese hemp yarn, to which I have a particular purpose in my mind.. the results I’ll share later next week, perhaps 😉

On the way back home I noticed a rather new second hand kimono shop, where I made some incredible discoveries; a beautiful silk Haori coat in pristine condition, which will most likely have it’s public debut with me next week during the Tokyo Fashion Week, and two Kasuri kimono, which materials are now officially part of my upcoming thesis capsule collection. The colors are perfect, and the sensation of having goosepumps rising all over my skin when I saw them, just told me I need to get them. Kasuri is extremely expensive as it is painstakingly slow to make, therefore I was suprised how cheap I got these, even though they are second hand.. On the other hand I’m of course happy to get them without streching the pennies too much, but on the other hand I feel sorry for the people who originally made these and kind of quilty for not paying ‘enough’ for such treasures!

As if these treasures were not enough, I found a lovely thing waiting for me inside our post box. Our friends had sent me a Yayoi Kusama tenugui (Japanese cotton hand towel/handkerchief), as a thank you for sending them particular stamps earlier. I’m in love with this tenugui, the colors, the pattern.. goes especially well with mustard yellow skinny jeans I painted in Jackson Pollock style some time ago. 🙂

To crown our evening, Taiko-drum group Gocoo was giving a street performance just around the corner from our flat! We have seen them performing a few times earlier, and they are always super energetic and so skillful. I just love the Taiko drums – their sound really goes to the core. 

Even Monkeys Fall from Trees

Yes, it’s been a long, long time since I last posted – my apologies. The summer swept me away, and while I haven’t been working, I have been enjoying (read: sweltering in) the summer sun and gazing at all things wonderful.

Recently I made two excursions for my thesis purposes, to Fukuoka and Kagoshima in the wonderful island of Kyushu, in southern Japan. Here is a first set of images to pass you the spirit of my adventure in Fukuoka; in the amazing Yame village, in the charming hideout which is the Foucault boutique, and in the truly impressive, ancient Dazaifu Tenman-gū shrine.

Please note: All images are taken by me. Please do not use any of the images without my permission.

Beauty for a Moment

All images from: http://wasara.us/

I recently went to see a small exhibition in Axis Gallery in Tokyo. While there, I also had a look on the selection at Living Motif lifestyle shop. The shop carries many carefully selected goods for interiors and garden, and among them yet again, familiar Finnish products from Iittala and Artek.

My heart fluttered however when I came across this clever and beautiful product line of plates, mugs and cutlery: WASARA. Beautiful, timeless and practical design. With the kind of form and feel that makes you want to pick them up right away. The catch here is, that this collection of plates, mugs and cutlery is actually disposable, but they surely are hands down the coolest party plates I have ever seen.

Currently there are four different kinds of plates, two different kinds of bowls, four different kinds of drinking cups (a Japanese choko, tumbler, wine cup and coffee cup), and a set of cutlery in their selection. All have an ergonomically (and ahh so beautifully) designed shape – for example the cutlery feature a small carved vent, so they can be attached to the plates.

I didn’t fall in love with the plates and the cutlery only because of the way they look, but also because of how they feel in hand. Their texture reminds you of, say, Japanese washi paper. Warm and somehow rustic, yet refined. I reckon they are so beautiful, it will be actually painful – in a good way – to have to dispose of them after eating!

I was happy to learn that despite being disposable, WASARA products are however as environmentally friendly as disposable plates can be. They are manufactured from quickly renewable bamboo and bagasse, which is a by-product of sugar refining process. Bagasse is also often discarded, so I was happy to read they have discovered it can be used as the perfect base for paper making. The WASARA plates are also fully biodegradable.

I have to say though, that the first thing that surprised me with this brand was actually it’s name: ‘Vasara’ means ‘a hammer’ in Finnish. This is of course not where the name refers to however, but it is actually a clever combination of ‘WA’ ( the concept of harmony in Japanese aesthetics) and ‘SARA’ (plate or dish in Japanese).

WASARA has also teamed up with the popular Finnish Moomin Characters, and embossed them onto a selection of their plates and cups. Fun for the kids, but I have to say I personally prefer the original plates.

The WASARA concept incorporates Japanese traditions, aesthetics and knowledge from Japanese craftsmanship into their products – all facts that make me fall in love with the line even more. I feel like these plates *belong* in this house. We are thinking of hosting a small group of people for after-matsuri drinks and nibbles a couple of weeks later, and as we don’t have enough tableware to host a group of people,  these plates will most likely find their way onto our party table.

Clever little thing

 

I had a meeting yesterday in the cool, somewhat posh area of Daikanyama. I love the area, as there are lots of small but cool cafes, shops and boutiques, without the crazy hustle and bustle of the neighboring Shibuya, for example. There is also some greenery, which makes the area even more enjoyable.

On my way back, I decided to check this small, cute shop called Allegory Bureau. I’m glad I did, as I found a source for many little things that are both useful, but also stylish. The shop sells stationery, small items for home and jewellery. Their ‘sister’ shop is called Allegory Home Tools, where you can find also tableware and home textiles. Both shops are located in Daikanyama.

The clever little things that made my day this time, were small blocks of wood, in different sizes. There’s a small carved slot in each piece, so you can insert postcards, notes etc. in them, and pins behind each piece so it’s easy to to mount the pieces on to wall or a noteboard. I just love them. A simple idea, but makes the room look so much more fun, organised and also stylish. I decided that I *need* to go back and buy a pile of these in different sizes, as I realised they’re perfect for hanging my jewelry as well. Until now, I’ve had them hanging just from regular pins – which really don’t look that lovely.

I’m sure that a crafty person could make these at home easily, but as we don’t have the tools and these weren’t that expensive (prices range only between 108 and 324 yen!), I’ll just stock up from the cute Allegory shop. I was also glad to see they sell a variety of Finnish items: Fiskars scissors, Moomin stationery and Bliw soaps.

The Usual Scenery

 

 

The usual scenery every morning – both on the table and from the window. I do love my ‘office corner’, as we’re situated right next door to a temple. A sparrow family also has a nest on that pole you can see from the window, inside that big lump of electric-what-ever-it-is. Quite lovely, as they often just sit on the wires below the nest and keep on singing.

Me & Koi have taken a habit of making fresh fruit & vegetable smoothies every morning to start the day. A nice, delicious way of getting our 5-a-day. That and a big mug of fresh coffee (which we make from local Yanaka coffee beans) are daily essentials! The fruit we buy also from a local fruit vendor, Mr. Tanaka (+his wife & baby),  as often as we can, as he doesn’t keep the shop open every day. It’s apparently some kind of fruit ‘outlet’, where they sell the fruit they haven’t sold to restaurants etc. Because of this, the price is also often quite cheap compared to regular supermarket prices.

Veggie Food Hunting

It might come as a surprise to some, but vegetarian/vegan ingredients, dishes and restaurants can be quite difficult to find in Japan. They do exist, but with the abundance of products and restaurants offering mainly meat or seafood, they are very rare. Quite often the so called ‘vegetable’ dishes also actually contain meat in some form, like thin strips of ham mixed in with salad.

Historically Japan has been mainly a vegetarian/pescaterian country, as meat eating was banned from the 6th century as a part of Buddhist and Shinto religions. Game was eaten in the mountain areas by professional hunters. It was actually “thanks” to the Western people, that meat eating started to gain popularity in Japan, not that long ago: After the Meiji Restoration in 1867, the new Emperor staged a New Year’s feast in 1872 designed to embrace Western values. The feast had an European theme and for the first time in over a thousand years, meat was publicly eaten in Japan. A part of me still hopes the Meiji Restoration never happened, so that I could’ve experienced Edo as it was..

Me and Koi are mainly ‘pescaterian’, i.e. we love seafood, but don’t really eat red meat of chicken. For me, the reason lies within the unethical mass production and poor animal welfare. I do eat game on some rare occasions for example, as to in my opinion, it has had a good, free, natural life.

I would like to have some variety in the dishes we cook, and therefore wanted to buy some soy meat and couscous for example. It’s been a small hunt, but I recently found a chain of stores selling veggie&natural ingredients: Natural House. I visited one of their shops in Shimo-Kitazawa and bought my soy meat, both as granules, and as strips. It is more expensive than in Finland for example, but in relation to meat prices, I reckon it’s reasonable. Works fine too!

I have also found online shops selling vegetarian and organic food products, and finally decided to try one of them out: Tengu. Other option I was considering is Yoyo Market. The reason I picked Tengu though was that they are also selling my dear, dear, black gold – Finnish black liquorice!! So a few boxes of this addictive black treat were the first things I placed in my virtual shopping cart. Liquorice is even harder to find than soy granules – it’s virtually impossible. Liquorice and Japanese tastebuds just don’t meet. Other things I got were whole wheat flour (also difficult to find, as Japanese flour tends to be very fine, and also very white), whole wheat pita breads, couscous, and some organic whole wheat pasta. The most expensive items were my precious liquorice boxes, but I definitely think it was well worth it. Other than that, I think their prices are quite reasonable, depending on the product. When your order is over 5250 yen, they deliver for free in the Kanto area. I got mine delivered in a couple of days, straight to my door.

On Saturday night we decided to try some of these goods out and have some filled pita breads. We made our own fresh guacamole (heavenly!), bought some fresh ebi (prawns) from the local fish monger, and made a “chicken” filling from the soy strips. Enjoyed these with some small brewery beers, that actually go well with the veggie theme. I love the Buddha bottle, and I reckon it will find a place on our window sill.