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April 14, 2008
fukuwauchi by Shindō Mitsuo
I followed various large flower bouquets to the entrance, and carefully looked at each artwork, doing my best to read what I could and then completing by reading the cards beneath each (which had both kanji and rōmaji text). Most have a touch of humor, like the one from the title, 「福は内」 (luck goes inside), where he placed the 福 character inside of 内. It was a funny surprise to find one in English, saying "the world must change".
I made my way to the merchandise counter where square postcards were sold. I got a set of 3, but when I ordered these in Japanese I was met with surprise, and a person at the counter asked me "You understand Japanese? Do you know Shindō-san? He's here!" I said that I'm a big fan and would love to say hi! I was truly surprised and excited. "Wait a minute", the girl told me. It turned out that she's one of his designers at CTPP, and she soon came back together with the man who greeted me kindly and asked me if I'd have coffee with him!! You bet!!
Soon we were all at the small café across. He quickly asked me my name (why did I run out of business cards!), and proceeded to transform it in kanji: 巴都陸 (巴 from Paris, 都 = capital, 陸 = land). I like it! Quite different than what I had got most of the time until now.
For near an hour (not too sure, as I had lost track of time a bit) we talked about all kinds of topics like design, music, Konishi-san, Nomiya Maki's recital, Japanese language, calligraphy, etc. He said that he thinks too many recent designs feel dark and negative, and especially that being that our Earth is deteriorating, he says that we need a lot of happier designs and that's what he tries to do with his work.
He also took time to explain me some of his calligraphy artworks. Like 大福 (daifuku, a Japanese sweet of rice cake filled with red beans paste), for which he stuffed 福 (means "luck") inside of 大 (means "big"), as if the red beans would represent luck. He also said that it was his first time trying this kind of calligraphy, a sort of one-time new experiment. Oh, and I had the good idea to get his autograph while at it!!
About Konishi-san he said that while many people praise mostly his music, he thinks he's Japan's best lyricist. I sure can relate to often having very strong feelings after finally understanding the meaning of P5 lyrics. (Oh and speaking of music, I heard some really amazing music news for this summer, but I'll keep these secret until official press releases come... Patience!)
Well that was a really great time with these very nice people. I'm so happy that I was at the right place at the right time! Thank you so much Shindō-san and A.-san!
Shindō Mitsuo's "fukuwauchi" exhibition is open until tomorrow Tuesday at 18:30!
Make it if you can!
All details over at my agenda
Larger sizes and more photos at Flickr
Posted on April 14, 2008 at 23:59 | Permalink | Trackback (0) | Comments (2)
April 13, 2008
koinobori
We spent the weekend in Ibaraki. There were already traces of koinobori (Wikipedia), fish-shaped wind socks that are put up to celebrate Children's Day (May 5). These tend to be much bigger in the countryside than the ones we see in Tokyo.
Posted on April 13, 2008 at 23:47 | Permalink | Trackback (0) | Comments (0)
April 10, 2008
Nomiya Maki Recital vol.2 ~Eleganceholic~: report
On Saturday evening, I went to see Nomiya Maki's recital "Eleganceholic" at Spiral Hall in Aoyama.
Read on only if you don't mind.
ネタばれ注意！
Posted on April 10, 2008 at 21:36 | Permalink | Trackback (0) | Comments (5)
Go Kung Fu kun!
The other day I happened to catch Zhang Zhuang, a youngster who fights à la Jackie Chan, promoting his movie "Kung Fu kun" ("Kung-Fu Kid") on a weekend afternoon TV variety show. The kid did a quite impressive demonstration where he dodged and defeated men in black.
Everything was alright until he got back together with the other guests. His head was bleeding and the people around him did little to help him. The obasan next to him, who also acts in the same movie, has her hand full of blood and is still telling him "He's alright! It's nothing!" and going on with promotion talk. What!!!? His head is dripping blood!
Thanks to YouTube, here it is for you to see for yourself!
Whoa.....! But don't worry, he came back towards the end of the show and he seemed ok! Whew! :)
The movie "Kung Fu kun" (Japan, 2008, directed by Oda Issei) is playing all over the country, ending this week in most places. It will be at Shibuya Amuse CQN until the end of the month. I'm tempted to go check it out!
Kung Fu kun official site
Details in English at Eigapedia
Posted on April 10, 2008 at 00:15 | Permalink | Trackback (0) | Comments (0)
April 9, 2008
KAMI exhibition in Ebisu
We started by heading to Ebisu. Our first stop was at taiyaki shop Hiiragi. They only serve traditional taiyaki (red beans inside fish-shaped paste). Those were really delicious, just the right crispiness, and not too hot or too cold. Great taste! No wonder there was a line of people waiting, but the wait was short and definitely worth it. The shop is located just nearby Tako-kōen.
We then went to check out street artist KAMI's exhibition at Gallery Point, located nearby the Peacock supermarket, an area with quite a bit of graffiti. Exhibited are some very recent works from this year, paintings and some wood works. My favorite was a wood piece consisting of 8 triangles, which I believe one could arrange as they wish. The background was light-colored wood, with KAMI's curved lines cut in dark-colored wood stuck over it. That one wasn't for sale, not that we'd have the means to buy it (or proper space to display it). :) Also, at our surprise the artist was even there and we could tell him how much we like his works. Photos weren't allowed, but you can find one here at Flickr.
Then we walked towards Hiroo, near where is located Tenement, the café of fender rhodes player Ino Hidefumi. It was the first time I went there, although I had been curious about it for a long time. A few years ago Konishi Yasuharu had a monthly event there in the afternoon where he would DJ. I regret I've never been to it.
Anyway the café was very nice, cool interior, good music, and good food!.. if maybe a bit pricey. The front was open and we could feel a nice breeze. I had Japanese-style dry beef curry. It was my lunch time at about 3pm, because dinner was going to be a bit late...
Then we walked through Azabu-Juban, stopping at Naniwa-ya which claims to be the originator of taiyaki, and next Roppongi Hills, where we checked out an Okinawan food fair.
Soon after, I arrived at Aoyama Spiral where I was going to see Nomiya Maki's recital!! (To be continued...)
KAMI exhibition
Gallery Point (1-4-7 Ebisu-nishi)
Until April 13, from 12:00 until 20:00
Free!
Larger sizes and more photos at Flickr
Posted on April 9, 2008 at 12:17 | Permalink | Trackback (0) | Comments (0)
April 7, 2008
Hasebe Novko w/ Isoda Osamu live report
Yesterday afternoon I went to Kichijōji with friend Peter, visiting from Australia, and we went to check out a day-time show at Manda-La2. It was Modern Choki Chokies' Hasebe Novko with husband Isoda Osamu. It was their first show in about three years! They were opening for a latin/jazz instrumental band in which their friend plays drums.
Novko and Osamu were accompanied by their usual band mates, Buntarō the panda and Koalatarō. They might be a bit quiet but they're essential to the show. :) The show went along the lines of the ones I had seen before, with a backtrack played on CD, Novko singing and dancing eccentrically, and Osamu playing skillful guitar.
From left to right: Buntarō, Koalatarō, Hasebe Novko and Isoda Osamu
The set was mostly songs from Novko's first album "Pandaman" (2000). It was great to see them again after all that time. The fun songs are still stuck in my head. Between the songs they talked quite a bit too. They presented Buntarō and Koalatarō as "over 3000 year old" and "over 500 year old" respectively, wow! :)
Next up was Sekai Chizu, a jazz session band with some latin flavor, with vibraphone, piano, electric bass and drums. They played a selection of covers (some Chick Corea, Sting and Michel Camilo) plus 3 original songs. Instead of an acoustic vibraphone, player Suzuki Chie used a midi controller, it was the first time both of us saw such a thing. Drummer Miura Chizuko was also amazing. The show was fun, very talented musicians playing upbeat jazz.
From left to right: Morikatsu Satoshi (piano/keyboards), Suzuki Chie (vibraphone), Umetsu Shigeharu (bass) and Miura Chizuko (drums)
Even though the two sets were of completely different styles, both fit in our interests and we had a great time!
Larger sizes and more photos at Flickr
Posted on April 7, 2008 at 21:57 | Permalink | Trackback (0) | Comments (0)
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