Mrs. Iijima and Mr. Usuda are co-heads of Atelier Taik, a design company that does all kinds of design work with the exception of architecture. They are passionate about their jobs and pursue rewarding experience, often becoming fans of their clients’ products or services in the process. In 2012, they opened Atelier Gangu, a small…
A Life of Love of the Stage
Midori Okuyama is a Japanese theater producer who has always been involved with the Japanese performing arts. One of her main works is producing Sankai Juku, the most famous butoh dance company. In this interview, she talks about Japanese arts and how it is received by foreign audiences, explains to us what butoh is about,…
Embracing a New Life through Calligraphy: an Interview with the Calligrapher Kaku
My First Encounter with Kaku The first time I met Kaku-san was during the fall of 2018. I was working on a project regarding tourism in the town of Takahama, in Fukui prefecture. I was told I was going to participate in a calligraphy workshop. My guide told me, “The calligrapher is very talented–he’s even…
Mar Expósito, Japanese Animation as a Career Path
Mar Expósito was born in Barcelona, Spain, and grew up watching plenty of animation and spending a lot of time drawing. She came to Japan in 2014 with the project to work in the animation industry. The first animated short film she directed received several awards, and earlier this year, she built her own animation company in…
Richard, Taking the Time for Japanese Antiques
Richard is a French national who has been living in Japan since 2015. At 58 years old, he is the kind of person who has lived several lives in a single life. He is the owner and cook of his own French restaurant in the Kagurazaka area of Tokyo, “le Moccot.” The restaurant’s name is…
Traditional Meanings of Colors in Japanese Culture
The meanings and perceptions of colors are a cultural construct that can reflect a country’s history and beliefs. Read on to discover the interesting historical background and some unusual facts for some important colors in Japanese culture. Green and Blue Used to Be the Same Word Today this word means blue, but for a very…
The Joys and Challenges of Japanese Traditional Painting: an Interview with Allan West
UPDATE: Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, Allan’s studio is temporarily close to the public. It may open again in autumn depending on the situation. If you intend to visit, please contact the studio beforehand to make sure it is open. You may have seen his elegant kimono-clad figure on television, in newspapers, or in your Tokyo guidebook….