Founded in 1901 and located in Hida-Takayama, Tohoen is a historic maker of wagashi Japanese sweets. With a process and materials that have been honed for over a century, Tohoen creates legacy, traditional sweets but also contemporary originals like this set of pandemic-themed wagashi aimed at reminding people how to cope and stay safe.
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SUS Gallery is a Japanese lifestyle brand that specializes in handmade titanium bowls and tumblers. The brand leverages the age-old craftsmanship of artisans of Tsubame City in Niigata prefecture, along with the technology required to mold the material, resulting in unique pieces that delicately balance utilitarian charm with luxurious beauty.
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Residents of Nasushiobara City, about 2 hours north of Tokyo, were in for a treat when a new public library opened in late 2020. Nicknamed Mirumiru, the library is a spacious, two-story structure that takes inspiration from mori, or forest, a keyword from the local community’s identity.
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Lake Nukabira, located in central Hokkaido, has become a fantastical canvas for one of nature’s most artistic phenomenons. Gas and other substances at the bottom of the lake freeze as they rise to the surface, becoming trapped in multiple layers and creating a multi-dimensional installation of “ice bubbles.”
The region itself gets heavy snowfall so the ice bubbles typically remain hidden to everyone. But this year the phenomenon has shown itself and photographers have been flocking to the lake to capture the rare sight. Some of our favorites are below.
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Over the last several years, the domesticated hedgehog, typically the African pygmy hedgehog, has become a popular option as a household pet in Japan, thanks to social media. One hedgehog owner in Japan loved her pet so much she decided to design a miniature mobile home so she could take it with her wherever she went.
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all photos courtesy Junya Ishigami + Associates
In 2008, the architect Junya Ishigami completed a workshop for students at his hometown university: the Kanagawa Institute of Technology (KAIT). Ishigami’s KAIT Workshop would go on to to make him the youngest ever recipient of the Architectural Institute of Japan Prize and cemented his reputation as one of Japan’s most luminary architects. But the same year KAIT Workshop was completed, another set of plans had been put into motion: a project for a student plaza. Thirteen years later, KAIT Plaza has now been completed.
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*this post is sponsored by Japan Foundation New York, Center for Global Partnership*
Calling all creative amateur artists! Create an original design for a face mask that represents the U.S.-Japan connection. “Mask Up 2020” is an original face mask design contest sponsored by The Japan Foundation that is open to amateur creators of all ages, from children to adults. Along with an advisory committee – which includes judges from UNIQLO, Parsons School of Design, and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum – contest participants will also decide the winning designs.
The winning designs will win prizes (gift cards for Kinokuniya Books and Blick Art Materials) and be printed on masks and distributed to medical institutions and nonprofit Japan-related organizations such as Japan-America Societies, Japanese Gardens, etc.; winners will receive 25 of their designed face masks.
Akemashite omedetougozaimasu. Happy New Year! It’s the year of the ox, a beautifully calm animal. Strong yet gentle; reliable, fair and conscientious. I know there are many, including us, who are looking forward to a new year and hopefully many traits of the oxen will show themselves throughout the year. As tradition holds, here at S&T we like to start off the new year by admiring some New Year’s cards (nangajo) and artwork created by some of our favorite Japanese artists and designers.
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Japanese leather bagmaker Tsuchiya Kaban has created a hand-crafted leather bag whose sole purpose to to carry one miniature yukidaruma (snowpal, in Japanese). With smooth, clean lines, high quality, water-resistant leather and a thermally insulated polyester inner lining, the bag ensures you and your snow sculpture will arrive in style.
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What. A. Year.
As we reflect upon our 13th year of blogging, there’s one thing we’ve learned for sure: just as you think you’re sailing smoothly, life has a way of upending everything you’ve become accustomed to. But regardless of the challenges, we’re thankful that we’ve been able to continue doing what we do, and proud of the new challenges we’ve taken on. In addition to our daily coverage of Japan, this year we launched a membership program – thank you to everyone who has already joined!
Our shop faced its own unique challenges: although it was a strong year for online shopping, when Japan Post halted overseas shipping, our shelves quickly emptied out and we ran out of inventory. That’s when my partner and in-house seamstress began making face masks. Her level of craftsmanship and attention to detail quickly won over fans and she single-handedly carried our shop through much of the year, while also helping so many stay safe!
Whether you read one of our articles, purchased something from our shop or became a Spoon & Tamago member, thank you so, so much for your support this year! We’re so happy to have been able to be your connection to Japan during a year defined by distancing and isolation.
Read on for our 10 most popular posts of 2020.
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This is the Time of Year Bamboo Shoots Grow, Sometimes Wreaking Havoc
The 2024 Toyama Kei-Truck Gardening Contest
‘Puddle’ Are a Series of Flower Vessels Inspired by Puddles of Water
Myaku-Myaku Footwear, Inspired by the Googly-Eyed Mascot for the Osaka Expo
Shunga: Japanese Erotic Art from the 1600s – 1800s
