The Languages of Law
Here’s what my dad does.
Oct 31, 2004
Just a reminder that tonight is the RESONATE event at Bullet’s, that will include a performance by Glam Tool, featuring good friend Hirano Midori. Glam Tool opens the show at 5.
Oct 31, 2004

This week’s issue of city guide METROPOLIS has quite a few interesting articles in it, which I’ll rundown in one post instead of multiple entries. After a week, look in their sidebar archives for issue 553.
The cover feature is a short story — “Watercolors,” taken from his DARK WATER collection — by RINGU author Suzuki Koji. Most of his novels are being published in English by Vertical.
If you’re looking for English books in Tokyo (your cheapest option is still to order from Amazon Japan), you can check out the recently opened Maruzen store in the Oazo shopping complex.
In addition to four bilingual book advisors, the new Maruzen has a touch-screen computer system that allows you to search in English for your favorite classic. When we tested it, for instance, Maruzen didn’t have the 2004 BBC Books edition of Agatha Christie’s Caribbean Mystery, but the system did print out an order form to take to the counter. If a book is in stock, the computer can print a map of where it is in the store. Maruzen has an extensive selection of the latest English books, including fiction, academic titles and books on Japan. They also have a limited collection of German and French fiction and nonfiction, and some French audio books.
I’d like to have a look at their French book selection. Ordering French books from Canada or France is still just too expensive (the shipping costs equal the price of the books).
Then there’s this mention of the “Emerging Generation” architectural exhibition taking place at GA Gallery (until November 3), that I’d really like to check out.
“Emerging Generation,” the latest of this exhibition space’s informative and extensive investigations into the contemporary architecture scene, is exactly what the title describes. Nine emerging forty-something architects from around the world are represented in a series of designs, conceptual drawings, and computer-generated prints of 3D models all modestly displayed on color-coded posters that hang around the smooth concrete interior of the gallery.
The next show, “GA Japan 2004″ (until December 26), looks like another add-on to my must-see list.
And then there’s Hillary Raphael’s new novel, I (HEART) LORD BUDDHA, published by Creation Books, which I think could make for a fun read.
Another must-see exhibition is Maywa Denki’s “The Nonsense Machines” happening at the NTT ICC, until December 26.
I hope I can make it to that free show.
And looking for some wacky otaku-flavoured Japanese cinema? KOI NO MON would seem to fit the bill.
TOKYO Q also has this review:
I’ll wait until I can get my hands on a version with English subs.
Lastly, I haven’t really found anything interesting in the recent bar reviews they’ve featured, but this one (follow the link for the full review), for Aoyama’s Ratia, looks like it might right up my alley.
Located a short walk from the sparkling Prada Building, Ratia sits on a quiet side street surrounded by stylish design studios, restaurants and shops. The exterior holds its own against these oshare outposts; even from the outside looking in, the bar emanates an inviting aura. A porch area runs up to large front windows that give a glimpse of a small bar area that’s somewhat mysteriously suffused with a green glow. Once inside, the narrow space has a row of small white tables lining one wall, while farther back is a semi-private seating area.
It seems that I’ve been recently criticized for my superficial thirst for stylish environments. This is not something that I feel the need to defend: I think my site is pretty much a shrine to all that is pretty and stylish in this city, and I make no excuse for it. That’s what I like, and that’s where I want to hang out.
Oct 31, 2004
A DAILY YOMIURI article takes a look at the growing popularity (and expanding number) of late-night TV animated shows.
All the good shows are definitely the ones that appear during that time period. Anything earlier is usually Pokemon-like crap.
Oct 30, 2004

Oct 30, 2004
After months with next to no comment spam with the WordPress version of the site, I’ve now started getting a few every day, and it’s gotten to a point where I’m going to have to use some of the moderation features of WP. As of now, I’ve set it so that comments that have 2 or more links in them will not be posted automatically, and have to approved by me. If this is not enough, I’ll have to change this to any comment with links. So don’t be surprised if you post comments with links and they aren’t posted right away.
Oct 30, 2004
Japan Design Net has quite a few pics from this year’s Designer’s Week and Designers Block. Link via Dezain.net.
Oct 29, 2004

Oct 29, 2004

I picked up a flyer for the “Creativity Now Tokyo” event, organized by TOKION magazine, and it does seem like something quite cool. From REALTOKYO:
And the official blurb:
It happens at the Laforet Museum on November 6. It’s something I would love to attend, but at 4500 yen, and probably Japanese-only speakers, I’ll give it a miss.
Oct 28, 2004
Can anyone tell me what the building that is featured in this moblog picture is going to be (I’m assuming a brand store). It’s on Omotesando, still under construction, just a bit further up from the Dior store. I got the question from a reader, and it also got me curious.
Update: It’s the Ito Toyo designed flagship store for Tod’s.
Oct 27, 2004

I checked out the “Tokyo Night Scape 2050” exhibition at Matsuya last week, and must say that it was a disappointment. I was expecting something a bit more visual.
Oct 27, 2004
I had a meeting with someone at Montoak yesterday — about a new writing thing that I’ll get into in a week or so when things get more official — and following a bit of walking around, I met up with Yuko and we went back to Montoak for a drink on the terrace. It was there that we met Jerome Olivier, a French-Canadian filmmaker who has been in Tokyo for 8 years. He’s worked on a lot of commercial projects, music videos, as well as some shorts. Have a look at his site for examples of his work, including a nice compilation reel.
Oct 27, 2004
When I was at Tower Records yesterday to pick up the latest issue of MASSAGE, I picked up a leaflet that advertises a recently opened Tower Cafe in Ebisu. It’s in the same building as the Liquidroom, and from the pictures looks quite stylish. The premises also include a select shop. I’ll try and check it out next time I’m in Ebisu (which is not very often).
Oct 27, 2004
Patrick has all the info on the upcoming Halcali album, ONGAKU NO SUSUME. I must say that I’m disappointed with the new single, “Baby Blue,” but I still look forward to hearing the LP.
Oct 27, 2004

Warren’s TOKYO STORM WARNING gets a short review in this week’s METROPOLIS.
Do yourself a favor and order the book.
Oct 27, 2004