I’ve decided to start offering sponsorship opportunities on JEANSNOW.NET. You may have noticed a few changes regarding advertising on the site in the past couple of weeks, like a few new Google Ads placements, as well as the smaller ads (like the ones for Chin Music Press, Tokyo Art Beat, and Tokyo Recohan) at the top of the sidebar on the left. The following spots are available for purchase (and take the place of the Google ads that are there now):

Structure for Ads on JEANSNOW.NET

• TOP BANNER (728px/90px)
• INLINE AD (336px/280px or up to 400px/400px)
• SIDEBAR BIG (120px/120px)
• SIDEBAR SMALL (120px/60px)
• SIDEBAR TOWER (120px/600px)

There is also a discounted sponsorship package for the the entire site. For more info on pricing, which is on a monthly basis, please get in touch with me. I can also help with the creation of a campaign, which will be done graphically by my good friends at Next Century Modern.

This past Sunday marked the debut of Tokyo Fun Party‘s new series of parties, “Juliana,” at Soft in Shibuya. It was an absolute blast, and I’m already looking forward to the next one.

Pictured above is the space very early on, before it got packed, and below are the two masterminds behind the event, Digiki and Soccerboy.

Earlier this week, I stopped by Spiral in Aoyama to have a look at the “Epson Color Imaging Contest 2006” (it’s now over). Judges for the contest included Shinya Fujiwara, Daido Moriyama, and Taku Sato. There was a rather nice collection of work on display, including some attractive books.

Megumi may be looking like she’s none too happy, but that has to be the best color combination I’ve seen on one of PMKFA‘s IT’S OUR THING tees yet. Unfortunately, it’s limited to only 4 copies, but at least there’s news that a second collection will come out within the next couple of months, of which a preview can be seen here.

Dezeen has news, and a few images, of Klein Dytham Architecture‘s new Moku Moku Yu baths.

Still not done with your Christmas shopping? PingMag comes up with some last-minute suggestions to help save the day.

A look at some of the Radiodd stickers you get with Rodion’s new 12″ release, ALATA RIDE EP. More photos and details can be found on Patrick’s blog.

PingMag interviews Osaka-based artist Kazuhiko Kawahara, aka Palla.

• PEN (190) gets traditional with a look at the design that surrounds the Japanese tea ceremony, including coverage of the material used, and of course a survey of tearooms. It’s also nice to see that the designer profile for the issue is Yoshino Fukuma of Ten-Sen. I first met her last year at the inaugural 100% Design Tokyo, and then later at her space at Co-Lab.
• The latest issue of BRUTUS (608) is all about “Cool Japan,” or rather the aspects of Japanese culture that have become popular in other countries. Unfortunately, I don’t think I would really consider a lot of what gets covered as cool, but it still makes for an interesting feature, as it gives the editors an opportunity to see their world through foreign eyes. The issue does have the best insert ever, featuring a new comic by Katsuhiro Otomo (who also did the cover), as well as an interview with him, and glimpses inside his studio. I also got a kick out of seeing the boys of Less Rain, Carsten and Lars, enjoying some chilled beers in a 2-page advertorial.
• The new TOKION JAPAN (56) is out, featuring Kitsuné on the cover. I really liked the “Tokyo Iconic Nights” piece, where they map out a night on the town for various categories of people — from “Gorgeous & Luxury” to “Sweet & Cultured.”
• MAC POWER (205) offers a “Trend Forecast 2007,” surveying 100 top creators on what they see as the major themes for the coming year. There’s also a one-page profile covering Assistant.
• This month’s STUDIO VOICE (373) takes us on a “Photobook Odyssey 1976-2007,” which means a beautiful survey of striking photobooks. This issue also marks the start of Patrick Macias‘ new column for the magazine, “Paranoid States of America,” in which he examines (in his own words), “the witchy world of conspiracy theorists, paranormal hoodoo, and post-millennial backwash.”
• I also leafed through a magazine called SOMETHING, which I’d never seen before but is already on its 12th issue (it was prominently featured on racks as if it was a new magazine). It deals with culture/artists/designers, with this issue covering “Nagoya Pep Creators!!!”

Craig Mod plays the role of the serious book designer by day, but at night, the wildman comes out as drummer of Whiskey Bon Bon, playing a mix of dirty rock/jazz this side of Tom Waits. Next up for the band are a couple of shows next week, first an all-night event at Shibuya JZ Brat, the Cerulean Tower hotel’s jazz bar, featuring bands, DJs, and food (December 27, 22:00-5:00, 3000 yen), and then a free show the following Saturday (December 30, 20:00) at the Shibuya Apple Store.

Patrick Macias has a piece in today’s edition of THE JAPAN TIMES covering Michael Arias, the director of the new TEKKON KINKREET (BLACK & WHITE) animated film. The article is accompanied by a Q&A.

Sonia and Huschang have officially formed a studio together, ChowPourian Studio, with the new site still under construction. You can still catch their “Ooito/Th’ Rezidents” exhibition at Cafe Pause (until December 24). The second planned phase was unfortunately cancelled due to an unexpected hectic scheduled, so this second week is still hosting Huschang’s Ooito designs, as well as Sonia’s Rezidents characters (with some merch available for sale).

Welkam is a Tokyo-based company that designs and builds displays and booths for events. They’ve just launched a new website, designed by AQ.

The latest issue of NYLON FOR GUYS (Winter 2007) sees Marxy writing a lengthy profile on Hysteric Glamour designer/founder Nobu Kitamura. The piece isn’t online, so time to pony up the dough and grab the issue at your favorite newsstand!

Momus’ latest column over at WIRED NEWS takes a look at the Pecha Kucha Night events, and then spills over in his latest Click Opera entry. For more on the PKN phenomenon, you can also read the pieces I wrote for METROPOLIS and TIME.