I was happy to see that top shelf pictured at the Junkudo book store in Ikebukuro, bringing together that great little collection of Japanese pop culture books from Kodansha International. I remember that when Arcade Mania came out, because we were the first, it was actually challenging for bookstores to place the book, as it wasn’t obvious where it should go. But with the addition of all those other books that ended up using the same format — Matt Alt and Hiroko Yoda’s Yokai Attack and Ninja Attack, Brian’s Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential, and Patrick W. Galbraith’s The Otaku Encyclopedia — it now makes sense to display them together. I think the next step is the creation of a box set — how great a Christmas gift would that be!
Thursday night I was out in Shibuya for the opening reception of the new Diesel Concept Store, which opens to the public today (November 20). Like the Diesel Denim Gallery in Aoyama, the store features a gallery space, and the opening show is Simon Henwood and Fannie Schiavoni’s “Black Sun” (until February 23). I rather like the diner-like cafe/bar area, but I have no idea what the regular menu will have to offer.
The party itself was a bit too packed for my taste, although I did get a kick out of seeing Takashi Murakami waiting in line to get in when I was on my way out.
Over the past few weeks I’ve been doing a bunch of overnight trips around Tokyo as I do my research work for the next editions of the Rough Guide to Tokyo and Japan, and it’s been fun. Sure, I’ve had the worst luck when it comes to weather, but there have been some bright spots, like this past Wednesday in Nikko. It was a bit strange to be at the spot pictured above in the afternoon, only to end up at this past week’s PechaKucha Night at SuperDeluxe in the evening.
Tomorrow I head out to Fuji Five Lakes for some more research, and the weather is looking nice (knock on wood).
Spotted at the Freshness Burger near the KDa office in Ebisu.
I had a chance to check out Daniel‘s exhibition yesterday — the one I posted about — and quite enjoyed what I saw. The best was to have him explain the meaning behind each piece — it was great to hear the justification for each element used. Unbelievably, he’s selling t-shirts for 1,000 yen — yes, I of course grabbed one — and each work is also available for sale as a poster.
It looks like Daniel will be coming to this Monday’s PauseTalk, so it should be a good chance to interact with the artist and ask him about his works.
KDa superstars Mark and Astrid signing their new book, following their lecture last Friday night.
Emperor Hirohito, on a wall off Omotesando. Taken with iPhone using the Toy Camera app.
OK Fred‘s Gorilla Store #3 is now over, but I still wanted to put up a few photos from the space, featuring Malin Baumann‘s items. Really loved the graphic patterns seen on the badges above — each one represents a letter from the alphabet. I’m hoping she follows through with what she told me and that she comes out with some bow ties.
Also, while on the topic of OK Fred, a new episode of Radio OK Fred should be up later today or tomorrow. Subscribe to the feed so as not to miss it!
On Wednesday I attended the opening for this year’s second edition of 101TOKYO, held again in Akihabara, but this time at the Akiba Square event space inside the UDX building. It’s not really fair to compare this edition to last year’s — they were quite different beasts — so I’ll just congratulate Jason, Kosuke, Donald, and the entire 101TOKYO crew for a terrific event. The opening was a blast — and according to Jason, 400-500 were in attendance. Oh, and the purple rocks.
101TOKYO ends today (April 5), so depending on when you read this you may still have a chance to go out and catch it on the last day, or go to the after-party to be held later tonight (from 21:00) at Trump Room in Shibuya — that’s where they’ll be giving out the Berengo Prize. I’ll put up a report tomorrow at PechaKucha Daily on last Thursday’s special edition of PechaKucha Night — it was hosted by our very own Mark and Astrid, who took a break from preparations for their big exhibition, which opens this week at Gallery Ma.
Below, a few more photos from the opening.
Party people taking in art.
Jason giving me a “you lookin’ at me?” face during the event’s opening press conference.
New this year: gigantic art.
Party people drinking and chatting in the main hallway. The purple definitely works.
My friends Ega and Erika, obviously having a good time.
Juniper giving me the look, and in the background we see Digiki, who helped produce last year’s edition, and made it to the opening despite the broken arm.
First with the bad news: if you’re hearing about the “We Love Magazine Library” exhibition for the first time, then you’re out of luck because it ended yesterday. I must apologize for not having posted this before — I had actually taken note of it before its start, but completely forgot to post something. I did get a chance to check it out this past Friday night — it was held in the basement event space of Omotesando Hills — and I myself was quite upset that I didn’t go earlier, because I probably could have done with a few visits. As you can see from the photos, it quite literally was a library, but of the most amazing kind, filled with terrific independent magazines from around the world. Some of you may recognize the lighting as well — it was provided by my friend Kouichi (Kyouei).
I just really hope they do this again, because I unfortunately don’t get to read as many great international magazines as I’d like because I simply can’t afford them, especially when you factor in the usually quite hefty import cost. And yes, I so wish I could have attended this past weekend’s “Colophon 2009” in Luxembourg. As I twittered recently, I may have built a career on the web, but my true love remains print.
Ain’t she nice? Taken from the 52nd floor of the Mori Building in Roppongi.
I’m always told I announce these things too late, so let it be said now: this coming Saturday (February 21) Cafe Pause celebrates its fifth anniversary. Doors will open at 19:00, with live performances starting at 20:00 — I’d make sure not to miss Taichi at 21:00. Entry will be free, and I’ll of course be drunk on the floor, so come celebrate with me.
If you’re left standing, on Sunday (February 22) Hiro will be returning to the cafe for a live painting session, accompanied by his brother on guitar. It starts at 19:00.
I’m really digging the large displays in the showcase, taken from the labels for the Pause Original Blend Tea.
Photo taken while biking yesterday around the city, using the iPhone’s Toy Camera app. Pictured, a spot near Suidobashi station.
No one comes to this site to see my travel photos, and to be honest, over the past few years I stopped taking photos during trips almost entirely. I don’t really know how it happened, but I think I got to a point where I felt that it got in the way of me enjoying what I was experiencing. But then something happened. It was during our day trip to Macau last week — part of our trip to Hong Kong. Recently I’ve been having a lot of fun taking photos with my iPhone using Takayuki Fukatsu‘s Toy Camera app, and so all of a sudden, almost as soon as we arrived on shore, I started snapping photos, and continued throughout the few hours we where there. You can see the results in this Flickr photoset.
Jean Snow is a contributor to 
He will be contributing to the upcoming fifth editions of 
