The second episode of Néojaponisme’s podcast series on Japanese punk and hardcore is now up.

A new season means it’s time for a new entry in the “Cafe Pause Poster Series” (#4), this time by Tokyo-based illustrator Josh McKible. Huge thanks to Josh for the contribution. Below, a look at the poster as seen in the cafe’s entrance.

Had lunch with Micke (PMKFA) yesterday in Aoyama, which marked our first “Creative Gentlemen’s Lunch Club” in quite a while. We had cheese burgers at J.S. Burgers, and because of the absolutely terrific weather were able to eat out on the terrace (I even took my jacket off).

We then went to his office, which is now located in the MHT building. We spent a bit of time on the roof (pictured above), listening to some tracks, after which I went to the work area and proceeded to bother everyone (apologies all around). Did have a nice talk with OK Fred’s Yoshi — I swear, Radio OK Fred will return — and then coffee with Ega, One Hand Clappin’.

The Laptop Orchestra is set to collaborate with underground artist Keiji Haino for “Gagaku Is Milk for John Cage.” The show takes place Friday, November 28 at SuperDeluxe, from 19:30 (2,500 yen in advance, 3,000 at the door, with drink).

Kyouei releases its Liquid Lamp and Liquid Bookmark in red. Both are also available in white.

Néojaponisme takes a look at Takita Yojiro’s Okuribito, grand prize winner of the Montreal World Film Festival.

I posted not too long ago about the Tokyo edition of Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School, and this time it’s for an event organized by the group that doesn’t involve sketching. “Dr. Sketchy’s Exhibition Party” will showcase the works of participants — including pieces by Dr. Sketchy founder Molly Crabapple — with a few cabaret performances thrown in: Miss Erochica Bamboo, Violet Eva, The Murasaki Baby Dolls, Cherry Typhoon, and Safi. It happens Saturday, November 22 at La Boheme in Aoyama (Kotto-Dori) — 3,500 yen with drink at the door, 2,500 with drink in advance or with flyer (email them).

Tokyo-based designer Craig Mod updates his online portfolio with lots of new work — I really dig the fancy-shmancy project browser he put up.

Now this is how you spread info: create a Groovisions-like infographic video, like what the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has done to present the problems of current food habits in Japan. Sure, it gets a bit fascistic near the end, but it’s still an interesting take on the topic. Via Motionagrapher.

Update: Not only is it Groovisions-like, it was actually produced by Groovisions.

The organizers of the 101TOKYO art fair have announced a few details regarding next year’s edition. Fist, it takes place in April, same weekend as Art Fair Tokyo, and in 2009 will be held at Akiba Square, an event space inside the Akihabara Crossfield buidling.

I quite like the Muji Xmas 2008 catalog: ultra-compact — but thick — this year. It includes 124 gift items.

Chin Music Press is expanding by launching a new imprint, Broken Levee Books, “dedicated to preserving the unique literary heritage of New Orleans and discovering its most compelling voices.” It’s also reprinting the Do You Know compilation, again in hardback edition.

Jurgen Lehl has been collecting spoons of all shapes and sizes from all over the world for some time now, and he’s showcasing them in a new exhibition called “Spoons.” The show kicks off at the Jurgen Lehl Babaghuri shop in Tokyo, running November 27 to December 7, and then moves on to a few other Jurgen Lehl shops until the end of December.

Headed out to Iidabashi tonight to meet up with the TAB/AQ crew to celebrate the birthday of TAB staffer extraordinaire Kaori. We went to Hive Cafe (1F Grand Plus, 4-7-4 Iidabashi), newly opened this week, and from the same owner of the terrific Boulangerie A in Sanbancho (near Co-Lab). It was quite the feast!

Big shout out to Ian for the lovely cards he designed for the Néojaponisme posse.