Star Wars Characters as Classical Japanese Art
“Kenobi-shogun! daitan-na otokoyo!” – Grievous
Digital artist Scadarts (previously) uses Photoshop to put Star Wars characters into classic artworks. His latest series uses the classical Japanese style to portray Boba Fett, Ahsoka Tano, Darth Maul, and Leia Organa. Click to the right in the image above to see each work on its own. But that’s just his latest series. Continue reading »
Japanese Artist and Designer CHA2’s Cyberpunk Headgear Looks Like It Came from The Future
If your Venn diagram of interests includes Japanese subculture, street fashion, and cyberpunk, chances are you already know about Hirofumi Matsuura, who goes by the artist name CHA2 (pronounced “cha-tsu”) and runs the fashion brand trico inc. Continue reading »
This Japanese Artist Makes Sculptures Out Of Snow, And Here Are The Coolest Ones
Winter is often associated with snow—whether you live in warmer climates or have to struggle with the cold for a better part of the year, snowflakes likely remind you of the brilliant white winter. And while some see the beauty of the season, others find a unique opportunity to show off their creative side. Continue reading »
Japanese Artist Colors Anime-Inspired Paper Cutouts With Real-World Environments
Japanese artist Kotetsu blends illustration photography and kirie (Japanese traditional paper cutting) to create beautiful works of art that bring anime heroines into the real world. Continue reading »
Photographer’s Stunning Shots of Gorgeous Mountain Temple Look Straight out Of an Anime
Impressive photographer Iori Takano focuses her camera lens on the striking seasonal scenery and vibrant natural color found across Japan, with a particular focus on shots that show off the sky. Her latest set of photos is garnering praise definitely fits that theme, but is garnering attention for just how much it looks like it was lifted out of a gorgeously created anime. Continue reading »
Japan 2077: Photographer Aishy Has Captured Tokyo in a Striking Cyberpunk Mood at Night
Aishy is a French art director and photographer with a passion for Japanese urban spaces. From December 2019 to January 2020, he spent many nights on Tokyo’s streets to capture the fascinating atmosphere caused by neon lights as well as the hustle and bustle on and off the streets. The images of the series convey a striking cyberpunk mood. Continue reading »
Japanese Service Lends “Weathering with You” Clear Umbrellas with Hina Floating in The Sky
Makoto Shinkai’s popular 2019 romantic fantasy anime film ‘Weathering with You’ will be broadcast on Japanese television for the first time. Fans are particularly looking forward to this, since there will be a special new one-minute ending directed by Shinkai, emphasizing the message of “weathering hardships” which resonates even more in these pandemic times. Continue reading »
Rare Hand-Colored Photographs of Japan on The Brink of Modernity in 1870s
Street minstrel, Gose.
Here’re a few rare photographs from the 1870s taken by Shinichi Suzuki (1835-1918) who photographed Japan for a foreign newsmagazine called The Far East.
After his lumber family business was destroyed by a tsunami in 1854, Suzuki traveled to Yokohama where he became an established photographer. Many of his photographs were hand-colored, which is why they appear more realistic and modern than the black and white photos of that era. Continue reading »
Now You Can Look Like A Void With This $22 Vortex Hoodie
There’s a general consensus that our clothing is meant to represent our personality—maybe you like to wear button-down shirts and want to always appear proper, or perhaps band T-shirts are the attire that you refuse to put down. Basically, we all have our styles and preferences, and it’s natural to strive for our brand of perfection. Continue reading »
Japanese Photographer Captures Mystical Shrines Covered in Snow
Located in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kifune shrine is effortlessly iconic. It is one of the highest-ranked government supported shrines, and for a good reason. The shrine is surrounded by wildlife and nearby rivers. It also bears worship to Shinto spirits related to water. Overall, Kifune shrine is easily recognizable owing to its many red lanterns. Continue reading »
The Snowman Carrier – A Special Bag to Carry Your Tiny Snowman
With this beautiful bag by Tsuchiya Kaban you will be able to walk all the time with your snowman! A frivolous and fun accessory that will make all the difference during the Christmas holidays. The Snowman Carrier comes with a carrot pocket and a removable tray so you can take your friend out of ice with more convenience. Continue reading »
Zipper Fastener Ship: Boat Shaped Like Giant Zip Puller Looks Like It’s Opening the Water
Japanese designer Yasuhiro Suziki has created a unique boat shaped like a giant zipper puller that looks like it’s opening up the water when sailing. Continue reading »
The World’s Youngest-Ever Lego Certified Professional Just Made this 50,000 piece Great Wave
There are only 21 LEGO Certified Professionals in the world and Junpei Mitsui is the only one from Japan, and the youngest-ever when he was named a LEGO Certified Professional in 2011 at the age of 24. Continue reading »
Believe It or Not, This Is Not a Cat!
19-year-old artist Haru Otomi certainly has a way with a pencil. The talented illustrator is responsible for some amazing drawings of cats that look so real, you almost want to reach out and pet! Continue reading »
Japanese Hobbyist Explores Thalassophobia, the Terror of The Deep Unknown Sea with Stunning Dioramas
If you’re not aware of thalassophobia, it’s entirely possible–and reasonable–that you may have it without knowing it. It’s often generalized as a fear of the ocean, but in particular is the fear of deep and dark bodies of water. As wondrous as the mysteries of the ocean are, not knowing what lies beneath and thinking of it being right under you can send shivers down the spine of just about anyone. Continue reading »
Meet Gaku Azuma, a Japanese Artist Who Transforms Bodies Into Amazing Ink Paintings
Gaku Azuma is a multimedia artist who has a long relationship with the Japanese art world. He was born to a father who was an ōgi-e (扇絵) artist, which meant that he used traditional paper fans as a canvas for his paintings. Continue reading »
Kyoto Photographer Shows the Beauty of Autumn Through Gorgeous Foliage Photos
It’s the prime season for enjoying beautiful foliage here in Japan. All across the country, leaves are turning into all shades of red and orange, and it makes scenes of nature all the more stunning. Continue reading »
Japanese Artist’s Illustrations Dare You to Find Fantasy in Ordinary Tokyo Apartments
Behind the flashing lights and its constant bustling rhythm, Tokyo has an undeniable, almost mystic charm that takes a special talent to appreciate. One person who’s gifted with the ability to appreciate the day-to-day charms of Tokyo on another level is Japanese illustrator Akane Malbeni. Continue reading »
Japanese Guy Absolutely Nails Anime Girl Cosplay, from Evangelion to Sailor Moon
Meet Rei, a talented Japanese cosplayer. His fantastic makeup skill and costumes are great attention-grabbing in their own right, but they’re even more impressive when you take into account that even though Rei largely focuses on cosplaying popular female characters from video games and anime, Rei is actually a man. Continue reading »
Artist Draws a Series of Innocent Illustrations Of Cute Animals In Japanese Scenarios
According to an artist: “After 12 years of experience drawing realism with graphite pencils, I decided to create this colorful project named Meronpan. I use diverse techniques to illustrate animals and pets, most of them in Japanese scenarios. Continue reading »
“Memes of the Floating World”: Artist Recreates Favorite Memes In Japanese Print Styles
According to an artist: “It started as a Christmas gift to my wife, who loves the “Woman Yelling at Cat” meme, and has unfolded into an art project called “Memes of the Floating World.” In this strange dream world, classic Japanese woodblock print art and legends mash up with memes, dead and living, and internet lore from the past and present. Continue reading »
Cyberpunk Kimono Fashion Hits the Streets of Akihabara, Complete with Neon Sign Obi
Some of the best places in Tokyo to get that cyberpunk feel are Shinjuku and Akihabara, where walls of lights and multi-storey tech stores vie for your attention. The only thing missing from the landscape is people dressed in futuristic gear, but one cyber head is here to help with that, creating a new look that fits in with the lights of the city, in the form of a “backpack” containing a neon sign. Continue reading »
“I Thought They Were Photos!”: Japanese Artist’s Exquisite Work Earns Plaudits Online
Artist Hiroki Saito posted the works he has made so far on his Twitter account, to overwhelming praise and astonishment.
The reason? These aren’t photos, paintings, drawings or computer-rendered illustrations but painstakingly realized works of ‘kiri-e.’ Literally meaning “cut drawings,” kiri-e is created with paper and a blade. For Hiroki Saito, who works in large formats of A4 and even A3 size, it can take up to 4 months to produce one work. The results, however, are well worth the effort, as you can see below. Continue reading »
Japanese Priest Adorably Still Uses “Cat Mug” Made by Daughter Even Though It’s an Eye-Stabbing Demon
Japanese Twitter user Chikai Matsuzaki is the head priest of the Jodo Shinsou Honganji school’s Eimyouji Temple in Kita-Kyushuu, but he’s getting attention lately for a predicament caused by refusing to stop using a present his daughter made for him.
Matsuzaki recent shared a photo of himself drinking from a mug made by his daughter. As he says, it’s an adorable keepsake pottery gift, but it’s something you need to keep your eyes on when using–if you can! Continue reading »
Japanese Artist Crafts Awesome Cyberpunk Demon Masks
Japanese Twitter user Shuka is a stop motion animator and “mecha designer” who specializes in crafting cyberpunk-themed items and accessories. The talented artist has recently gained some attention on Twitter for designing an awesome cyberpunk-themed Japanese demon mask! Continue reading »
