June 2022

“I want to see the first snowflake that lands on the ground.” Such romantic ambition isn’t unique only to the writers and intellectuals. Whoever takes the first step to introduce a new idea is considered either a brave hero or an odd kind, but no — it could be someone with passion, belief, and great momentum. Today, we share a story of street basketball and the future that unfurls from there. We had the opportunity to hear a story from a man who grasped the first and the last snowflake on the field of basketball.

Shintaro Sakamoto just released his first album in six years, Like A Fable. Its mellow and pop sonic universe has a different feel from the singles he put out in 2020. We asked him about what went into creating the album and his ties with foreign audiences and artists.

In 2019, artists Yukiko Nagakura and Yasuko Watanabe started the Timeline Project, a female artist timeline. I interviewed the two about their endeavor.

Jeanne Signoles and Hiroshi Fujiwara reunited through collaborating on and releasing a L/UNIFORM x fragment design bag. We explore their relationship and Jeanne’s ideas on how she has fun in Japan.

We interviewed nico, the only Japanese artist to present work as part of the global digital campaign for Gucci’s “Gucci Bamboo 1947” bag unveiled in January, about how she started out and her creative process.

Photographer Hironori Kodama reports on Ukraine. Here, he details what he felt at a party in Odessa.

We interviewed tofubeats, who released his fifth album REFLECTION and his book Tofubeats No Nancho Nikki.

Jungle Emperor Leo collaboration exhibition and sales were hugely successful. I spoke to Kousuke Shimizu on the inspiration behind his creativity.

Kimono influencer Sheila Cliffe helps us rethink the beauty of kimono culture. In addition to its appeal as a fashion item, we reveal its allure from all angles, historical to cultural.