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Establishing the background of borderless creations by “acte ™”, Berlin’s famed up-and-coming creative studio
“acte ™” is an artist and creative studio established in 2018 by Philipp Groth and Sascha Huth. They now receive a great deal of attention due to outstanding projects including the photo story featuring Japanese rapper Tohji for the fashion magazine “032c” and redefining works in art, fashion, film and design. This is their first long interview with Japanese media that unravels their background. -
Saiko otake drew her sense of the expansion by looking back her own roots
This article takes a deep dive into the roots of Saiko Otaka and behind-the-scenes of the production of her works showcased at her solo exhibition, “UWAJIMA⇄TOKYO”, which takes place at Gallery Art Unlimited (in Nogizaka) and her first-ever co-exhibition with her sister Shoko, titled “BS Channel ~ Black by Sister channel ~” that is currently open at Pearl Book Shop & Gallery (in Hatagaya) -
Freimeisterkollektiv, a group of dedicated artisans making organic craft spirits in Berlin
The founder of Freimeisterkollektiv sheds light on Berlin’s bar culture, which includes establishments with a long history and popular bars where artists and creators with colorful personalities get together. He also talks about the Japanese market. -
Finding Connections in Unexpected Places: Finnish Nightmares Can Be Celebrated By the Japanese Too
What is happiness like in Finland, which has been ranked number one in the United Nations World Happiness Rankings for four consecutive years? Find out from Karolina Korhonen’s comic, Finnish Nightmares. -
[The ‘tashinami’ of free spirits] Vol. 1: The Mt. Haguro Yamabushi making natural wine in an underpopulated area of Okayama -Part 1-
In the Misaki area of Okayama, which has been selected as having one of the top 100 terraced rice fields in Japan, one Yamabushi (ascetics of Japan’s ancient mountain religion) is taking on the challenge of making natural wine. TOKION takes a closer look at the Yamabiko Winery, where winemaking is part of the ascetic practice. -
Flying Lotus’s Challenge to “The New Frontier of Anime Music” The Full Story of Making Soundtrack for Netflix Original Anime YASUKE Part Ⅱ
Flying Lotus is best known as a musical genius, but also as a Japanese anime freak. This article unveils his sentiments toward anime and the anecdotes behind creating the story of Netflix original YASUKE and producing its soundtrack. In part 2, we learn about his ideal of new anime music. -
From one journey to another: Deciphering Louis Vuitton’s true nature through an Anarchy & Badsaikush music video / [Shockwaves in Contemporary Music and Fashion] Vol.…
In this series, Tsuya-chan writes about contemporary music with a focus on Japanese hip-hop. She breaks down the relationship between music and fashion, as well as fashion trends and youth culture. In the eleventh installment, she examines the true nature of Louis Vuitton through a detailed analysis of an Anarchy & Badsaikush music video that features a Louis Vuitton bag. -
The future of anime and AI according to Gustaf Holtenäs, the director of black midi’s new music video
black midi is the most exciting band in the UK indie rock scene right now. Gustaf Holtenäs, the Swedish director behind their AI-incorporated music video, takes us behind the scenes and talks about anime as well. - SponsoredCardboard Artist Tomotatsu Gima Reimagines Gucci Sneakers with Sustainable Materials
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- SponsoredPop-up of the Fashion Show, True Colors FASHION, Launching at TOKiON the STORE “LIVE JACKET” Made by Yoichi Ochiai Exhibited In Store
- SponsoredGeneral director Yoichi Ochiai speaks on the diversity of bodies celebrated by True Colors FASHION
- SponsoredTOKION Vol. 1 released on July 28 Special feature “OBSERVE”
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Introducing live instruments and a new direction in music—One World, DJ KAWASAKI’s first album in 11 years
Why did DJ KAWASAKI record an album using acoustic instruments of a band, as opposed to drum machines, which has been his style until now? -
Putting his soul into one stitch Door to the world opened by the zigzag embroidery——The man called SHISHUMANIA
Incorporating zigzag stitching embroidery, a technique with a decreased number of inheritors, into the expressions of two-dimensional world, SHISHUMANIA opened up a new possibility of traditional technology. The interview uncovers the world of Takuma Fukumori a.k.a SHISHUMANIA. -
Flying Lotus Opens Up About His “Love of Japanese Anime” His Passion Embedded in Netflix Original Anime YASUKE Part Ⅰ
Flying Lotus is best known as a musical genius, but also as a Japanese anime freak. This article unveils his sentiments toward anime and the anecdotes behind creating the story of Netflix original YASUKE and producing its soundtrack. In part 1, he speaks about his intention and aim he wanted to convey in the anime and his ardent love for Japanese anime. -
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Yu Nagaba’s Artwork Reincarnated into two-and-a-half Dimentional Art Piece Exclusiviely Available at TOKION
A re-creation of the characteristic warm hand drawn lines. The eyewear parts are handcrafted in Sabae-city in Fukui-prefecture, which ultimately makes it an art piece that is not only a décor but can also be worn for going out. -
The Designer of His Eponymous Brand, Fumito Ganryu vol.3–Fashion Born from the Spirit that Paves Its Way Through the Society and Future
Fumito Ganryu’s punk mind calls out the challenges of the society and pivots to focus on the future. In this installment, you will be vicariously experiencing his foundation—the punk state of mind. -
“Creator’s Masterpiece Collection” Vol.1 Art director Kazunari Hattori’s “analog cameras”
A serial column in which a variety of creators speak about their own favorite items. The first installment introduces art director Kazunari Hattori’s “film cameras”which became sources for his design works. -
B-boy Issei on what needs to be done for the future of breakdancing
Breakdancer Issei, who has earned numerous world-famous titles in his teenage years, says he wants to spread breakdancing even more in Japan. We delve into his roots and process of creating his own blueprint. -
In Her Film Good-bye, a Young Filmmaker, Aya Miyazaki Portrays a Change in a Family and How It Breaks Away from the Past.
Miyazaki’s first feature-length film Good-bye was shot while she was in college and was released in April. We talked to Miyazaki about her career and the film. -
Jai Tanju, the photographer who’s as interesting as his photos
San Jose’s skate culture and community are just as distinct as those in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Jai Tanju is well-known in the streets of this city. Instead of focusing on his photography alone, I’d like to highlight him as a person; it makes me smile just thinking about it. -
Tokyo-based director Xavier Tera, shows cultural diversity and Japanese identity
The director behind the music video for Kaytranada’s Look Easy ft. Lucky Daye is Xavier Tera, friend of the artist and self-proclaimed fan of Takeshi Kitano. What is Tokyo-based Tera’s vision of Japanese culture? -
The Designer of His Eponymous Brand, Fumito Ganryu vol.2–Exploring the Origin that Links Between Society and the Creation
Fumito Ganryu’s stance of designing fashion from the society elucidated from understanding the collection’s background. Tracing back to his origins. -
「時音」Vol.14 Novelist Ryo Asai gazes at a view that’s two steps ahead
Novelist Ryo Asai reflects on his career as a writer and elucidates his outlook and process of writing a story. -
The universal beauty and eros of Araki’s photography and pieces from the Ming dynasty, as seen at The Feuerle Collection
The Feuerle Collection is a museum in Berlin, where art pieces from China’s dynastic period and Nobuyoshi Araki’s photography coexist. Désiré Feuerle, the founder, talks about the aesthetic beauty of his work and so forth. -
Shinji Nanzuka of Nanzuka Underground breaks the border between fine art and commercial art to find new interpretations
In this series, we unravel the words of different intellectuals in regards to post-covid art. For the fifth volume, we invited Shinji Nanzuka, the owner of Nanzuka Underground, which launched on June 5th. -
USUGROW [Part 1]: The thought behind his dance drawings, the unchanging spirit, and the diffusion of culture
USUGROW’s solo exhibition is currently on view at Shintora Press, a new gallery in Toranomon, until July 10th. The exhibition mainly displays works with a “dance” theme. What was USUGROW feeling and thinking as he made these works? -
The Designer of His Eponymous Brand, Fumito Ganryu vol.1–Clothes That Cross Over the Border Derived from the Pandemic
Now, the world has changed dramatically due to the havoc. Fumito Ganryu, who is the designer of his eponymous brand, gives a sharp glance at the society and looks for answers for the future. -
Why Yuma Abe is making music on his own: A closer look at the creation of his relaxed and authentic sonic universe
Yuma Abe, the frontman of Never Young Beach, has released his first solo album. Yusuke Monma, whose book Haruomi Hosono to Karera no Jidai was published last December, digs deeper into the creation and sonic universe of Abe’s new album, which features guitar by Devendra Banhart and mixing by Haruomi Hosono. -
Maika Loubté channels feelings indescribable by words into music
In preparation for the release of her new album—deemed as an album with “standout songs only”—this fall, Maika Loubté has been dropping a string of singles. The following is about her latest single, System, and the shift in her awareness during the pandemic. -
Photo exhibition report: Laia Abril reflects on history from the perspective of women
Tomo Kosuga, an art producer living in Amsterdam, explores photography around the world today in this series of columns. In the sixth installment of this series, he writes about a recent solo exhibition he saw at Photography Museum Foam Amsterdam that unravels “herstory.” -
Takahiro Komuro’s sacred sculptures based on comics and figurines
Takahiro Komuro is a prominent artist whose sculptures look like soft vinyl figures at first glance. We present an interview about the catalyst for his work, his process, and the art industry.