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LA-based artist couple Hashim & Akiko Bharoocha bridge the electronic/alternative music scenes in the US and Japan (Part 1)
We interviewed Hashim & Akiko Bharoocha, the creators of the ELECTRONIC KUMOKO cloudchild compilation, featuring 21 artists from the US and Japan such as Carlos Niño and Tentenko. In Part 1 of the interview, we asked them about their move from Tokyo to LA and the background of the compilation. -
A monochromatic world where fiction and non-fiction meet: Artist Ai Teramoto’s subtly mysterious portraits
Ai Teramoto’s an artist who draws pictures of characters with unique, captivating eyes. We spoke to her about the roots of her art, her influences, and her most recent artworks. -
Hoping to make a change with intimate underwear: the message of Bambi Watanabe, founder of gender-neutral underwear brand Bushy Park
What’s the message behind gravure (glamor) model Bambi Watanabe’s gender-neutral underwear brand Bushy Park: “Underwear that anyone can wear, regardless of gender”? -
A report on Keiichiro Shibuya and Eizen Fujiwara’s “Mirror in the Mirror”—“Massive Life Flow; Inside the Mind of Keiichiro Shibuya” Part 4
In the fourth installation of this series, we report on an impromptu performance by musician Keiichiro Shibuya and Shingon Buddhist monk Eizen Fujiwara in Dubai last December. -
Meriyasu Kataoka celebrates 10 years as a stuffed toy artist: Combining ideal shapes to create natural stuffed toys
Meriyasu Kataoka is an artist who creates stuffed toys with unique facial expressions and soft shapes that embody Japan’s “kawaii” culture. We trace the path of her 10-year career. -
A dialogue between Night Tempo and Maki Nomiya part I: Tokyo in the 80s and 90s, as illustrated and experienced by the two
Following Night Tempo and Maki Nomiya’s first collaboration, we arranged a conversation between the two artists. In the first part, Nomiya talks about her experience in Tokyo in the 80s and 90s, the setting of Night Tempo’s latest album, and their impressions of that era. -
A dialogue with Night Tempo and Maki Nomiya part II: The woman as an image in “Tokyo Rouge” and the music scene today
Following Night Tempo and Maki Nomiya’s first collaboration, we arranged a conversation between the two artists. The second part is about the process behind “Tokyo Rouge,” the two artists’ collaborative song, “The Night Is Still Young (feat. Night Tempo), as well as their impressions on Tokyo today. -
Photographer Ryuta Hironaga conveys the magic of skating by staying true to his perspective
A New York-based photographer from Japan poured his viewpoint into OBREGÓN CIUDAD DE MÉXICO, a photobook he made in Mexico during the pandemic. - SponsoredEyewear based on an idea from biology: A new common sense by EYEVAN’s new brand, E5 eyevan
- SponsoredThe Japanese Label, Onitsuka Tiger and the Italian Designer Convey “Hope that the World Currently Seeks”
- SponsoredActor Shuhei Uesugi Dons dunhills New Collection for the Fashion Shoot Carried Out at the Brand’s Newly Opened Concept Store in GINZA SIX
- 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”
- SponsoredThe heart and soul ensconced in works by Shohei Otomo done in collaboration with Gucci: Art with a visceral appeal
- SponsoredA collaboration between Gucci and the artist Tadanori Yokoo The symbolic GG patterns float in vivid coloration
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The full story of Metabolic Rift: A new format of underground culture by Berlin Atonal [Part 2]
A report on the concert portion of Metabolic Rift, a reimagined version of iconic experimental music festival Berlin Atonal. -
J-Beauty report from Europe Vol.1: “Our products are created to be customizable to adapt to every unique skin.” Japanese skincare brand “IRÉN Skin” from France
A new project considers the J-Beauty brand in Europe by Keiko Suyama, the representative of “Dessigne,” who consults on the entry of Japanese beauty brands into the European market. For the first installment of this series, we feature “IRÉN.” -
“The First Experience of Pachinko—How did it go?” Manga Series: Italian Manga Artist Peppe’s Encounter with Japanese Culture Vol.2
Peppe introduces his first encounter with Japanese culture through his manga. The second installment is about his first-ever Pachinko experience. Any beginners luck?—Let’s find out. -
On the iki of women rappers and the year 2009, a turning point [Shockwaves in Contemporary Music and Fashion] Vol. 17
In this series, Tsuya-chan writes about contemporary music with a focus on Japanese hip-hop. They breaks down the relationship between music and fashion, as well as fashion trends and youth culture. In the last installment, they delves into the heart and trajectory of the work of Japanese women rappers. -
The New Generational Icon Rising from Tokyo’s Skate Community, Interview with Kyonosuke Yamashita Part 2 From Growing up to Living Through the Life-Changing Pandemic
Kyonosuke Yamashita is a pro-skateboarder who makes the world his stage. This article takes a close look at the path he took to go global and his potential future. Part 2. -
Experimenting with music: Meet Ooveen, the electronic duo started by two illustrator-cum-designers.
We spotlight Ooveen, an up-and-coming electronic duo who went from illustrator-cum-designers to musicians. -
The “tashinami” of free spirits vol. 7: The Mt. Haguro Yamabushi making natural wine in an underpopulated area of Okayama—part.3
In the Ohaga area of Misaki, Okayama, one Yamabushi (ascetics of Japan’s ancient mountain religion) is taking on the challenge of making natural wine. TOKION explores the winemaking process at Yamabiko Winery, where winemaking is part of the ascetic practice. -
Will Harajuku fashion make a comeback?—An interview with Shoichi Aoki, the founder of STREET, FRUiTS, and TUNE (part II)
Shoichi Aoki, the founder of STREET, FRUiTS, and TUNE, has been observing the streets of Tokyo since the 90s. In part two, he talked to us about the streets of Tokyo post-2000s. -
「TOKION Song Book」Vol.8 Arooj Aftab “Last Night”,luscious tunes created by the fusion of cultures and languages
The series by the writer Ryoichi Niimoto living in Brooklyn, who digs deep into the thoughts that musicians put into the songs.Forus on the lyrics to “Last Night” from the latest work by Alge Aftab, whose “Lullaby” was named “Best Song by a Woman in the 21st Century” by NPR in 2018 and was nominated for a Grammy this year. -
The New Generational Icon Rising from Tokyo’s Skate Community, Interview with Kyonosuke Yamashita Part 1 His Charming Character and Thriving Year of 2021
Kyonosuke Yamashita is a pro-skateboarder who makes the world his stage. This article takes a close look at the path he took to go global and his potential future. -
Globally renowned artist Hiroto Ikeuchi’s approach to making artworks with plastic
We interviewed Hiroto Ikeuchi, an artist who uses plastic, about his art language and thoughts on his work. -
Meitei defines his identity as a Japanese artist on his latest album, Kofū II
Musician Meitei creates music based on ancient memories and the history of Japan. His latest release is titled Kofū II. We delve into the philosophy behind his unique sound. -
The “tashinami” of free spirits vol. 6: The Mt. Haguro Yamabushi making natural wine in an underpopulated area of Okayama — part.2
In the Ohaga area of Misaki, Okayama, one Yamabushi (ascetics of Japan’s ancient mountain religion) is taking on the challenge of making natural wine. TOKION delves into the harvest of grapes at Yamabiko Winery, where winemaking is part of the ascetic practice. -
Art Series “The Shape of Boundaries” Vol.8 Director of NEW AUCTION Shunsuke Kimura’s vision on a new form of art auction
This series unravels the art in post-corona era through the words of experts. In the eighth edition, Shunsuke Kimura, director of NEW AUCTION, a new form of auction that has introduced a profit-return system for artists, is with us. -
Dream Aya and Arisa’s Lifestyle Brand asebi Sparks a Question, “What Do We Truly Want and Need in Our Daily Lives?”
asebi is a lifestyle brand established by ex-E-girls member and now photographer Dream Aya and her ally Arisa. So what are the things they make that they “truly want to own?” -
“Sora Wo Torimodoshita Hi” by Shakkazombie; Big-O’s world according to Ignition Man
Shakkazombie’s Ignition Man talks about his memories with and Shakkazombie’s tribute to the late rapper, Big-O. -
Mindful Eating: “How You Eat is an Expression of How You Live”
What happens when we focus on and savor our food? Doctor. Sharon A. Suh talks about how to deal with food on a daily basis. -
Japan’s Brand Trivia Vol. 5: The brilliance of Japan-made products according to Adrian Hogan, who draws everyday life with the city as his studio
This project asks creators about the allure of made-in-Japan brands and products. The fifth installment introduces Adrian Hogan, an Australian illustrator based in Tokyo. -
Kunihiko Morinaga’s latest ANREALAGE collection sees the potential of the digital age: Expanding fashion through a collaboration with “BELLE”.
Designer Kunihiko Morinaga’s collaboration with Mamoru Hosoda’s film “BELLE” for the Spring/Summer 2022 collection of his label ANREALAGE has become a hot topic among fashion lovers. With the collection, Morinaga is looking to the future of fashion. -
[The ‘tashinami’ of free spirits] Vol.5 Noboru Yasuda, a Noh Performer, Ruminates on Studying Intangibility and How Noh Can Generate Augmented Reality.
Noh performer, Noboru Yasuda, who published A Journey to Search for the Invisible in June, discusses the important values deriving from noh: “the ability to be cognizant of intangibility.”