Posts from — July 2007

Japanese culture is more fast-paced and intense than the rest of the western world (like in urban areas), or more relaxed and introspective (like a Japanese garden).

Knowing these idiosyncrasies, one Japanese company “TokyoFlash” sells absolutely marvelous and really bizarre watches. They fulfill every kind of purpose, except clearly telling the time. A few examples from their catalogue:

Technorati Tags: Japanese, products, TokyoFlash, watches

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I’ve recently read that dance is instilled within Philippine culture and so here is a clip showing this - mass performance by inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Centre re-creating “Thriller“.. awesome…

Via BoingBoing

Technorati Tags: dance, performance, Philippines, Thriller

Ryosuke Shinohara reacts as a seal swims in a pillar-shaped tank during a press preview of Fureai Lagoon, where visitors can interact with living marine creatures, at Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama, Japan, on July 24, 2007. The new attraction opens to the public on July 27.

Via Activate.us

Technorati Tags: Fureai Lagoon, Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, Japan, pillar-shaped tank, Yokohama, seal

Hu Shulin, a Chinese martial artist/business man, who dedicated his life battling his mortal enemy: flies, is profiled in this slightly bemusing video clip.

You can see him jumping into splits (ouch) and catching up to 3 flies a time, though unfortunately, not at the same time. He has even created an amazing fly slaying machine, which is now being mass-manufactured, which apparently creates a nightclub for flies, before they no doubt fall to their doom.

Watch out for the end where he gets out his rather large bag of dead fly trophies…
The end of flies as we know it…

Check out The Fly Slayer on Neatorama

Technorati Tags: China, Hu Shulin, ideas, Kung Fu Fly Slayer, martial arts

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Joo Youn Paek’s Pillow Wig has been making the rounds on the net at the moment, and why not? Its an idea of profound genius!

“Pillowig” is a hand made wearable pillow comforting tiredness of people in daily lives, enabling users to sleep comfortably whenever and whenever they’d like. When user test is done in public spaces - subway, airplane, library, class room and laundromat, viewers commented: “I would like to have it for my trip.”, “Very funny.

“This is practical, but a laugh, too.” I made 50 limited editions and sold 47 pieces at the exhibition of the work and gained “Pillowig” fans.”

See more about the Pillow Wig

Technorati Tags: fashion, ideas, Joo Youn Paek, Korea, Pillowig

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Each year, farmers in the town of Inakadate in Aomori prefecture create works of crop art by growing a little purple and yellow-leafed kodaimai rice along with their local green-leafed tsugaru-roman variety.

This year’s creation — a pair of grassy reproductions of famous woodblock prints from Hokusai’s 36 Views of Mount Fuji — has begun to appear. It will be visible until the rice is harvested in September.

Technorati Tags: Japan, Japanese Rice Paddy Crop Art

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One Inch favourites Kozyndan, the illustration couple, have an interview up on Format magazine. Catch it if you like to keep up-to-date with their work!

Interview with Format Magazine

Via NotCot

Technorati Tags: Asian American, illustration, Kozyndan

Here are some nice, shiny icons of Japanese Summer dishes.

They include: Ayu Shioyaki, Nasu Agebitashi, Tomato Cup Salad, Katsuwo Tataki, Nolesole Sumiso, Asparagus Goma Ae, Awabi Osashimi.
Download these icons at Interfacelife

Technorati Tags: cuisine, icons, Japanese, Japanese Summer dishes