EDGY JAPAN - All About Edgy Talents/Products/Locations from Japan

Choshi, Really Edgy Location

2010-09-05T07:40:48Z

270 Degrees Ocean. East Edge of Tokyo Vicinity

Regardless to say, EDGY JAPAN loves edgy locations, and they're not restrained to the content of the locations. They also includes the geographical edginess -- yes, the edge of a continent/land.

If you're British, it would be Dover, if you're American, Provincetown and Montauk (or if you're really edgy, Barrow), and if you're Chinese, Sanya in Hainan Island -- these locations qualify as the edge of the edge.

]]> Jonanjima Island Park, located right next to Haneda Airport. Airport substitutes the ocean's emotional uplift.)

To Tokyo vicinity, Choshi would be the place to be.

View Larger Map

Choshi is the eastern edge of Kanto Plain, situated 9,000km west of Los Angeles, or 140km west of downtown Tokyo. To many Japanese, this place is known for soy source (Home of Yamasa soy source), fish (Great fishing port, famous for alfonsino), and sunrise. (People get together on the midnight of December 31 to witness the very first sun rise of the year.)

From EDGY JAPAN's perspective, 2 more "pro" elements adds up to Choshi.

1. The Set Up
Lots of wood structures. Common in the past, not so really now.

Platform of a local train station. (Tokawa Staiton)

Timetable

Station

2. 270 Degrees Ocean
Because its the tip, and also the end of the Tonegawa River, a visitor can witness a various type water.

ACCESS: Take Shiosai Super Express from Tokyo Station. 2 hours.

Need more information? Contact EDGY JAPAN.

EDGY PINT: Draft Beer from Japanese Baseball Game

2010-09-02T07:40:36Z

Beer+Sports+Beer Selling Girl = Japanese Baseball

Live sports + beer. This is one of the golden combinations, which has been favored by a wide range of people. We, the Japanese, are surely one of them.

This deed becomes more special and fun when it comes to Japanese baseball games.

There is a profession, called, "Beer Girl", She carries 15L (=15kg) keg on the back (equipped with CO2 dispenser), cups, nibbles, and changes. During the game, the girls are running across the stadium, selling cold ones to the heated spectators.

]]>
1. Sell hard when the team is in defense.
When in offense, fans tend to be concentrated on the game and hence, less revenue.

2. Know the team.
It's important to create a sense of unity with the spectators. If you know the team members and able to give you a little supporting remark on the team while pouring, a sense of attachment with the seller evolves. With this tactic, a spectator is likely to order another pint from the same seller.

3. Pour while approaching to save time.
This business is like stock-trading. You've got to be prompt. Begin pouring on your way to the customer, so that the pint is complete after 5 seconds you get to right in front of the customer.

1

2

3

Want to catch this unique beer action in Japan? You've got 1 more month until the end of this year's professional baseball league.

If you happen to visit Japan and want some outdoor beer actions, contact EDGY JAPAN.

Past edgy pints

Best Pint: Asahi Super Dry Extra Cold
EDGY Outdoor Pint: Odaiba Seaside Park
EDGY Outdoor Pint: Closest Beach From Tokyo, Enoshima, Shonan
EDGY Izakaya: Shinhinomoto
EDGY Outdoor Pint: The Best River To Drink With, Tamagawa River

Mino-tosui, Best Sake + Sakazuki Package

2010-08-30T06:48:52Z

Convergence of the best and best.

As mentioned before on EDGY JAPAN, sakazuki, a cup designated for drinking sake, functions more than a container. Sometimes, it acts as media, sometime, it acts as a carefully crafted art piece.

If you are into that sort of product -- a product allowing to immerse into your mind after its primary usage, you must also love this.

Minotosui, literary translates "Mino Area's Ceramics and Sake", is a packaged product, containing the best sake, tokkuri (a container for sake), and sakazuki from the area.
]]>

Summer Version (cold sake)

Summer Version (cold sake)

Winter Version (hot sake)

Currently, the team, consisting with the local and young ceramic craftsmen and sake master, is working on the new version of the sets, which are going to be revealed sometime next year.

The set is available from Michisakari's, the producer of sake, website. Price ranging from JPY8,400 to 9,450.

Need help purchasing, contact EDGY JAPAN.

More than Baseball, National High School Baseball Championship

2010-08-16T06:57:42Z

This is where Ichiro and Hideki Matsui caught people's attention for the first time.

Why do you go to a live sports game? Is it solely for sport? Some says it's for beer under the blue shiny sky, the others say it's for cheering, or a sense of unity.

National High school Baseball Championship is one of the sport venues in Japan that exactly fits into this category. It's not just baseball ---- it's drama.

Packed Stadium, 47,000 people.

Players, lined up before the game.

With its 92 years of history, it's held every summer in Koshien Stadium, a suburb of Osaka and Kobe.

Koshien Stadium

The quality of the play -- regardless to say, isn't a professional level, but what's so amusing is cheering by each school's cheering group.

An entire cheerleading club, brass band, some alumni, and students get together at a designated area of the stadium. When the supporting team is in offense, the whole cheering party blasts their cheer-songs with each hitter's name.

]]>

Cheer, waving.

A high school baseball in Japan tends to be associated with gut and a spirit of "never give up". This is because the players needs to practice day and night-all day to win the preliminary within the prefecture to be a representative for the championship. Because of this never-ever give up mind, even a team is losing 10-0 in the 9th inning, the cheering never stops (In fact, it becomes louder). This is some thing that strikes spectator's heart.

Also, it is a gateway to a professional baseball -- Ichiro from Seattle Mariners and Hidekazu Matsui from Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and many other professionals caught their attentions from here.

It may be just a high school baseball, but it's more thant what it looks. Be there, and feel it. As long as you know the rules, no language necessary.

National High School Baseball Championship

Starting from early August to the end.
Koshien Baseball Stadium
Outfield seat -- free of charge. (first-come-first-served basis.)

If you need assistance on visiting Koshien for the championship, contact EDGY JAPAN.

Sumida River Firework Festival = EDGY Firework Festival

2010-08-09T06:25:31Z

Umbrella x Firework?

What is so edgy about Japanese firework festival, especially Tokyo Sumida River Firework Festival?

One is the size (attendance: almost 1 million people) and two, number of fireworks launched (Over 20,000 fireworks in 2 hours). The third, and the most edgy point -- it's the proximity from the launch point.

If you watch the work from Asakusa, bits and pieces from the blasting firework, also known as an outer shell of the firework, fall like rain because of its proximity to the launching point.

Thus -- the headline picture -- an umbrella surely helps to avoid the pieces, falling over your body, or even a cup, containing your beer.

]]>
Pieces from the firework on my shorts after 30 minutes.

Pieces from the firework on the street.

Pieces from the firework on a beer cup. Suggest you to Drink from a can/bottle.

Held every year -- on the last Sunday of July.

Check its official website for more information and detail.

Wonder of Sakazuki, Sake Cup

2010-08-06T07:39:16Z

More wicked design to show off.

Say, you're drinking a fancy wine. A really fancy one. Pour it to your nice Riedel glass, and a random glass, bought USD1 from IKEA. Which one will taste better? Unless you're too drunk, many people's answer is, Riedel.

When enjoying a glass of wine, or any other beverage, a container really matters. This rule surely applies to sake, a Japanese liquor made from rice.

Here're some samples.

]]> Translucent sakazuki with drawing

This sakazuki's bottom part is designed with a drawing. A shape emerges when sakazuki is put on a lighted surface.

Drink-it-up sakazuki

There's a hole on sakazuki. Once sake is poured into this particular sakazuki, you must empty it promptly. Otherwise, your precious sake will spill from the hole, creating mess on a table.

Classy

Slick summer-drawing. Best match with cold sake. From the early 20th century.

All the collections are from Ichinokura Sakazuki Art Museum in Tajimi, Gifu.

Ichinokuracho 6-30-1 Tajimi-shi Gifu Japan (Google Map) T: +81 (0)572 24-5911
1000-1700 (Closed every Tuesday)

Related Article: Sake Cup as Media

Sake Cup as Media

2010-08-03T08:25:16Z

Cup, more than its function.

If you are a fanatic fun of Belgium beer, you should be aware that each brand is served in a special-made glass. For example, Hoegaarden -- to many people, Hoegaarden's impression is a huge hexagonal glass. In some way, a glass itself is acting as a brand of Hoegaarden -- a glass is turning into media.

This trait has also been existing in Japan. Sakazuki, a cup designated for drinking sake, used to act as influential media to people in Japan.

This is a modern version of sakazuki. Slick design, but its function is nothing but a container that holds sake.

Here are the samples from the early 20th century.

]]>

Sakazuki, designed for Japan's air force.

For a restaurant. (Top Right)

All the collections are from Ichinokura Sakazuki Art Museum in Tajimi, Gifu.

Ichinokuracho 6-30-1 Tajimi-shi Gifu Japan (Google Map) T: +81 (0)572 24-5911
1000-1700 (Closed every Tuesday)

More to come on sakazuki -- next, more wicked and creative sakazuki.

Here's EDGY JAPAN PACKAGE

2010-07-30T12:00:20Z

Thank you EDGY JAPAN fans from all over the world.

EDGY JAPAN manages FACEBOOK Page, an online community site where EDGY JAPAN fans gather and check out what's edgy from Japan.

On mid-June, EDGY JAPAN Page exceeded 2,000 members, and to celebrate this occasion, EDGY JAPAN held EDGY JAPAN PACKAGE GIVEAWAY contest.

6 winners were selected from all over the world, and the package was shipped off to them after a couple of weeks.

While many people were wondering the content of the package, EDGY JAPAN here revels the content.

All the products were introduced on EDGY JAPAN in the past. (Click the following title to see the article.)

]]> 1. Instant coffee

Pre-milled coffee with paper filter. Fits in any coffee mug because of its smart filter design.

2. Tokyo Tower-bottle mineral water

Even after you finish the content, the bottle itself turns out to be a beautiful souvenir from Japan. Using really thick plastic bottle.

3. Bamboo cup

An ideal cup for sake or shochu.

4. Cup fried noodle with soup

Process of making a noodle results 2 products -- with soup.

5. Tamagawa, photobook by Kitchen Minoru

One of the past edgy talents' photobook. Get to see not-so-typical-yet-deep-Tokyo sceneries.

If there are any interests, EDGY JAPAN will consider selling the package. Please leave a comment or contact EDGY JAPAN if you're up for it.

And finally, congratulation to the winners, and thank you to all the participants! Will hold another giveaway soon!

Process of Abstract Calligraphy (Video)

2010-07-26T09:52:23Z

How to Become an Abstractor, like Miho Nakamura.

On the previous posting, EDGY JAPAN featured an abstract calligrapher, Miho Nakamura. On this posting, EDGY JAPAN gets into the process of her works.

EDGY JAPAN has captured the motion pictures of her abstract calligraphy.

Tiger and melt. Enjoy and feel the touch of each stroke.

]]> Tiger:

Melt:

If you wish to contact Miho Nakahara for project opportunities, please contact via EDGY JAPAN.

Miho Nakamura's website

Understanding Kanji (Chinese Character) with Abstractness, Miho Nakamura, Abstract Calligrapher

2010-07-23T12:53:14Z

Convergence of a character and drawing.

Abstract calligrapher. What kind of work do you expect from its sound? Surely, it's something to do with calligraphy, but what's so abstract about it?

It's Miho Nakamura, who is pushing the envelope of calligraphy-based expression from what she calls an "abstract" perspective -- it's abstract enough that even those of you who don't understand Chinese characters can understand their expressions.

"To describe what I do simply -- it's a calligraphy with dynamism. A Chinese character transforms into a drawing with abstractness."

Miho explained her works. This statement itself sounds abstract enough, so let's cite some examples.

]]> Tiger

In a typeface, it looks like this.

Here's Miho's tiger.

A dynamism of tiger is expressed on the thick strokes, and each stroke is curvy, expressing tiger's body form.

Tail

The typeface.

Miho's work.

The end of each stroke is tipped, imitating tail's shape.

Melt

The typeface.

Drops on the top right, and really deformed (skewed) characters remind of a melting ice.

Interested in more of Miho's work, check her website for more images. Also, she began releasing her works in overseas from this year.

"From this year, I've been approaching gallarists in overseas to promote my work in overseas. Hopefully, my idea and concept are being accepted and understood by non-Japanese people as well."

Miho said, with a strong and confident voice.

If you wish to contact Miho Nakahara for project opportunities, please contact via EDGY JAPAN.

Miho Nakamura's website

Ceramic Ware Meets Art, Tomonari Kato

2010-07-20T10:10:42Z

Massive art work with delicate craftsmanship.

Mr. Tomonari Kato is a 7th generation master craftsman of Yamatadakatoen, Takada in Tajimi based ceramic ware house, which its history dates back to 1794. Yamatadakatoen is known for producing various type of dishes, including the finest craft-made mortar, and many other delicately-made ceramic works.

Other than these commercial products, Mr. Kato is known for creating artworks with ceramic ware-making techniques.

]]> Tajimi City Pottery Design And Technical Center and, has been handling commercial production work and artwork simultaneously. Mr. Kato has won a number of awards, including 56th Faenza Ceramic Art Competition in 2009. (The image of the award winning work is here.)

Mr. Kato, a tall figure, (over 180cm tall) is known to create tall art works. Most of the pieces are over 1 meter tall. Some of the works are exhibited around his workshop in Takada, matching with the Japanese inaka (country side) environment.

Some of the works are also viewable on Google's Street View (bit obscure).

View Larger Map

Mr. Kato, at his workshop.

If you wish to contact Mr. Tomonori Kato for project opportunities, please contact via EDGY JAPAN.

EDGY Sound: Ideal Tones for Your Phones, LiFETONES

2010-07-17T07:36:40Z

Synchronicity of your ringtone and your daily life.

One of the past edgy talents, Tokuro Oka (sound designer), has launched a service called LiFETONES.

"LiFETONES is all about providing tones that synchronize with our daily life or emotion. At this moment, most of the tones are designated to a ringtone for a cellular phone, but we will expand its usage and line up further." Tokuro said.

]]> LiFETONES website. If you like it, she can click BUY on iTunes Store and it'll take her directly to the iTunes Store screen with the designated tone.

Currently, 3 tone creators, aus, Miyauchi Yuri, and, Ametsub, all young and talented bunch, are the source of this great creation.

Each tone costs JPY150.

If you are bored with mundane beeps or refrain of your favorite song -- here's the place to be.

LiFETONES

Understanding a value of JPY560 (USD6.3) 200ml Cup of Coffee

2010-07-14T09:15:07Z

Consider it as a tourist attraction with a cup of coffee.

Once upon a time, people used to say that Japan is really expensive. Paying USD10 for a tiny-tiny cup of coffee. When EDGY JAPAN was based in the US, he was much satisfied with less than USD2-500ml cup of coffee from Dunkin' Donuts -- not understanding the value of this premium roast from Japan. Now, based in Japan and exposed to this expensive cup of coffee -- EDGY JAPAN has begun to somewhat appreciate its value.

Here's what EDGY JAPAN has learnt.

Renoir, a coffee chain, established in 1964, is known to offer a pricy cup. A small cup, containing around 200ml, is around JPY500 (the price varies at each branch.) This particular Renoir in Hamamatsucho (map) offers the cup for JPY560 (USD6.3). McDonalds, located right next to Renoir offers the same cup for JPY100.

What's the catch?

]]> 1. Hot Oshibori (hot wet towel)
When you walk into any Japanese restaurant, Oshibori (hot/warm/cold wet towel) is ubiquitous. But this particular Oshibori in Renoir is, hot. When it's summer time, wiping your face with this is quite soothing. (But be aware, this ritual is considered as oyaji (old man)'s deed. But it feels good.)

2. Smoking Allowed
Starbucks in Japan only allows you to smoke at terrace seats, Tully's - in a confined room, looking like a caged animal. Renoir -- 70% smoking seat, 30% non-smoking.

You are even allowed to smoke while peeing.

3. Wi-Fi
FON network is available.

4. Power Supply
In Renoir, you'll notice many businessmen with PC -- a power supply is available, converting Renoir to a satellite office.

5. Welcoming Hours of Stay
Once you finish your coffee, a waiter/waitress serves you a cup of hot green tea with this phrase, "Stay as long as you wish." Yes, you can stay at Renoir for hours, without any fuss or destruction.

6. Decor and People
This not-so-modern-decor attracts many ojinsan (old man) and obasan (old lady). If you are a tourist and wish to witness how these segments of people behave, here's the right place.

By looking at these elements -- you may think it's worth the value. If not -- don't wory. There's always McDonalds.

Renoir branches are listed in here but all the texts are in Japanese. If you are interested, contact EDGY JAPAN for the list in English.

Negative-EDGY: Japanese Election Champaign

2010-07-11T11:01:06Z

A compilation of non-sense makes the Japanese election champaign so edgy.

What's so edgy about Japanese election champaign? Despite the fact that Japan is a high tech-oriented / gadget-fanatic country, when it comes to an election it's all about how loud (noisy) and persistent (same phrase over and over) you can be.

Why -- the current law of Japan doesn't allow the candidates to use internet as a part of an election champaign. (Once all the candidates for an election is publicly announced, all the candidates are not allowed to use internet as their champaign, including updating blogs.)

So, how does each candidate promote their initiatives?

]]> 1. Poster
Each candidate is allowed to put a poster on a board, prepared by the election officials. The board is scattered across Japan.

42cm x 32cm for a piece. How much information can you put in this tiny space?

2. Paper
Each candidate is allowed to print her/his manifesto, which is later compiled as a newspaper format by the election officials. A copy is delivered to each household.

Creativity, spanning from a creative director-powered design to Windows 3.1 Memopad-made (seems like it) design.

3. TV
Each candidate is given 6 minutes (30 second profile and 5 minutes 30 seconds speech for the Upper House candidate) to talk about her/his initiatives. It's broadcasted on TV. Since editing is not allowed, some of the candidates come up with a very conspicuous (in many ways -- good and bad) clip.

Koichi Toyama, one of the candidates for Tokyo governor in 2007, was a sensational one. Check the clip from 05:00.

4. Champaign-mobile
Each candidate rents (buys?) a van, spouting the name of the candidate all over the place. When the champaign-mobile is on the move, the speaker (usually female) is repeating the same phrase (This is John Smith (NAME and LAST NAME), we need your precious vote.) over and over. (It gets pretty annoying when the candidates do this from 8am in the weekends.)

There is a reason for this parrot-like repetition -- another law states that while the champaign mobile is in motion, a candidate is NOT allowed to conduct any form of election champaign. This is not the case when it is not in a motion. However, a candidate is allowed to REPEAT a phrase while the car is in motion.

5. Speech
Candidates make a stop at places where people gather for a speech. It gets worse when the speech mixes with the other candidate's -- reminds of a sound of vuvuzela.

Whoever wins, there's got to be some changes on this system and non-sense laws.

Note: EDGY JAPAN does NOT endorse any of the candidates that appear on this article. They are all cited as references.

EDGY School: Tajimi City Pottery Design And Technical Center

2010-07-08T10:47:14Z

The best place to learn production skills and techniques of ceramics.

Many non-Japanese people travel over to Japan to study Japanese or perhaps, science and engineering at the top-notch institutions.

Here's a new opportunity for those of you who've mastered Japanese, and are into craftsmanship.

There is a prefecture-run school of pottery, offering 2 years of intensive pottery experience -- Tajimi City Pottery Design And Technical Center is the place to be.

Tajimi City in Gifu is a hub of Mino ceramic ware, which has nearly 1000 years of history on ceramics production. Mino area is one of the dominant producers in Japan, accounting approximately 50% of the country's ceramics production. Because of this significance of the industry in the region, the city established Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center in 1959.

View Larger Map

]]>

Works by crafting course students

For the experienced ones, the center offers 1 year ceramics laboratory program, acquiring and expanding further expressions with advanced technology and technique.

Its selectivity is high. Each year accepts 10 students each for design and crafting program, and the maximum of 5 researchers for the lab.

Most of the graduates, 80% of them, stay in Tajimi area and continue their creations/productions in the private/public sector, or freelance.

"In the past, we've had students from Malaysia and Korea. But in order to study at the our center, the fluency of Japanese is must. In fact, both of them studied at the other Japanese institution beforehand."

Naho Yamashita, a lecturer of the center said.

It's no surprise, because the 2 year program literally covers everything you need to know about the production of ceramics, form mixing clays to design to firing the products in a kiln, meaning students will acquire many processes in a relatively short period of time. But it's result -- well-prepared talents for the industry when they finish the course.

The future talents.

To those interested, the center accepts the application from November for next year's entry. (April.)

Tajimi City Pottery Design And Technical Center