Japan House London

May 15 2024

New Exhibition at Japan House London – Design Discoveries: Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN

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Japan is synonymous with exemplary design yet, it doesn’t have its own national design museum.

Seven leading Japanese designers with completely different disciplines were asked, “If there were a permanent Japanese design collection, what would you put in it?”. Their diverse responses are the subject of Japan House London’s newly opened exhibition: Design Discoveries: Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN

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[BLOG POST IN BIO] I was invited for the press preview of Japan House London’s new exhibition: ???????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????: ???????????????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????? Japan is synonymous with exemplary design yet, it doesn’t have its own national design museum ???????? Seven leading Japanese designers with completely different disciplines were asked, “If there were a permanent Japanese design collection, what would you put in it?” ???? Their diverse responses are the subject of Japan House London’s new exhibition that opened today Make sure you join the conversation by participating two activities at the end of the exhibition and tell something about your favourite design ???? ???? 15 May – 8 Sept 2024 ????️ Mon – Sat: 10am – 8pm | Sun & Bank Holidays: 12pm – 6pm ????️ FREE | Booking a time slot is encouraged. You can book your free time slot on Japan House London official website #japanhouselondon #japaneseart #japanesedesign #designmuseum #japaneseculture #japanese #design #CapCut

♬ Japanese style music – kurenaidouke

Design Discoveries: Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN

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“Spanning ten millennia, this exhibition is an experiment in imagining what a design museum of the future might look like. It is about speculation and collaboration.” – says Director General and CEO of Japan House London, Sam Throne.

Seven well-known Japanese creators, from filmmakers to fashion designers, were asked to try to find an answer of a simple yet complex question: “What is design?”

Kuramori Kyōko, Director of Design Museum Foundation

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As Kuramori Kyōko, Director of Design- DESIGN MUSEUM Foundation and Chief Producer of NHK explains, design shouldn’t necessarily be an intricate and super expensive piece of art. Design can be an everyday object we can find connection to in our everyday lives.

This is why ‘Design Discoveries: Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN’ exhibition showcases artefacts that have close connection to our lives, such as toys, fashion or even cutlery.

Hand-Picked Artefacts from Well-Known Japanese Creators

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The exhibition showcases Japanese artists’ and creators’ chosen national treasures spanning 10,000 years across Japan, chronologically telling the story of each individual piece.

Originally thousands of different objects have been collected by DESIGN MUSEUM Foundation to be potentially displayed at a future Design Museum Japan.

Out of the thousands of objects, seven individual pieces were selected that, the curators thought, would be the most suitable for the UK audience.

The selected seven objects are set to represent different parts of Japan from North Japan all the way to Kagoshima Prefecture at the Southwestern tip of the island.

It was also important to showcase diverse objects from pottery to fashion to music from both male and female creators.

Design Treasure Hunt

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The exhibition has been created to be like a treasure hunt.

Each creator’s chosen object has its own section to tell the story of the artefact on display and why the artist picked that particular item.

Visitors are encouraged to walk around the display cubes and read quotes from the artist and interesting facts about the object displayed. This gives an experience similar to a treasure hunt.

Highlights of the Exhibition

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Fashion designer Morinaga Kunihiko presents Noro priestess garment. It’s a talismanic patchwork garment made from different clothes from the whole community in order to protect the young priestess from harm.

The triangular shapes represent butterflies that are believed to carry the soul of their ancestors. This garment has never left Japan before, therefore it’s a very unique opportunity for visitors to marvel at this wonderful piece.

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One of Japan’s most influential textile designers, Sudō Reiko showcases sportswear inspired by huge paper lanterns, presented in Toyama’s Yotaka Andon Festival. The festival is also called ‘Fighting Lantern Festival’ because of the violent clashes of enormous lanterns with warrior pictures painted on them.

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Filmmaker Tsujikawa Kōichirō has chosen wooden spinning tops from Hyōgo because, according to Kōichirō, a spinning toy is the first designed object a human comes into contact with in their life.

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Architect and ex-SEGA video game designer Mizuguchi Tetsuya presents a ‘transacoustic piano’ from Shizuoka. The piano has an embedded speaker that creates a sonic experience that can be felt throughout the entire body.

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Architect Tane Tsuyoshi offers earthenware from over 10,000 years ago from the Jōmon Period and explores how these potteries still impact Japanese design today.

Be Part of the Exhibition – Add Your Design Treasure

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The exhibition ends with two activities.

Visitors are invited to share their own ideas about design and what designs mean to them. Simply grab a piece of paper provided and write down what design means to you and place it on the wall. The aim is to cover the entire wall with colourful papers full of ideas and thoughts about design.

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Is there a particular design close to your heart? Grab a small piece of paper and a little flag and write down (or draw) what design it is and in which country it can be found. When you’ve finished, pierce the flag in the country in the world map on the wall and connect your flag with your paper.

Need some assistance? A friendly member of staff is always there to help you put your paper and flag on the wall if needed.

Practical Info

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Design Discoveries: Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN

Address

Japan House London | 101-111 Kensington High St, London W8 5SA

Opening Times

15 May – 8 Sept 2024

Mon – Sat: 10am – 8pm

Sun & Bank Holidays: 12pm – 6pm

Tickets

FREE | Booking a time slot is encouraged. You can book your free time slot on Japan House London official website

Ready for your next adventure? You still have a chance to visit Bandai Namco Cross Store’s free One Piece pop-up to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the anime series and Luffy’s birthday.

November 16 2023

Ainu Stories: Contemporary Lives by the Saru River – New Exhibition at Japan House London

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Meet Japan’s indigenous people, the Ainu, who were the earliest settlers of Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido and their descendants still live there! Japan House London’s new exhibition gives you a rare opportunity to experience first-hand how Ainu people are living today.

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🗾New exhibition at Japan House London ‘Ainu Stories: Contemporary Lives by the Saru River’ #japanhouselondon #ainuhokkaido #hokkaidojapan #biratori #exhibitionlondon2023 #japanesecultureexperience #ainuculture #japanesehistoryandculture

♬ Sengoku warlords, history, Japanese-style orchestra(964220) – Scoring Heroes

Who are The Ainu?

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The Ainu were the earliest settles of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. Their culture is considered to have been created between the 9^th and the 13^th centuries.

The Ainu people live in the Saru River basin in South Hokkaido, and they were officially recognised as indigenous people in Japan in June 2008. The Ainu population was 13,118 in 2017 and 210 in the rest of Japan in 2011 (Source: IWGIA). In the second half of the 20^th century many Ainu moved to Japan’s urban centres, so experts assume that the actual Ainu population is much higher.

The Ainu culture has a distinctive language, traditions, belief, and clothing that are unrelated to the Japanese.

Ainu Stories: Contemporary Lives by the Saru River

Photo: Urban Adventurer

The exhibition offers a rare first-hand opportunity for visitors to experience Ainu culture as it looks like today. Unlike other exhibitions, this exhibition focuses on the present instead of the past.

Visitors will see original woodcarvings made by members of the Ainu society, robes they wear in special occasions, a manga series (‘Golden Kamuy’ and it has a very popular anime series, too), inspired by the Ainu and much more.

The exhibition is free to visit from 16 November 2023 – 21 April 2024 and there will be talks, demonstrations, and workshops, such as cuisine, arts & crafts, dance and more.

Most of the workshops and demonstrations are free, just check “what’s on” and book your session on Japan House London’s website.

The exhibition is divided into multiple sections, from textile, to woodcarving to food and language. Visitors can learn more about Ainu culture and traditions through interviews and short clips shown on screens.

Woodcarving

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Woodcarving plays an important role in Ainu people’s lives. ‘Nibutani Ita’ are carved wooded plates, decorated with elaborated patters ‘morew’ (gentle spirals), ‘ayus’ (thorns), ‘sik’ (eye shapes) and ‘ram-ram’ (fish scales).

Traditional woodcarving techniques and patterns are passed from generation to generation. In the exhibition, you will see wooden plates carved by younger woodcarvers and their masters.

Textile and Clothing

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Today there are only a handful of weavers in Nibutani who produce ‘attus’, a fabric woven from the inner bark fibres of elm and linden trees. Because of its durability, breathability, and water resistance, ‘attus’ has been a very popular form of workwear for fishermen.

The Ainu wear robe or ‘amip’ made from ‘attus’ for ceremonies and special occasions. These robes are richly decorated with embroidery and each region has its own unique style.

Dance and Songs

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Singing and dancing are important elements of Ainu life. Each region has its own characteristics. Biratori region dances, for example often refer to birds.

Singing and dancing are vital parts of the Ainu’s everyday life to maintain and express their culture and is carried out for enjoyment rather than entertaining others.

Food

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The Ainu have extensive knowledge of plants and how to cook them as well as how to use them as medicine. Most of the ingredients of Ainu dishes come from the wild. They use wild vegetables that they season with fish oil and animal fat.

It’s a fundamental etiquette in Ainu culture to only take what you need. The Ainu are determined to maintain a sustainable relationship with the environment and ensure they leave the roots untouched when harvesting mountain vegetables.

Their traditional soups are ‘ohaw’ and ‘rur’ that contain wild onions, salmon, and deer or bear meat.

Language

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Ainu language is distinct from Japanese, however, there are some aspects of word order that are similar. Ainu language is purely verbal. Stories and legends have been passed orally from generation to generation. It is, however, now transcribed using Latin alphabet and katakana.

UNESCO listed Ainu language as endangered in 2009.

Evidence of the Ainu language can be found in names of places throughout Hokkaido, such as Poroshiri, the highest mountain in the Hidaka Mountains. The name of the mountain is derived from the words of ‘poro’ (large) and ‘sir’ (land).

Some Japanese words also have Ainu origins. For example, ‘rakko’ (sea otter), ‘konbu’ (kelp seaweed) and ‘tanakai’ (reindeer).

Ainu Baby Born in London

The Japan-British Exhibition was held at the Great White City in London between May and October in 1910.

The exhibition celebrated the ongoing Anglo-Japanese Alliance promoting Japan as a ‘modern civilised’nation and was visited by over 8 million (!) people.

Part of the exhibition was ‘Ainu Home’, which was basically an Ainu village where 10 Ainu people helped showcasing the village life. However, 10 Ainu arrived in London, and 11 returned to Hokkaido because a baby was born during the time of the exhibition.

The baby was given the name of Kaizawa Hidehiro, written in Japanese uses two characters which can mean ‘Britain’ and ‘exhibition’. He was the first Ainu baby born in Europe.

All performers at the ‘Ainu Stories: Contemporary Lives by the Saru River’ at Japan House London are members of the Ainu community in Biratori. They help maintain their cultural heritage through skills and knowledge, including dance, sing, woodcarving, language, and cuisine: Kimura Hiromi, Harada Rino (one member of singing duo Ankes), Monbetsu Atsushi, Hiramura Daiki, Kimura Manami, Sasaki Tomoyo, Yamada Sakurako, Hiramura Harumi, Yūki Riku, and Nishiyama Ryō.

Woodcarvings, robes, and artworks are available to purchase in Japan House London’s shop upstairs.

If you’re interested in traveling to Japan, make sure you visit ‘Travel Zone’ staffed by Japan National Tourism Organisation offering free travel advice and leaflets.

Ready for your next adventure? If you’re looking for kids activity related to Japan, Young V&A Museum’s very first exhibition: ‘Japan: Myths to Manga’ opened this October.

August 6 2023

WAVE: Currents in Japanese Graphic Arts Exhibition at Japan House London

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Inspired by an annual exhibition under the same name in Tokyo and curated by the same curators, Hiro Sugiyama and Takahashi Kintarō, ‘WAVE’ exhibition displays artworks from Japan’s most significant graphic artists.

Many of the artists are heavily influenced by anime and manga and well-known for their iconic designs and collaborations with the most famous brands.

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Wave: Currents in Japanese Graphic Arts | 📍Japan House London | 6 July – 22 Oct 2023 | Free to visit. Just a book a time slot | #japanhouselondon #waveexhibition #japanesegraphicdesign #japaneseart #animemanga #urbanadventures #londonadventures

♬ Japan Vibes – Sukonjura

WAVE: Currents in Japanese Graphic Arts

Japan House London | 101-111 Kensington High St, London W8 5SA

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WAVE: Currents in Japanese Graphic Arts represents a selection of 60 well-known and emerging Japanese artists.

The artworks displayed in the exhibition include elements of pop art, surrealism, and illustration, representing a variety of styles and artistic backgrounds from artists from their early twenties to their late eighties.

Inspired by Anime/Manga

Kageyama Tōru: Sharaku

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Among the artworks on display, you’ll find many artists heavily inspired by anime and manga, such as Kageyama Tōru who is best known for his book cover designs in Japan. Besides anime and manga his main influence are European and Chinese landscapes, as well as 18^th century Japan’s ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition.

Hayakawa Motohiro: X Planet Battles

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Hayakawa Motohiro’s bold and colourful paintings represent vintage sci-fi heroes, aliens and robots in psychedelic, dreamlike landscapes. His illustrations and characters are heavily engaging with comic-style battle scenes.

Terada Katsuya (Untitled)

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Terada Katsuya is an anime and manga artist who designed characters for video games, Japanese animated films and series and worked on some of the most famous American comics: Iron Man and Hellboy.

Artist Oki-chu’s unmissable style is called ‘automatism’ and he is known for his elaborated pen and pencil drawings. His primary influences are the world of anime and manga and video games. This influence is tangible in his artworks.

Japan’s Leading Artists and Illustrators

Tanaami Keiichi: Shōnen Tiger 02, Shonen Oja, Shōnen Tiger 01

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Visitors have the privilege to see original artworks from Japan’s leading illustrators and commercial illustrators.

Tanaami Keiichi is one of Japan’s leading pop artists. He has worked as a graphic designer since 1960s. He is an illustrator, and video artist, showing his artwork in numerous exhibitions in Japan and abroad.

Maki Kahori: Meditative Flower

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Maki Kahori is best known for her incredibly detailed flowers and plants motifs. She has collaborated with the biggest brands, such as Apple and Adobe Systems.

Uno Akira is one of Japan’s leading artists and illustrators, best known for his timeless characters and fantasy scenes.

Yamaguchi Harumi is a leading name in Japanese advertising. She is known for her female character, ‘Harumi Gals’. A glamours, strong, confident, and active female figure free from traditional feminine roles.

Hanai Yusuke’s name might be familiar to many of us by his collaboration with Vans. Hanai is influenced by beatnik, hippie and surf culture. In his artworks, he depicts an adventurous, wanderlust lifestyle.

Ichijō Hikaru: Twins

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Ichijō Hikaru, influenced by print technology and designs bold images of athletic female figures. She has collaborated with Nike and Calbee.

Book cover design by tupera tupera

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Tupera Tupera, a designer team of husband and wife, have created some of Japan’s most popular children’s books, including ‘Shirokuma no pantsu’ (Polar Bear’s Underpants).

The book is available to purchase in the shop of Japan House.

‘Heta-Uma’ – Ugly but Beautiful

Yumura Teruhiko: GONZO’S Underground Mix Vol.7

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‘Heta-Uma’ movement (translated as ‘bad but good’) also represents itself at ‘WAVE’. ‘Heta-Uma’ movement emerged in the 1970s thanks to a manga magazine, called GARO. ‘Heta-Uma’ challenges our perspective of what is ‘ugly’ and what is ‘beautiful’. It asks the question: can something that is considered to be ugly, be beautiful at the same time?

Make Your Own WAVE Badge Workshop

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A fun badge-making workshop is connected to the exhibition where you can choose from a number of ready-made badge designs based on the 60 different artworks featured in the exhibition or use your creativity and create your own.

Book your session here.

AKIRA Restaurant

‘Heta-Uma’ Colour-Changing Cocktail inspired by WAVE Exhibition at AKIRA Restaurant

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Make sure you visit AKIRA Restaurant upstairs for amazing bento boxes and try the new exhibition-inspired colour-changing cocktail: ‘Heta-Uma’

‘Heta-Uma’ Cocktail

Orange-infused shōchū, sake, star anise, and blue curaçao are shaken over ice, before being poured into glass filled with ice and lined with grenadine. Next, lichee and yuzu juice added to the blend to form a white cloud in your glass. Finally, the cocktail is garnished with a raspberry soaked in absinthe and set light in front of your eyes.

Mix the cocktail well to see it changes colour from dreamy blue to vivid orange.

Bento Box at AKIRA Restaurant – Japan House

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TIP: From Tue – Fri AKIRA Restaurant offers £10 OFF* their signature bento boxes at lunchtime. *Online booking only.

Practical Info

Moriguchi Yūji: ~ Denouement ~

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Opening Dates/Times

6^th July – 22^nd October 2023

Mon-Sat: 10am-8pm

Sun & bank holidays: 12pm – 6pm

Address

Japan House London | 101-111 Kensington High St, London W8 5SA

Tickets

Admission is FREE | Booking recommended on Japan House’s website

Ready for your next adventure? I teamed up with one of London’s best fandom shops, House of Spells to give you 10% OFF EVERYTHING in-store and online! Use magic code: ‘URBAN’ when shopping online or whisper it to the cashier before paying in-store.

February 4 2020

Tokyo Light Odyssey & Woodland Shade at Japan House

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There’s always something new and exciting to explore at Japan House. Now there are two exhibitions running parallelly: Tokyo Light Odyssey, which is a 360^o immersive motion graphic exhibition, transporting visitors into a vibrant and colourful vision of a pulsing sleepless city.

Woodland Shade is an interactive exhibition of traditional Japanese wooden dolls, called: kokeshi dolls and otaka poppo toys.

The exhibition gives us a glimpse into to old local craft of Tohoku region of northern Japan. Having been recreated by digital technology, these wooden dolls and toys allow visitors to discover more about their history throughout fun interactive digital experiences.

The two exhibitions are FREE and open until 22 March.

Tokyo Light Odyssey

The 5 minutes 25 seconds motion graphic experience transports visitors into Tokyo’s vivid night lights.

Visitors ride through millions of illuminating windows, fly among glowing skyscrapers, run through an underground, sprint with the traffic in a tunnel and wonder around mini planets of lights and sleepy local homes.

Woodland Shade

Kokeshi dolls were traditional toys with simple painted decoration. Some of these decorations were made for healthy growth of children as kokeshi dolls were believed to have spiritual power and can protect children from the evil and from harm. Today kokesi dolls are sold as souvenirs.

130 faces of inhabitants from Yamagata Prefecture are projected to undecorated kokeshi dolls.

You can have your face scanned by a computer and the simplified version of your portrait will appear on one of the wooden dolls displayed. (I’m the second one from the left-hand side)

Visitors can create their own virtual wooden toy while learn more interesting facts about them.

Ready for your next adventure? Follow me on Instagram and get inspired.