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 Mio Yamada

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Mio Yamada
A freelance arts and lifestyle editor and writer, Mio Yamada focuses on design, crafts and architecture. When she’s not visiting galleries and trade fairs, you'll find her taking photos of everything and being distracted by shiny objects. She's also surprisingly British.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Jan 22, 2020
'Polish Posters for Films': Expression born from suppression
At times outlandish, other times artistically stunning, Polish film posters proved that postwar communism couldn't crush creativity.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Jan 20, 2020
Handmade in Japan with love
From horizontal vases to panty-clad glasses, Japan's handmade market can offer some extraordinary gift ideas for Valentine's Day.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Dec 30, 2019
Waste not want not in Japanese design
The limitations of recycling and repurposing materials frees the imagination for unusual, amusing and clever design in Japan.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / 2019 in Review,2019 in Review
Dec 18, 2019
Future design in Japan: Recycle, upcycle and reinvent
The focus on traditional artisanship is still strong, as is the global obsession with minimalism, but what about sustainability and ethical consumption?
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 11, 2019
Mina Perhonen: Fashion has a life of its own
Mina Perhonen's emotive approach to fashion highlights artisanship, eco-friendliness and our natural desire to connect and remember the past.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Dec 7, 2019
Tomoki Yamada: Traveling high and low
From jet lag to local lodgings — the life of a travel journalist
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Nov 25, 2019
Need last-minute, shipping-friendly holiday gifts?
The holiday season is closing in fast, and if you're looking to send gifts — especially to overseas — you likely only have a week or so at the most to get to the post office. Here are a few ideas that shouldn't need more than a Jiffy bag to pop in the mail.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Nov 23, 2019
Robert Hamilton: Making kimono accessible
Though unusual textile designs and traditional techniques, Robert Hamilton's kimono don't break rules — they just make them that little bit more flexible.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Oct 19, 2019
Designart Tokyo 2019 takes art and design to a new level in Japan
Now showcasing an impressive 300 designers and brands in over 100 locations, Designart Tokyo 2019 has branched out to include two new areas to it venues list — Shinjuku and Ginza — and introduces a slew of high-profile participants.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Sep 22, 2019
Kengo Kuma: Seeing the forest for the trees in Eskisehir
Nestled between the traditional buildings of Turkey's city of Eskisehir, Kengo Kuma & Associates' design of the new Odunpazari Modern Museum is a love letter to Seljuk, Ottoman and Turkish history.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Sep 21, 2019
Maurice Eric Zacher: Designs on Japan
Japanologist and product designer Zacher on Japanese design, gadgets and university scholarships.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Aug 25, 2019
Enhancing the power of a flower
From elegant bud vases to innovative color-changing vessels, ceramists in Japan prove you don't need an elaborate bouquet to highlight flowers in the home.
Japan Times
LIFE / Travel
Aug 23, 2019
Enjoy Ishigaki's island life without sea, sun or sand
The Okinawan island of Ishigaki is a haven for beach lovers, but there's plenty to experience for those with no love for the ocean, including fresh fruit, star gazing and limestone caves.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Jul 28, 2019
Elegance from the factory floor
Striking designs can come from unusual inspirations. This month looks at designer collaborations with Japanese veteran manufacturers, including a laboratory glassware maker, and an injection mold specialist.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Jun 23, 2019
Here's to good old household items
Manufacturing in Japan has had a lot to contend with since its latter Showa Era (1926-1989) golden years. With so many cheaper imports available, locally made everyday items are becoming increasingly harder to find. But there are some manufacturing stalwarts out there who are surviving and surprisingly producing the same ubiquitous items they always have.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Jun 22, 2019
David Wang: Designing a space between Asia and the world
Now that technology has made it so easy to get the word out, it's a great time for Japanese brands to join the Asian online marketplace says David Wang of Pinkoi.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
May 26, 2019
New brands to delight design fans
From cat beds to toy DJ decks and sleek furniture, plenty of stylish goods are emerging from Japan's new brand lines.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
May 21, 2019
'Information or Inspiration?': The paths of perception
A review of 'Information or Inspiration?' at the Suntory Museum of Art almost needs a spoiler alert — it includes many surprises that make it more than a showcase of glassware, lacquerware, enamel, ceramic and calligraphy works: It's an immersive, thought-provoking experience.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Apr 30, 2019
Motohiko Katano: Tied to shibori dyeing
A pioneer of shibori textile dyeing, Motohiko Katano created striking modern designs and fascinating tessellations of motifs that seemed to defy the capricious nature of resist dyeing.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Apr 28, 2019
Design winners and favorites
Now that the flurry of activity that surrounds the annual Salone del Mobile has died down, this month's On: Design takes a look at a few of the interiors fair's Japanese prizewinning ideas and new product debuts.

Longform

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