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 Tomohiro Osaki

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Tomohiro Osaki
Tomohiro Osaki is a staff writer in the Domestic News Division. A graduate of Sophia University in Tokyo, he likes to explore under-reported realities of Japanese youth, with a tendency toward the taboo.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 13, 2012
"Beauty and Artistry of Great Masters of Modern Ceramics in Japan: Kenkichi Tomimoto, Uichi Shimizu and Kosei Matsui"
Inspired by the British ceramist Bernard Leach, Kenkichi Tomimoto decided to pursue a career as a ceramicist at the beginning of Taisho Era. He was also influenced by Soetsu Yanagi, who spearheaded the Mingei (folk arts) movement, and succeeded in creating a new style of gold and silver embellished pottery...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 13, 2012
"Celebratory "Vessels": From the Lacquer Art Collection of the Crafts Gallery"
For thousands of years, artisans have used Japanese lacquer, which is both resilient and attractive in appearance, to protect and decorate their work.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Dec 7, 2012
Celebrate an underdog military commander at a festival in Uzumasa
Military commander Sengoku Hidehisa (1552−1614) will forever be remembered as a Japanese warrior who messed up the worst but redeemed himself the most. Sengoku was quick to be promoted to the role of daimyo (feudal lord), but due to his lack of chivalry and perceived depravity, historical records harshly...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 6, 2012
"Hideki Nakazawa Exhibition"
A former eye doctor, artist Hideki Nakazawa takes advantage of his medical knowledge to create a colorful, slightly facetious interpretation of conceptual art. Nakazawa's artworks explores avant-gardism and artistic profundity in such an eclectic manner that his diverse collection of works have left...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 6, 2012
"Maki-e for Celebration: Kisshou Monyou Pattern in Kyoto Lacquerware"
Kissho monyo refers to Asian auspicious motifs that are often used on objects to bring about good fortune or ward off back luck. Such designs are typically inspired by mythological tales and include animals such as tigers, cranes and turtles. The motifs symbolize a range of human desires and qualities...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 6, 2012
"The 25th Anniversary of Opening Menard Museum: Masterpieces from the Collection I"
Shozo and Ayuko Shimada are highly respected European-style artists in Japan.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 6, 2012
"MU: Pedro Costa & Rui Chafes"
Film director Pedro Costa and sculptor Rui Chafes are two of Portugal's most prominent and internationally respected artists.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 29, 2012
"From the Lleca to the Cohue: Photography in Penitentiary Centers"
Nelson Mandela once said that nothing offers more telling clues to the reality of a nation than observing how humanely its prison inmates are treated. Originally from Venezuela, this exhibition is being shown in Japan for the first time, with its primary objective being to raise global awareness of the...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 29, 2012
"Teishi Terashima: Adolescent Realism"
Born in 1905, Teishi Terashima lived in Moscow and Paris during his 20s, working as a socialist painter in pursuit of absolute realism. He is perhaps best known for his vivid depiction of working-class adolescent girls.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 29, 2012
"Do Ho Suh: Perfect Home"
Born in South Korea, artist Do Ho Suh moved to the United States to study at the Rhode Island School of Design and Yale University after achieving a BFA and MFA in Oriental Painting at Seoul National University.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 29, 2012
"Nami Tsujikawa: Uncommonness Fantasy"
Nami Tsujikawa is a self-taught artist whose wild and fantastical works have been described by critics as a hybrid of Western and Eastern influences. Her works reject homogeneity and use unusual mixes of ethnical elements as she pursues excessive ornateness.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 22, 2012
"Realism: Its Potential and Challenge" (Painting)
Since its grand opening in 2010, the Hoki Museum's dedication to the showing of realistic paintings has attracted many visitors from across the nation. This exhibition is part of the museum's second anniversary celebration and it showcases a total of 60 works, 40 of which are being publicly shown for...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 22, 2012
"Kyohei Sakaguchi: Practice for a Revolution"
As a college student, architect Kyohei Sakaguchi met a homeless man who he remembers as "Mr. Suzuki." Amazed by Suzuki's ingenious survival skills, Sakaguchi became interested in the life of the homeless and spent time observing and interviewing them.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 22, 2012
"The Gobi: Cradle of the Most Enchanting Dinosaur Fossils"
The Gobi Desert in Mongolia has been attracting paleontologists from across the globe ever since the 1920s when a U.S. team of naturalists uncovered a nest of fossilized dinosaur eggs there. The numerous explorations that followed led to a flurry of other discoveries, establishing the desert's reputation...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Nov 22, 2012
"Japanese Ceramics: With Focus on the Six Old Kilns"
This exhibition, which focuses on traditional Japanese pottery, is the final installment of a series of shows that was organized to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the MOA Museum of Art throughout the year.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Nov 16, 2012
Thrill-seeking snowboarders to get an ultimate challenge in Tokyo
Snowboarding always comes with the risk of injury, but the danger can be especially high for a certain type of thrill-seeker.
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Nov 9, 2012
Region event proves you can go home again
Japanese PR copywriters are addicted to a new buzzword: gotōchi (homegrown). It's being used wherever possible to trumpet the peculiarities of local cultures — from gotōchi gurume (homegrown gourmet) to gotōchi aidoru (homegrown idols).
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Nov 2, 2012
Outdoor art exhibition comes with instruction from the artists on show
It's not often you can talk to artists when viewing their works, but it's possible at the annual "Trolls in the Park 2012."
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Oct 26, 2012
RV exhibition to cater to outdoors lifestyles
Attitudes toward RVs are changing as the once luxury items become more affordable according to the Japan Recreational Vehicle Association.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Oct 25, 2012
"The Essence of Finnish Design and Culture"
Showcasing some of Finland's most outstanding and well-known creations, such as original illustrations from the "Moomin" picture books by Tove Jansson, this exhibition puts forward Finnish design as a forerunner to much modern design and fashion.

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan