TINY PERSON

Keiko Minami art show

2010-03-08T14:25:00.004+09:00

About 3 years ago, when I was "digging" at my favorite antique market in Tomioka Hachiman, I ran across a Keiko Minami etching print and was automatically enthralled by her airy and nostalgic world. They remind me of a pale summer afternoon in my childhood, when I used to walk home from my swimming lessons, alone.

Her show is up now and running through March 28th at the Musee Yozo Hamaguchi
.

girl's day

2010-03-03T16:22:00.008+09:00

Today's hinamatsuri (girl's day) in Japan.

the princess of the traditional hina doll display.

this one's had too much sake but more of what I'm in the mood for......
( from ami by Ami Hiraoka and Akira Uno, Billiken Books)

let's sing.

new US book shops carrying TINY PERSON

2010-02-17T17:20:00.007+09:00

Los Angeles
Family

Chicago
Quimby's

in the presence and absence of love

2010-02-15T00:40:00.014+09:00

Momoko Ishii had translated over 60 children's books from overseas (including Winnie the Pooh and the Peter Rabbit series) and written more than 10 books of her own, in her long, but still limited life of 101 years (1907-2008). After viewing the overwhelming amount of work and passion that she had put into her lifetime achievement, I couldn't help to think what was the motivation that kept her going throughout the years?!
I've always felt that true artists and strong creators often have a sense of absence or loss within themselves, like an empty hole. They create because they want to fill that hole somehow, so that they can become "complete."
In Ishii's case, she had a happy and blissful family life as a child, surrounded by people who loved and acknowledged her existence. However, when she was in her twenties, her best friend dies of an uncurable disease which she repeatedly mentions in her essays as something that profoundly affected her. Momoko would read her translations of one of the first major works she would translate, Winnie the Pooh, to her friend in her death-bed. Her death left such a strong impression on Momoko that in her later years, she would even write a novel about their relationship.
It felt to me like all the books she would go on to translate were her letters to her long gone dear friend.
By immersing herself in the act of translating the beautiful world depicted in the books, maybe she was trying to recreate the magical times they had shard together.
But anyhow, I think it's amazing that so many very special books have been delivered to the hands and minds of numerous countless children of Japan, all from one passionate woman who understood the beauty of life that shines with all its mortality.

Momoko Ishii exhibit

2010-02-12T23:47:00.004+09:00

Mayako, a contributors of SCHOOL, filled me in with info of a must see exhibit: a show of one of the greatest translator of children's books, Momoko Ishii ,who lived till 100 years old and passed away unfortunately in 2008.
Her books practically MADE me what I am today. This is going on at Setagaya Bungaku Kan
now till April 11th.
Website is only in Japanese.
If you need instructions on how to get there, e-mail me and I'll let you know.
I'm going this Sunday, will report back soon here.

some quotes from a 91 year old painter

2010-01-27T20:07:00.007+09:00

Fumiko Hori says:

" It seem I've always learned by the act of destroying or crashing...breaking down myself, and not holding on to my own
treasures...if you hold on, that's all you will ever be."

"The best state for an animal or any life form is to be somewhat unhappy or dissatisfied. For example, if a tree is deprived of sunlight by other taller trees, then it will collect all the energy in itself and try to be closer to the sun. If the tree is in a completely satisfactory state, then it will die eventually."

"Never get too accustomed to your practice, Never flock in groups, Be on your own spiritually...do not rely on another."

RIP Maki Asakawa

2010-01-19T00:12:00.003+09:00

Queen of 60's underground Japanese culture and muse of Shuji Terayama, Maki Asakawa has died of heart attack today in a hotel in Nagoya.

" At the break of dawn
I'll take the first train out
So buy me a ticket
At the break of dawn
At the break of dawn....."

Happy Holidays

2009-12-29T15:50:00.002+09:00

2010 is the year of the Tiger.
"Fierce Tiger" by Kirei Kameoka (1770-1835)

Issue 1, Feature 5: Toshio Saeki showcase

2009-12-11T16:50:00.006+09:00

Toshi Saeki is a cult fantasy artist of Japan, active since the 60's within/outside the avant-garde scene, known for his daydream imaginative world full of eroticism, vivid colors, and quirky humor. He is also know for his unique style of creating art using method that is similar to the traditional Ukiyoe (17C Japanese art). So the content of his work is universal and transcends time, but his approach is very traditional.
I've had the great opportunity to visit his studio/house in the mountains outside Tokyo. Despite that fact that he is such a genius and has such respectable career as artist, he welcomed us with politeness, modesty, and open-mind.
The season was early spring and the studio was brightened up with an ikebana of wild flowers and leaves picked from the mountains. I complimented on how subtly beautiful they were to his wife, assuming she had done them, but she said, "They're all done by Saeki, he likes to do such things."

THIS COOK BOOK IS MADE FOR JESUS

2009-12-08T15:44:00.005+09:00

　
Title ：THIS COOK BOOK IS MADE FOR JESUS
Artist：Susan Cianciolo

Contents: First cook book from artist/fashion designer Susan Cianciolo!
Susan Cianciolo’s mark defies definition: on one hand, she is a revered fashion designer who happens to make art and on the other, she is a conceptual iconic artist who occasionally designs clothing. Her work regardless of media provokes debate and pushes boundaries of contemporary art and modern fashion. Food/cooking has always come hand in hand with her creativity, showing her collection in the form of "Run Restaurant" since 1995.

Here is her first cook book featuring an interview on food and lifestyle, 14 recipes & drawings, and photo documentary of food and family.

Size：24cm x 18cm (9.5 inches x 7 inches)
Number of pages: 24p
Binding: yellow thread singer sewn
Retail price: US $12
Language：English
Label ：TINY PERSON
Publisher ：PRESSPOP INC
Release date：November, 2009

SCHOOL No.1

2009-12-08T15:38:00.005+09:00

SCHOOL
WOMEN AND JAPANESE CULTURE
No.1

Content:
SCHOOL is a printed matter dedicated to reporting about the lives of women, especially Japanese women in general, and also art, culture, lifestyle, and history of Japan. SCHOOL plans to deliver interviews and writings about women who are either leading, has lead, or aspire to lead beautiful lives full of creativity and energy without giving up on their search for individuality and inner peace. The subjects are wide, from established professional artists chosen from the past and present, to aspiring creators and typical working women in Tokyo. But all of them share the spirit of a rebel whose intentions are sincere and honest. At the same time, SCHOOL sheds light on different themes, events, and aspects of Japan that the editor feels is worthwhile; but often overlooked or not deeply researched and covered by the overseas media. Overall, the aim of SCHOOL is to inform the unknown, inspire, and to cross all boundaries to think together: Where are we heading? How should we live?
Edited and published in Tokyo.
Red thread singer sewn binding.

Featuring:
Michiko Kitamura (costume designer/fashion stylist), Fumiko Okada (shojo-manga artist), Yumiko Oshima (shojo-manga artist), the work of Toshio Saeki (artist), Mari Mori (novelist), Goddess Worship, "Let's Get Drunk Under the Cherry Blossoms", "Tokyo Girl Depression Diary"

Size：24cm x 18cm (9.5 inches x 7 inches)
Number of pages: 24p
Binding: red thread singer sewn
Retail price: US $12
Language：English
Label ：TINY PERSON
Publisher ：PRESSPOP INC
Release date：October, 2009

Issue 1, Feature 4: Fumiko Okada

2009-12-08T15:04:00.006+09:00

Okada is the first avant-garde female manga artist who paved the way for Japan's shojo-manga. She was active mainly in the late 60's, and left behind a jewel box of fantastic and poetic shorts that mirrored the interiors of young sensitive souls. Her style was new and fresh, and liberated many women manga artists to pursue their creative experiments in the years to follow, leading to the bloom of shojo-manga in the 70's. Okada is know for her eccentric behaviors and suicidal tendencies.

susan

2009-12-01T20:10:00.003+09:00

Japanese fashionistas who adore Susan kind of see her as cult of Mori Girl, but I think she's the complete opposite.
Her style is punk, sexy, sophisticated and cool. Be it, fashion, art, performance, yoga, meditation, food, cooking, she makes
it all her own....a very beautiful and subtle realm which borders on light/darkness and sanity/insanity.

Susan Cianciolo in Tokyo

2009-11-20T17:58:00.007+09:00

Susan will be in Tokyo to hold 2 amazing art exhibits:
+ fine art exhibit of drawings and mobiles at gallery side 2 . 11.27 to 12.12. opening will be held on the 27th from 18:00-20:00.
+ "wisdom of flower" collection installation and "flower restaurant" produced by vege shokudou at vacant.
11.27 to 12.4. opening will be held on the 27th from 20:00 to 22:00.
vacant's own "wisdom of flower" catalogue and THIS COOK BOOK IS MADE FOR JESUS will be sold at vacant.

Susan Cianciolo's cook book

2009-11-13T17:54:00.004+09:00

We're now working on a new publication: cook book by Susan Cianciolo ,THIS COOK BOOK IS MADE FOR JESUS.
Not only is Susan a magnificent fashion designer and artist, she's also a great cook, who claims "cooking is my life."
We're trying to put together something that mirrors her love for nature and its harvest, family & friends, life, and celebration of peace and harmony through food and cooking.

Astier de Villatte exhibit

2009-11-09T18:02:00.005+09:00

SCHOOL is edited in a town called Kichijyoji, where, I like to say, is like Brooklyn as opposed to Manhattan in NYC. I both work and live here and try to avoid going into "the city" (Shibuya, Aoyama, Nakameguro area) as much as possible.....I mean, it's just too much people, and as Michiko Kitamura told me in her interview, the city's sewage system is totally screwed up so it really stinks (especially Shibuya). But this weekend I had some stuff to pick up in "the city" so I decided to make the most of my outing by taking a walk around. And I came across this really interesting art exhibit of French ceramics/pottery duo Astier de Villatte whose white plates and cups are beautiful, a mix of 19th century elegance , rustic feel, and modern edge. It was at the gallery of french antique/interior shop HP Deco .
The usual products of Astier de Villatte look like this:

But for the exhibit, they had made various art objects in ceramics such as literary classic book of their inspiration:

There were other stuff like re-creation of their breakfast, garbage, etc. Sort of like casual and fun Charles Kraft?! Very nice.

Website address has changed

2009-11-09T12:10:00.003+09:00

Website of SCHOOL has changed to THIS, please change bookmark, thank you!

SCHOOL sold at PICTUREBOX

2009-11-02T15:59:00.002+09:00

For those of you in USA, the 1st issue can be purchased from: Picturebox

Issue 1, Feature 3: Yumiko Oshima

2009-11-02T15:37:00.005+09:00

One of the most talented shojo-manga (girl's comics) artist that Japan has to offer today. Shows us how we can be as huge and limitless as the Universe and as small yet so valuable as a single wildflower at the same time.

The "Mori Girl" phenomenon

2009-10-29T16:24:00.006+09:00

It's crazy how I see the concept of MORI GIRL (meaning: "forest girl," no connection to Mari Mori by the way) is infiltrating our country these days. MORI GIRLs are soft and sweet girls who look like they live in the forest, sort of like a fairy, wearing loose dresses, fluffy yarn and fake fur, tights, with dyed brown and permed curly hair....., today when I went to the magazine section at my local book store, I saw 3 magazines dedicated to this concept..... smells like the marketing strategy of the Greater System is at work here.

Issue 1, Feature 2: Mari Mori

2009-10-27T00:41:00.008+09:00

Last friday, I met Mayako, who wrote the article about Mari Mori, at Shimokitazawa where it's actually midway from where we both live, and also by coincidence, just happens to be the place where Mori lived and wrote her novels. Mari Mori, daughter of literary giant Ogai Mori, is known for her radical pursuit of beauty with keen insight as to what is truly beautiful (luxurious poverty) and what is just fake and pretense (poor luxury). Mayako and I decided o make the most of our meeting, by visiting Jashomon , the cafe which opened 40 years ago where Mori almost lived in, writing her novels in her own "reserved" seat day after day, drinking coffee (Mari Mori Special Blend) and eating French bread with butter she kept in the fridge of the cafe. It's a very local cafe with almost all people but us in their 60's or 70's, quietly enjoying their coffee and the moment. Really kitsche and crazy interior decoration, too, we both had to sit silently and look around for at least 30 minutes until we felt we had taken it all in and comfortable to start talking about other things. What an amazing afternoon that was.

Mori's "reserved" seat by the window
"To Dream, It's My Life" Mari Mori

more Kitamura

2009-10-22T16:21:00.002+09:00

(from DUNE photo by: Chikashi Suzuki)

(from Method of Costume, Little More)

Issue 1, Feature 1: Michiko Kitamura

2009-10-20T17:37:00.004+09:00

So I'd like to start posting info on the women featured in issue 1. Michiko Kitamura is a costume designer/fashion stylist who's been active in the Japanese film industry since the mid-80's. Her radical sense of mixing traditional Japanese culture with the avant-garde stands out among the visual artists of the country, enveloping the audience with its beauty and sensuality.

And furthermore, she is a truly punk-spirited woman who totally disses the fake attitude and pretentiousness of the Japanese society and film industry, for the sake of pursuing true creativity and art......this issue covers part 1 of the intense conversation I had with her this summer.

photo: from her book, The Method of Costume (Little More)

Back from NYC

2009-10-19T13:58:00.003+09:00

Back from NYC and the Printed Matter book fair. Have been jet-lagged and down with a cold but the weather is super nice Autumn crispy outside, and I'm feeling better and back to normal.

So we were able to release the 1st issue of SCHOOL! It was flown straight out from our Hong Kong printer so we had no choice but to cross our fingers and pray, but thank gaud, we saw the box waiting for us at the Presspop table when we got there on Oct.1st. Check 1. the red thread singer sewn.....GOOD. Check 2. the color of the photographs and art.....GOOD.....phew.

The night before, I was having nightmares that the magazines had not arrived, or the printing job was a total disaster, or that noone would take interest and the mags would be laying on the floor, stomped over......BUT they had arrived, and looking quite nice, and people who stopped by the booth actually seemed to care about them!

We met some amazing group of people who asked questions, picked up copies, and offered us words of encouragement.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU to each and everyone of you.

school vol.1

2009-09-24T19:46:00.001+09:00

THE NY ART BOOK FAIR ON SALE!!!!!