dream.scheme.repeat

In Tokyo, an unassuming store front can yield an enchanting mind blowing rabbit hole. The phrase "don't judge a book by its cover" rings so true in Tokyo. On a recent trip to the city, an eight story ride in a small, dingy elevator in a dirty, cramped high rise took me to the chillest, most well designed cafe I have ever been to in some time.

One such store I stumbled upon in Tokyo was RUNE. Beginning after the war, illustrator Mr. Rune Naitou began publishing illustrations in girl magazine of 'Junior Soleil' in the 1950's. I have found some of my favorite, most inspiring illustrators in Japan. His work is amazing and has that 1950s vintage feel I can't take my eyes off. The store sells bags, t-shirts, dolls with amazing doll clothing and fabric with his original illustrations printed on them.












 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Asako Masunouchi is an amazing illustrator, graphic designer and short film animator. There are some awesome stop motion short films on her website I highly recommend. I love the simplistic and honest nature of her work, almost like a simple outline. She studied illustration in the UK before moving back home to Japan.

Finish Your Collapse And Stay For Breakfast

let me bring you up to speed///

New goals include, (A) being more on top of this blog, and (B) learning how to cook.

Six months have come and gone, Japanese living is one huge roller coaster. One thing after another, the world keeps spinning, but life has been very sweet.

Trips to Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo...check
Ninja castle...check
Cherry Blossom viewing parties...check
Camping on cliffs...check
Hard times but great minds....done and done

Current music includes, but is not limited to:
Spacemen 3
Broken Social Scene
Casino vs. Japan
Beat Happening
World's End Girlfriend
Grizzly Bear

I may be pulling out the ABBA this week in preparation for future endeavors..!

...

I am learning the hard way who really cares.

happy hair cut day

Soooo....if anyone reading this needs a cut and color in Osaka for foreign/western hair I totally have the place for you. It took me forever to find a place willing to cut western hair and it was amazing. Go to Nakatsu staion, then call them and they will meet you at the station.

The owners are a Japanese couple who lived in NYC for 20 years. The man, Hiroshi, was Sarah Jessica Parker's personal hair stylist for 15 years and he has a portfolio chock-full of vogue/fashion/celebrity hair shoots. The haircut is about $40 and same for color, which is unheard of in Osaka. They spoke perfect English, met me personally at the train station so I wouldn't get lost, I got the most amazing scalp massage..eeee!...and for your first visit you get 30% off! By far the best hair cut and salon experience I have had.

K Studio New York
www.ksny.jp

check it

ps - Osaka is my new favorite place to play

there's a ghost in me

I have been trying to ignore my trapped feelings as of late. Small town living is so not for me. I miss the hustle of the large city bustle. I am planning small weekend trips in March to get back into the beat. I have a new friend who lives in Nagoya, about an hour away, that I will meet and hopefully eat some Mexican food! And then a friend of a friend in Osaka who owns an antique/ketch store that deals in East German antiques. He promises to show me a good show or two. Osaka I hear is a pretty rad town. I have only spent one day there, about 3 years ago, and I didn't event scratch the surface...



I went to a Japanese festival called Hatsu-Uma. Saw a parade with many women in beautiful kimonos, some being carried in boxes with poles on the sides by many men. It was inspiring. And some of the cutest Japanese little girls in teeny kimonos! There were so many venders with delish smelling food, made my mouth water.

Also just got paid! Feels so good to have money in the pocket and music in my ears. Music has been saving my life these days. Work is going well, not too much to complain about it. Still no apartment Internet...I wait patiently.

I got to talk to BFF Margie for hours and hours this past weekend and it really re-energized me. Props to Brett for making it all happen!

Sketching has been coming along just fine. I like the time and solitude to really work out my ideas and put dreams to paper.

Hope this post finds you in fine high spirits!
xo
j

blood flows

I want to start working on my own designs while in Japan. Time to work on what clothing I want to create. These things, among others, have been inspiring. Lights, please*

internet interactions are sparse..

First post from Japan, and I have been here two weeks already! Poor excuse for a travel blog, but in my defense, I have to go to a Managa cafe to check email and it is not cheap and I just found this cafe last week.

I was hoping to post all my first encounters and interactions here, but sadly I do not have much internet access. You have to get your Gaijin card (foreigners card) before you can set up internet in your apartment, and I wont have mine until Feb 16th.

Anyway, Japan has been lovely so far. Overwhelming and difficult at times, but nothing I cant handle. The weather is a little crazy - rain and wind one day, calm and hot lovely weather the next. A bit like Atlanta, but definitely not as cold, which is a huge relief. I am a bit homesick and miss people and surroundings. I am still in adjustment phase.

Nippon Observations:
1. Matsusaka is very, very countryside - the 3 girls I work with, and two austrailian guys are the only other foreigners Ive met so far.

2. The more English you teach, the worse your own English skills deteriorate

3. Having someone understand what your saying is the best feeling in the whole world

4. Dark nailpolish is apparently not business-like. bummer

5. I hate hanging my cloting up to dry

6. They try to be discreet, but all the stares and looks are quite exhausing

7. So, rice again for dinner? But the bread here in Japan is to die for.

8. McDonald`s, even in Matsusaka, is open 24hrs. Some things, I guess, are universal

9. Everything is tiny! Cars, homes, roads, malls. I am living in a doll house world.

10. If someone tells me I look like a doll one more time, I will punch them. There, I said it.

Being here reminds me a lot of being in Newcastle, UK for my year abroad at university. The same lonely, outside-looking-in feeling has returned. I have been reading a lot and writing everyday. Norwegian Wood by Murakami is awesome so far.

A trip to Tokyo is in the works for a weekend this month and hopefully the Sterolab concert in Osaka on the 10th.

Hope this post finds you in fine, high spirits!
xo