Long time no see on my blog! Isn't this year just like a crazy nightmare?Since my last entry in April not much has changed in the world of COVID it seems. Although things seemed a little better in Japan during June, we are now hitting the second wave with cases spreading all across the country.. Staying home since March (apart from maybe 3-4 careful outings and daily walks of course) and losing a lot of work gigs this year...
Happy New Year! Can you believe its already 2020?Just some decades ago people thought we would have flying cars and microchips implanted in our necks.. (Although that might be coming sooner than we’d like.) こんにちは。明けましておめでとうございます。もう2020年って信じられますか？数十年前には 、空飛ぶ車や首にマイクロチップが埋め込まれていると想像した時代です（かなり近いことが起 き始めてますね）。 I had quite a long Christmas/New Years break (longer than I intended to, as well...) and I was traveling around to Shanghai, then inside of Germany as well. While I completely took off work - traveling and meeting a lot of people every day...
Last week I was invited as a guest speaker at the Ritsumeikan University. みなさん、ごきげんよう。台風続きで困っちゃいますね。もうこれ以上被害がでないでほしいです。 気温の変化も激しくなる今日この頃ですね。マスクに咳している人も目立つ季節となりました。ご慈愛下さいね。 さて、今回のお題ですが、先週、なんと、あの立命館大学でお話をする機会を頂いてしまったのです。以前、都内の大学でもお話をさせてもらっていますが、関西に初進出です（おおげさか！ 笑） 素敵な立命館大学大阪茨木キャンパス（通称：OIC） Before my visit I was really thinking about what I should wear. Firstly I thought, it would be best to wear a new tailored and well-fitting kimono to show that I am a professional.But then I thought... Wearing an expensive or well fitting kimono is rather easy, and since I would be speaking in front of students I felt it was more appropriate to go in a...
When you think of a museum, often a very conservative space comes to mind. Perhaps a large hall with classic artworks hanging on the wall? ご機嫌いかがですか？鈴虫の音が美しい季節になって来ましたね。皆さんは、美術館よく行きますか？ さて、「美術館」と聞いて、どんな感じを思い浮かべるでしょうか？大きなホールの壁に絵がかかっている情景が浮かぶのではないでしょうか？The Mori Art Museum, located in the Roppongi Hills Tower, however is changing up the game! Currently showcasing the exhibition of famous artist Shiota Chiharu - you can walk into a slightly dark and surreal world. 六本木ヒルズの森美術館は、そんな概念をいい意味で壊してくれました。現在、開催中の塩田千春展です。超現実的で、ちょっとくらーい世界に足を踏み入れることができちゃいますよ！ 今年の6月からやっている展示で、周りの友達がSNSでシェアしているの見て、ずぅーと気になっていた展示会なんです。念願かなって、訪問することができました。しかも、SALZ Tokyoとして、キモノ撮影をすることも出来てしまったのです！！ Shiota Chiharu: The Soul Trembles 塩田千春：魂がふるえる The Mori Art Museum website states: 森美術館によりますと： Berlin-based international artist Shiota Chiharu is known for performances and...
Today (1st May 2019) marks a special and historic day in Japan. The change of the emperor which ultimately includes the start of a new era. 本日、2019年5月1日は日本では記念すべき日になりました。第125代天皇明仁が退位され、皇太子徳仁親王が即位されました。何かと騒がれた退位ですが、天皇制の歴史の中では、これまで何度もあったようですね。 令和 - REIWA I really love the name for the new time period, because it sounds similar to the period I was born in (昭和 - Shōwa) and has the Kanji 和 (wa) in it, which stands for traditional Japanese things. (Amongst the meaning of peace..). This era's name is based on Man-yo-shu, the...
Last month I went to Osaka and Kyoto for a couple of days. (Mixing business with pleasure) A friend of mine introduced me to this interesting exhibition by the Kyoto Textile Fabrics Wholesaler's Association which just had their 50th Anniversary. Luckily I had time to check it out before heading back to Tokyo. 先月は関西に行ってきたついでに、「ファッションとしてのきもの1300年」との着物展示会に出会いました。写真はOKでしたので、こちらで軽く紹介したいと思います。 This exhibition was beautifully curated and showcasing the evolution of the Japanese garments until today. Photos were allowed - so let me take you on a quick tour...
