The Portable Watermelon Fridge - JOYBOND via Rocket News

commovente:

Hari Kuyo is a Japanese festival dedicated to old and broken needles. Celebrated every year on the 8^th of February, this festival sees hundreds of women dressed in colorful kimonos, gathering at various Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples in and around Tokyo. This 400-year-old ritual involves sticking old and broken needles into soft chunks of tofu or jelly as a way of showing thanks for their hard work. I suppose this tradition springs from the Eastern system of displaying gratitude towards objects that are a source of livelihood. It also reflects on the animist belief that all beings and objects have a soul.

It’s not just about needles, several Japanese women consider Hari Kuyo as a time to value the small, everyday objects of daily life that are otherwise forgotten. Mottainai is the concept of not being wasteful about small things. Burying needles in tofu is said to symbolize rest for the needles, as they are wrapped with tenderness. It’s also about the many sorrows that women are believed to carry in their hearts, the burdens of which are passed on to the needles during many hours of sewing. So the needles do deserve a proper farewell and rest at the end of their service. According to Ryojo Shioiri, a Buddhist monk, “Sometimes there are painful things and secrets that women can’t tell men, and they put these secrets into the pins and ask the gods to get rid of them.” (source) 

(via heavenforbears)

valerieoualid:

Quelques cartes postales de Lapin pour aider le Japon, deux ans après le tsunami. Ces dessins sont extraits de son carnet de voyage spécial Japon. Vous pouvez les acheter via le site de korekara project.

Lapin stayed in Japan for 3 weeks visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. These drawings are from his sketchbook dedicated to japan and he would like to participate to help to ease the pain of this beautiful country, 2 years after the tsunami. You can have this postcard for 1 euro each as a donation for korekara project and reach japan through art. | mars 2013

floresenelatico:

As cleanup continues two years after the deadly tsunami that struck Japan, a decision was made to preserve the memory of the miracle pine tree. The towering 88-foot tall pine tree was the last standing among a forest of 70,000 trees that were completely wiped out along the coast in Rikuzentakata, Iwate prefecture. The tree survived for nearly 18 months after the tsunami but eventually died due to high levels of saline introduced into its environment, after which is was felled and giant molds were created to again form the trunk and branches as they stood when the tree was alive. The monument is set to be unveiled this week.

VIa Colossal

JR @ Watarium Museum (Tokyo) via Arrested Motion

Photos via Alabaz and the artist

legazette:

Put Some Pants On It !

Japan town demands pants for Michelangelo’s David Full Story via AFP

Picture: A replica of Michelangelo’s Renaissance masterpiece sculpture David at a public park in Okuizumo, Shimane prefecture, western Japan, in a photo taken by a local official on Aug. 28, 2012. ©Okuizumo Government via AFP/Getty Images

(via )

Slender Arrow  - Tou

swiph:

Roberu – iPhone 5 Leather Case

Since the iPhone 5 is slightly different in size compared to its predecessors, it means manufactures of cases will need to readjust to the new specifications. Japanese leather company Roberu acted swiftly by launching the leather cases for the iPhone 5. Five color schemes are produced, in black, brown, bordeaux, olive, and camel, fitted with a matching elastic in the middle. Die-cut holes configure to earphone plug and cameras, enabling full functionality without having to take off the case. Grab these cases at UNION online shop and retail store in Los Angeles.

UNION LA
110 South La Brea Avenue | Map
Los Angeles, CA 90036
TEL #: 323-549-6950