Though it once was the dominant form of literary expression, poetry has since been eclipsed by prose for most of the world. Not so in Japan, where the influence of one particular 13th century collection has inspired works of art and even games.
Read MoreVincent Feldman, an urban architecture photographer and university lecturer, shares his creative journey with us.
Read MoreWork, life, and writing lessons from Japan’s most important contemporary writer.
Read MoreJun Kaneko is a prolific Japanese ceramicist who has made large-scale sculptures and even opera costumes. In his latest exhibition at Locks Gallery, “New Work" expresses the complex nature of individuality: celebratory yet also potentially isolating.
Read MoreWhat’s the difference? It’s all in the terroir.
Read MoreSake is Japan’s national drink, with rituals, traditions, and rules of its own. Here’s how to drink it correctly.
Read MoreExpat. Intellectual. Writer. As one of the first writers to venture outside of Japan, Natsume Soseki documented the struggle of finding your place in a modern world without losing your identity.
Read MoreThe making of a Karmi tea canister can take up to a year to complete. Here’s a look inside the mind of its creator.
Read MorePrintmaker and poet William Morris is best remembered for writing “The Earthly Paradise”. He had no idea that his artistry and writings would eventually inspire Yanagi Soetsu to begin the Japanese folk art movement.
Read MoreThough fall and spring are popular subjects in Japanese art and literature, there is a tendency to avoid lingering for too long on the bitterly cold nights of winter. This means that, for over 700 years, winter was painted in idealized tones almost as gentle as our own holiday memories.
Read MoreWhen it comes to creating a legacy, perhaps no artist has a bigger impact in the art they leave behind than the architect. After all, what other job requires your projects to outlive you?
Read MoreOn endings and beginnings.
Read MoreEvery month we share one story with you that has been shared many times before. In this season of gratitude, we honor the legacy of Japanese stone cutters and other craftsmen who persevere in humble circumstances.
Read MoreWe took a field trip to Longwood Gardens, where over 16,000 chrysanthemum blooms fill up the conservatory in celebration of the Japanese Chrysanthemum Festival.
Read MoreDiscover the fascinating ritual of the Japanese tea ceremony.
Read MoreImagine a world without paper. For many of us, it would be a minor inconvenience, far less worrisome than a power outage. In medieval Japan, however, life without washi was almost inconceivable.
Read MoreJust in time for Halloween, we present a spooky Japanese folktale to keep you up through the night.
Read MoreTea has deeply affected Japanese culture and history, inspiring innovations in artistry while also cementing relationships and good manners. Yet the Japanese tea tradition is still alive and vivid, as easy to appreciate as a warm, freshly brewed cup of sencha.
Read More
