Zombies, giant skeletons, inkspots that come alive in the night… the bizarre world of Japanese demons is always one step ahead of our imagination.
Read MoreEvery so often we’ll share a few thoughts on the books we’re reading outside the office. For the first time in the history of Rikumo Book Club, we bring you one story in two forms: a cult video game and its novelization by one of the most important contemporary Japanese writers.
Read MoreAnyone who’s ever sat through a bad comedy sketch knows how hard it can be to find someone who is truly funny. In the hands of a gifted storyteller, though, even the dullest story can make us laugh. And no comedian is more studied, intuitive, or gifted than the one who performs rakugo.
Read MoreEvery month we feature one of our favorite t-Lab animals and follow them on their adventures. This month's story comes from Perry, our resident balloon man.
Read MoreOur concept store recently had the honor of hosting Setsuhi Shiraishi, a Japanese master calligraphist and performance artist. Accompanied by jazz music, Setsushi created two large-scale works of calligraphy on paper before a live audience.
Read MoreFascinated with the natural formation of trees, George Nakashima’s design philosophy was grounded in the moments of organic creation found within nature. We visit his house and studio in New Hope, Pennsylvania, to learn more about the life and work of the restless Japanese designer.
Read MoreFrom its humble beginnings in the fire pits of Wakayama to its modern use as a water purifier and skin cleanser, binchotan charcoal is an ancient resource that continues to fascinate.
Read MoreOur latest guest lecturer was local ceramist and dear friend Brian Croney. With handmade cups and inspiration books in tow, Croney spoke about wood firing, a consuming process that begins with sourcing and making his own clay, and ends with shoveling ash from his kiln after forty-eight sleepless hours of uninterrupted firing.
Read MorePacking for extended trips always challenges us to prioritize our belongings and bring items that skirt the line between functional and beautiful. Here are a eight of our most-traveled wares.
Read MoreEvery year when we are in Japan to research new products and collaborate with our partners, we like to take some time for ourselves. Here, our marketing director tells us about the latte he hasn’t stopped thinking about since his last trip to Tokyo.
Read MoreDuring our annual Japan trip, one of our main goals was to explore Tokyo's rich coffee scene. Here, our photographer shows us his cafe of choice for a mid-day cold brew.
Read MoreTokyo is a sprawling, metropolitan city that contains over 30 major neighborhoods, each with its own unique residents and personality. Connecting many of them is the Yamanote Line, a cyclical elevated train line built in 1925. It is considered Tokyo’s most important train line and is arguably, the best way to see the city.
Read MoreLed by our very own matcha experts Coral and Sam, we spent the afternoon trying out some new recipes with our new Ippodo cooking-grade matcha. On the menu: easy mug cakes, raw energy bars, and refreshing smoothie bowls.
Read MoreDesigned by legendary Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, art supply store Pigment's walls are lined with over 4,200 colors of raw pigment.
Read MoreLong ago, when we were wanderers of a wild Earth, our lives came to be ruled by the cosmic spectacle of the moon. Nowhere was this more true than in Japan, where the moon takes a leading role in poetry, art, and folklore.
Read MoreUntil the 19th century, lunar rhythms dictated daily comings and goings in Japan. The phases of the moon were named after what people were doing as they waited for the moon to rise.
Read MoreThe role of the artist is often a lonely one, full of rejection, self-doubt and alienation. Sometimes, however, you find a collaborator that inspires you in ways you never even dreamed of.
Read MoreWe hosted photographer Vincent Feldman for a special photo lecture at our concept store, where he presented his Tokyo Mo-dan project -a series of black-and-white photographs recording the modern architecture of Tokyo.
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