Fashion & Design

Glass, steel, and concrete define most modern city skylines. Yet in Japan, a quieter revolution is underway: architects are turning back to wood, one of the world’s oldest building materials, to create cities of the future.

The home is often one of the best places to learn about a culture’s values and ways of life. Recently, Japanese homes and interiors have been gaining interest around the world for both aesthetic and sustainability reasons. Let’s explore the unique beauty of Japanese interiors and the cultural values they derive from.

Hairstyling is a profession that is taken very seriously in Japan. Japanese hairdressers are some of the most highly trained in the world, and they inherit a tradition that carries deep historical significance. Let’s look at the role hair and hairdressers have played throughout Japan’s history, and the role they continue to play today.

Japanese kimono is a clothing tradition with a history of more than a thousand years. For a long time, the popularity of kimono seemed to be on the decline, as the everyday dress of Japanese people became more and more westernized. Young Japanese people these days typically wear kimono only for important ceremonial events such as Shichi-Go-San (a rite of passage for children) and Coming of Age Day. But recently, a growing group of young people are starting to embrace kimono again, mixing it in with modern elements and introducing fresh new takes on the tradition. Let’s look at some of the ways people are getting creative with their kimono.

Harajuku is a neighborhood in Tokyo that is known as the heart of the Japanese fashion world. Here young people gather and cutting-edge styles are born, some of which spread overseas. You may even be familiar with past Harajuku styles like Decora, in which people deck themselves out in colorful accessories, or Lolita, in which people dress like dolls. But the fashion scene at Harajuku is constantly evolving, with new styles popping up all the time. How has the scene changed in recent years, and what will be the next style to spread from Harajuku to the world? Let’s look at the current state of Harajuku to see where things are headed.

Fireworks are a technology with a long history in Japan. Fireworks in Japan originated as smoke signals from the Sengoku period, or “Warring States” period, when Japan had not yet been unified as a country and different clans competed for power. Today, Japanese fireworks are viewed as an art form, with fireworks manufacturers passing down their craft from generation to generation. Let’s look at what makes Japanese fireworks so unique, and how the art form is continuing to evolve today.

A furoshiki is a Japanese square cloth used to wrap, carry, and store things. It is a traditional item, with its origins said to date back to the Nara period (around 700 AD). The name, which translates literally to “bath sheet,” comes from the fact that people would use them in public baths to wrap and carry around their clothes. However, the uses of furoshiki are wide-ranging and have continued to evolve throughout the ages.

The concept of “universal design” is used for buildings and daily essentials, but it is also being implemented in clothing within Japan, under the name “universal fashion.” This aims to create a society in which everyone can freely enjoy dressing up with barrier-free clothing, regardless of illness, injuries, disability, age, or other aspects.

In Japan, interest in a sustainable society has drawn attention to initiatives that create new products from waste. Various types of waste are being transformed into products with beautiful designs that take advantage of their unique characteristics, and this approach has even been applied to popular anime character plastic model kits, creating a buzz.
In this article, we highlight Japanese products and initiatives that have created value from waste through sustainable perspectives and creative design.

Exosuits make a significant impact in a variety of industries, such as the manufacturing industry, where heavy loads must often be lifted, the agriculture industry, which frequently requires work in stooped down positions, and the caregiving industry, where caregivers must provide support in the daily lives of the elderly. Amidst concerns over rising temperatures due to global warming, there has also been a rapid increase in the popularity of apparel equipped with electric fans as a countermeasure against the intense heat of Japan’s hot seasons. In this article, we’ll be introducing the highly beneficial wearable support systems used in workplaces around Japan.

Japan is well-known as a country with some of the longest lifespans in the world, and it has a growing interest in the concept of the “healthy lifespan,” meaning the period in which people can live their lives without any health issues. As such, many items have been developed within Japan in recent years to support people who have reduced physical functions due to aging or other factors, so that they can live energetically for as long as possible. Let’s take a look at some revolutionary ability supplementation items from Japan.

Nambu tekki, or Nambu ironware, is the name for cast iron products made in Morioka City, Oshu City, and other locations in Iwate Prefecture at the north of Japan. These products are also known as Nambu tetsubin and have been manufactured since around the year 1600.

Nishijin-ori (literally "Nishijin fabric") is the typical style of fabric used for obi, the belt tied around the waist when wearing traditional Japanese kimono. Many people wear obi made with spectacular Nishijin-ori for celebrations and other special occasions, both in the past and in the present day. However, people have fewer opportunities to wear them regularly because of changes in their lifestyles. In light of this, there is growing attention for new products that use Nishijin-ori. Let's take a look at glass plates that incorporate the designs of Nishijin-ori while inheriting the skills and esthetics from this fabric with a long history.

Tatami is a traditional type of flooring used in Japanese homes and buildings — it's an essential feature of tearooms, and judo matches are always contested on top of tatami mats. Although wooden flooring is more common these days, people still value the look and feel of tatami, and have found ways of incorporating it into more modern interior designs. Let's take a look at some of the ways in which tatami is used today in contemporary interior design.

Many countries all over the world use chopsticks, but in Japan, an entirely unique culture around them has developed. Chopsticks are a mainstay of Japanese food culture, and many different varieties have been created over the years due to changes in the times and what they're used for. We're going to take a look at the profound relationship between Japanese people and chopsticks — or hashi, as they're known in Japan.

In urban areas, many people live in apartments or houses that don't have a garden. In recent years, as work styles have diversified and more people are looking for ways to enrich their daily lives, people in cities have turned to their balconies as a place to grow plants and feel the earth between their fingers. For those without access to a proper garden, balcony gardening is gaining ground as a way of connecting with nature. Let's take a look at how this hobby has developed in Japan.

A squat, round shape that is often painted red or another bright color. He looks like a hero, with a beard and eyebrows that make him appear a little strict. This is the lucky charm that we call a daruma. Said to have originated in the first half of the 1700s, the daruma has regained popularity among young people in Japan since the start of the 21st century, as new colors and designs have appeared that are different from the traditional ones.

Recently, an ancient Japanese technique for repairing broken ceramics called kintsugi has been growing in popularity. One reason for this is the increased focus on sustainability, which has led more people to take care of and use their possessions as long as possible, but the beauty itself that results from using urushi lacquer and powdered gold is another reason for the technique's newfound popularity. Let's take a look into what kintsugi is and how it is enjoyed in Japan today.

The appeal of Japanese craftsmanship is the way traditional techniques are combined with cutting-edge scientific technology to create unparalleled products — and textiles are no exception. Recently, the fashion industry has been focusing on creating environmentally friendly, sustainable and ethical products. To support this, the Japanese textile industry has been dreaming up a range of futuristic new materials.

The Japanese archipelago spans a long distance from north to south, so it has a variety of different climates ranging from sub-arctic to sub-tropical, while summers are characterized by very hot and humid weather, and strong sunshine. Parasols are popular items to help avoid the intense sunlight and make summer more comfortable. The sight of so many people walking around holding parasols can sometimes be strange for foreigners. So why are parasols so popular in Japan? Let's take a look.

The use of timber is being recognized as one means of achieving a carbon-free society and to help prevent global warming. Here we look at traditional Japanese techniques used in sustainable timber architecture that has been around since ancient times, as well as current initiatives and those for the future.

Over the past few years, camping has become really popular in Japan. A lot of people in western countries are pretty familiar with camping, but in Japan we seem to have our own unique ways of enjoying it. Let's take a look at a couple of outdoor scenes in Japan.

Kimono are Japan's national dress and many people today still love wearing them on special occasions, including long-sleeved kimono called furisode which are worn at coming-of-age ceremonies, and also the traditional male formal attire called montsuki haori hakama. Japan is proud of its traditional clothing (wasou), but how is this viewed today in more modern times?

Origami is a traditional Japanese pastime where people make many different kinds of figures by folding paper. The crane is seen to be symbol of auspiciousness, and so origami cranes are a widely familiar motif among Japanese people as many have made at least one origami crane in their lives. Origami cranes, or Orizuru in Japanese, can be created in an interlocking manner from a single sheet of paper, in a style known as Renzuru.

Yosegi-zaiku (literally “parquet work”) is the name of a traditional Japanese craft that uses many different kinds of wood in combination to produce beautiful and intricate patterns by utilizing the differences in color between each type of wood. In recent years, this craft has gained publicity in Japan as well as overseas, with people drawn to its appealing looks and the sense of warmth that only wood can bring. This article looks at the history and methods for Yosegi-zaiku, as well as the hopes and ambitions of young artisans that will build the future for this craft.

Manhole covers are a familiar sight around the world. Did you know that designer manhole covers in Japan are currently gaining attention as a new type of region-specific item? More and more people walk to visit different regions and see the manhole covers that show the individual characteristics of each area. This article looks at the world of designer manhole covers in Japan.

Many different kinds of cords play a part in a wide range of areas in our lives. We use them to tie up bulky objects for transport, to adjust the waist size of our pants, or as straps for holding bags. Apart from those used as everyday items, there are also beautiful cords that have been handed down as traditional handicrafts up to the present day. These cords are called “Kumihimo.” This article looks at the profound world of Kumihimo in Japan.

Bento, or box lunches, are one part of Japanese food culture. The act of eating Bento out of the house is a highlight to look forward to in the day, as they feature many different kinds of food arranged together in vivid colors.

Sensu (folding fans) are useful objects—you can slip them into your pocket on a hot summer’s day, and pull them out to enjoy a refreshing cool breeze when travelling outside.

The best works of art captivate people across borders throughout the ages. This article looks at two modern art venues that have drawn the attention of people in Japan and around the world, as well as Japan’s greatest museum that lets you go back through history to enjoy Japanese classical artwork.

Katsushika Hokusai is one of the most well-known Japanese artists in the world. This brilliant artist created his works about 200 years ago, and has made a significant impact on art in Japan as well as the whole world.

There is a piece of fishing tackle known as a "kebari” (fishing fly) that is used as artificial bait in fishing, but in Japan it is also viewed as a craft and something that is pleasing to the eye.

“Washoku, traditional dietary cultures of the Japanese” was placed on the UNESCO representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity in December 2013.

Like the coat of arms in Europe, in Japan we also have symbols passed down by individual families.

Ginza is one of Japan's most famous shopping districts. It is a commercial and cultural center that is rich in history.

Due to its rarity and beauty, gold has in all times and places been revered as a symbol of prosperity.

In Japan both Mizuhiki and Noshi are essential when formally exchanging gifts. Mizuhiki is a decorative cord used for tying the paper that is wrapped around gifts.

Cute photographs of sleeping baby’s natural posture be coming very popular

While Japanese food is popular all over the world, only in Japan has tableware been uniquely developed for the food.

Visit any bookstore in Japan, and your attention will be drawn to a certain sight. You will see large piles of magazines bundled with giveaways. The giveaways may be larger than the magazines themselves,so you may wonder what readers are paying for: the magazine or the giveaway.

Jeans were born in the U.S. as work clothes for laborers in the 1870s. Made of thick cloth called "denim," jeans have since become popular globally and are now must-have fashion items. While the U.S. is the birthplace of jeans, did you know that a town in Japan is also famous for producing jeans?

Many Japanese people practice the custom of visiting a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple and receiving (that is, buying) a good-luck charm called omamori, which is said to protect the holder. Because of this tradition, Japanese people are familiar with good-luck charms.

In Japanese life, there is a culture of enjoying fragrance. Products such as osenko (incense sticks), room fragrances, and fabric softeners are used on various occasions.

Currently in Japan, the "big silhouette" style, in which large-size clothing is worn, is very popular.

The popularity of latest fashion rental services is rising among Japanese women.

The number of women using face packs during their downtime after an evening bath or in their morning skin care routines is increasing. Face packs have become easy to adopt and naturally exist as a beauty custom.

The People of Japan have incorporated trees into their lives using Bonsai, a hobby that can even be called an Art, where magnificent natural landscapes are created in small plant pots.

Traditional Japanese staining technique, Indigo dye, advances merging the old and new, including the use of rich indigo tones for stylish fashion combinations and interior design.

There is an on-going boom in decoration among Japanese women; they enjoy their own 3-D decoration on their smartphone and digital camera with rhinestones and beads that sparkle like jewels, miniature fruits and sweets.

Harajuku district in Tokyo, with abundance of shops and boutiques catering to mixed tastes, continually generates new fashion into the world with the idea of “kawaii” as the keyword.

Cat-themed fashion has become popular among young Japanese women in their teens and twenties. Many young women love not only cat-themed clothes and shoes but also their hair and even their makeup in the style of a cat.

High Tech, Unique & Beautiful
In Japan, regular restrooms in public spaces in department stores or restaurants tend to feature high-tech toilets with cleanliness. They also have lavish designs or facilities with music or sweet-smelling fragrances to help visitors relax. Such high-tech, uniquely beautiful Japanese restrooms make you want to visit again.

Yukata is one of traditional garments for summer in Japan. Especially popular among women, yukata with modern and colorful designs have made their appearance in addition to traditional ones in recent years.

Shikki” (lacquerware), also called “japan”, is Japan’s representative traditional art with thousands of years of history. Wajima lacquerware and other shikki as well as craftsmanship such as makie continue to charm people around the world.

Various hairstyles?curled, braided and piled up?combined with retro-style hair accessories have recently come to the fore among young Japanese women, who are yet again setting new fashion trends.

Young Japanese women are enlivening city streets these days with the flowing contours of the maxi skirt, which they pair with various other contrasting styles.

Wide-brimmed hats were once associated with chicness and social position. Today, young Japanese women have embraced these and other hats as a new, sophisticated fashion style.

With a multitude of appealing styles, shorts matched with legwear have become an essential part of women's wardrobes.

From pop trends to nature to new urban outdoor styles, the layering of a myriad of different clothing by Japanese youth reflects an advanced combination of modern, casual style and comfort that never fails to astound!

Japanese schoolgirls created the boom in loose socks in the 1990s, but recently, a new trend in coordinated fashion has appeared, as women pair socks of various designs with high heels and boots ... maybe the next global chic?

Floral prints, a longtime favorite with Japanese people, are in vogue this summer.

Large-framed glasses are the hottest fashion accessory item among women in their teens and twenties, thanks to the revival of a flashy '80s look. Part disco, glam, and manga, they add a touch of eclectic charm.

This winter, stylish and colorful belly warmers known as haramaki are making their way onto the waists of young Japanese men, bringing this traditional garment to the forefront of fashion.

Traditionally worn for weddings and other formal occasions, the colorful long-sleeved furisode kimono has begun to incorporate the influence of Western-style clothing and has become key to passing on the rich tradition of kimono to the next generation of Japanese young women.

Versatile, sophisticated, and affordable stoles have become a firm fashion favorite with young Japanese men.