Here at MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON, we post news and information about Japan in six languages. Our aim is to deliver a variety of content related to Japan for those who love and enjoy Japanese culture.
Right now, people across the globe are in self-isolation as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The same goes for Japan too, so we’ve taken this opportunity to create a new series on the website to show how we’re spending time at home here in Japan. The future is yet uncertain, and we hope for normality to return for all of us soon. We created a new articles series called Stay Home with which we hope to take your mind off the situation, even for just a little bit, to help you feel calmer. It might give you some tips on what you can do while spending time at home.
Today, we are joined by illustrator and DJ ChiMy to see how she’s been spending her time at home.
1: Determined to draw
My main occupations are illustrator and DJ. But since I normally DJ 3-5 times a week, I think way more people associate as a DJ. I plan to continue going all out as a DJ, but I want more people to know about my illustration work too! I’ve keep thinking to myself that I want to do more work as ChiMy, The Illustrator, and so I thought to myself since we’re in quite the pinch right now with the current situation, I’ll use that to draw more to show people each day.
2: Challenge Time
I’ve also had a go at firing clay at home to make my own pottery, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve also made candles for the pottery and painted them.
3: Self-Portrait
I’ve been accepting orders to draw portraits of people!
(I can now draw them in 15 minutes!)
4: Coming up with new merch
I’m working hard to create merchandise I’ve always wanted to try making but haven’t gotten around to.
(Look forward to seeing what I have in the works when it’s all ready)
What’s your secret to spending time at home?
“Right now, I’m looking to myself every day as an illustrator. I’m thinking that even when I become a granny, I want to carry on drawing, and making things (and of course DJ’ing). So right now at home, I’m making time to do everything I need to do order to continue living my life as a creator.”
Please give a message to those reading this article
“It’s not just artists like us who are suffering and struggling throughout the world. It’s people from many different professions. It’s not something just in the world of anime or the world of movies. This is an event occurring in the world we live in right now. What we can do right now to end this chain of sadness, and to protect those we treasure, is to have plenty of ‘home time.’ I’m sure each and everyone of us has something we can only do right at this moment, something we can challenge ourselves to because of this situation, or something we can change right now because of it. Let us all be levelled up [versions of ourselves] when we meet each another again!”
ChiMy
Illustrator/DJ
ChiMy is an illustrator who hand draws rough sketches and adds vivid colours to them, something which is rare to see nowadays. Her drawings are bright and colourful. They are cute and a little silly, enough to make you giggle at a glance. Perhaps she is expressing herself in her creations… Recently, she has been knee deep in brand collaborations and holding exhibitions of her work. Her work as a DJ is multifarious: she not only perform at clubs, she at fashion events and fashion shows too, amongst other events. Her style sees her not tied down to any one specific genre. Rather, her flexibility has her playing what feels right for the location.”
Information
Follow ChiMy at the following links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/I_AM_CHIMY/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chimy1115
RELATED ENTRIES
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Last year, the Pola Museum Annex in Tokyo hosted a charity auction to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic breaking out across the globe. As the world continues to feel the effects of the virus, the charity event is returning for a second year, and is set to be held from November 12 until December 5, 2021. The title for this year’s art exhibition is ‘Find Your Travel.’
Lemon Tree - Yuka Kashihara. Acrylic and oil on canvas. 2020.
POLA Dot or snowball ~Based on Tosa Mitsuyoshi’s Colored Painting of Yugiri from The Tale of Genji~ - Tetsuya Noguchi. Acrylic. 2020.
our whereabouts - Moe Nakamura. Camphor, bronze, oil. 2021.
Philanthropy - Yuko Higuchi. Hemp paper, pen, watercolor. 2020.
Baby Heel-less Shoes - Noritaka Tatehama. Cowhide, pigskin, dye, metal zipper, coated crystal glass. 2020.
Last year’s charity auction raised over ¥9,145,000 (about $83,000) for the Japanese Red Cross. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues around the globe, and as Japan remains locked down, this year’s event hopes to raise even more useful funds to help medical professionals on the front lines. 20 artists are participating in the exhibition, with each creating one work based on the theme of ‘travel.’ In addition to simply viewing these pieces at the exhibition, a silent auction will also be held online. With travel being severely restricted, these works of art seek to inspire and encourage visitors to imagine a better future, when the world is open once again. All proceeds will once again be donated to the Japanese Red Cross.Information
Find Your Travel Charity Auction
Running: November 12 – December 5, 2021
Hours: 11:00-19:00 (Last entry 18:30) / Admission Free
Address: Pola Museum Annex 3F (1-7-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
Official Site: http://www.po-holdings.co.jp/m-annex/
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Wanget's unisex loungewear brand Arce launched its online shop on Wednesday (February 17). The brand is hosting a campaign on its social media pages to promote the launch where customers can win some free items.
Arce was established from Makuake on November 25, 2020. The brand creates clothes made in Japan using environmentally-friendly Japanese materials. Their loungewear is versatile and can be worn not only indoors but outdoors too, and even when going to meet people. The clothes are shipped in boxes made from FSC-certified cardboard, and the vinyl bags used to protect each item are made using biodegradable saccharum officinarum. Arce held its first exhibition in Japan on November 25 and 26 last year to resounding success, bringing in many customers. The brand is currently holding a campaign on its Instagram page from February 17 to 28 where people can enter for a chance to win the above-pictured T-shirt and pullover. Only one of each will be given to two people respectively. To enter, you need to follow Arce on Instagram and give a like on which item you want. -
In an effort to ensure the safety and protect the health of guests and staff, Universal Studios Japan (USJ) introduced strict measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on June 8, 2020, such as limiting the number of people who could enter the park each day and enforcing thorough cleaning routines. This enabled the park to reopen after its temporary closure. It has since been able to deliver its scope of fun and excitement to guests, albeit in a more structured way.
USJ wants to make wearing masks more fun too, and so it is releasing a range of character-inspired face masks, such as Snoopy, Elmo and the Cookie Monster, on August 7. Part of the money made from sales of these masks will be donated to the USJ Wonder Kids Program which helps support children in need. Universal Studios Japan original design masks
The masks' unique designs take the mouths of each character. These can be worn together with each respective characters' headband which are also sold at USJ. Designs include Elmo, Cookie Monster, Snoopy, Tim, Jurassic Park, and Jaws. Photos provided by Universal Studios Japan.HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s20)Minions and all related elements and indicia TM & © 2020 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.TM & © 2020 Universal Studios.© 2020 Peanuts© '76, '20 SANRIO© 2020 Sesame WorkshopTM & © Universal Studios & Amblin EntertainmentTM & © Universal Studios.TM Universal Studios.Information
Universal Studios Japan Original Design Face Masks
Release Date: August 7, 2020
Price: Single Mask – ¥900 (Tax Included) / Set of Two – ¥1,500 (Tax Included)Universal Studios Japan Official Website: https://www.usj.co.jp/
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Over 50 manga artists in Japan are coming together for the launch of the new “MANGA Day to Day” project which will depict daily life during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The project is set to roll out for free in mid-June on Twitter and Comic Days. A teaser by famous manga artist Tetsuya Chiba (Ashita no Joe; Notari Matsutarō) was released on May 22, 2020. A related project entitled “Day to Day” is also taking place over on the Japanese literature news website TREE where over 50 popular authors have penned writings and essays on the restrictions of today’s everyday life. In addition to Japan, both projects have caught the attention of overseas news media and websites too. Like the related “Day to Day” project, “MANGA Day to Day” will have one new manga strip released for free each day on Twitter and Comic Days. A piece entitled Akudama by Tetsuya Chiba is already available to see over on the project’s official Twitter account. People’s lives have changed drastically as a result of the pandemic. To pass down this time in history to the next 100, or even 200 years, the pieces contributed to the “MANGA Day to Day” project will be compiled into a book that’s scheduled for release in early 2021. A special edition of the book will also be compiled featuring both the manga and writing pieces. Be sure to follow the Twitter account below to keep up to date. Information
MANGA Day to Day
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mangadaytoday
Comic Days (Available from June 15): https://comic-days.com -
A BATHING APE® released its new face mask case on Saturday (May 23) for people to hygienically put away their face masks, whether to store away or for on the go. The cases will be given to everyone that purchases something from the BAPE STORE® or BAPE.COM in Japan.
The case features BAPE's iconic APE HEAD design. It's made from PVC and so can be hand washed so people can safely and hygienically store their face masks. The case can of course be used to store hand sanitiser or hand wipes too. Information
BAPE® MASK CASE
Release Date: Saturday, May 23rd, 2020
Available: BAPE STORE® and BAPE.COM in Japan to all customers. One case per transaction. Available while supplies last.Product Page: https://bape.com/blogs/news/bape-mask-case
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Like many institutions around the world now, Mori Art Museum is temporarily closed as a result of COVID-19. But that hasn't stopped the museum spreading creativity as it recently launched a new page on its website titled "Mori Art Museum Digital." The page comes as part of a new agenda by Mori Art Museum which it is calling "MAM @ HOME" which encourages people to "Stay Home, Stay Creative." The project aims for the museum to stay connected with people even while the building itself is closed by offering a host of free art-related content. This includes the "Future and the Arts 3D Walkthrough" which had to end in response to the museum's closure, an online sneak preview of the postponed "MAM Screen 013: Mounira Al Solh," the "ARTISTS COOKBOOK" which features recipes, photos and stories from artists around the world, and more.
Program #1: Online Sneak Preview of MAM Screen 013: Mounira Al Solh
Mounira Al Solh - Rawane's Song (2006)
Mounira Al Solh - As If I Don't Fit There (2006)
Since "MAM Screen 013: Mounira Al Aolh" has been postponed as a measure against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Mori Art Museum is introducing two works online prior to the official screening: Rawane's Song (2006) and As If I Don't Fit There (2006). Mounira Al Solh works internationally and is based in her home country Lebonan and in Europe. Her work offers humorous takes on everyday events and stories, as well as episodes based on the lives of women from a contemporary society where political and religious conflicts as well as issues surrounding refugees occurs.Program #2: Future and the Arts 3D Walkthrough
Due to the museum's closure, "Future and the Arts: AI, Robotics, Cities, Life - How Humanity Will Live Tomorrow" was forced to end earlier than scheduled. Since then, the museum has been able to share walkthroughs of the exhibition via Instagram Live, as well as photos. Now people can enjoy the exhibition in a more immersive way as the museum introduces a virtual, 3D walkthrough, which they were able to capture thanks to the galleries being empty. It's a complete recreation of the exhibition for people to enjoy at home.Special #1: ARTISTS COOKBOOK by MAM
As a special project during Mori Art Museum's closure, the museum has introduced "ARTISTS COOKCOOK by MAM," a collection of recipes, stories, and photographs that artists from around the world have shared with them. The first recipe showcased is the "Kusama Lotus" by Kataoka Mami, the Director of Mori Art Museum. She describes lotus roots as reminiscent of polka dots and white nets, and that it's a dish we could keep eating forever. She calls it a "dish for infinity." More recipes can be found on the museum's official social media pages, so be sure to check them out.Learning Online: Enjoy, Play, Learn Art @ HOME
Mori Art Museum hosts various programs and events where people can deepen their knowledge about contemporary art from around the world. The museum has posted an archived list of videos from some of their programs which people can tune in to from the comfort of their homes.Information
Mori Art Museum
Address: Roppongi Hills Tower Floor 53F, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato Ward, TOkyo
Opening Hours: 10:00-22:00 (until 17:00 on Tuesdays)
*Last entries 30 mins before closure
*The museum is currently temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Official Website: https://www.mori.art.museum/en/