BEAMS is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. At such an important milestone, it’s important to take a look back at where the brand has come from, and so BEAMS is taking part in the Fashion in Japan 1945-2020 exhibition that opened at The National Art Center, Tokyo, last Wednesday. Followers of the Japanese fashion are able to see their early products when they first opened in the late 1970’s to their Shibuya Casual style, known as Shibu-Kaji, from the late 80’s. It’s an historical, nostalgic throwback across their archive. Exclusive merchandise is also being sold featuring the ‘American Life Shop BEAMS’ logo which they branded upon establishing the brand.

A look at just some of the exhibits on display

BEAMS shopping bag from 1977

Shibu-Kaji outfit from late 1980’s

Exhibition-exclusive souvenir merch inspired by vintage BEAMS

This exhibition follows the unique trajectory of Japanese clothing, especially in post-World War Ⅱ Japan, as seen from both sides: that of designers who transmit culture by creating clothes and ideas, and that of users who receive it by wearing the clothes and at times create era-defining grassroots fashion movements. It offers a comprehensive overview that references the predominant media of each era, such as newspapers, magazines, and advertisements.

In the mid to late 1970’s, BEAMS was at the forefront of spreading casual wear to people, stocking some of the country’s most notable brands and designers. BEAMS opened its first store in Harajuku in 1976 where it sold shirts, shoes, and other items. In 1977 they introduced their own shopping bag, and the following year opened up their first BEAMS F selling traditional men’s style clothing. It was around this time that beams released their POPEYE magazine too. All of this and more is explore at the exhibition along with commentary.

A talk event titled “Lifestyle Tips: POPEYE & BEAMS” will also take place on July 3 at the museum.

HOSHINOYA Tokyo, a ryokan in Tokyo, introduced a new experience for guests last Tuesday which invites them for some early morning kenjutsu sword training atop a 160-meter tall building to refresh the mind and body. This Japanese swordsmanship practice teaches not only the large movements, but the breathing techniques used too. It requires the full use of the entire body coupled with lung-stimulating controlled breathing. Since the practice takes place on a towering site, your vision is unobscured, allowing you to see afar while bathing in the morning rays. You can also spot many famous Tokyo buildings too including Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower.

The area surrounding Otemachi where HOSHINOYA Tokyo is located is mostly made up of office buildings and business skyscrapers in the modern day, but it was formerly home to the daimyo’s main Tokyo mansion where samurais resided during the Edo Period. During the Bakumatsu at the end of the Edo Period, there was an establishment called Edo Sandai Dojo where swordsmen went to train. The town flourished as a site for honing your skills with a sword. HOSHINOYA Tokyo’s sword training experience is a nod back to that time and a chance for people to get their bodies moving in a safe environment during sedentary COVID-19 times.

Early Morning Practice in the Sky

1. An original practice created by HOSHINOYA Tokyo that combines swordsmanship and deep breathing

Participants will be taught by a master of Hokushin Ittō-ryū, a form of ko-ryū old-school sword fighting. They will begin by learning how to hold and operate a bokutō wooden sword as well as foot movements before the proper practice begins. They will learn about being conscious of the tanden, the point below the navel that’s a focus point for internal medatitive techniques, as well as sword techniques such as makkōgiri which is a large slice with the sword from top to bottom, dōgiri which is cutting horizontally, kesagiri which is a diagonal slash, and more. All of this is not only to teach sword fighting, but take relieve tension and stress too by utilising the whole body.

2. Soak up the sights of the cityscape basked in the morning light

The practice takes place on a helicopter landing pad atop an enormous skyscraper. From the building, you can see Akihabra, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and many other areas and districts of modern day Tokyo which serves as an interesting combination while practicing a traditional Japanese art.

Two pop-up shops, the SSSS.DYNAZENON @ Dash Store and SSSS.GRIDMAN @ Dash Store, are now open at Animate Akihabara and Animate Osaka Nipponbashi until June 24. The stores are themed on Tsuburaya Productions and Studio Triggers’ anime series SSSS.DYNAZENON, which began airing in April, and SSSS.GRIDMAN.

SSSS.DYNAZENON @ Dash Store

SSSS.GRIDMAN @ Dash Store

Fans of the series can get their hands on a range of pre-sale and exclusive merchandise. For every ¥2,000 spent, they can get their hands on one of five possible bromide illustrations, and if they spend over ¥3,000, they’ll enter for a chance to win a special poster.

Bromides (5 Designs)

Special Poster

The Line-Up

Dash Store Exclusive T-Shirts | 5 Designs | ¥7,150 Each (Tax Included)

Dash Store Exclusive Bottles | 2 Designs | ¥2,200 Each (Tax Included) (All come with one of 3 possible illustrated cards)

Dash Store Exclusive Metal Sticker Sets | 2 Designs | DYNAZENON ¥1,320 – GRIDMAN ¥880 (Tax Included)

Dash Store Exclusive T-Shirt | ¥2,750 (Tax Included)

Dash Store Exclusive Stainless Thermo Tumbler | ¥2,750 (Tax Included)

Pre-Sale Acrylic Stands | 5 Designs | ¥1,980 Each (Tax Included)

Pre-Sale Tapestries | 5 Designs | ¥3,850 Each (Tax Included)

Pre-Sale Pin Set | DYNAZENON ¥1,320 – GRIDMAN ¥880 (Tax Included)

©円谷プロ ©2021 TRIGGER・雨宮哲／「DYNAZENON」製作委員会
©円谷プロ ©2018 TRIGGER・雨宮哲／「GRIDMAN」製作委員会

SHIBUYA109 Entertainment is set to release The Walt Disney Company’s Pride Collection at SHIBUYA109 and MAGNET by SHIBUYA109 as part of Shibuya Pride Month. The collection will be available from June 18 to July 1.

The Walt Disney Company’s Pride Collection

The Walt Disney Company’s Pride Collection/SHIBUYA109

Free multipurpose case for buyers

SHIBUYA109’s ethos is about making today’s dreamers shine. Their collaboration with Shibuya Pride Month is to spread the positive message of creating a society where people can live however they want to live.

The Walt Disney Company’s Pride Collection is a unisex line-up of original items by five popular brands at SHIBUYA109 and MAGNET by SHIBUYA109 with Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars logos and character designs featuring rainbow colours.

A digital catalogue by creative director Wataru LINDA Igarashi was released showcasing each item in the collection. Special online events by SHIBUYA109 will also take place as part of the Pride celebration. Igarashi also created a collection of bucket hats, hoodies, sweaters, bandanas, stickers, and more as part of The Walt Disney Company’s Pride Collection.

The The Quintessential Quintuplets ∬ anime series teamed up with THE CHARA SHOP for a special event inside Ikebukuro Marui in Tokyo which is set to run until June 17.

Merch Line-Up

Pins | 6 Designs (Chosen Randomly) | ¥440 Each (Tax Included)

Micro Fibre Clothes | 5 Designs | ¥660 Each (Tax Included)

Key Rings | 5 Designs | ¥880 Each (Tax Included)

Mug | ¥1,650 (Tax Included)

Large Acrylic Stand | 5 Designs | ¥1,980 Each (Tax Included)

Mini Acrylic Art | 5 Designs | ¥2,200 Each (Tax Included)

B2 Tapestry | 5 Designs | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

Fans of the anime series can get their hands on presales of a collection of ‘school rock’ themed merchandise. And for every ¥3,000 spent on items, you can enter for the chance to win extra free he Quintessential Quintuplets ∬  goodies too.

Marc Jacobs’ iconic The Snapshot Bag has released in two exclusive colours at Shibuya PARCO in Tokyo as well as their Japanese online store, serving early summertime vibes.

The Snapshot | Shibuya PARCO & Marc Jacobs Japan Online Exclusive

Left Photo: Exclusive Models – Both ¥47,300 | Right Photo: 3D Painted Flowers – ¥71,500, Crystals – ¥62,700 (Tax Included)

Arriving first on the 2016 Spring/Summer runway, the Marc Jacobs Snapshot is a collection of cute and compact bag purses made to wear across the body. Each model is kitted out with audacious colours with oversized double-J hardware. All come with a detachable strap.

The new and exclusive duo of blue coloured bags come with webbed straps showcasing the detail that goes into the brand’s craftsmanship. Both models add a sense of freshness to a look. Additionally, the Marc Jacobs Shibuya PARCO store branch also offering their Customization Capsule collection, allowing customers to freely customise their bags.

Ueno Information Center is celebrating the 4th birthday of Xiang Xiang, the giant panda who was born at Ueno Zoo back in 2017, with the release of a merchandise collection. The line-up arrived on Wednesday and is available both at the information center and via their online store.

Although strict measures are in place at the center to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading, celebrations for Xiang Xiang aren’t completely cancelled, as fans of the adorable panda, who has become something of an idol in Ueno, can get their hands on some fun goodies.

Ueno Panda Family Memorial Pins 2021 | ¥2,530 (Tax Included)

Ueno Panda Family Clear Pouch YE | ¥2,200 (Tax Included)

Ueno Panda Family Cooling Lunch Tote Bag | ¥1,650 (Tax Included)

The collection features motifs of Xiang Xiang, her mother Shin Shin, and her father Ri Ri. The pin collection, which comes in a gold leaf-laced box, includes Shin Shin in a tree peony, Xiang Xiang amongst the cherry blossoms, and Ri Ri with lotus flowers.

The pouch sees Xiang Xiang happy and energetic with her parents. It comes in a summery yellow and is made from semi-transparent matted vinyl. Perfect for storing away makeup, stationery, and any other bits and bobs.

The cooling bag is made from aluminium on the inside for keeping your food fresh. It’s big enough for fitting a bento and 500ml bottle, making it handy for taking your lunch out with you.

Happy 4th Birthday, Xiang Xiang!

Narita Anime Deck opened its Gintama pop-up event last Tuesday which is set to run until July 15.

The Narita Anime Deck opened inside Narita International Airport Terminal 2 in November 2019. It’s an entertainment facility where travellers from around the world can experience and enjoy Japanese anime culture in various forms such as with character merchandise, food, events, and a variety of photo spots.

The event sees anime series characters Gintoki Sakata, Toshiro Hijikata, and Okita Sougo dressed as pilots and Shinsuke Takasugi as a traveller. These designs are featured on a range of merchandise, decorations, and the food menu.

One must-grab item is the face mask case which arrives in four designs – one for each character.

The food line-up includes the Uji Gintoki Don & Katsudon Hijikata Special Set. This meal and dessert comes with an Uji matcha syrup-covered anko bowl which is based off the food that Gintoki gives to a cat. You can also order a latte featuring latte art of your favourite character. For every item ordered on the menu, you get a free coaster. These come in two design collections: one is available now and will be replaced by the other on June 19.

And if you spend over ¥3,000 on Gintama merchandise at the event, you’ll receive a free card. Fans can also get a free lunch mat if they spend over ¥4,000 and the shop or eat-in restaurant and show their receipts.

nel craft chocolate tokyo, a craft chocolate shop located in Nihonbashihamacho, Tokyo, released two chocolate shaved ice desserts last Wednesday for the hot summer season. The desserts are also being sold at Saryo Tsukikage, a restaurant inside the hot spring ryokan Yuen Bettei Daita in Setagaya.

Left: Cacao Kintoki | Right: White Cacao Kintoki

Cacao kintoki is a type of shaved ice made with specially-selected cacao beans from Vietnam. It uses a ‘bean to bar’ method where the shaved ice is made from scratch, roasting the beans fresh to create the dessert.

The two new treats at nel use a chocolate base and add cacao pulp to the mix, adding a natural fruity flavour derived from the bean. Each is also served with a special cacao sauce for extra flavour. The white cacao version is made by combining with in-house white chocolate. It also comes with an Okinawan passion fruit and cacao pulp sauce, resulting in a sour kick and refreshing taste.

Saryo Tsukikage

The open-air baths at Yuen Bettei Daita

A special matcha version of this shaved ice can also be enjoyed while bathing in the open-air baths at Yuen Bettei Daita. It’s made with nel’s homemade white chocolate as well as dark chocolate, cacao pulp, and specially-selected yame matcha from Shimokita Chaen Ōyama, a cafe in Setagaya.

June 21 will mark three years since MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM: EPSON teamLab Borderless first opened. Located in Odaiba, Tokyo, the digital art museum is commemorating its anniversary with two new installations: Sketch Aquarium: Connected World and Sharing Rock Mass, Transcending Space. Experience digital art, which blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, change in real time as people come into contact with it.

MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM: EPSON teamLab

Sketch Aquarium: Connected World

teamLab describes this exhibit:

The fish drawn by everyone swim around in this aquarium.

Color in a fish on the paper provided. See the picture you have drawn come to life in the massive aquarium in front of you, swimming together with the fish drawn by other people. If you touch the swimming fish, they will swim away. If you touch the food bags, you can also feed the fish.

The tuna you draw will transcend the boundaries of the artwork and swim out into the Sketch Aquariums and Sketch Oceans of exhibitions around the world. And the tuna drawn in other parts of the world may appear and swim in the Sketch Aquarium right in front of you.

Sharing Rock Mass, Transcending Space

teamLab describes this exhibit:

A rock mass floats in the world of the teamLab Borderless museum in Shanghai. The rock mass floats through the hallway of teamLab Borderless Shanghai and sinks into the wall. The rock mass transcends the physical space of the museum itself, the part that sinks into the wall appears in the world of the teamLab Borderless museum in Tokyo.

When people touch the part of the rock mass emerging in Tokyo, it shines with blue light. This light flows to the rock mass sunken into the wall in Shanghai. When people touch the part of the rock mass sunken into the wall in Shanghai, it shines with a red light which flows to the rock mass here in Tokyo. When red light flows into the rock mass, it indicates that someone in Shanghai is touching the rock mass.

teamLab is represented by Pace Gallery, Martin Browne Contemporary and Ikkan Art International.

ICHIBIKO is a new strawberry dessert-themed cafe that opened at Tokyu Food Show in Shibuya, Tokyo, on June 1. The shop’s concept is centred on letting people enjoy strawberries all year round served in a variety of sweet and succulent ways.

Migaki-Ichigo Pudding | 3 Flavours

The Migaki-Ichigo Pudding is a Japanese-style custard pudding made with a layer of custard and strawberry jam. The jam, which contains fresh juicy pieces of strawberry left over, is made from a type of high quality strawberry called Migaki-Ichigo. These puddings are available in three flavours.

Migaki-Ichigo Pudding – Strawberry Custard | ¥432 (Tax Included)

Made with fresh cream and vanilla custard and combined with strawberry jam. Rich and full of fruity flavour.

Migaki-Ichigo Pudding – Condensed Strawberry Milk | ¥486 (Tax Included)

Layered with condensed milk instead of custard, lending a refreshing milky flavour to the sweet strawberry and giving a velvety texture.

Migaki-Ichigo Pudding – Strawberry Milk Yogurt | ¥432 (Tax Included)

Made with strawberry sauce-infused yogurt and Migaki-Ichigo jam giving a cool, refreshing flavour.

The new ICHIBIKO store also sells the brand’s most popular beverage, ICHIBIKO Milk, as well as baked confections, and fresh Migaki-Ichigo strawberries sourced directly from farmers.

A cute collection of kokeshi dolls inspired by the characters from the anime series My Hero Academia has been released in Japan.

My Hero Academia is an ongoing manga series by Kōhei Horikoshi’s serialised in Weekly Shonen Jump. It’s set in a world where 80% of people have special powers known as “Quirks.” In the story, people with Quirks aspire to become heroes to protect people and the society they live in. The fifth season of the series’ anime adaptation began airing in February, and a new anime film, My Hero Academia The Movie: World Heroes’ Mission, is slated for release this year.

Kokeshi Dolls | ¥4,400 Each (Tax Included)

The collection of 8cm-tall cute dolls feature designs of Deku, Bakugo, Uraraka, and Todoroki, all of whom are wearing their iconic Hero suits.

Tomura Shigaraki’s Hand | ¥3,300 (Tax Included)

The collection also includes a Shigaraki ware cup inspired by Tomura Shigaraki, a Villain in the series.

Todoroki’s Buckwheat Noodle Cup & Chopstick Set | ¥4,400 (Tax Included)

It even includes a set based on Todoroki’s buckwheat noodle cup and chopsticks. Now you can enjoy your noodles like him!

Orders for this collection are open in Japan until June 23. You can get them at Animate stores, Animate’s online shop, and via Movic.

©︎堀越耕平／集英社・僕のヒーローアカデミア製作委員会

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