Creative company NAKED has begun producing a collection of workshops on traditional crafts found in Saga Prefecture. Along with local creators, the event will continue through February 2022.
NAKED, together with Saga Prefecture, started a project called the ‘Saga Art Prefectural Government Project’ in 2016, which focuses on promoting the night economy in Saga. From the fall of 2021 until winter 2022, visitors to Saga will be able to enjoy a night walk surrounded by lanterns and local pieces of artwork.
During this event, workshops led by Saga’s top creators will invite visitors to create a number of unique, personalized items, from lanterns to hand lotion. Certain workshops are for both adults and children, making this a fun event for the entire family.
Workshops
aroma*aroma Fragrance School Seminar House: Aromatherapy Soap Making for Parents and Children
Arita Porcelain Lab Painting Experience
Ogi Akari Project Bamboo Lantern Making Experience
Making Magatama at Yoshinogari Historial Park
Balloon Museum: Paper Balloon Making Experience for Parents and Children
full of flowers hyakka Flower Swag Making Experience
aroma*aroma Fragrance School Seminar House (with aroma lecture) Hand Cream Making Experience
Bubbleman Store for Adults: Saga Lotion Making Experience/ Bubbleman Store Candy Soap Making Experience for Parents and Children
Ureshino Warmth Festival Lantern Making Experience
Information
Night Walking Art Display NAKED GARDEN SAGA
Address: Saga Prefectural Office, Top Floor Observation Hall
Running: October 1, 2021 – February 28, 2022
Hours: 18:30-22:00 *Final entry at 21:30
Tickets: https://w.pia.jp/t/nakedgarden-saga/
Workshop Reservations: https://reserva.be/artkencho（Fee/Reservation Required)
Location: Saga Prefectural Office B1F ‘Sagachika’
Official Site: https://naked.co.jp
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Tomioka Silk Fantasia ~Festival of Silk~, an Exciting Event Combining Video, Music, and Fashion, to Be Held at Tomioka Silk Mill, a World Cultural Heritage Site!
An incredible event combining video, music, and fashion, Tomioka Silk Fantasia ~Festival of Silk~ will be held at the Tomioka Silk Mill, a National Treasure and World Cultural Heritage Site. The event will be held with support from the city of Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture, and will run for approximately two weeks starting on October 6, 2023.
Guests will be able to enjoy the NAKED Yorusampo -Tomioka- and Tomioka Silk Fantasia as they explore the historic site. The special event was directed by renowned international director Junya Yamada in collaboration with NAKED Inc., which continues to captivate audiences with its digital artworks including projection mapping and illuminations.
<NAKED Yorusampo™ -Tomioka->
'NAKED Yorusanpo™' is an outdoor immersive night walk concept by NAKED. Previously, the unique event has been held in various regions, including the Ikaho Onsen town in Gunma Prefecture and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Zuiganji Temple in Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, to promote the nighttime economy of different areas. Even in tourist destinations where businesses tend to close early at night, this event breathes new life into the city's landmarks through illuminations and projection mapping, allowing tourists to make the most of their evenings and supporting measures for dispersed tourism.
Experience NAKED's grand projection mapping, lantern art, and Flower Fortune while enjoying the night at Tomioka Silk Mill, a national treasure and UNESCO World Heritage site.
＜Tomioka Silk Fantasia＞
On October 14 and 15, guests can enjoy live music and a fashion show on a special stage in front of the Tomioka Silk Mill’s West Cocoon Warehouse. Live music performers include DE DE MOUSE, a composer, producer, and DJ from Gunma Prefecture; bala, a Tokyo-based creative collective of female artists and creators; and Yasushi Yamabe, a taiko drummer active both in Japan and abroad.
DE DE MOUSE
bala
Taishi Yamabe
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a tour of the area between Jyoshu-Tomioka Station and Tomioka Silk Mill in cooperation with local restaurants and facilities. Please come experience a fantastic night in Tomioka City, where silk and fantasy are woven together in a fusion of images, music, and fashion, as if you have entered a different dimension.
Contents
・NAKED Distance Lanterns®
Introducing NAKED's unique art-inspired lanterns, born during the COVID-19 pandemic. When you take a leisurely stroll with one of these lanterns in hand, the ground comes alive with colors and patterns unique to each location, allowing you to be a part of the mesmerizing light display.
For this event, inspiration was drawn from the location of Tomioka Silk Mill in Gunma Prefecture, which has strong ties to the art of natural dyeing. As a result, five color variations will be available: red, blue, pink, green, and yellow, all inspired by the vibrant hues of plant-based dyes.
*Lantern rentals: ¥500 per turn (Tax Included)
・NAKED Flower Fortune®
Introducing the wildly popular art fortune-telling, NAKED Flower Fortune®, which even ranked high in domestic rapid retweets on X (formerly Twitter). Choose your favorite flower from a variety of colors and shapes, and you'll encounter the perfect message for that moment. The flower ornaments attached to the fortune can be transformed into art by tying them to a wooden branch to make the flowers bloom, making them a great souvenir to take home as a keepsake.
*Price: ¥500 each (Tax Included)
・Tomioka Silk Mill West Cocoon Warehouse
The highlight of this event is the massive projection mapping show on the stage of the national treasure, Tomioka Silk Mill West Cocoon Warehouse, spanning approximately 45 meters in width. As the giant silk wraps around the building, the lush flora of Tomioka bursts forth. After enjoying the changing seasons of nature, step into a nostalgic world featuring retro signs and lanterns. Experience the unique and culturally rich presentation that is characteristic of Tomioka's deep historical heritage.
・Tomioka Silk Fantasia
A special event will unfold at the Tomioka Silk Mill World Heritage site. Come enjoy an event featuring artistic direction by renowned director Junya Yamada, a mesmerizing live performance by DE DE MOUSE, a high-art fashion show that seamlessly harmonizes with live music, and a powerful taiko drum performance by Yasushi Yamabe. Additionally, guests can enjoy an energetic performance by the creative collective girls group bala. Projection mapping will enhance the space, adding even more charm to the beautiful Tomioka Silk Mill, where history and the future intersect. From Gunma to the world, immerse yourself over the course of one special night where various cultures can come together to exchange unique experiences and celebrate.
・Tomioka Silk Mill East Cocoon Warehouse Illumination
The Tomioka Silk Mill East Cocoon Warehouse World Heritage site is illuminated, allowing visitors to savor its unique nighttime beauty that differs entirely from daytime. Enjoy the enchanting and fantastical nighttime scenery that you wouldn't typically be able to see.
・The Historic Nirazuka Silk Mill Illumination
The historic Nirazuka Silk Mill is illuminated, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy its beauty in a way that differs from daylight. Enjoy this enchanting and fantastical nighttime scenery that you wouldn't typically be able to see.
・Tomioka Night Gourmet Stroll
A collaborative event with "Tomioka Silk Fantasia - Festival of Silk." We introduce dining and souvenir shops around Tomioka Silk Mill that are open during the event period. Enjoy delicious local cuisine unique to Tomioka.
Presale tickets are now available from ZAIKO and Rakuten Ticket.
Additional information will be announced in the future.
Information
Tomioka Silk Fantasia ~Festival of Silk~
[Schedule]
<NAKED Yorusanpo™ -Tomioka->
October 6~8 / 13~15, 18:00~20:00
<Tomioka Silk Fantasia>
October 14 / 15, 18:00~20:00
<Venue>
<NAKED Yorusanpo™ -Tomioka->
Tomioka Silk Mill, Former Nirazuka Silk Mill, Shirukuru Square Gazebo (In front of City Hall)
<Tomioka Silk Fantasia>
Special stage in front of the Tomioka Silk Mill’s West Cocoon Warehouse
[Fees]
<NAKED Yorusanpo™ -Tomioka->
Viewing Ticket (Standing): ¥1,500 (Tax Included) *Included in event fee on October 14 & 15
<Tomioka Silk Fantasia>
Presale (Unreserved Seats): ¥4,500 (Tax Included) / Presale (Standing): ¥3,500 (Tax Included)
<Shared>
NAKED Distance Lanterns®: ¥500 (Tax Included) / NAKED Flower Fortune®: ¥500 (Tax Included) / Local Discount *1 / Student Discount *2
*Local Discount *1
・Locals can receive ¥1,000 cash back at the venue by purchasing a ticket and presenting an official ID that verifies their address on the day of the event. Photocopies will not be accepted.
・Limited to those who purchase tickets on the day of the event (Cannot be handled at a later date).
・If you cannot present an ID or proof of address, you will not be eligible for a refund.
*Student Discount
・Must show proof of age (official ID for elementary school students, student ID for junior high and high school students) to receive ¥1,000 cash back at the venue. Photocopies will not be accepted.
・If you cannot present a valid ID, you will not be eligible for a refund.
[Ticket Agencies]
ZAIKO (Digital Tickets only): https://tomiokasilkfantasia.zaiko.io/item/359609
Rakuten Ticket: https://r-t.jp/tomiokasilkfantasia[Performers]
DE DE MOUSE / bala / Taishi Yamabe[Contents]
Projection mapping, fashion show, live music and DJ, illumination, local business participation, etc.[Sponsors]
Tomioka City / Tomioka Silk Mill World Heritage RUNWAY Executive Committee[Co-Host]
Tomioka City Tourism Association[Planning and Production]
Channel47 / ASOBISYSTEM[Overall Direction]
David J Production[Spatial Direction]
NAKED / growB Emotions[Performers]
DE DE MOUSE / bala / Taishi Yamabe[Contents]
Projection mapping, fashion show, live music and DJ, illumination, local business participation, etc.
[Sponsors]
Tomioka City / Tomioka Silk Mill World Heritage RUNWAY Executive Committee
[Co-Host]
Tomioka City Tourism Association
[Planning and Production]
Channel47 / ASOBISYSTEM
[Overall Direction]
David J Production
[Spatial Direction]
NAKED / growB Emotions
[Video Direction]
Kohei Taki (Only on the 14th/15th)
[Official Website]
https://tomiokasilkfantasia.jp
[Social Media]
Instagram (@tomiokasilkfantasia): https://www.instagram.com/tomiokasilkfantasia/
X (Formerly Twitter) (@silkfantasia): https://twitter.com/silkfantasia
◼︎About Junya Yamada (David J.PRODUCTION)
Junya Yamada presented the stage production “THE SAKE” at the world’s largest theater festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and earned a 5-star rating. In recent years, he has expanded his activities to Asia and served as the overall director for the mega fashion show “TMALL COLLECTION” by China’s largest e-commerce site, TMALL, which is part of the Alibaba Group.
In Japan, Junya Yamada has been involved in various large-scale entertainment productions, including “Tokyo Hanabi Taikai EDOMODE,” “Hatsune Miku × Kodo Special Live,” and the stage production “INSPIRE Onmyoji,” starring Takao Osawa. His work spans a wide range of fields, including traditional performing arts, music events, fireworks displays, combat sports, theater, and cultural events, showcasing the diversity of his creative endeavors.
David J.PRODUCTION: https://davidjpro.com/
◼︎About NAKED, INC.
Founded in 1997 by Ryoitaro Muramatsu, a creative company known for its dedication to the philosophy of ‘Core Creative, Total Creation, and Borderless Creativity.’ Operating across various genres, the company has been actively engaged in a wide range of activities. In recent years, they have been creating diverse experiences that blend the realms of the real and the virtual. Their work spans across art, entertainment, culture, tradition, education, music, urban development, food, sports, and every facet of life, generating new experiences and value.
Starting in 2022, they have embarked on a project called ‘NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO,’ focusing on Kyoto’s metaverse and AR/VR initiatives to deliver cultural expression and art experiences that bridge the virtual and the real.
Some of their notable projects include the Tokyo Station Projection Mapping ‘TOKYO HIKARI VISION,’ the immersive flower art exhibition ‘NAKED FLOWERS’ held at world heritage sites like Nijo Castle and in cities like Tokyo and Hong Kong, the music experience ‘HUMANOID DJ’ created by artificial intelligence (AI), the experiential restaurant ‘TREE by NAKED yoyogi park,’ and ‘Sakura Night Garden at Shinjuku Gyoen’ among others.
NAKED, INC.: https://naked.co.jp
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Ukiyo-e paintings became popular during the Edo Period of Japanese history. For those weaning to see some of the most rad ukiyo-e paintings around, the new book Edo Punk! The Dynamic World of Ukiyo-e is now available at bookstores nationwide and online. Luckily, the book is also bilingual in English and Japanese! Kuniyoshi Utagawa, popular in Japan and abroad and known for his unique perspective, and Yoshitoshi Tsukioka, the inspiration for many modern manga series, are both featured in this tome. The many pieces featured combine elements of fantastical beauty and harsh realities, and fans can read commentary by Shoko Haruki. Haruki worked at the Hokkaido Museum before becoming a curator at the Edo-Tokyo Museum in 2017. She specializes in Japanese art history. The book is now available at bookstores nationwide and online.
Information
Edo Punk! The Dynamic World of Ukiyo-e
Release Date: November 24, 2022
Price: ¥2,400 (Excluding Tax)
Author: Shoko Haruki
Official Site: https://pie.co.jp/book/i/5414/
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From December 10 until December 18, 2022, creative company NAKED will hold NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO at Ninna-ji! The event is part of a larger next-generation art project being held around Kyoto until Christmas Day. This exhibition marks the first metaverse-centered event at Ninna-ji, and guests will be able to enjoy a virtual fashion show in collaboration with Jotaro Saito, a kimono designer from Kyoto. Participants will begin by creating their own avatar by snapping a photo of their face. After that, they will be able to choose a kimono by Saito to use as clothing for their avatar before taking to the runway with other visitors from all around Japan. NAKED’s goal is to bring traditional Japanese kimono culture into the digital space, and the company believes that this is only the beginning. In the future, NAKED hopes to bring other artists into the metaverse as well. NAKED Distanced Lanterns
NAKED Tsukubai Five-Storied Pagoda Projection Mapping DANDELION PROJECT Virtual Fashion Show Limited Edition Paper Goshuin This year’s event also includes the DANDELION PROJECT, popular with art fans around the world. Created by Ryotaro Muramatsu, the art project has appeared in a number of towns and cities around the world, inviting participants to create flowers and send them around the globe digitally as a hope for peace. Visitors can use their smartphones to send dandelion fluff digitally to other participants around the world, sharing a wish for world peace. This year, the participatory art piece was installed in the main temple. Why not visit this stunning exhibition in Kyoto this winter? Information
NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO Ninna-ji
Venue: Ninna-ji (Five-storied Pagoda, Main Temple)
Running: December 10 – December 18, 2022
*No admission on December 17 due to a private event.
Hours: 17:30-21:30 *Last entry at 21:00
Official Site: https://garden.naked.works/kyoto/ -
monopo Collaborates with Kyoto-Based Brand Shokuraku Asano to Share Traditional Japanese Textiles with the World
Global creative agency monopo is teaming up with Shokuraku Asano, a 100-year-old obi maker from Kyoto! The company is working to create a digital experience for interested viewers, sharing each artisan’s personal story. Those who love Japanese culture are welcome to enjoy traditional Japanese crafts in an entirely new way! Using a one-of-a-kind QR obi, a new storytelling method is showing off the hard work and love that goes into the company’s textiles. A special website and video allow interested viewers to experience the process of making an obi digitally, simply by using their smartphone. Even those unable to visit Japan to see these obi in person can dive into the history of the area’s textiles and become more acquainted with one part of Kyoto’s manufacturing culture.Kyoto was the ancient capital of Japan. The city is known for its history and preservation of Japanese culture, and prior to the pandemic, the city was constantly filled with visitors from around the world anxious to learn more about the country’s traditional culture. When the pandemic hit the world in 2020, it changed the city forever–tourists disappeared and the city became much quieter. Now that Japan has opened its borders, however, tourists are returning in droves. While Shokuraku Asano upholds tradition, it also seeks to leave a mark on new generations by embracing new technology. This unique project is worth noting, so get your smartphone out and start learning! We applaud monopo's attempt to share this incredible traditional Japanese craftsmanship with people around the world. Information
monopo × Shokuraku Asano
Official Site: https://obiproject.monopo.net/
Video Link: https://vimeo.com/724915502 -
Craft beer subscription service Otomoni opened orders for a new Tsundere-themed Hazy IPA on November 15, 2022. The beer has a sweetness level that changes on its temperature and was brewed as part of the 15th installment of the JAPANESE BEER ODYSSEY, which aims to share aspects of both traditional and modern Japanese culture through craft beer.
For better or worse, Japan’s otaku culture is now a major part of the country’s appeal to people around the world. Japan’s video game and anime market is now legendary around the globe, and millions flock to the country each year to become more immersed in its popular culture. Just look at the annual Comiket event–over 700,000 visitors attend each year! To celebrate the upcoming Comiket, a new beer has been brewed that pays homage to modern otaku culture. The Tsundere Hazy IPA is perfect for otaku who love a little challenge when it comes to their love life. Brewed with NOMCRAFT Brewing in Wakayama Prefecture, the Tsundere Hazy IPA features two distinct flavors, each coming out more strongly depending on the beer’s temperature. When poured, the beer has a very tropical aroma, and when ice-cold, it’s more refreshing and less sweet. As the temperature of the beer rises, the smell becomes more fruity and strong, with the smell of hibiscus certain to make your mouth water. Whether you like bitter or sweet, this may be the perfect beer for you. Would you try this tsundere-themed beer? -
Creative company NAKED has announced TOKYO TOWER CITY LIGHT FANTASIA ~2022 Winter~, an event bringing some incredible projection mapping technology to the main deck of the legendary Tokyo landmark. The event will start on November 18 and will invite guests to enjoy an illuminated winter night from far above the city.
*Concept Image NAKED has created some unique night-viewing experiences at Tokyo Tower in the past, combining the already beautiful cityscape with some new and exciting graphics themed for each season. For winter 2022, butterflies will take to the chilly night sky one after another, creating a show like no other for its three-minute span. This also serves as a great photo opportunity! Enjoy Tokyo as it begins to shine for the holiday season! Information
TOKYO TOWER CITY LIGHT FANTASIA ～2022 Winter～
Venue: Tokyo Tower Main Deck 2F, North Floor
Running: November 18, 2022 – February 12, 2023
Hours: 18:00~Close
Admission: Guests can enjoy the event by paying the standard price to visit the observation deck.Official Site: https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/