ARTICLES
ART
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"BEAUTY" IS POWERAt Ippodo, beauty is power. The owner and curator of this gallery in Tokyo's luxurious Ginza district is Keiko Aono, a knowledgeable art connoisseur who is dedicated to showcasing contemporary art by Japan's top artists and rising stars alike. Savor Japanese art and culture in the intimacy of Ippodo's private tearoom - a tranquil, exclusive space for experiencing the Japanese tea ceremony while admiring exquisite works of art.
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APPRECIATING NATURE, THE JAPANESE WAYIn the art of bonsai, little pots hold fascinating miniature worlds encapsulating many of Japan’s ancient aesthetic ideals and philosophies. Meet an acclaimed bonsai master in Tokyo, and discover a new way to appreciate nature and Japanese culture through his timeless works of living art.
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RETAINING TRADITIONS WHILE GO BEYOND TRADITIONSThe kimono–a symbol of Japanese beauty and tradition – is continuing to evolve through the work of contemporary artisans. At a bright, airy boutique in Tokyo, HIROCOLEDGE reimagines the kimono for modern life with vivid designs based on timeless motifs.
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JAPAN BLUE MEETS THE FUTUREIndigo – the color of victory, the color of tradition, and the color of the future. Using all-natural ingredients and techniques passed down from the 8th century, Tateisucanna offers fashion imbued with the wisdom and beauty of Japan’s aizome indigo dyeing tradition.
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The Pinnacle of Craftsmanship : Bespoke Shoes by SonomitsuLovingly tailored to each customer, Sonomitsu’s handmade shoes are a superb example of Japanese craftsmanship. Cap your exploration of the charming, history-laden area of Yanesen in northeast Tokyo by visiting shoemaker Hajime Sonoda at his atelier for a personalized shoe consultation.
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EDO KUMIKO : AN INTRICATE AFFAIRVisit this small Edo workshop, specializing in delicate wooden latticework, and bring back a piece of Japanese carpentry history in the form of a beautiful andon lantern, a speciality of Takahiro Tanaka who continues this proud Tokyo tradition.
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EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC TRADITIONFrom traditional craft techniques to the elaborate tea ceremony, a host of unique hands-on experiences awaits the traveller to Tokyo.
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MEDITATION GALLERY KURENBOHVisit this unique gallery run by the art-loving head priest of Chohouin Temple for a meditative conversation with the carefully selected art pieces on display.
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MORNING YOGA IN A VERITABLE MUSEUMMorning yoga classes at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo in Meguro ward invite yogis of all levels from beginner to advanced to practice in beautiful art-filled surroundings. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxed healthy breakfast in the boutique hotel’s top-floor lounge.
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NEW WAVE MEETS TRADITIONUkiyo-e – the striking woodblock prints that inspired Monet and Van Gogh and set the course of fashion in Edo-era Japan. Uncover your own authentic masterpiece at Hara Shobo in Kanda, and bring home a one-of-a-kind masterpiece of Japanese art.
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MEET AN ART LEGEND AT GALERIE NICHIDOIn trendsetting Tokyo, the styles, stories, and tastes of the time are constantly being reinvented across all genres of art. For lovers of contemporary oil painting, Galerie Nichido in Ginza has been keeping the field fertile for nearly a century.
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A TREASURE TROVE OF JAPANESE CONTEMPORARY ARTBelying its stern, imposing contemporary design, the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo in Koto ward proves to be a fun, stimulating, and surprising place to visit for adults and children alike. It’s a must-visit for contemporary art fans and architecture buffs.
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DIGITAL ART IN TOKYOIf there's anywhere in the metropolis where you'll feel unbounded by space, it's at the teamLab's signature venue: Planets. Even time seems to warp in this otherworld where art and technology intersect.
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TOKYO ARCHITECTUREFrom centuries-old wooden temples to skyscrapers of steel and glass, Tokyo has it all.
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FANTASTIC ART FOUND ONLY IN TOKYOTokyo’s art scene is a thriving mix of well-established museums and smaller innovative galleries showcasing the best of the new.
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MUST-VISIT TOKYO MUSEUMSTokyo offers a surprising number of museums as well as art galleries. The museums listed here are top recommendations for any Tokyo sojourn.
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COLLABORATION OF BLOWING AND CARVINGEdo Kiriko glass – a handmade artistic tradition crystallizing the spirt of Tokyo. Glass hand-blown by Tajima Glass and carved and polished by artisan workshops such as Hanashyo offer you a perfect, breathtaking memento of Tokyo that will endure for generations.
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OLD MEETS NEW: MODERN CULTURE AND TRADITIONS MERGETradition need not stand still. Tokyo, the neon metropolis, was once Edo, the cradle of culture. Today, artists and artisans across the city are keeping that culture alive in innovative ways connecting old and new, expressing classical ideas through a different lens for successive generations.