Once again, talk show host Jay Leno is in Japan test driving a pair of Japanese supercars – the Lexus LFA Spyder & the Nissan GT-R.
Atmos x Bounty Hunter
October 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I’m a big fan of graphic tees from Japan – here’s a collaboration between Atmos and Bounty Hunter. There’s a couple of color combos to choose from.
MSRP: Est. $81.00USD
I can’t afford a trip to Japan right now, so I guess I’m gonna go eBay apparel hunting!
For more details, check out: Atmos Tokyo.
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No Subtitles, but if you understand Japanese, then catch this interview by Sneaker Resource with Hikaru from Bounty Hunter and Yuichi Sato from Atmos:
Frankie’s Garage: JDM Retro Ride Videos
October 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment
American talk-show host Jay Leno, recently stopped by Japan to check out some classic JDM rides – the Datsun Fairlady Z and the Toyota 2000GT.
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Halloween Horror: Silent Hill – Revelation 3D
October 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Based on Konami’s survival-horror video game franchise, Silent Hill: Revelation 3D is the sequel to the 2006 original film. This flick will be based on the Silent Hill 3 video game and it looks pretty scary. On a side note, I still can’t play the original Silent Hill game with the lights off.
The film is set to be released in theatres on October 26, 2012.
Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton = Concept Store
October 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
A few months ago, we here at Retrenders showcased the purses that were designed by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama (https://retrenders.com/2012/06/11/louis-vuitton-x-yayoi-kusama/) in collaborating with Louis Vuitton. Kusama’s bio is as interesting as her body of work and that’s exactly what fascinated Marc Jacob at Louis Vuitton. Recently in London, Selfridges, a high end department store in the UK, launched a window display designed by Kusama in collaboration with Louis Vuitton. It is nothing but spectacular and is a total treat for the eye.
Selfridges & Co
400 Oxford Street
London
W1A 1AB
Contact store for Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton Concept Store Hours.
For more info, go to: Selfridges.com – Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton.
I Want to Look like an Anime Character
October 2, 2012 by 4 Comments
I’m real, not a drawing!!!
Taking “anime eyes” to a whole new level:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RToYbWEsbUs&feature=plcp
19-year old girl Anastasiya Shpagina from the Ukraine loves anime – here’s Anastasiya on a Ukrainian talk show explaining the “anime” look. No subtitles.
For more info, read the article at: Examiner – Real Life Anime Girl.
Urban Design: Rest & Play Area
October 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Image via 24° Studio
As part of the Shitsurai Art International Competition, Crater Lake was one of the winning art installation projects to be installed in Kobe, Japan. This structure has all the features I adore in a design – simple, elegant, & functional. Can you imagine this art piece lined along one of the piers or maybe even Fishermen’s Wharf here in San Francisco? This installation can serve a multitude of functions – a bench to rest, an area for the kids to play on and I just know all the skateboarders are eyeing this wondering what trick they can do off this.
For images and details, go to: 24° Studio – Crater Lake.
Spotlight #6: The Art of Junko Mizuno
September 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment
ALHAMBRA, CA. Known for her “cute noir” art style in Japan and in the States, Junko Mizuno is an underground artist that has been featured worldwide on television and in print media. We caught up with Junko at Gallery Nucleus for her exhibition on Hansel & Gretel. Listen to Junko in her own words on her art and career by Project 760 Productions’ Richard Sze.
Jay Tsujimura: DSLR Bling Bling Jewlery
August 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment
bI’m all for adorning myself with certain blings. Bling for my fingers and neck is a must – though the verdict is still out on bling for my teeth and other unmentionable body parts. What about bling for the camera? I love my camera but it never occurred to me to adorn it with jewelry. I have to give these guys creative points for going where no one has ever thought of. The designs are very masculine and definitely wouldn’t mind having them as rings or necklaces.
Muji Stationery Landscape
August 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I just can’t wait until Muji opens up in SF so I’ve been busy getting familiar with their product line. Once they open their door, I will be so there with my wallet in hand.
Junko Mizuno “Hansel & Gretel” Art @ Nucleus
August 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment
If you are in the LA Alhambra area stop by Nucleus for a neat gallery opening by artist Junko Mizuno this Saturday. The event begins at 7:00pm and will showcase her take on the Grimm Brothers’ Hansel & Gretel. The Hansel & Gretel exhibit will run from August 18, 2012 through September 9, 2012. Also, there are art prints to purchase and prizes to be given – plus Junko will be there in-person for autographs.
Acura x The Avengers = NSX
August 16, 2012 by 2 Comments
If you watched The Avengers film this summer, Tony Starks and Bruce Banner hop into an Acura NSX sports car. Now, TSM brings us this 1/43 scale quality resin collectible, the 2012 Acura NSX Roadster Avengers Special Edition.
Image via daboxToys
Star Wars Origami
August 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Where was this book when I was young and too poor to buy Kenner’s Star Wars action figures back in the 70’s? I could have folded my own Star War heroes but then, now that I think about it, I would have gotten my butt kicked by the neighborhood kids for having origami. Last week I posted a Yoda origami and it was a pretty creative art piece. With this book, you can extend beyond Yoda and create R2-D2 and the Millennium Falcon – plus it includes specially designed origami paper.
UNIQLO Pop-Up Shop in SF!
August 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The wait is OVER!!!
Are you tired of H&M style? Well move over H&M – Japanese retail giant UNIQLO is coming to San Francisco with a full 29,000 sq foot mega store on Powell Street this October 2012 just in time for the holidays. So to wet the hearts of stylish budget-minded fashion aficionados, UNIQLO has opened up a pop-up shop selling select men’s and women’s apparel. The downtown/financial district store will be open for another 3-4 months until the full-scale UNIQLO store opens.
Japan: FitEar ToGo 334
August 13, 2012 by 6 Comments
I attend the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas every year (I hope to bring back some great pics for Retrenders at next years show) and I have heard my share of amazing audiophile-quality headphones. Most of the high end $500+ headphones are over-the-head styles and I don’t remember ever seeing or hearing a pair of in-ear headphone in that price range. That’s why I was really drawn to Cnet’s “Best In-Ear Headphone” claim.
Muji Coming to San Francisco
August 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Muji is finally coming to San Francisco. The Japanese retail giant that specializes in consumer and household goods announced plans to open a SF store in November at 540 Ninth St. in the SOMA district. It will be the Muji’s first West Coast outlet and fifth store in the US. Also, it will be the largest in the US with 7,250 square feet of retail space and parking. Be the first in line but, in the meantime, get ready with what you want by checking out their website. (http://www.muji.us/)
The Sushi Bazooka
August 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I am a high volume sushi-eater at home. My wife just can’t keep up with the wrapping while I wolf down the sushi. Now with this gadget, I might have just met my match. Just simply open the device, put in the rice, fish, etc, and then shoot it out like a caulk gun. Heck, maybe this weekend, I can just put to use my caulk gun from Home Depot before this comes through the mail from Japan.
Suidobashi Heavy Industry – KURATAS
July 31, 2012 by Leave a Comment
My fellow Retrenders writer SW biko likes his Hyundai Elantra Zombie Survival car, but I will take this from Japan – the KURATAS:
ASICS x Hello Kitty
July 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Sanrio’s Hello Kitty teams up with ASICS in this collab. This collection features athletic graphic tees, tanks, arm warmers, hoodies and bags.
The Girl Skateboards Company x Sanrio
July 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Japan’s Sanrio will be joining forces with The Girl Skateboard Company for this collection of boards. Hello Kitty and her company of friends get the skateboard treatment.
Sanrio x Street Fighter
July 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Lightsaber Chopsticks!
July 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I tell my friends I’m buying these lightsaber chopsticks for my son but seriously, we all know this is for me. This is the newer version by Kotobukiya with LED lights glowing while you eat. You never know the next version might have an actual laser instead of an LED light. Imagine how cool that would be – just press the button and the lightsaber will slice your food.
Origami Yoda
July 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Image via Yoyo Ferro
Can’t wait until the rest of the Star Wars characters are made into origami form . Can you just imagine how awesome it will be to see the X-wing Fighter, Tie Fighter, or Darth Vader folded in paper?
For more info, go to: Inhabitat – Origami Yoda.
Hello Kitty Spa in Dubai
July 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Image via Highsnobette.com
Quietly, Hello Kitty has taken over the world. This is just another example that Hello Kitty is the new overlord of the world. But I digress, the Hello Kitty Spa in Dubai actually looks very peaceful and comfortable. I’m pretty comfortable in my masculinity to say that I really wouldn’t mind spending an afternoon there.
The Japanese Singing Note Toy
July 8, 2012 by 3 Comments
Japanese toys are innovative, unique, and just plain weird! But hey, what’s life if it’s not spontaneous? So, what did our favorite engineering friends come up with this time? It is the cutest and weirdest instrument ever!! See how it works! The man in the video is Novmichi Tosa, the inventor of Otomatone – this wacky new instrument sweeping the nation. It follows a scale and comes with musical notes and everything!
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