by Amane Tatsumura, As a child, I used to play in a workshop where some of the world’s most talented weavers sat at wooden looms and created masterpieces. Today, I am a 4th generation weaver in Kyoto. I design and weave one-of-a-kind art pieces. Instead of paints and brushes, I have chosen to make original…

A TREE MOVES IN MINATO-KU It’s a matter of priorities.  Minato Ward has its right! Unbeknownst to me, the powers that are in Tokyo’s Minato ward, where many Embassies are located, and many international residents of Tokyo live, decided that the venerable camphor tree in the historic Arisugawa Park needed to be moved.  By chance or…

By Joan B. Mirviss The third solo exhibition of celebrated artist, Shoko KOIKE will be held at Joan B Mirviss LTD. September 11 – October 19, 2018 Joan B Mirviss LTD 39 E 78 Street, New York, NY 10075 Shoko KOIKE (b. 1943) has always taken inspiration from nature, especially from the sea and plants….

The work of Jin MORIGAMI is currently being shown in his first U.S. solo at Tai Modern Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, until September 22nd, 2018. Morigami’s delicate designs are presented as a radical departure from traditional Japanese bamboo basketry.   “To materialize your vision in bamboo art, you have to keep working with…

by Elizabeth Andoh Botanically a fruit, not a vegetable, eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a member of the nightshade family (as is the tomato and potato). Thought to have originated in India thousands of years ago, the Chinese were probably the first to make use of eggplant in a culinary manner. Widely known throughout Asia, eggplant…

Hands & Earth: Six Perspectives on Japanese Contemporary Ceramics Biographical information by Joan Mirviss and Trevor Menders Now open at the Lowe Art Museum Image courtesy of Sokyo Gallery KINO SATOSHI (b. 1987) Fascinated by the potential of fired porcelain to mimic stone when polished, Kino Satoshi chose to focus on porcelain when in art…

3 minute video The late kabuki actor, NAKAMURA Kanzaburo V, performs a comedy medly of dance styles inspired by a number of famous kabuki performers of the 20th century.  Biography  Nakamura died at the young age of 57, in 2012. The 3 minute video focuses on a legendary 1930’s tap dance-inspired performance.  If you have…

A review by John Dwaine McKenna of Barry Lancet’s latest book Although prognostication and predicting the future isn’t what we normally do here at the MBR, there’s always exceptions, and this is one.  I’m gonna stick my neck all the way out to the cut-on-the-dotted-line tattoo and forecast the near future.  In about a week…