From April 21 until May 15, 2022, Startbahn is holding the ‘Made in Japan 3.0: Defining a New Phy-gital Reality’ exhibition at a pop-up venue in Hong Kong! A virtual showroom by VIRTRIX is also open for those who can’t attend in person.
‘Made in Japan 3.0: Defining a New Phy-gital Reality’ utilizes blockchain technology and NFTs to showcase cutting-edge Japanese creativity in the worlds of fashion, art, and crafts, bringing the physical and virtual worlds together. The lineup was brought together by Startbahn, a leader in blockchain and Web3 infrastructure in Japan. Participating artists include fashion stars Tomo Koizumi and Anrealage, ceramic artist Takahiro Koga, and Yumi Kishi, known for creating digital portraits using artificial intelligence. The latter has appeared in Vogue and worked with Nike.
Participating Fashion Brands / Designers, Artists
Fashion Brands / Designers
ANREALAGE
HIRUME
Masaya Kushino
TOMO KOIZUMI
YUIMA NAKAZATO
Ceramist
B-OWND / Takahiro Koga
Artist
Yuma Kishi
SBINFT Market Artists:
Tsuki
NauGhtEd
AURORA
NY_
gamacho
galcid
Haioka
mera takeru
marimosphere
Information
Made in Japan 3.0: Defining a New Phy-gital Reality
Running: April 23 – May 15, 2022
Hours: 12:00-20:00
Venue: Shop Go1, K11 Art Mall (K11 Car Park, 18 Hanoi Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong)
Virtual Showroom / Official Site: https://www.virtrix.io/startbahn/madeinjapan3.0
RELATED ENTRIES
-
The NFT project City Pop TOKYO is inspired, fittingly, by City Pop, a music genre from Japan that is immensely popular worldwide, particularly among Gen Z. Now, the project is collaborating with the incredibly popular idol group FRUITS ZIPPER! Starting at the end of April, Legendary NFTs inspired by the members of FRUITS ZIPPER will be released sequentially as part of the City Pop TOKYO NFT collection. These collaborative NFTs feature rare designs that are unique among the other characters in the City Pop TOKYO NFT collection and were drawn by Natsumi Sato, the illustrator who oversaw character design for the collection. This collaboration will commemorate the release of City Pop TOKYO's main collection, which will be available starting at the end of April. City Pop TOKYO will allow both NFT holders and non-holders to participate in new character development through a series of Twitter posts after the main NFT collection is sold. Characters will level up by earning training points when they post on Twitter, which will also be reflected in their NFT properties. The final ranking will be based on level, and a subsequent audition will be held, with winners being invited to join ASOBISYSTEM as new talents. For this collaboration, the wildly popular FRUITS ZIPPER is sure to bring some new excitement to this incredible project.
Information
<Collaboration Details>
●Seven FRUITS ZIPPER NFTs inspired by the group’s members will be added to the City Pop TOKYO collection as Legendary NFTs.
● Legendary NFTs were created by Natsumi Sato, the illustrator behind City Pop Tokyo. Each special edition release has its own unique parts.
● Unlike standard collections, Legendary NFTs will be sold via auction.Available: April 19 at 21:00 ~ April 20 at 21:00
Amount Available: 7
Price: To be determined at auctionBelow are the NFT designs. Illustrations will be sent to auction winners as NFTs.
<Special Benefits for Legendary NFT Holders>
● One NFT airdrop from City Pop TOKYO’s main NFT collection
● Easier to accumulate XP points when developing characters on Twitter
● A 3D model from the Gemie Metaverse (Design to be selected from airdrops from the main collection)
●NFT airdrops of future collections (details to be announced as soon as the collections are available)
*Legendary NFTs cannot participate in the promotional game or audition.
*The images and designs of the characters may be used by the FRUITS ZIPPER and its members during their activities.About City Pop TOKYO
City Pop TOKYO plans to release 1984 original NFTs based on City Pop, a music genre from Japan that is immensely popular worldwide, particularly among Gen Z. The project’s characters are featured in trendy outfits and makeup representing symbolic fashion styles in Japan, such as GAL, SHOWA, and REIWA. After the NFTs are sold out, they can be registered as talents with ASOBISYSTEM and entered into the METAVERSE’S GOT TALENT NFT talent audition using Twitter! Successful entries will be invited to have full-fledged virtual careers, appearing in ads and releasing music. Community members can participate in surveys and vote on songs and other releases, coming together to help develop new talent.Through this project, City Pop TOKYO will work to reaffirm the usefulness of Web 3.0 technology and NFT and further promote Japanese culture to people worldwide.
・Website: https://www.city-pop.tokyo/
・Twitter: @CityPopTokyoNFT
・Discord: https://www.city-pop.tokyo/<Participating Businesses>
Kingdom Labs
Kingdom Labs is a venture studio that aims to support and invest in projects in the gaming and toC areas within the Web 3.0 domain. The company provides consistent support to entrepreneurs building innovative business models across various industries, from planning to execution. One of the company’s key strategies is to partner with large companies that are expanding their business to Web 3.0 or that exist in a different area but hope to create Web 3.0 services. Kingdom Labs takes a unique, multi-disciplinary approach to maximize the interests of investors and partners, leverage its global team, and to grow its global portfolio and investment experience. The company also operates the world-renowned NFT collection Monkey Kingdom.Representative: CSO Maurice Ng
URL: https://www.kingdomlabs.com/UPBOND Inc.
UPBOND offers Wallet, which easily allows customers to manage their assets and connect to many Web 3.0 services. Its non-custodial wallet enables general consumers to easily engage with Web 3.0 marketplaces and allows enterprises to obtain customer information with its decentralized identity solution. UPBOND works with top-notch Japanese corporates to bring their business into this new frontier while also updating customer relationships.Representative: Director Takashi Mizuoka
Head Office: 6-31-15 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (8F)
URL: https://www.upbond.ioGEMIE
GEMIE is an Asian entertainment-focused metaverse platform inspired by fan culture. The company aims to help artists achieve their full potential by providing them with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to reach their goals and allowing them to interact with fans from all over the world without limitations.
Comment: “Instead of holding a talent show by region or country, why don’t we do it in the metaverse so there won’t be any geographical locations – you will be surprised how many talented artists who are worth a shot are scattered in our everyday life!”Representative: Co-founder John Fung
-
The NFT marketplace HINATA will start selling collaborative pieces on November 25, combining classical drafts of Kyoto printed silk images with modern art pieces by up-and-coming creators. Kyoto Printed Silk Draft x Modern Ukiyo-e Artist Ono Tako
Draft (Left) and Spring Dreamland - Sunshine by Ono Tako
Ono Tako is a modern-day ukiyo-e artist who creates unique paintings combining Eastern and Western elements. A beautiful woman stands in front of lush spring scenery in this gorgeous piece. Although this is clearly an ukiyo-e piece, it has a more modern flare, expressing a more universal standard of beauty while also infusing traditional elements. A total of six works will be available in two variations: the soft and warm Sun and the calm and tranquil Shade. Ono Tako: https://twitter.com/ono800 Kyoto Printed Silk Draft x Illustrator OmulettomatoDraft (Left) and Full Moon by Omulettomato
Omulettomato is an illustrator who is rapidly gaining popularity for their feminine portraits. Three different drafts depicting beautiful Japanese nature have been combined and transformed into a modern lady with moe elements. A total of eight works will be available in three variations: Daybreak, Sunrise, and Full Moon. Omulettomato: http://omutoma.tumblr.com Enjoy this curious collaboration and own a piece of classical and modern Japanese culture.Information
NFT Marketplace HINATA
Release Date: November 25, 2022
Official Site: https://hinata-nft.com/company
-
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/
-
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu will perform at UNIK Asia Festival 2022, a massive music and fashion festival to be held at a large outdoor space in the middle of Hong Kong on December 10 and 11, 2022. UNIK Asia Festival 2022 will bring together a number of Asian artists for live performances and fashion shows. JAY B, leader of the popular Korean boy band GOT7, will also perform, along with all former members of 2NE1–CL, Minzy, Park Bom, and Sandara Park. Also slated to perform are Feng Ze, Taiwanese band 831, rapper Tyson Yoshi, Jer and Jeremy from the idol group MIRROR, and many more international artists. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Travis Japan, who made their world debut last month, will represent Japan. Kyary has performed around the world many times, appearing at Coachella in April, and recently performing with Katy Perry at THE CONCERT 2022. In December, Kyary will reenact her Coachella performance with shows in Osaka and Tokyo. Tickets are available now, so grab them before they’re gone!
Information
UNIK Asia Festival 2022
Dates: December 10 – December 11, 2022
Hours: 13:00-22:00
Venue: Central Harborfront, Hong Kong
Official Site: https://www.unikasiafestival.com/
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Special Live 2022 ~Back to Coachella~
Osaka Performance
Date: December 20, 2022
Venue: Nanba Hatch (Osaka)
Contact: Kyodo Information
https://kyodo-osaka.co.jp/ / 0570-200-888
Tokyo Performance
Dates:
December 21 – Setlist from Week 1 of CoachellaDecember 22 – Setlist from Week 2 of Coachella
Venue: EX THEATER ROPPONGI (Tokyo)
Contact: HOT STUFF PROMOTION
https://www.red-hot.ne.jp/ / 03-5720-9999
More Details
-
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? -
The Sumida Hokusai Museum in Sumida-ku, Tokyo, will be holding the ‘Hokusai at Play with the 100 Poems’ exhibition from December 15, 2022 until February 26, 2023. The exhibition will focus on the Hyakunin Isshu, a famous collection of 100 poems integral to Japanese traditional culture.
Hyakunin Isshu Uba ga Etoki - Sojo Henjo / Katsushika Hokusai, The Sumida Hokusai Museum.
Hyakunin Isshu Uba ga Etoki - Ariwara no Narihira / Katsushika Hokusai, The Sumida Hokusai Museum. (Phase 2)
The Five Great Poets, Tsuki - Katsushika Hokusai, The Sumida Hokusai Museum. (Permanently on Display)
By the middle of the Edo period, the Hyakunin Isshu, or 100 classical poems, had become an established part of Japanese culture. Hokusai, an ukiyo-e artist of the period, painted a total of 27 of these famous poems, incorporating his own ideas and views to create unique pieces still beloved so many years later. This exhibition features 24 paintings from the museum’s Hyakunin Isshu collection along with dozens more items pertaining to this legendary collection of writings. Don’t miss it!Information
Hokusai at Play with the 100 Poems
Running: December 15, 2022 – February 26, 2023
*Certain exhibits will be changed between the first and second phases.
Phase 1: December 15, 2022 – January 22, 2023
Phase 2: January 24 – February 26, 2023
Hours: 9:30-17:30 (Last entry at 17:00)
Official Site: https://hokusai-museum.jp