NAKED’s newest work, inspired by Sen no Rikyu, has opened at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa! The exhibition will run through September 3 and blends physical art pieces found in the museum with the Metaverse. 

NAKED’s first exhibition at this popular Kanazawa Museum brings visitors a modern version of chanoyu, or the ‘Way of Tea.’ This year marks the 500th birthday of Sen no Rikyu, a historical figure who had a significant influence on the tea ceremony still found in Japan today. NAKED wants to honor his contribution to shaping this massive part of Japanese culture. Visitors are invited to a traditional tea ceremony room, but the experience itself has been modernized by NAKED. This unprecedented art exhibition allows both those who know nothing about Sen no Rikyu and those who know him well to experience his philosophy and aesthetics in an entirely new way.

Gate: Greetings from the Master

Open-air: The Crossroads of this Transient World

Wash Basin: Where the Four Seasons Float

Dry Landscape Garden: The Teachings of Rikyu

Tea Whisk: “Make a Good Tea for your Guest.”

Hanging Scroll: The Master’s Memories

Small Room: Evolution

Tearoom: The End and the Beginning

NAKED Fuji Canele

Tsukubai, or a low stone basin filled with water, is used to cleanse the hands before entering a tearoom. Using interactive art, the water’s surface is covered in digital flowers that blossom when a guest’s hands pass over the basin. 

In the ‘Small Room: Evolution’ area, guests will find the Sustainable Contemporary Golden Tearoom, which was created by NAKED staff together with sixth graders using golden trash collected at Kanazawa University Elementary School. The calligraphy on display in the tearoom was also done by children, with the best creations selected to be included in the exhibition. The scent was produced by EarthRing, an aroma brand located in Hakusan, Ishikawa Prefecture. The ‘Tea Whisk’ area offers a unique experience for all five senses, including the scent of matcha, which guests can smell when they mimic the act of prepping tea. 

In addition, guests can purchase special NAKED Fuji Canele and a Kutani ware Original Tumbler with special tea-inspired motifs. The Canele is a triple collaboration with Fukumitsuya, the oldest sake brewery in Kanazawa, so don’t miss out!

Halloween is on the way, and the Hyatt Centric Kanazawa hotel is prepping some spooky sweets to celebrate! From October 1 until October 31, a Monster Halloween Cake Set will be available at the hotel’s restaurant FIVE – Grill and Lounge. Guests can also enjoy a Halloween lunch and dinner menu featuring a chic menu filled with black, red, and purple dishes. Visitors who come in costume will gain access to some special offers as well!

Halloween Lunch / Dinner Course

Poached Eggs with Black Chaudfroid Sauce

Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Beet Variation

The courses were inspired by an adult Halloween party and will be available for four days only. Each dish contains colors perfect for the season, like haunting black and bloody red punctuated with a purple-tinted memory of moonlight. While the dishes may look strange, they are made with the finest ingredients. 

Monster Halloween Cake Set

Witch’s Mont Blanc Pudding

Mummy Macaron

Denture Parfait

Jack-o’-Lantern Cream Puff

Frankenstein Brownie

Gyuhi Ghost

Spider Web Mousse

GO FOR KOGEI 2022 Collaboration 5×5 Cake Set

A special cake set featuring everything from Frankenstein to spider webs will get you in the Halloween mood. The lineup includes Witch’s Mont Blanc Pudding topped with purple sweet potato cream, and the adorable Jack-o’-Lantern cream puff filled with–you guessed it–pumpkin cream. Come enjoy some other playful treats like the Mummy Macaron filled with apricot and the Denture Parfait with berries and marshmallows. On weekdays from October 3 until October 21, the cakes will be served on a special Kutani ware in collaboration with GO FOR KOGEI 2022. This 5×5 set will be limited to five servings per day. Kutani ware is a style of traditional Japanese porcelain found in Ishikawa Prefecture.

Halloween Cocktail

This year’s Halloween cocktail is the rock-themed Back in Black. With a tequila base, you’re sure to have some extra fun after downing this classy beverage. 

Come enjoy some spooky and cute Halloween sweets while you can!

A selection of perfumes inspired by characters from the iconic manga series Ranma ½ are now available! Fans can get them at the official online store, Amazon, and the Fairytale shop on the third floor of Nakano Broadway.

Ranma 1/2 Eau de Parfum – Ranma Saotome

This light scent was inspired by Ranma Saotome.
A light fragrance fused with the feminine scents of jasmine and white rose, this product will remind you of Ranma’s strength and tenderness.

Top Notes: Citron, Blueberry
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Bamboo, White Rose
Base Notes: Cedar, Amber, Musk

Ranma 1/2 Eau de Parfum – Ranma

As you’d expect, the Ranma scent was made with a water-covered woman in mind!
The strong aroma of blackcurrant and blueberry slowly give way to a deeper scent of musk and moss. 

Top Notes: Black Currant, Grapefruit Zest, White Flowers
Middle Notes: Blackberry, Whitewood, Jasmine
Base Notes: Musk, Moss, Grass

Ranma 1/2 Eau de Parfum – Akane Tendo

This cute fragrance was inspired by the girly Akane Tendo, who is both strong and adorable.
The exotic and sweet fragrance transforms into a graceful and feminine scent blending rose and tuberose. 

Top Notes: Ylang-Ylang, Violet, Peach Nectar
Middle Notes: Rose, Tuberose, Cashmere Wood
Base Notes: Amber, Cedar, Powdery Musk

Ranma 1/2 Eau de Parfum – Shampoo

This sexy fragrance was inspired by the gorgeous Shampoo.
The gorgeous, feminine scent combining fruity and floral notes represents the character’s naivete. 

Top Notes: Bergamot, Grapefruit, Peach
Middle Notes: Peony, Rose, Magnolia, Violet
Base Notes: Vanilla, Cedar

Ranma 1/2 Eau de Parfum – Ryoga Hibiki

This commanding fragrance was inspired by the powerful Ryoga Hibiki. 
The perfume includes robust notes of jasmine and lily of the valley for a one-of-a-kind scent.

Top Notes: Lily of the Valley, Gardenia
Middle Notes: Bergamot, Jasmine
Base Notes: White Musk

Ranma 1/2 Eau de Parfum – Mousse

Mousse inspired this more traditional floral perfume.
As the day goes on, this fragrance will evolve from flowery and sweet to more warm and deep notes of patchouli and amber.

Top Notes: Citrus, Exotic Jasmine, Hyacinth
Middle Notes: Iris, white musk
Base Notes: Patchouli, Amber, Vetiver

©高橋留美子／小学館

The Kanazawa Film Festival aims to ‘promote Japan’s countryside culture to the world.’ The event held from September 18 to September 20, 2021 marked the 15th anniversary. In addition to staging special works each year, the festival has an established reputation in the film community for its ‘New Directors with Promising Talent’ program.

The film Alien Artist was directed by Seiyo Hotani, who took home the promising director award in 2020. Given the excellent critic feedback for the movie, it has been decided that Alien Artist will be officially released this spring. Hotani is a university student studying philosophy at Kyoto University, and his directorial work certainly shows off his knowledge on the subject. The film was entirely shot in Kanazawa and Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture.

Alien Artist inspired viewers with its bizarre storytelling and display of ideology and philosophy. If you could eradicate all of the ‘evil’ people on Earth, would you? Who decides who is evil? The movie follows a number of unique characters, each with their own personal stories and motivations, as the world faces destruction and rebirth. 

Alien Artist

Runtime: 90 Minutes
Release Year: 2021
Director: Seiyo Hotani
Script: Hifumi Keihan
Executive Producer: Ikuya Onodera
Cast: Kunihiko Watanabe, Yuuritsu Maruyama, Ryofu Karuma, Rui Kiriyama, Shigeo Osako, Jirou

​

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of her major label debut, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is staying active in 2022. Next month, the singer will finally take to the stage at Coachella 2022 in California. In conjunction with the nationwide tour, the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project was launched to energize Japan through the appeal of regional towns and cities. The singer has just announced a collaboration with the now globally-recognized curry chain Go! Go! Curry!, headquartered in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture.

With locations popping up around the world, Go! Go! Curry! serves real Kanazawa-style curry. Kanazawa curry can be recognized by its thick roux, and it is often accompanied by plenty of shredded cabbage. Served on a stainless-steel plate, it can be eaten with a fork or spoon, and a crunchy cutlet is placed on top. 

The collaboration logo is a mix of the key visual from Kyary’s current 10th ANNIVERSARY JAPAN TOUR 2022 CANDY WAVE and the Go! Go! Curry! gorilla mascot. This recognizable ape is now seen wearing Kyary’s 10th-anniversary red ribbon.

Fans can now buy the aptly named ‘Go! Go! Kyary!,’ a classic Kanazawa beef curry, from the LOCAL POWER JAPAN Project website. A collaborative T-shirt is also on sale featuring the new logo and the singer’s 10th-anniversary logo!

Perfume’s Flow, the theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama series ‘Fight Song,’ was released on streaming services on March 9, 2022.

The four-track single also includes Mawaru Kagami, which was performed at ‘Perfume LIVE 2021 [Polygon Wave]’ last August.

Perfume also announced that they would release a new album in the summer of 2022, four years after their last album, Future Pop. Be sure to listen to the song on your favorite music service!

The sixth piece of apparel in the Perfume Closet fashion project officially went on sale on March 1, and the popular Fashion Truck pop-up store has made a comeback after being introduced last spring. The truck will travel to seven cities across Japan carrying new items.

With fans already excited, the three members of Perfume decided to surprise everyone by appearing at the Laforet Harajuku pop-up shop! Appearing on stage, each wore a new item and took selfies with their cell phones before strolling around the store and chatting with customers. Perfume also autographed the truck’s interior and wrote personal messages.

The members on the second floor of the CONTAINER store. On display are costumes worn by Perfume while performing Polygon Wave.

Perfume in front of the fashion truck set up in front of the store.

The girls pose with items from the collaboration menu at Laforet Harajuku.

Participating restaurants at Laforet Harajuku are offering Perfume-themed menu items for a limited time. Guests buying select items will receive a special Perfume lunch mat!

Which Perfume track is your favorite?

In January, Perfume held ‘Perfume LIVE 2022 Polygon Wave,’ an encore of the concert they held in August 2021. Massively popular with fans around the world, the three-member girls techno-pop unit continues to impress year after year. On March 9, 2022, they will release their new track Flow, the theme of the TBS Tuesday drama series ‘Fight Song.’ On February 21, the 6th Perfume Closet apparel collection was announced on the official Perfume website and the A! SMART Online Store.

Merchandise at a Glance

Laforet Harajuku x Perfume Closet Collaboration Menu

 Chipoon Soy Milk Noodles with Hiroshima Lemon

MILKMILKMILK! Perfume Closet Gradient Soda/Perfume Closet Milk Ice Cream

ovgo B.A.K.E.R Meiji St. Salty Chocolate

Cafe Crepe – Banana, Chocolate, and Fresh Cream / Fermented Butter & Vanilla Sugar / Avocado Shrimp Salad

The 6th apparel line features items inspired by Perfume’s on-stage costumes. The new pieces focus on three songs in particular–Polygon Wave, Rebirth, and If you wanna. Made popular during the reveal of the Perfume Closet project, the pop-up fashion truck will return for this new release! At the pop-up store, fans can see the actual costumes worn in the Polygon Wave video on display for the first time.

At Laforet Harajuku, Perfume Closet will collaborate with participating restaurants to create a limited-time menu inspired by the pop group. Which dish looks the tastiest?

The Puella Magi Madoka Magica 10 Exhibition will be open at Daiwa Korinbo in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture from December 26, 2021, until January 12, 2022. The event commemorates the 10th anniversary of the anime series, and this limited-time run will be the first time the exhibition has been held in the Chubu and Hokuriku regions. 

Puella Magi Madoka Magica 10 Exhibition Admission Ticket with Goods

The Puella Magi Madoka Magica 10 Exhibition invites visitors to relive the series’ story with newly-drawn key visuals, production materials, illustrations, videos, and much more. 

In addition to original merchandise such as tapestries and new illustrations, visitors can find local acrylic charms for purchase. 

Kanazawa is located close to the Sea of Japan, and visitors coming during this holiday season can enjoy the beautiful snowy scenery and delicious local fare as well!

(C)Magica Quartet／Aniplex・Madoka Partners・MBS

KAMU k=k, the sixth space in the private contemporary art museum KAMU Kanazawa, will officially open on December 17, 2021. The location was created as a multi-purpose exhibition space, and it’s first project will be ‘TALISMAN in the Woods’ by Ayako Suwa, active in the field of food art. The work is seat in Hakusan and Kanazawa and revolves around the themes of nature, cities, and water circulation.

TALISMAN in the woods ©Ayako Suwa Courtesy of KAMU kanazawa 

In the year and a half since its opening in 2020, KAMU Kanazawa has continued to inspire with unique spaces inspired by artist’s individuality. The opening of ‘KAMU tatami’ in October made a big splash, and ‘KAMU k=k’ will only be a limited space for around four years. This follows the museums philosophy that the role and shape of a city changes over time, meaning that the museum should change along with it. 

KAMU k≐k Courtesy of KAMU kanazaw

The space is five meters high, and seven meters wide and deep, giving a theater-like atmosphere. Giving a wildly different impression than it’s surroundings, visitors can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime art experience. 

TALISMAN in the woods ©Ayako Suwa Courtesy of KAMU kanazawa 

The first exhibition held in “k≐k” will be “TALISMAN in the Woods” by Ayako Suwa. Ripples will spread outside of the museum, following the theme of water circulation. Visitors will be asked to pay attention to how nature silently impacts daily life, and will be inspired to create connections with the world around them. In this exhibition, Suwa will share insight on water from Hakusan, a city supplying water to huge areas of Ishikawa Prefecture. This three-dimensional work was created by the artist during 2020 during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic. Using Cedar branches and leaves from Hakusan, the installation is on a massive scale consistent with the new space.After the exhibition, the talismans displayed in the work will be returned to the soil of Hakusan to connect the exhibition with local nature. 

©Ayako Suwa Courtesy of food creation

©Ayako Suwa Courtesy of food creation

Through crowdfunding, guests can snag a piece of Suwa’s work along with other special items. In addition to simply owning a piece of art, upon the death of these talismans, guests can participate in the ritual of returning these pieces to the forest. 

TALISMAN ©Ayako Suwa Courtesy of food creation

Highlights from the Kanazawa Film Festival

Channel 47, a company using the power of entertainment and pop culture to convey the appeal of Japan to the world, made a splash at this year’s Kanazawa Film Festival by producing the short video ‘HAKKEN -in Kanazawa Movie Festival.’ This was shown at both the Kanazawa Film Festival and the Tatemachi Film Festival, which were held simultaneously in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture in September 2021. The video is available to watch on the official Channel 47 YouTube channel. 

「HAKKEN -in Kanazawa Movie Festival-」

The film was produced by Channel 47 to promote both film festivals. The Kanazawa Film Festival aims to ‘promote Japan’s countryside culture to the world,’ and with such similar goals, the two were perfect partners. 

In conjunction with the project, Channel 47 invited AMIAYA and Etsuna (both talents under ASOBISYSTEM) as special guests to the awards ceremony of the Kanazawa Film Festival. The Channel 47 Award was given to MELIA, who also won the Promising New Director Grand Prix. 

The short video highlights some of the best moments from both events and includes interviews with the Director of Eiga no Kai (The Film Association) and MELIA. There’s plenty of impressive footage to see, so check out the highlights!

HAKKEN -Discover Kanazawa with AMIAYA-

HAKKEN -Discover Kanazawa with AMIAYA-, also produced by Channel 47, shows off Kanazawa’s best pop culture tourist spots. 

HAKKEN -Experience Kanazawa’s History with ETSUNA-

The final HAKKEN film produced by Channel 47 shows off the incredible depth of Kanazawa City and how much it has to offer. 

The Kanazawa Film Festival is an ongoing event held by the Eiga no Kai at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa and at other venues throughout the city. The goal is to help develop the area and share countryside culture with Japan and the world. The 15th such event was held from September 18 to September 20, 2021. In addition to staging special works each year, the festival has an established reputation in the film community for its ‘New Directors with Promising Talent’ program. This year, 83 films were entered into the New Directors competition, with 11 being chosen to be screened. MELIA came out on top for ‘Experimental Tour,’ and also won a special Channel 47 award.

The Tatemachi Film Festival is organized by the Tatemachi Shopping District Revitalization Association and is held at the same time. The venue was the rooftop of Tatemachi Parking, a multi-story parking garage in the city also popular for outdoor music festivals. It was held from September 17 to September 19, 2021.

Official Site: https://www.eiganokai.com/event/filmfes2021/kanazawa/

Channel 47 is a project using the power of entertainment to share Japan and its local culture with the world. By getting popular celebrities and public figures involved, the company produces events and content that conveys the appeal of specific Japanese locales and customs to global audiences. 

Official Site: https://channel47.jp/

Contact: info@channel47.jp

Fashion icons show the modern and historical charm of Kanazawa, Japan

TOKYO, JAPAN (16 November, 2021) – Channel 47, a company focused on globally promoting the appeal of local and popular Japanese culture through the power of entertainment, is excited to debut their new “HAKKEN” video series today, 16 November, highlighting the wonderful modern and historical tourism aspects of Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture. “HAKKEN” is the Japanese word for discovery, which is the core feeling this new video series is aiming to convey. Channel 47 wants toinspire viewers to discover the wonders of Japan’s local culture through these shortfilms.

The debut videos feature fashion icons AMIAYA and ETSUNA (both represented by ASOBISYSTEM), each exploring a different facet of what Kanazawa has to offer curious visitors. These films were produced by Channel 47 as a part of promotional efforts for the Kanazawa Film Festival held in September of 2021. These entries in the “HAKKEN” series were informed by Channel 47’s shared philosophy with the Kanazawa Film Festival, to disseminate the culture of Japan’s countryside and promote its appeal worldwide.

In the first video, twin model & singer duo AMIAYA discover the “pop” elements of the city at locations such as the Omi-machi market, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, the Nagamachi Samurai District, and more. Along the way they sample delicacies from some of Kanazawa’s highly rated restaurants. Through their experiences viewers will see art, food, shopping, and scenery that has high appeal among visitors.

Watch “HAKKEN – Discover Kanazawa with AMIAYA”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9-gD-ftTE0

Find AMIAYA online

Official Website: https://asobisystem.com/talent/amiaya/

AMI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amixxamiaya/

AYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayaxxamiaya/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AMI__AYA

In the second video, fashion designer and influencer ETSUNA takes a different approach and wanders the traditional side of Kanazawa. Starting with a stroll in the Higashi Chaya District, her journey takes her to make ceramic art at Hokutoh, and to see historic locations such as the Ishikawa Bridge, the Gyokusen’inmaru Garden, Sannomaru Square, and more. To fit the traditional theme of her visit, she visits Kimono & Antiques Soki and gets dressed for the occasion. Viewers will see through ETSUNA’s exploration the beauty and historical legacy of Kanazawa City.

Watch “HAKKEN – Experience Kanazawa’s History with ETSUNA”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3h-57mhouU

Find ETSUNA online

Official Website: https://asobisystem.com/talent/etsuna/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etsunaotsuka/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/etsuna_artist/

ABOUT KANAZAWA FILM FESTIVAL

The 15th Kanazawa Film Festival was held from September 18-20, 2021 in Theater 21 at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary art in Kanazawa. The festival has a reputation not only for the high quality of films presented each year, but also for its “New Directors with Promising Talent” program. This year 83 films were entered in the “New Directors with Promising Talent” program, and 11 of them won screening rights. The Grand Prix was awarded to MELIA’s “Experiential Tour”, for which she also received the special Channel 47 Award.

More information on the Kanazawa Film Festival can be found at

 https://www.eiganokai.com/event/filmfes2021/kanazawa/

ABOUT CHANNEL 47

Channel 47 is a project that using the power of entertainment to communicate the appeal of Japan and its different regions to overseas audiences. Through planning and producing events with celebrities and personalities, Channel 47 creates content that conveys the appeal and charm of Japan’s many different regions to viewers all over the world. Channel 47 created the post-movies for the 15th Kanazawa Film Festival, held in September 2021. Additional efforts to promote the event overseas include producing

English subtitles for “Alien Painter” which was screened as a Kanazawa Film Festival Scholarship Film.

For more information about Channel 47 please contact: info@channel47.jp