The National Art Center, Roppongi

Mike GristArchitecture

The National Art Center in Roppongi is a funky-chic blend of high-tech glass panelling with a utilitarian ethos that denies the standard limitations of space. The exterior ripples like a breaking wave, its sliced-and-diced stylings constantly catching refractions from the sun, remaking its contours in blotches of dizzying light.  Inside there are islands of cone-shaped concrete capped with coffee shops attainable only by bridges from upper floors, coming together within the wave-like facade in a cavernous lobby to create the idea of a wide open space comprised of a series of intimate and distinct areas.

UFO rising.

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DragonBall Z Key Chain

Mike GristJapan, Toys / Games

And lo, let there be Dragonball Z.

Dragonball Z is some kind of Pokemon copy, with weird powers being stored inside little balls that folks keep in their pockets. I’ll admit I don’t know anything about the genre- but that doesn’t preclude me from buying some of its bits and pieces. Also I know there is a Dragonball Z movie coming out- seems a Hollywood version so you get more bang for your ball.

This is another keychain you can win!

Winnable.

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Behemothic hotel, abandoned like a beached whale

Mike GristHaikyo, Hotels / Resorts, Nagano

The Shin Shu Kanko Hotel in Nagano is a leviathan beast, 3 whale-sized buildings interlinked by encircling roads, interior corridors, underground passages and a long bridging escalator. The largest of the 3 is seven stories high with easily 100 rooms along its spine, with huge onsen, function rooms, izakaya and a hall. The smaller two add about another 50 rooms each, clutching up to the hill in back and spread like wings around the main complex. All of it empty, trashed, and creaking in the wind.

Shin Shu Kanko looking up.

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Fade Out

Mike GristScience Fiction, Stories

They strapped a man to the ceiling today. I know him. His name is Wasari Ichimura. I tried to talk to him afterwards but he wasn’t interested, and I was too tired to give chase. Most days now, my muscles don’t stop shaking ’til past midnight. You’d think you’d get used to it. Even now, my last desk job 12 years distant, my frame swelled by 50 or so pounds, I still shake through the night.

My wife thinks it’s funny. Thought it was funny. Now it just scares us both.

Wasari is younger than me. I don’t think he has a family yet. He will. He has a job, now at least, and that means something. He just wasn’t happy. Isn’t happy, and it must have showed somehow, so they strapped him to the ceiling poles, Horiuchi tapping smugly at his laptop, and we spent the whole day looking up at him, wondering what he did.

industra

Image from here.

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Shibuya Walkers

Mike GristJapan, People / Culture

Hachiko Crossing in Shibuya is the Times Square of Tokyo- big streets intersecting, hordes milling and meeting and crossing, massive LCD screens flanking the sidewalk and up and down the nearby buildings. Stand outside the JR entrance for long enough and the world will walk by you.

No cooler dude than this.

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Mickey Mouse Sweets Time Mascot

Mike GristJapan, Toys / Games

Ever felt a little lonely at Sweets Time? Perhaps you needed a little support, a little pick-me up, someone to sing while you take a bite, whip out back-flips as you brush away crumbs, and rustle pom-poms and dance when you swallow. Who hasn’t needed that at Sweets Time? Disney is finally hooking us up.

There are 6 types of Sweets Time Mascots, all of them featuring Mickey’s grinning mug, each one with a different type of bready candy goods: cookie, doughnut, chocolate, waffle, pretzel, and macaroon. It’s not a real bit of food though- it’s plastic.

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What remains of Matsumoto Castle

Mike GristHaikyo, Military Installations, Nagano

Matsumoto Castle in Nagano is one of the few remaining original castles in Japan. A fort was first built at the site in 1504, then in 1550 the Takeda clan under big boss Tokugawa Ieyasu built it up further, with the Norimasa clan taking over stewardship from 1590, extensively reinforcing and adding to the structure. That makes it around 500 years old, no doubt one of the oldest buildings in Japan. It’s a traditional wooden structure of several levels, with the pagoda-like structure common in traditional Japanese buildings. It is nick-named “Crow Castle” for it’s black walls and spreading wings.

Matsumoto-jo.

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Battle Cards: Destmoon vs. Obama vs. Nidoking

Mike GristJapan, Toys / Games

Battle cards hold a special place in the hearts of all Japanese- from childhood they are accustomed to trapping the spirits of nature in little plastic balls (Pokemon, Dragonballz) and unleashing their fury upon each other- their incarnations ranging from monsters to cute yellow mice to beatles (rhino-horn!) to girls in various cute outfits to Obama. Yes, Obama is now in the market- complete with fighting stats and assorted team members and enemies. Japanese pour their hope and dreams into him just as readily as they do into Gundam and Hello Kitty. How will he fare against those stalwarts of Japanese ideocracy?

The contenders.

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Weekly Links

Mike GristUncategorized

BBC– A Florida couple pay $150,000 to clone their dog. Crazy. It’s really happening.

Tokyo Otaku– Great post on the Tocho- government building in Shinjuku. I’ve got my own photos and post lined up, won’t post for a few weeks though now.

Mike’s Blender– Crazy old Mike reviews chocolate-covered squid. He actually eats it. Respect.

Youtube– Japanese TV show mime-attacks people in Osaka with mime-gun and sword, people react, funny.