At London Design Biennale, a multisensory exhibit of washi paper
Clad in a dress made entirely from washi and standing on the iconic Nelson Stair inside London's Somerset House, Midori Komachi appears to float among clouds also made from the traditional Japanese paper.
At the bottom of the stairs, the 36-year-old begins to play her violin, pauses for a recording of cello and shakuhachi flute to rise, then plunges into motion, plucking the strings with her whole body. The rustle of washi against skin joins the ensemble, culminating in an exhilarating, John Cage-like experimental score reverberating through the five-story rotunda.
'Sound is lighter than air,' writes Komachi, quoting acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota, in the exhibition pamphlet. Yet her plucking carries weight, like the sekimori ishi (boundary stones) that anchor the washi clouds, imported by Sekisui House Kuma Lab Codirector Toshiki Hirano, who also designed Komachi's washi dress.
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Japan Times
15-06-2025
- Japan Times
At London Design Biennale, a multisensory exhibit of washi paper
Clad in a dress made entirely from washi and standing on the iconic Nelson Stair inside London's Somerset House, Midori Komachi appears to float among clouds also made from the traditional Japanese paper. At the bottom of the stairs, the 36-year-old begins to play her violin, pauses for a recording of cello and shakuhachi flute to rise, then plunges into motion, plucking the strings with her whole body. The rustle of washi against skin joins the ensemble, culminating in an exhilarating, John Cage-like experimental score reverberating through the five-story rotunda. 'Sound is lighter than air,' writes Komachi, quoting acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota, in the exhibition pamphlet. Yet her plucking carries weight, like the sekimori ishi (boundary stones) that anchor the washi clouds, imported by Sekisui House Kuma Lab Codirector Toshiki Hirano, who also designed Komachi's washi dress.
Japan Times
07-06-2025
- Japan Times
From Belgian waffles to Nordic sushi: What to eat at the 2025 Osaka Expo
The belly is a crucial gateway to promoting soft power. And at the 2025 Osaka Expo, the British clearly didn't get the memo as they unwittingly created the Expo's first viral food story, albeit for less than enticing reasons. Guests to the British pavilion commented on its pricey afternoon tea set being served in shabby paper cups, prompting the U.K. Embassy to replace them with ceramics to cool down the situation. In such a grandiose gathering of the world's nations, visitors looking for a taste of overseas food want authenticity — teacups and all. It's no surprise that nearly every big pavilion on the Expo grounds was serving up representative eats for attendees. Italy rotates items from various regions weekly at its rooftop eatery (most recently, truffle pasta from Marche), while Belgium's restaurant sells a variety of street food, like their famous waffles and fries. France flaunts its Champagne, while the Thai space offers rich aromas of curry and pad thai. The charm, though, lies in finding dishes harder to come by in Japan. Middle Eastern nations such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have built restaurants serving mifa (Arabian flat bread) and traditional lamb and rice dishes like the Arabian mandi and the Kuwaiti machboos, plus local varieties of coffee for those looking for a pick-me-up. The PanAf African Dining Hall, meanwhile, allows countries from across the continent to share dozens of dishes, in a space housing local musical performances. Couscous is one of the dishes available at the PanAf African Dining Hall, which serves food from the five regions of Africa. | PANAF AFRICAN DINING HALL Other participants explore ways of crossing their culinary traditions with that of the host nation. The Nordic Circle pavilion has called on Stockholm-based Japanese chef Ai Ventura to curate a menu featuring Swedish favorites like cinnamon rolls and meatballs, along with fusion creations such as the Nordic Chirashi Sushi, a riff on the Japanese sushi rice bowl using salmon and pickled vegetables. As for the host region, it's a chance to zoom in on Kansai favorites, with local chains specializing in takoyaki (fried octopus dumplings), okonomiyaki (savory pancake), kushikatsu (breaded skewers) and more in a food court. Conveyor-belt sushi chains Sushiro and Kura Sushi are also taking the opportunity to showcase future additions to the regular menu. The latter offers a 'world menu' that includes Singaporean chili crab, Fijian kokoda or ceviche, and a somewhat hilariously disproportionate American cheeseburger that's like 80% bun. The wait to get into Kura Sushi can last for hours on certain days, a situation that is true of many of the pavilions' restaurants, and one of the biggest challenges at the Expo. Some take reservations — Kura Sushi, for example, allows you to do so via the Line app — but many others do not. The pavilions at the Expo are still drawing snaking queues. | APF-JIJI Queues aside, a valid complaint about much of the food at the Expo is the price. While few pavilions skimp on presentation like the British did, the price tags can still be eye-popping, for example, the German food offerings, which find appetizers averaging ¥2,000 and some like the hearty Bavarian Pork Knuckle going beyond ¥7,000. Some common sense applies — understand that the Japanese art of adding 'wagyu' to any dish's name equals a baseline cost of ¥2,500 — but it is still surprising how much eating at the expo can hit your wallet (plus, you need some spare change to buy the mascot merchandise ). Seeking out faster, cheaper options sometimes makes sense — snack hacks do exist. Run over to Ora Gaishoku pavilion to buy a 'Swiss onigiri' stuffed with melted cheese and sausage for about ¥500. Or head to the far corner of the grounds, near the outdoor arena, to find a Japanese food court selling dishes at prices under ¥1,000, including the cheapest beer around (¥500 a cup). All three major convenience store chains also have outposts at Expo 2025, offering elevated takes on the konbini experience. Family Mart goes big on video displays while offering familiar items, while Lawson has a special cafe next to its gateside store allowing visitors to enjoy some coffee and tea. The biggest swings by far come from 7-Eleven: It is running self-order kiosks and a variety of new menu items that point towards a bold future — made-to-order pizza. Their prices are no different from those in the convenience stores outside of the festival grounds, too, making them the best cost-conscious option at the Expo while still doing a great job spotlighting Japan's casual bites. There's plenty of chances to experience foreign cuisines within the grounds, but sometimes you want the taste of something familiar — and more financially bearable.
Asahi Shimbun
30-05-2025
- Asahi Shimbun
Two Japanese novels up for prestigious CWA Dagger award
Akira Otani, left, and Asako Yuzuki (Photo of Otani provided by Kawade Shobo Shinsha and photo of Yuzuki taken by Toko Tanaka) Amid the growing popularity of Japanese literature in Britain, two Japanese novels have made the final shortlist of six for the Dagger for Crime Fiction in Translation. 'The Night of Baba Yaga' by Akira Otani and 'Butter' by Asako Yuzuki were named finalists for the prestigious award, the London-based Crime Writers' Association announced on May 29. The winner will be announced on July 3. Translated by Sam Bett, Otani's 'The Night of Baba Yaga' follows Yoriko Shindo, a fierce, mixed-race fighter who is forced to work as a bodyguard for the sheltered daughter of a yakuza boss. Yuzuki's 'Butter' is a thriller that centers on Rika Machida, a journalist investigating Manako Kajii, a gourmet cook accused of seducing and murdering businessmen. Translated by Polly Barton, the English edition of 'Butter' has sold more than 400,000 copies, surpassing its original Japanese edition and becoming a best-seller in Britain. No Japanese author has ever won the CWA Dagger, although Hideo Yokoyama, Keigo Higashino and Kotaro Isaka have previously been shortlisted for the award. Pierre Lemaitre, a renowned French author whose works have a strong following in Japan, is also among the finalists this year.
