Latest news with #Oku

Hypebeast
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
417 EDIFICE x ‘GANTZ' Capsule Channels Dystopian Manga Into Streetwear
Summary 417 EDIFICEhas teamed up withHiroya Oku's cult sci-fi mangaGANTZfor a capsule collection that channels the series' dark, dystopian energy into contemporary streetwear. Drawing on imagery from Oku's self-publishedCOLOR WORKSart book, the lineup includes graphic T-shirts, a reversible satin jacket and two cap styles — each bearing high-contrast illustrations or bold embroideries. The T-shirt range comprises eight designs in black or white, spotlighting key characters and scenes. This ranges from protagonist Kei Kurono, fan-fave Joichiro Nishi, to a number of popular female characters as well as key visuals from notable arcs. The reversible jacket pairs a sleek black exterior, detailed with a red 'G' logo on the chest and gray 'GANTZ' embroidery on the back, with a striking interior print that immerses the wearer in GANTZ's visceral world. Two caps, offered in gray and black, complete the collection with embroidered 'G' motifs in red and green threads, nodding to the series' iconic spheres and weaponry. Check out the full lookbook in the gallery above. Priced from ¥5,500 – ¥27,500 JPY (approx. $37 – $185 USD), theGANTZcapsule collection is currently available via 417 EDIFICE on Baycrew'sonline shop.


Tatler Asia
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Personalisation, exclusive experiences and the new role of cuisine in the hospitality industry
Oku: opening the senses Oku is the heart of Regent Phu Quoc's culinary vision, a sensorial journey where creativity is the secret ingredient and flavour is elevated to art. The concept presents a distinctive take on Vietnamese cuisine, drawing from the refinement of the French-style Salon de Boeuf and the precision of the Japanese Omakase Atelier . The result is an extraordinary fusion that invites diners to explore something entirely original. Above The space at Oku is perfect for savouring sashimi (photo: Regent Phu Quoc) Above Salon de Boeuf, where premium cuts are showcased and prepared to order (photo: Regent Phu Quoc) A modern interpretation of classic brasserie elegance, Oku's menu blends Japanese finesse with French indulgence, where refined ingredients and honest flavours come together in a rich culinary narrative. Under the skilled hands of its chefs, every dish is an emotional expression, rooted in experience and driven by passion. This summer, the restaurant is offering 20 per cent off its Omakase menu, à la carte dishes and non-alcoholic beverages (for bills from VND2,500,000), as part of the Sizzling Summer Perks programme. Above Under the skilled hands of its chefs, every dish is an emotional expression, rooted in experience and driven by passion (photo: Regent Phu Quoc) Above Under the skilled hands of its chefs, every dish is an emotional expression, rooted in experience and driven by passion (photo: Regent Phu Quoc) Ember & Sip: where aroma and taste meet When in Hoi An, gourmands are greeted by Ember & Sip with the lively flavours of a youthful, creative barbecue culture, set against the charm of the ancient town and the pulse of spontaneous music. Tucked on the ground floor of Wing 2 at Moire Hoi An Hotel, part of the Vignette Collection, Ember & Sip sits beside the pool, framed by a breezy, open-air setting. Here, guests can stretch out on vibrant beanbags by the water's edge, evoking the laid-back feel of a backyard barbecue in the heart of a coastal getaway. See also: Food fermentation in Asia: a culinary atlas of pickles, pastes and probiotics Above Consistently recognised by Wine Spectator and Asia's Luxury Steakhouse, Ember & Sip presents a variety of dining experiences this summer (photo: Ember & Sip) The food at Ember & Sip Hoi An is a spirited blend of American grilling techniques and bold Asian flavours, with a special nod to Korea. Signature dishes include smoky Cu Lao shrimp, tender pork ribs glazed with rich sauce, US Black Angus Tomahawk steak, and perfectly cooked Cua Dai squid, each one retaining its natural sweetness. Prepared fresh on-site, the dishes release an irresistible aroma. Expertly grilled, the meats are succulent, flavourful, and surprisingly light. For those seeking indulgence, the restaurant is offering a 'buy 1 get 1 free' Tomahawk Steak promotion for bills of US$400 or more. Above Smoky, subtly spicy, savoury and sweet, each slice becomes a harmonious composition of flavours (photo: Ember & Sip) Above Smoky, subtly spicy, savoury and sweet, each slice becomes a harmonious composition of flavours (photo: Ember & Sip) There's also a playful take on pizzas, fusing Asian and European inspiration. Bulgogi and Cu Lao seafood toppings offer a fresh twist, balancing freedom of expression with refined technique. Smoky, subtly spicy, savoury and sweet, each slice becomes a harmonious composition of flavours, capturing the distinctive essence of Ember & Sip in the heart of Hoi An. Stellar Steakhouse: the art of culinary sublimation In Hanoi, Stellar Steakhouse has become a benchmark for luxurious dining in the capital, a place where dry-aged beef, a carefully curated wine cellar and a refined lounge come together to create a contemporary European experience. Above Each cut is cooked to showcase its caramelised crust and tender, juicy centre (photo: Stellar Steakhouse) Above Each cut is cooked to showcase its caramelised crust and tender, juicy centre (photo: Stellar Steakhouse) At Stellar Steakhouse, fine food is just part of the experience. Guests can witness their ingredients prepared with precision in a sophisticated setting that promises an unforgettable culinary journey. From Wagyu tenderloin and Black Angus to Josper-grilled Tomahawk steak, each cut is cooked to showcase its caramelised crust and tender, juicy centre—flavours that linger long after the last bite. Above Stellar also delights with an elegant seafood menu (photo: Stellar Steakhouse) Above Stellar also delights with an elegant seafood menu (photo: Stellar Steakhouse) But the experience extends beyond steak. Stellar also delights with an elegant seafood menu: Atlantic scallops, French oysters, lobsters, Patagonian fish and Japanese abalone all bring depth and variety to the plate. One standout feature is the cheese and charcuterie room, where diners can handpick cured meats and aged cheeses such as Brie, Roquefort and Beaufort, paired with touches like onion jam, olive tapenade and toasted bread as a refined way to begin or round off a memorable evening. These dining destinations offer more than a meal: they celebrate the art of living. Every detail, from the lighting and music to the plating and palate, plays a part in awakening the senses. Above These dining destinations celebrate the art of living (photo: IHG) From now until the end of August 2025, IHG One Rewards members can enjoy complimentary drinks, 'buy 1 get 1 free' offers, and free meals for children under 12 at IHG restaurants across Vietnam and the region. With an enhanced mobile app, members can track benefits, earn points, make reservations and receive real-time, personalised offers tailored to each dining occasion.


Japan Forward
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
EXHIBITION: Rare Edo Robes Unveil the Power and Beauty of Women at Court
このページを 日本語 で読む Countless novels and TV dramas have vividly portrayed the Ooku, the secluded women's quarters of Edo Castle. Yet, the real garments that its inhabitants wore were even more opulent than those seen on screen. Opening July 19 at the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, the special exhibition Ooku: Women of Power in Edo Castle offers a rare glimpse into the true world of the Ooku through the treasured belongings of women connected to the Tokugawa shogunate. Among the highlights are uchikake and kosode robes. Adorned with richly detailed embroidery, these masterpieces are so intricate that recreating them today would be nearly impossible. The Ooku was an exclusive, women-only enclave deep within Edo Castle. Here, the shogun's wife and concubines lived, entrusted with bearing and raising heirs to the Tokugawa shogunate. Their elaborate attire served not only as personal adornment but also as a powerful display of political authority and wealth. According to records, the shogun's wife was required to change outfits as many as five times a day. The exhibition showcases garments associated with Tensho-in, a samurai-born wife of the 13th shogun, Iesada, and Princess Kazu, the imperial-born wife of the 14th shogun, Iemochi. Their clothing reveals distinct personal traits and highlights the cultural contrasts between their backgrounds. Also on display are kabuki costumes worn by okyogen-shi , female performers who staged kabuki-style theater within the walls of the Ooku. Haori and Undergarment in Bright Green Satin with Target Motif, a kabuki costume from the Oku (Tokyo National Museum collection) Among them, one dazzling piece stands out: the Haori and Undergarment in Bright Green Satin with Target Motif , boldly designed with arrows piercing a target. Embellished with lavish gold thread, it captures the vivid spectacle and theatrical flair emblematic of kabuki. Yuzuruha Oyama, Head of Research at the Tokyo National Museum, remarks: "The women of the Ooku depicted in television dramas don't wear uchikake like these, richly adorned with intricate embroidery. That's likely because faithfully recreating such garments today would be prohibitively expensive. We hope visitors will take this opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the originals." Also featured in the exhibition are kakefukusa , ornate embroidered cloths traditionally placed over gifts. A complete set of 31 pieces, now held at Kofuku-in Temple in Nara and designated as Important Cultural Properties, showcases the height of Edo-period embroidery. Commissioned by the 5th Tokugawa shogun Tsunayoshi, the set is believed to have been presented to his concubine, Zuishun'in. Embroidered Kakefukusa: Light Blue Satin with Iris, Pink, and Sake Vessel Motif Featuring the Character for "Longevity" (Designated Important Cultural Property, Kofuku-in Temple, Nara) The exhibition is divided into four sections: Highlights include the 40-panel woodblock print series Chiyoda Inner Palace by ukiyo-e master Yoshu Chikanobu, offering a vivid, imagined portrayal of Ooku life during the reign of the 11th Tokugawa shogun, Ienari. Also on view is the Ooku Path to Power Game, a board game that humorously charts the path to status within the inner palace. For many daughters of affluent townspeople, serving in the Ooku was a coveted opportunity. With the chance to win the shogun's favor, even a woman without noble lineage could, as the saying went, "ride in a gilded palanquin." Features figures like Lady Kasuga, Eshima, and Takiyama, powerful senior attendants who helped shape the Ooku. Also on display is a comprehensive map of the Edo Castle Honmaru Ooku area, offering insight into the layout and workings of the inner palace. Showcases the belongings of shoguns' wives, the biological mothers of heirs, and Tokugawa princesses. Presents items that reflect the elegant lifestyle of the Ooku, including lavish seasonal garments, bridal furnishings, traditional games like karuta , and Gosho dolls. The exhibition runs through September 21. Author: Keiko Mizunuma , The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む


Int'l Business Times
06-06-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Nibiru Launches 'Block Party' Aura Program to Reward Real DeFi Activity
Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman, June 5th, 2025, Chainwire Nibiru announces the launch of Block Party, allowing users to earn Aura, a new points system that's designed to reward real user participation across its DeFi ecosystem. Aura reflects each user's contributions through trading, liquidity, lending, or quests, and forms the backbone of Nibiru's seasonal incentive engine. Aura is earned by interacting with applications on Nibiru EVM, including trading platforms like Oku, lending protocols such as LayerBank, DEXs like MIMSwap and OmniSwap, and the Sai perpetuals exchange. Users can also bridge assets via Stargate, mint and trade NFTs on Element, or explore prediction markets like BRKT and PRDT. With dozens of active applications already integrated, Nibiru EVM is live, growing, and ready for usage. Each month-long Aura Season resets the scoreboard. Aura is earned through both onchain and off-chain missions. Onchain activity is tracked via Merkl, a battle-tested liquidity mining engine built by Angle Protocol. Off-chain and social missions are powered by Galxe, a leading quest platform trusted by major Web3 ecosystems. Participants can boost their Aura by providing sustained liquidity in eligible pools. For example, users who lock funds in select stablecoin pairs for 90+ days can earn up to 3.5x point multipliers. Others can earn through concentrated liquidity, active trading, or completing protocol-specific missions. Nibiru Block Party: How to Earn Nibiru Aura Aura points and leaderboards will be viewable through a public dashboard launching soon. Each month closes with a snapshot of rankings, followed by a claim window and the start of a new season. Mechanisms such as Sybil resistance and time-weighted tracking have been implemented to ensure that rewards are allocated based on genuine activity, minimizing the potential for manipulation. The incentive structure is designed to proportionally reflect participant contributions. Full rules, terms, and conditions for the Block Party and Aura rewards are located here. About Nibiru Nibiru is a high throughput Multi VM blockchain featuring Nibiru EVM, an EVM-equivalent execution engine. Its architecture executes state updates in parallel to maintain performance under heavy load. Nibiru supports standard EVM bytecode, allowing builders to avoid costly rewrites and leverage familiar tools. Backed by $20.5 million from investors in East Asia and the United States, Nibiru is engineered to make building and using Web3 applications faster, more efficient, and more accessible. Contact PR and Media Inquries media@


Bloomberg
20-02-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Norinchukin CEO to Resign as Bank Forecasts Bigger Annual Loss
Norinchukin Bank said Chief Executive Officer Kazuto Oku will step down at the end of March, as the Japanese lender forecast deeper losses stemming from soured foreign bond investments. Oku, 65, will be replaced by Chief Financial Officer Taro Kitabayashi, who was nominated to take over the reins effective April 1, the bank said in a statement on Thursday, confirming reports from earlier this week.