046_UFO catcher

UFO catchers or claw vending machines are super-duper popular among the young generation in Japan (and everywhere else in the world). They are usually found together with arcade games, like salt and pepper. Prizes are ranging from small cute toys to weird things that should not even be there at the first place. Some items, judged by the logic of ordinary people, do not look like can be lifted by those flimsy claws but, however, there are some people who have mastered the art of groping and you will be surprised to see what they can do. Even though there is no evidence that UFO catchers are originated from the idea of alien abduction, but it is hard not to assume such connection…

045_ languages

Today’s Japan is different from that of 10 years ago. The number of people who can understand or speak basic English is rising. One of the main reasons for this change is their preparation for co-hosting FIFA World Cup with Korea in 2002, the same process China has undergone for the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games. There are language lessons showing on free-to-air TV everyday after midnight, and English is not the only one. I can’t wait to see how Japan will change in the next 10 years.

044_hanko

A hanko (or inkan) is a seal widely used in Japan by individuals or companies as an equivalent to a signature. For personal use, there are at least four kinds of seals differentiated by their importance and formality. Off-the-shelf hanko like the ones in the photo, being mass-produced, of course should not be used for official or legal documents but rather for signing for postal deliveries, utility bill payments or receipt of internal company documents, for instance.

043_prefab bathroom

Unito-basu or unit bath is a tiny prefab bathroom commonly found in small houses, apartments and hotels in Japan. A unit contains a washbasin, a bathtub and a toilet, all in one single-surfaced fiberglass making it convenient to transport, install and clean. Another distinguished difference from conventional bathroom is its drop detail, which is a step higher the room outside.

042_sub-users

Last year my senior, Rachaporn Choochuey (http://blogzone-allzone.blogspot.com), was so kind to invite me for a review of graduation projects by her students at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. There was a proposal for a Children Learning Centre, which instigated me to talk about main users and sub users. By nature of the program the primary user group is definitely kids but, however, parents who accompany the children to the centre inevitably make up a secondary group of users. Likewise, who knows that streetlights are useful not only to human, especially in winter?

041_homeless 03

While cardboard boxes are perfect material for building a shelter because of its lightness and great availability it’s not ideal for outdoor use. Pure cardboard shelters are usually found only in covered areas such as underground link ways or train stations. For outdoor campsites, Tokyo Bedouins wrap their homes with a secondary layer of blue (or green) tarpaulin for weather protection.

040_fashion city

Tokyo is a city of fashion. People here dress up quite well comparing to those in other Asian cities. It is interesting to note that some inexpensive-but-well-designed brands of apparel such as MUJI, among others, has created a generic appearance of Tokyoites, the same way IKEA has done to interior spaces across Europe. Salary men on the train carry similar briefcases or housewives don the same design of coats and handbags are fairly usual sight within Tokyo’s urban area. Younger women are also in favour of stiletto heels even though they don’t look comfortable at all. This photo was taken from a shop in Tokyo. Look carefully and you’ll notice an impressive number of marks caused by those killing heels.

039_creative display

I once wrote about Akihabara on the post no.002_Signtecture. The area is famous for electrical appliances and digital technologies. It is also perhaps one of the most vibrant areas in Japan. One can find not only incredible amount of information flying around in all sorts of form ranging from small handouts to giant digital billboard façade, but also the most interesting ways of displaying products. Since most shops are selling more or less the same stuffs. The competition rate is high. Creativity is an important key to public’s attention.