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 Mio Yamada

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Mio Yamada
A freelance arts and lifestyle editor and writer, Mio Yamada focuses on design, crafts and architecture. When she’s not visiting galleries and trade fairs, you'll find her taking photos of everything and being distracted by shiny objects. She's also surprisingly British.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Sep 19, 2021
The latest Japanese interior design brings origami into the fold
The art of paper folding has been inspiring kids and adults for generations. “On: Design” looks at a few contemporary goods inspired by the aesthetics and utility of the time-honored craft.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Aug 29, 2021
Deck out your home with goods from these Olympic-level designers
Two major creators who enjoyed the limelight during the 2020 Tokyo Games, Nendo and Kengo Kuma, have recently released affordable, elegant items for the home.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Aug 13, 2021
Kengo Kuma on the future of urban architecture … and cats
The architect's first major solo exhibition showcases 74 public spaces and facilities, and an installation featuring CGI cats that reveals a deeper contemplation of urban landscapes.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Aug 12, 2021
Liberty London shares a deep love for Japan
Liberty's rollout of its From Japan With Love collection of textiles, a collaboration with eight contemporary Japanese artists, includes a capsule collection of clothing and stationery.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Jul 28, 2021
Mate-mono: Changing the fabric of Japan’s textile industry
With mate-mono, Komatsu Matere is taking the inevitable quantities of leftover and cut-off fabric that come from manufacturing and creating stylish sustainability.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Jul 4, 2021
No time to die, but a great time to wear a maekake apron
Once standard workwear for tradespeople, Anything Co. Ltd.'s maekake feature contemporary graphic designs, iconic ukiyo-e prints, manga characters and sports team logos.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Jun 20, 2021
Getting the dirt on Japan’s latest clay creations
Today, tiles are an architectural staple. Many are still made using traditional techniques, and some manufacturers are finding creative ways to revamp their wares for a wider audience.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
May 23, 2021
Japan’s latest woodwork designs go against the grain
“On: Design” introduces innovative new products inspired by traditional bamboo and wood crafts.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Apr 18, 2021
Boutique design hotels for the discerning staycationer
Beautifully designed and reasonably priced, “On: Design” checks out four new hotels that offer out-of-the-ordinary stays.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Apr 17, 2021
‘Culture Gate’ brings top-flight artworks to Japan’s airports
Dozens of works are now on display in terminal buildings across Japan as part of a major media arts exhibition split between seven airports and one international cruise port.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Mar 27, 2021
Keisuke Sugiyama: ‘Being able to experience the past through art is extremely exciting’
As an associate professor at Tohoku University of Art and Design, Keisuke Sugiyama is using a wide array of tools to convey his love of art.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Mar 20, 2021
Japanese designers make haste to reduce waste
With Earth Day coming up next month, “On: Design” looks into a few initiatives that address Japan's plastic waste problem.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Feb 28, 2021
Top 5: The sweetest of Tokyo's wagashi offerings
A traditional confectionery, sweet Japanese 'wagashi' pair exquisitely with green tea and are definitely a sight to behold.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Feb 27, 2021
Aichi Design Vision: Manufacturing collabs inspire creative homeware projects
As a way to promote manufacturing industries in Aichi Prefecture, Aichi Design Vision paired companies with up-and-coming designers to create brand new homeware products.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Jan 23, 2021
The ultimate colors to illuminate your 2021
“On Design” looks at a few recent product releases that highlight Pantone's newest color(s) of the year.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Dec 26, 2020
Cow design collaborations to steer 2021 in the right direction
“On Design” looks to 2021, the Year of the Ox (or cow, depending on who you ask), with a few design collaborations featuring the auspicious bovine.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Dec 19, 2020
There’s a story behind each of Makiko Minagawa’s textiles
The former textile director of Miyake Design Studio is still pushing the boundaries of natural fabric, craftsmanship and sustainability.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Dec 3, 2020
Issey Miyake and New Balance tie-ups take textiles to the next level
Exhibitions showcasing the fashion brands' creative collaborations with artists highlight the evolution of fabrics.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design
Nov 28, 2020
Material Market finds beauty in recycling Japan’s craft waste
With a slick, minimalist design, Material Market is one of the few ventures in Japan that allows the general public to purchase craft waste materials.
Japan Times
LIFE / Style & Design / ON: DESIGN
Nov 22, 2020
Work from home in style with these design-focused office goods
As remote working becomes the norm, “On: Design” picks its favorite interior goods designed to help make the home office space less of an eyesore.

Longform

Traditional folk rituals like Mizudome-no-mai (dance to stop the rain) provide a sense of agency to a population that feels largely powerless in the face of the climate crisis.
As climate extremes intensify, Japan embraces ancient weather rituals