This is ridiculous and viral enough that I dug up my old TokyoMango password just to repost it.
More versions and a not-so-detailed explanation of why it’s so popular here.
via Joi
The Japanese way of saying “I love you”
Act 1 of this week’s episode of This American Life is about a makeshift phone booth in Japan where people go to “talk” to relatives who died in the 2011 tsunami. It’s a total tear jerker—especially, I think, for those of us who resonate with the Japanese way of expressing deeply felt emotions, like love and loss and mourning: “He never says I love you directly. Real feelings are communicated through small gestures, especially ones of concern. Like when he asked his wife, are you staying warm?”
Listen to the episode
Traditional pottery features skateboarding monks
Just because the medium is traditional doesn’t mean the content has to be too. A traditional pottery store in Ishikawa Prefecture has invented a line of products that features skateboarders, surfers, and drummers — all without compromising on the authenticity of the craft. Love it!
Choemon pottery store via Colossal
(Thanks, Sarah C!)
Hiro Fujita’s plea to allow human trials for ALS @ TEDxTokyo
This is my friend from high school, Hiro. He has been living with ALS for a few years now. The last time I saw him in person, he was able to move a finger and speak. Not anymore. He speaks by typing into a computer by moving his eyes, with the help of his incredible network of friends and colleagues, some of whom appear in this video (shot at TEDxTokyo last month). Hiro has turned his fight into a successful campaign to raise awareness about ALS and to urge the medical field to allow human trials on people like him who are close to death and willing to risk it in order to place their bets on survival.
“My voice is louder now since ALS took it away.”
Yes, it is. And the world is listening. Love you Hiro!
Nissin’s creative Cup Noodle commercials, from cavemen to soccer-playing samurai
You might wonder what a samurai playing soccer in Brazil has anything to do with Nissin Cup Noodle, but here’s the thing: Nissin has always — for decades — been incredibly creative in the way they market their popular snack dish that is, in fact, terrible for your health.
For example, some of you might remember the caveman series from the 70s?
The Tofu Festival, an event that helps you “break open”
If you’re in Tokyo on Tuesday, please join us for our The Tofu Festival, an afternoon of inspiring fun talks by our most creative, eccentric friends in Japan. Tomo and I are teaching a workshop on storytelling and design from 1pm, which yo