Monthly Archives: December 2005

HDTV Vs. Hi-Vision

I was checking out the TVs yesterday at Bic Camera, a bit curious to see what HDTV-enabled sets go for these days. I didn’t notice anything that mentioned HDTV specifically, but what looked like high-definition sets were always referred to as Hi-Vision. Are these one and the same? Is High-Vision simply the way HDTV gets […]

Atelier Muji

I did my monthly Ginza/Yurakucho tour today, and this was the scene at Atelier Muji, inside the Muji Yurakucho flagship store. Oh, and if you get the chance, you really should try to see the “Eco Bags Save the Earth” charity event at Creation Gallery G8. I can’t say that I was very excited by […]

Where's the Dragon?

Microsoft’s pulling out the big guns! Just now, in the span of a few minutes, twice I saw a commercial that shows Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of the FINAL FANTASY series, sitting in front of a computer with Akira Toriyama (with Toriyama’s face hidden, of course), and he says something like, “Toriyama, you really are great!” […]

This Week in Magazines

The latest issue of PEN (167) takes a look at souvenirs from around the world, spotlighting things to get from various cities. This month’s RELAX (107) sports a cover claiming “2006 Onsen Happy Days,” with most of the interior taken up by everything relating to hot springs, from international picks to the best in Japan. […]

Wallpaper* Loves Japan

The latest issue of WALLPAPER* (December/January) is certainly heavy on the Japanese content — mostly written by their Tokyo correspondent, Fiona Wilson — including pieces on Wonderwall, the current popularity of LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) in Japan, the work of Ubushina, the new Kisho Kurokawa-designed National Art Center in Roppongi Hills (to open […]