5 Tools for Getting Started with 'Sumi-e'
Japanese 'sumi-e' ink wash painting is a great hobby to pick up—it's cheap and easy to get started!
Tokyo’s Major Train Stations Illustrated
This illustrator creates astounding renderings of Tokyo’s major train stations by hand!
Learn Japanese on Instagram?!
If you're trying to learn Japanese but always on the go, this Japanese Instagram account might be just for you!
Surreal Acrylic Paintings of Animals as Bonsai
Check out these mosaic acrylic paintings by Japanese artist Takumi Kama.
7 Lesser-Known Art Galleries You Should See
In Japan you can find delicate scrolls, exquisite pottery and incredible kimono art along with works by Yoshitomo Nara, Henri Matisse or Pablo Picasso—you just need to know where to look!
7+ Kinds of Calligraphy Brushes
The kind of calligraphy brush you need depends on the kind of lines you want to draw. Here are seven-plus options from a historic shop in Toyohashi that you can order from anywhere!
Painted Imaginary Camouflaged Leaf Insects
To avoid becoming prey, leaf insects use mimicry to blend into their surroundings. But what happens when the insect's natural environment has been completely destroyed?
Light Up Paper Cities with the Stroke of a Pen
The special ink found in this pen conducts electricity, allowing you to draw circuits and create your own illuminated pop-up cities, houses or whatever else your creative mind can dream up!
Umi Hashi: Chopsticks Made from Ocean Plastic
See how this graduate turns ocean waist into useful tools for eating!
An Old Spin on Some Modern Characters
From Disney's Frozen to One Piece, these animated classics are getting an 'ukiyo-e'-style makeover!
Otherworldly Transformation of Simple Ceramics
This ceramic artist takes utilitarian vessels and transforms them into otherworldly objects.
Tsuchimochi Completes His '100 Views of Tokyo'
Revisit Shinji Tsuchimochi's stunning artwork series, '100 Views of Tokyo.'
Learning to Love 'Sumi' Ink Sticks
Ink sticks, or 'sumi,' were a practical way of conserving and transporting ink. They're the classic tool for writing Japanese calligraphy—and using them has an almost Zen-like quality.
Ever Seen a Paper Book Sculpture?
Discover how these books map out existing landscapes in order to give life to an inventive art form!
3 Historic Fan Shops in Kyoto
Japanese fans are as much about fashion and art as they are about keeping cool, and these traditional shops have really mastered the craft!
Ghibli Celebrates 30 Years of Filmmaking
Studio Ghibli celebrates 30 years of filmmaking with a Roppongi exhibition filled with tons of memorabilia, Ghibli-themed food and limited-edition toys!
Dustless Chalk & Erasable Window Crayons
Make playtime a little cleaner with dustless chalk made from scallop shells, and crayons that can draw on windows and then wash off like the art was never there!
How to Use Manga Pens
Learn how to get started with the most essential manga tools right here!
Seasonal Beauty in South-Central Tokyo
In addition to its historical art objects, the Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art offers a garden that's worth a look in itself!
Film & Solo Exhibition: The Whispering Star
Radical film director Sono Sion enlightens us with his solo exhibition, showcasing one of his most talked about films to date.
