1. Hana.bi Interviews | Eiji Han Shimizu

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    Eiji Han Shimizu is the producer of The Happy Movie. He has travelled around the world for 6 years in search of happiness. An emotion that is so normal for us, yet a state that is seemingly difficult to acomplish these days. We met hi for the first time two...
  2. Japan + Solar Power|Sphelar Lantern

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    The land of the rising sun is harnessing solar energy in an even more efficient and sustainable way; Japan has produced the classy Sphelar Lantern which turns on and off with a simple flip, and will never run out of power as long as the Earth keeps spinning around the sun. Charge it during the day and turn it over in the evening to power the LED lantern.
  3. Japan + Beer|Mt. Fuji Glass

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    As you can see, Japan’s beloved Mt. Fuji has been captured in a beer glass! This charming design won a special prize in the 2008 Tokyo Midtown Awards and is surely catching the eye of beer lovers outside of Japan as well. Who wouldn’t want to share their home rendition...
  4. The United States Vs. Takaichi Sakai: No No, Part 2 of 5

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    In Part 1, my grandfather, Takaichi Sakai, was arrested and investigated by the FBI. An Internee Hearing Board in February 1943 ordered that he be “interned for the duration of the war.” A few weeks later, the Military Governor had him sent to a “relocation center” on the Mainland. My...
  5. STICKARA

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    Woohoo! We have officially launched KECKARA issue number 1! Well, almost a week has passed since the official launch at the Tara-matsuri (winter codfish festival) on the 12th of this month, but it’s still exciting to see the fruits of our labor manifested into something tangible, and see other people...
  6. Karakuwa Sunsets

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    There are many reasons why I’ve come to love Karakuwa and why I’ve decided to devote so much of my time here. The food is amazing, the fresh air is addicting, the rich Tohoku history is captivating and the people are so nice and full of energy. But one of...
  7. Light of Hope – 希望の灯り

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    I had the opportunity to visit this special monument located in Rikuzentakata City, in the Otomo district last week. Aside from being set in a very beautiful location, this monument and fire serves as a reminder for the lives lost, lives affected and people fighting to get their lives back...
  8. KECKARA けっから。

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    Using art and design to continue to aid Tohoku is one of my long term goals and a big part of J-Station. And a big project that we have created to further that goal is a free paper for Karakuwa, called KECKARA aka けっから。 The word KECKARA, in the Karakuwa...