the ultimate workout routine
How does your fitness plan change with limited access to equipment & gyms?
living room carpet
30 minute tabata
workout on repeat
…
doesn’t require any…
barbell sets, squat racks or exercise bikes
to improve your overall fitness
all you need to do is
keep your body moving.
japan blue
What is the oldest piece of clothing you own and wear?
What does the color look like? Is it indigo/japan blue?
vintage apparel
indigo judo jackets
decorate the store
…
is the traditional dyeing technique and process that spans over
365 days to cultivate…
though making indigo from raw plants to pigment takes time,
dyed fabrics will last lifetimes.
Kiriko inspired today's haiku for their conscious slow fashion and sustainable lifestyle movement of creating and curating timeless apparel from custom indigo dyed kendo jackets to kimono. Give them a look!
the "fifth taste"
When was the last time you eat something packed with umami?
simmered overnight
cultivates deliciousness
a cloud of miso
…
umami of “deliciousness”
originated from equal parts
chemical and cultural history
by Japanese chemist,
Kikunae Ikeda’s molecular research
of kombu dashi.
eucalyptus
How can eucalyptus leaves be poisonous to humans but food for koalas?
eucalyptus leaves
poisonous evergreen
food for koalas
…
distilled into oil
when mixed with water and diffused
provides aromatherapy
to heal the body, mind and spirit but
when consumed as a leaf
is toxic to humans.
tokyo broadcasting system
How does rebroadcasting popular shows effect their original counterparts?
obstacle courses
rebroadcast originals
in america
…
tokyo broadcasting system
home to nihon television favorites,
takeshi’s castle, sasuke & kunoichi
were programs redubbed, remixed & renewed as…
most extreme elimination challenge, american ninja warrior & women of ninja warrior
for international audiences viewing pleasure.
how does rebroadcasting popular shows effect their original counterparts?
harry potter, the lord of the rings & my neighbor totoro
What film have you watched that followed the hero’s journey while building an entire world at the same time?
endless countryside
mundane characters enter
the hero’s journey
…
three cinema hallmarks
whose global follow ship praises for
immersive realism, sensational soundtracks & touch of magic
are imbued with the concept of worldbuilding.
is a picture really worth a 1000 words?
not literally but…
smart phone on vibrate
digital applications
dance on a blue stage
…
Not literally but…
a single image with it’s description communicates the essence, significance & symbolism
more effectively together than when the visual mediums are separately apart.
When have you seen or experienced this type of artwork that captivated your world?
loop of rumination
Stuck in a rut or feeling like your life is on repeat? Ask yourself what you can do to move forward.
vhs cassette
rewinding analog tape
the cycle repeats
…
Stuck in a rut or feeling like your life is on repeat? Ask yourself what can you do to move forward.
More so then ever we can feel constrained to our surroundings and settle to a “life in a box.”
Unlike a box of cassettes, concrete or cardboard, this box is made of frustration, depression, anger and sometimes jealousy.
Excepting these passing thoughts is one thing. Moving forward is the real step to getting outside.
less > more
Describe a time when you feel & perform your best.
staring into space
a unfolding universe
piqued your interest
…
Describe a time when you feel & perform your best.
In writing, words come naturally
In music, rhythm kicks in
In sports, unconscious performance is a superpower
All actions and activities point to being in the state of flow or feeling “in the zone”.
Be present the next time you lose your sense of self while creativity & risk taking elevates.
You may find yourself thinking how slow time felt.
"floating ink"
What is a childhood craft or current activity you find yourself reminiscing or practicing today?
the breath of winter
filling an empty canvas
the artist pauses
…
What is a childhood craft or current activity you find yourself reminiscing or practicing?
Whether it’s something you did as a kid or just now getting into - the power of starting is strong.
Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced, we all can learn a thing or two no matter the expertise.
Just remember to enjoy the art of making and not take things too seriously.
Everyone is an artist.
metabolism
Imagine your forever home. What elements does it have? Was Capsule Architecture on the list?
Known for beauty in simplicity, unparalleled craftsmanship and blending traditional themes with modern design - Japanese Architecture is home to an array of styles of work. One of which is the post-war architectural movement in Metabolism.
ginza district
residing in the future
light steel capsules
…
Imagine your forever home. What elements does it have? Was Capsule Architecture on the list?
Known for beauty in simplicity, unparalleled craftsmanship and blending traditional themes with modern design - Japanese Architecture is home to an array of styles of work. One of which is the post-war architectural movement in Metabolism.
Kenzo Tange, Kisho Kurokawa and Kiyonori Kikutake are considered some of the god-father’s of this movement. The trio believed people should consider how buildings, cities and Japan should be organized similar to emulating a biological organism (hence the name Metabolism).
The prime example of this movement can be seen with Capsule Hotels.
To a casual onlooker, Capsule Hotels may come across as a cheap tourist one-night stay..
To metabolism enthusiasts and now me, see a designer’s careful hand in molding a sustainable and environmentally conscious megastructure.
Odds are this design wasn’t part of your list. Yet, this type of thought process of how human creations impact the planet may help refocus your energy in keeping the earth clean and green.
codependent relationships
Codependent relationships are typically seen in givers & takers and an imbalanced enablement of one’s health & happiness..
three thirty pm
media advertisements
consume attention
…
Codependent relationships are typically seen in givers & takers and an imbalanced enablement of one’s health & happiness..
During the pandemic, consumption of media and other things skyrocketed.
Instead of watching another game, scrolling through videos/photos or drinking bubble tea..
Do go out for a safe walk
Do make that dish
Do call a friend or family and if there’s time..
Do watch some Super Bowl Ads
Allow yourself to be okay with moderating consumption, just be aware of the roots of your actions.
the way of ma
When less is more - The Japanese concept of Ma (間) describes a pause in time, interval or empty void in space.
saturday morning
radiant light enraptures
bird of paradise
…
When less is more - The Japanese concept of Ma (間) describes a pause in time, interval or empty void in space.
This negative space aesthetic is seen across cultural arts:
In ikebana (flower arrangements)
In sumi-e (woodblock painting)
In haiku (short poems)
The list goes on..
Take a moment and look around. Where do you notice moments of space and time? And in these moments, are you growing?
Follow for more introspective haiku.
a slow morning tradition
Ever have a dream so immersive, vivid, and seductive that it felt real?
Well that is before being woken up by your alarm for the third time..
endless inception
vanishing altogether
from a single sound
…
Ever have a dream so immersive, vivid, and seductive that it felt real? Well that is before being woken up by your alarm for the third time..
We may not realize it, but dreaming can be a form of escapism - people's subconscious taking shape and yearning to experience or relieve pressure from the outside world.
Exploring Satoshi Kon's 2006 dream world anime "Paprika" and Christopher Nolan's 2010 blockbuster "Inception" are prime examples of this notion.
Whether or not you've experienced a lucid dream state, it's important to know the power of your subconscious but valuing your sleep as well.
As a lack of or imbalance of this natural recurring state of mind and body may trick our minds into an endless limbo.
Follow for more introspective haiku.
"Staying in this room is what will make you sick!"
"Staying in this room is what will make you sick!" is one of the memorable quotes from none other than Japanese Animator, Producer/Director Hayao Miyazaki's international masterpiece "Spirited Away".
Reaching the conversation between the film's growing 10-year-old female protagonist, Chihiro and the reluctant to leave his room, Bôh hold a deeper message.
four wall partition
entering and exiting
the life of a pig
…
"Staying in this room is what will make you sick!" is one of the memorable quotes from none other than Japanese Animator, Producer/Director Hayao Miyazaki's international masterpiece "Spirited Away".
Reaching the conversation between the film's growing 10-year-old female protagonist, Chihiro and the reluctant to leave his room, Bôh hold a deeper message.
Given the world's current condition, it's completely normal to feel afraid and cautious of our surroundings when venturing outside (wear a mask)..
Yet, without setting a growth and positive mindset even when staying at home, is setting ourselves up to become stuck in our ways.
Today, I encourage everyone whose feeling overwhelmed, tired or lost to take a deep breath and release stress. Today is your day to get out of your (mind) room.
Follow for more introspective haiku.