on the crowded train
fat sweaty salaryman
suctions to my back

(based on a true story)

suzy xxx
www.floatingworldviews.com

Hey everyone just a quick post as we get ready to make our way to Harajuku with your amazing haiku poems in hand. We have them all printed out and might ask some of our Harajuku Girl friends to pick the winners or at least give us some help. They have all been so amazing (this has been the best comp EVER!) it's tricky.

The camera battery is all charged up, the sun is shining no doubt the Harajuku girls and boys are out in full force. Picture proof on it's way!!

See you when we get back from our little adventure.

p.s you still have one day to get any last minute Haiku brilliance to us! The competition finishes at midnight Tokyo time tomorrow.

Wishes from a super sweaty, ice cream needing Tokyo,

TM
xx

These gorgeous photographs and emotive haiku are a fab way to wind down what has been a super fun Summer comp here at TOKYOMADE.

These were sent to us my Katie in Denver. Enjoy!

Summer Dragon Boat Festival:
Balloons glide the air,
Strong dragons soar the sea.
Devotion fills the crowd's hearts!

Mountain Vacation:
Bright white clouds fly by,
as summer breeze cools my soul.
Fly bird, don't return!

Thanks so much for this fun contest opportunity to share our summer fun!

Love & XOXO,
Katie Karr

Ichigo Seijin (Strawberry Alien) have crash landed and we were quick to scoop them up. These kawaii strawberry aliens are here to help so keep them close to you. You scratch their backs and they will scratch yours.

An original character designed and created here in Japan, now being printed onto the cutest, most colorful stationary, clothing and accessories. Watch as they start to take over in the coolest way possible. These aliens are bound to invade your spaces and add some sweet style to your life.

More alien antics to come!

A big fan of leaving things until the last minute myself, we were excited to receive the last of the Summer in the City Haiku Comp entries.

Thanks a million Erin, these pieces are rocking our world. Sharing them on this blog doesn't do them justice, they are hotter than a Shibuya boy's hair do.

1.
Fragrant smoke blooms clouds
Lust pools in my collarbone
Weak in your monsoon

2.
Leaves quiver rhythm
Cicadas hum twilight songs
Humid breath teases

3.
Sweet salty moist skin
Melt in your gaze, blush and drip
Have me al a mode

4.
Come towards sweet waters
Sandalwood on my raw neck
Bare feet, wet hair, yin

5.
Wet pavement perfumes
Neon stars tint clouds in rose
Dusk cools in my eyes

6.
August comes, aching
Tears taste of absent kisses
The warm rains lack salt

While it is certainly not the end of Summer in Tokyo our Summer in the City Haiku Competition is officially closed. We would like to thank you all so very much for making this a very entertaining comp, thanks for the inspiration, motivation and laughs.

A quick and special thanks to each of you. Hope we didn't miss anyone out (if I did leave you out I am super sorry but trust me we have read your poems and enjoyed them immensely!)

Suzy - Thanks for the true story and the memories.
Eternity - Thank you for all of your poems from you farewell to Winter to your ode to our new aliens.
Tala - Hope you are still enjoying the summer warmth.
Erin - Your haiku left us somewhat speechless, is this something you do often or are you just a natural? Super awesome!
Katie - Thank you for the lovely emails, photos and gorgeous poems.
Alan - As we said, it was an honor to have to kick off our little competition, thank you very much for your support and guidance.
Molly - Hope that you got that ice cream!!
Jen - Sometimes being a Western girl on the train can be a whole lot of fun - enjoy!
Sigsy - See what happens when you pound those 'hot city pavements' to often. Hope you are all healed and well rested.
Sydney - How is the hair? Hope the frizz has flown the coup.
Nico - Wishing you fun during the 'long summer nights'.
Bex - Hope you and your babes are enjoying a spot of Totoro minus the torrential downpours.
Lindsay - Your haiku and photo combo was mysteriously gorgeous - thank you.
Stephanie - Did you pick up a new fan?
Aimee - Forever dreaming of cute things is a great way to forget the heat, hope you are enjoying the summer.
Masami - Your clever translation inspired us. Have been slurping kakigouri most days!
Marissa - Thanks for the sweet poem, forever thinking of a picnic for the sky.
Hariette - Wishing you many fun and successful summer picnics.
Lauren - Wishing we had some pics of your popsicle stained grin - kawaii!
Nicola - Wishing your breathless city heart a cool and relaxing Summer.
Fiona - Thank you for the steamy image and the equally saucy haiku - impressive!
Kori - Did you get those shoes you were lusting after? Pictures please!!
Robin - Thanks for the insight into your 'wonderful world'. Hope your part of the world has warmed up nicely!
Varinia - Amazing, it certainly was all amazing kawaii! Thanks for the stunning piece of art.
Maya - Hope you are enjoying your summer lovin' and dreamy boys.
Shareen - Still the glorious Haiku queen, thank you for your words, thoughts and art.
Clairol - How is the kawaii deficiency shaping up? Hope you have a whole lot more cuteness in your life.
Lindsey - Shinjuku is missing you, look forward to sharing sunsets and drinks when you get back!
Becca from MySpace - Flattery will get you everywhere, thanks for the kindness.

The winners?? This has not been easy...actually it has been outrageously difficult, like being a teacher with one prize that you dearly want to give to all of your gorgeous little overachievers. But we have to play by our own rules and we said just two prizes so... WE PROMISE TO POST TOMORROW AND TELL YOU EXACTLY WHO THE WINNERS ARE! Fingers crossed

Sweet dreams
TM
xx

This has been tricky and exciting all in one. Thank you so much for all of your entries. It is time to announce the winners! We have given this lots of thought and read all of your glorious poems many times.

Congratulations to Shareen the Haiku Queen and Varinia and her artistic sweetness. The TOKYOMADE prize packs are heading your way!

Thank you again to everyone who entered their awesome pieces of Japanese poetry!

Lots of super fab stuff coming your way. Summer inspiration is bubbling over - new creations, new designs and some brand new labels.

CHECK IT OUT!

Henshin Studio Mon Katsura
4-28-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 150-0001
Open: 10:00 - 18:00

Relaxing after a very colorful and fun filled weekend in Tokyo. Stop by at Sushi Zume or Julie in Japan for the extended version of this weekend's Pride parade and Ni Chome Matsuri.

In other exciting news we have received some stunning pieces this weekend. New Asako Design Ties and a range of Cos Play Goth wear from top designer Bla Bla Hospital.

Ever since the Ichigo Seijin have landed here at TOKYOMADE with no signs of their vehicle in sight we can't help but wonder how they got here and where their space ships are parked.

Tomokuni and his hot style of free hand air brush art has made his way to TOKYOMADE. After numerous shows around Japan, where these caps were merely for display, limited edition and unattainable pieces of fashion art the Mesh Cap Art Collection is now available for sale here at TM!

After a couple of days in the Japanese country side we are back in Tokyo full of life and ready for some city action. Our lungs are filled with fresh air and TOKYOMADE is filling with some fresh new styles.

NEW to TM, Discrete Bags aim to give more color and personality to the grey world of laptop-bags! The sleeves protect your precious piece perfectly and keep all your work/study/play stuff together while you carry it around discretely and stylishly.

We think they have the right balance of super city chic and pretty practicality. Watch for more Discrete Bags coming to hang out with us at TOKYOMADE.

Not to be confused with a furoshiki a tenugui is often referred to as a Japanese hand towel. But we are making a stand, taking it to the streets and shouting it from the rooftops... "A tenugui is so much more than a tea towel!!"

The tenugui is a versatile symbol of Japanese style. Often worn around the head in anime or manga and also used as a head piece by Kendo enthusiasts, the tengui can transform the most dull fashion ensemble into a street fighting fiasco.

While the tenugui does a mighty fine job of mopping up spills and drying freshly washed hands it's underlying ability to add a splash of Japanese style to your kitchen or bathroom cannot go unnoticed. The tenugui is a decorative piece of art repetitively hand printed. Upon entering a tenugui shop, yes there are whole shops dedicated to these trusty pieces of cotton, you will be stunned and amazed at the range of colors and prints on display both contemporary and modern.

Looking for the ultimate Japanese souvenir or needing to add some style to your space? The tenugui has it all. In fact we have major plans to hang our favorite tenugui in our very own apartment this weekend, don't let me forget to take some pics to show you how it is done! The tenugui is so much more than your Grandma's tea towel hanging in the rumpus room!

Check out the latest tees and tenugui by Ichigo Seijin.

In Tokyo this weekend or just wishing that you were? Here are a few tips for this weekend's yummiest events...

Tonight is the annual Azabu Juban Festival, the narrow streets will be filled with Yukata clad sweeties, smokey street stalls and flapping paper fans. If the street squish is not your thing be sure to head to the top of Roppongi Hills for a more glamorous affair. The Mado Lounge is hosting a Yukata Party. Hosted by Raymond Rhinestones with a live performance by Soundaholic, Yukata styling and exhibit by HIROCOLEDGE (stunning Japanese Yukatat). Doors Open 21:00

Not as high in the sky but certainly a rockin', lively event is The Ghetto Tokyo's 1st Birthday Party (which we will be heading to!) Celebrate the love hotel turned skate park/ cafe/ gallery / independent design shop!

Bla Bla Hospital have begun to sell their intriguing range of fashion remedies in the Kera Shop Marui. Go check them out! And of course their healthy range is already showing HERE at TOKYOMADE.

Not to be missed, and trust us most of Tokyo will be there (well only about 1.2million but that is a whole lot of people in the gorgeous little streets of Koenji), the 51st annual Awa Odori Festival held in Koenji. Check HERE for an amazing English site about the colorful spectacular. This year about 188 groups, 12,000 dancers will perform Awa dance to body moving music and work their way through the Koenji streets!

Weekend wishes to you all!
Love from Tokyo.

This month's Dr Sketchy's Tokyo sketchers were plunged into a stunning subterranean world of mesmerizing mermaids and swashbuckling pirates.

The handmade merwoman attire stunned and amazed, twinkling under the bright lights of the Pink Cow.

In a dastardly act of pirate tomfoolery the aquatic angel was whisked from her basking point and carried off into the night.

Later to emerge from the grips of the pirates as an alluring beauty, no longer a mermaid.

Each week at Dr. Sketchy's Tokyo one very talented artist is scheduled to splash their style onto a piece of canvas to be admired and shared in at a future Dr Sketchy's event. This month is was Tomokuni of Team Extasy that did the honors. A man of many talents he showed a new side to his art with this sleek painting of the mermaid come woman.

The next Dr. Sketchy's Tokyo will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2007.

We adore clever, creative and super friendly folk, who doesn't? But there are a few in particular that really tickle our fancy. One of them being Sion. Creator of Cuteable , maker of Simply Modern Art: Ubiki and master builder of the superiorly friendly social network for independent artists, designers, bloggers, retailers and shoppers - Indiepublic.

A note from our most loved site of the week, no month!!
"Indiepublic is an independent art and design community. If you're an artist, designer, retailer, blogger, or just someone who gets giddy when they buy indie, we've saved a seat for you!"

See how sweet it is, you don't even have to line up to get a seat, it is currently warming for you! Head on over to Indie Public, be sure to drop by and make us a friend. Trust us it won't be too long and you will be swept up in the empowering positively of the sleek design, the exploding number of members and the warmth of the creative community.

Pic from Sanrio

Is there anything this proficient puss can't do? The challenge is on! We dare you to find something that Kitty Chan hasn't done! She can fight fires, she can adorn toilet paper, she can vibrate and now the talented Hello Kitty has the know how to "sort your mental out".

Go HERE to let Hello Kitty give you a "Psychological Test".

Via Japundit

An oldie but a goodie.
A tongue in cheek look at the rules that apply to sushi devouring.

Dip it and enjoy!
TM
xx
p.s. Never eat the salt at the front door!

The first weekend of September in Tokyo is shaping up to be a mighty fine one. If you are out and about in the city these are a few spots we think are worth checking out. If you are loving us from afar be sure to click on the links, read up on the Tokyo happenings and impress your friends with your knowledge of rockin' international events!

- This week over at Ping Mag quite the comment riot was caused when a conversation with Japanese artists Yoshimitsu Umekawa and Kensei Yabuno was posted. Seems their current Fancy Head exhibition at B Gallery in Shinjuku is copping all kinds of reviews. Worth a look to see what the comment hype is about we think.

- The Melting Point Exhibition at Tokyo Opera City Gallery has been recommended to us by a few peeps around town. An interactive immersion into an installation by the Scotish, Brazilian and Japanese artists could be just the adventure we are looking for.

- On a more personal note, this weekend, Saturday September 1, we are having a little gathering of our own. Cocktails and Chandeliers will be held right here in our very own Tokyo apartment. Looking forward to great friends, devine food and a chilled evening of cocktails under the chandelier. Considering September 1 in Japan is National Disaster Prevention Day we are planning for a bubbly yet safe extravaganza.

All this and so very much more. When are you coming to visit?

Happy Disaster Prevention Day!
Tokyo love,
TM
xx