Akemashite Omedetou Happy 2009 to you all! Thank you for your support in 2008. We are looking forward to a creative new year in 2009.

Warmest wishes from Tokyo,
Masao and Deanne

We caught up with design duo Cintya and Flavio of HOBO to chat about their creative journey and the pieces coming soon to TokyoMade.

What is your brand name?
Hobo


Where are you from?
Brazil


How long have you been creating your art?
We both have been on different paths even before we met. Cintya was in fine arts and I was in the music scene. Now we are both in something between design and art. We have been thinking creatively since 2000.


What inspires you?
Nature, paintings, good design and music.


What do you do in your free time?
We walk, we talk, we enjoy our home and think about the future
.

What foods keep your creative juices flowing?
I like typical Brazilian food like the traditional combo rice, beans, steak, salad and fries. Cintya likes...


Do you have a favorite brand?
We don't consume that much, but Apple is great. They are concerned about doing things simply and beautifully.


What is the most expensive thing you ever bought?
Maybe our coming to Europe. In many aspects, it costs us a lot.


What is the concept of HOBO?
HOBO is a new jewelry brand with handmade pieces, all of them unique, exclusive, and eco-friendly; a breath of fresh air in such hybrid market. HOBO is about valorization of banal objects giving dignity to them.


How long does it usually take to create one necklace?

It's a tricky question. It would be easy if I tell you we take a day or two to assemble a necklace, but it only happens after the research and the idea has come to the table.
We are constantly thinking in new techniques and ideas, themes and references. Most of times new ideas demands new materials or customized parts. That part of the process can take weeks or months, but when we get to something good it give room to an entire series of brand new necklaces.

Where do you usually buy or find the pieces used in your accessories?

We buy beads from Brazil, Spain, Portugal and India. Lines, scissors, needles, etc. we buy from local stores. Much of our material we recycle from what people consume and discard like plastic bottle, pieces of cloth and packages for foodstuff mainly. We have been sponsored by WWF because of our "eco-friendly" necklaces and part of all our selling incomes we donate to them.

How do you come up with an idea?

We talk a lot and observe the nature. Also we are very visually driven and let inspiration come from works of people around. We have done necklaces using Mondrian's color palette, Magritte's surrealism ideas, Cézzane ideas, we have made a series of necklaces inspired by food... It´s all about references and reconstructing something in another media.

Any special messages?
Don't over consume, love the nature and adopt a cat.

First bit of love sharing for the new year!

2008 ended on a sad note for Ping Mag readers and contributors. We have a strong feeling Ping Mag will be back! It is loved by so many there must be some way to continue it's growth.

Old news...MEKAS interviewed fashion critic Takeji Hirakawa. Interesting read.

Kick off the new year with wild Tokyo color. Be inspired!
p.s. The model int his shoot, DJ SiSeN works at the Takuya Angel Harajuku store every Saturday and some Sundays.

Haight & Ashbury in Tokyo. Some super snaps! They even have a blog.

CANDY is having a sale! If you are in Tokyo get yourself there for some colorful surprises.

Photo by yomi955

Reports were flowing in today that Meiji Jingu and the surrounding areas were still jam packed with people. We headed to our local shrine, Iogi Hachiman, today to find an intensely long line of bodies, opted to buy a daruma instead and headed home, will return when there is more of a peaceful atmosphere to contemplate the new year.

Photo by timtak

This week most businesses and schools start back at work. What is happening in the city to get the peeps back into the swing for the new year?

Until Jan 7 there is a Japanese New Year card exhibition at Tokyo Midtown.

Jan 7 - Dr. Sketchy's, Tokyo is well rested and back up to their usual antics. This January they are easing their way out of the holiday malaise with a very chill shinenkai (New Year's) exhibition at the Sketchtastic den o debauchery over at The Pink Cow in Shibuya. ALL ART will be on display from January 7th until the end of the month. 19:00- till whenever! NO CHARGE No drawing. JUST... Partying. Greeting. Congratulating. Admiring. and Aspiring.

Jan 9 - Isaku Kageyama, award-winning taiko drummer, and Winchester Nii Tete, acclaimed African percussionist, meet for a conversation using the universal language of music. The duo’s music, deeply rooted in the traditions of Japan and Ghana, flows like a conversation between two close friends, with jokes, laughter, questions, and their answers scattered throughout the evening. 8:00pm - 9:00pm Shinjuku LIVE Takanoya 5-2-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku

Jan 9 - Barnstormer! Bring in 2009 with the Running of the Bulls! Test Tone vol. 41
21:30 to 05:00 at Super Deluxe, Nishi Azabu, Tokyo
FREE ENTRANCE (with drink order)
Music and art including Shantell Martin, Kuruucrew, Evil Penguin, Doot and more! Celebrate the very first stampede, crunch and clatter of the year.

Jan 10 - Defected in the House - DIMITRI FROM PARIS - Japan Tour 09
(Supported by - MTV, HMV & Next Floor) A man who needs no introduction, quite simply the 'daddy' of modern day House music! Air, Tokyo.

Jan 11- Dance! Move! Play! Dance! Move! Play! kicks it up a notch for the first workshop in 2009 with a hot, hot, hot get together with the Bantus Capoeira Japan team. Expect an afternoon of dance, rhythm and musical highs! Ochiai Community Center from 1-5pm for more info check out Bantus Capoeira Japan or HOOPLOVERS.

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This month's TM Fan Club give away comes to you from Japanese artist Hiroaki Koshiba. Koshiba San has been a popular LIVE artist at various Tokyo events including Fragment, Biz Nite and Pause Cafe.

Harmonic Line by Hiroaki Koshiba is an original acrylic on canvas painting (22cm x 28cm) that was part of Koshiba's Cafe Pause exhibition.

Harmonic Line could be yours this month! You have got to be in it to win it, so whip your e address in the Tokyo Fan Club box now!

Gambatte!!

Last week we put HOBO designer's Cintya and Flavio under the spotlight and this week we are excited to share their eye catching, eco friendly, hand made accessories with you.

Made from foodstuffs packaging and beads, Ana is full of moments: from the solid and precise squares in your chest to the enigmatic and sophisticated black around your neck and finally to the translucent and intense red hidden behind you. Essential and sophisticated as a light blow of fresh energy into your body.

SYMPHONY V is part of the Symphony series which are inspired by Kandinsky's paintings. Made from recycled plastic, cloth, beads and cotton line the pieces reveal a composition full of harmony, beauty and irreverence.

SYMPHONY IV is made using cotton, plastic, pearls and garlic bags. Strong and vibrant colors touch us through the purity of materials.

More HOBO handcrafted originals coming soon to Tokyo Made.

Torori is an original character by Japanese designer Ayana Sato. A torori can be any color of the rainbow but the message that this character bring is that no matter your color everyone is your friend.

These handmade candles are crafted in the shape of the Torori, using various colors. Each wax candle has it's own character.

Ayana Sato chose to create the Torori candles as a symbol that things do not last forever.

Be careful not to put these wee ones in the sun and if you do wish to burn them down kindly take off their eyes first.

Available in 7 colors.

SOUND VS. COLOR 2
JAAKKO EINO KALEVI vs. HIROAKI KOSHIBA
2009年1月11日(日)　6:30PM open 7PM start
入場無料
Jaakko Eino Kalevi (music)
Hiroaki Koshiba (live painting)

会場・Cafe Pause

Late one night riding home from Kichijoji.

Hanging out at the new Vision Air Office and gallery space in Tokyo is like stepping into a capsule of minimalistic cool. Fueled by streamline design, aural inspiration and creative spirit we decided to sit Oshima San down for a chat about life in the Vision Air space, his next range of graphics and what 2009 will hold.

A new season of BROS WEAR DESIGN t-shirts will be launched soon as the Spring/ Summer range, the concept is Vision Air, how many graphics will be in the new range?

There will be about 12 or 13 graphics in the new line. I have created four so far and will finish the fifth in the next couple of days.

Can you give us any hints about what the new BROS WEAR DESIGN range will be like?
Everything about this range is new. New graphics, new t-shirts body and I am exploring a new print method.

What is your creative process? How does an image come to you?
An image comes into my mind inspired by words and stories, abstract stories and images. I then begin to transfer the image from my brain to my computers. It can take anywhere between 20 hours and 30 days to complete one graphic image. I have to be balanced, I don't want to loose the image but I also need to feel as if the image in complete before moving away from it to another project.

So, we can see that you are working on the fifth image in the range now. Your office space is very sleek and smooth but the music floating through adds a lively feel, how does the music help?
I always have the music, the office is never silent. I am usually playing electronica or dub step. Music makes me relaxed, gives flow to my work. It helps me smooth the image from my mind vision to my computer.

What does 2009 hold for you? In 2008 you did some big collaborations with events like Nagisa, do you have plans for any collaborations this year?

Yes, in 2009 I will be connecting with sound artists, musicians, music events, labels and other fashion brands, many things coming up.

It is the beginning of the year, do you set goals for yourself? What big plans do you have for 2009?

This year I will be making connections with the European market, having the opportunity to share my graphics in Europe.

I plan to support some very well known European artist here in Japan by displaying their works in the Vision Air gallery.

As well as my own label I am focusing on supporting the Fragment event coming up at Super Deluxe on March 22. Also, this year will see the launch and evolution of a new free magazine that I have created in collaboration with some very interesting creators, retailers and designers here in Japan, DOCUMENT.

Do you have special message or vision for 2009?
I think this year many people will be searching for small happiness through good design, good art and music. I think the world is changing and awakening to different forms of art and design. We should embrace emerging artists and influence the world!

We agree! Thanks to Oshima San for inviting us to the Vision Air space and gallery, located in Ogikubo, Tokyo.

Thinking about inspiring work environments this week has led us on a hunt for all kinds of goodness.

Half of the TokyoMade desk space.

Snapshots of colorful and intriguing offices.

The Cool Hunter never fails to come up with the goods!

Nubby style!

Spaces to create and design.

Colorful collages of spaces to spend work, rest and play time.

Working and living in Manga Cafes in Tokyo.

The desk project on Ping Mag a while back.

What does your work space look like? Feel like?

What is going down in Tokyo town this week?

Jan 12 COW JAM
Free Monthly gig & live jam session at The Pink Cow, Shibuya. Come and hang with the herd!
Listen to those dulcet moos and rockin' improvs from regularly appearing cowhands!
Randomly including:
Sorcha
David
Missing Scene
Guitarpan
And Guests

Jan 16 Dance! Move! Play! for the ladies at BIVIO Natural Fitness in Ebisu

Jan 17 Alvorada Lanchonete & Bar, the Brazilian restaurant in Kichijoji, has invited GBCJ to hold their first ever “Capoeira Rhythm” workshop.

Jan 17 KIKA Style - featuring / Deepchild Live (Poker flat/ Get Physical)
Music by -
- Deepchild (live set) Australia's finest!
- (Poker Flat, Get Physical)
- Shotaro Meada (EDEN)
- Tech Booty Funk (REDBOX)
- Rennie Foster-(Dirty Works/Rebirth)
- Kikiorix - (Ladies and Gentelmen/Redbox)

Vj - Shantell Martin
- Remo Camerota

Live Paint - Pinkman ( PinT / Proto )

Photos - Yu (Kika Sytle/ RedBox)
- Skinni Pants ( Black Pearls)

Video by - Kaetsu (SET JAPAN)

GRAFFITI JAPAN TOKYO LAUNCH PARTY
Graffiti Japan By Remo Camerota
www.graffitijapan.

Jan 18 Grupo Bantus Capoeira Japan is proud to be part of the Amnesty International Film Festival 2009 coming up soon in January, 2009.

GBCJ will be performing on stage at the Yakult Hall before the presentation of the Italian documentary film “L’Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio”. A film about breaking down the barriers of race and class in Italy. A film about one man’s dream to bring together a group of musicians from diverse backgrounds to save a cultural icon, and create a communication on a new way to live life.

5 handmade bag designers, including the much loved Chi of chi-bag fame, will display their stunning creations at the Bags + α Exhibition held on the first floor of the Mitsukoshi Department store in Ebisu. The designs will be on show from January 9th until the 15th.

The five design labels on show in the exhibition are IZOOMI, Akiko Ishiwata Stitch, chi-bag, VRANA and Nana Ishikawa.

Sasa has released some new goodness and we are pumped to be able to share it with you. In true Sasa style, it is original, one-of-a-kind pieces of fashion art hand crafted using recycled papers and cardboards. Sasa hand illustrates all of his work, giving each piece it's own character and individual flair.

Check out the full Sasa range and get a preview of some of the not yet released pieces coming soon.

You can find more of Sasa's graphic design, art, jewelery and prints at his own site lo-fi-me .

Clicking on over to the Japan-based film creators, TELEMAKFILMS you will find categories such as Decadance, Pole & Belly Dance and Tokyo Gigs. Their latest showreel is a creative mish mash of what makes Japan and it's artists so collectively intriguing.

A frosty night spent window shopping in Tokyo.

From the gorgeous spaces of Japan known as Yamaguchi come the creations of TokyoMade's newest designer and friend Yusuke Hoashi.

The word kawaii springs to mind but detailed, playful, intriguing and captivating also come up when looking at his pieces. The Flying Babies range features a flock of flying baby animals, with outstretched wings in search of broad horizons.

Each piece is handmade in Japan by Yusuke Hoashi. All pendants, chains, clasps and fixings made from pure 925 silver.

Dollops of goodness to share with you this week. Findings from our internet roaming...

The most talked about book in Japan from 2008 has been turned into a mobile site. Can you guess what the book series is about?

CANDY has new stuff! All shades of cool!

The third batch of Nani Birds have hatched!

Even though the parties are over the photos and memories live on. I was reminded of the NarziB parties while flipping through magazines in Shibuya yesterday. There was an article about The Fashion Ramone and his Trump Room antics.

Enryo. The Japanese way - avoiding conflict through self-restraint.

Japan for sale. Japanese pop culture being snapped up.

What is happening in your neck of the woods?

For a smooth link into what is going on around this city we totally recommend getting wired for sound and checking out some of the info packed Japan based podcasts.

Tokyo Expresso presented by Guy Perryman is a weekly hot shot of what is happening in and around Tokyo. Each week he dishes out the juicy tips on what is hot and happening around Tokyo.

Masao has recently began collaborating with Guy and the two of them are headed for the streets of Tokyo in search of the latest and greatest.

Photo by Martine Cotton

Metropolis Magazine offers up
The Tokyo Metpod dive into Tokyo with special guest highlights and juicy interviews. Download and enjoy!

Bodies are the canvas and live painting is the art. Over the course of three days, January 23-25 get yourself to GAS (Guild-Unit Art Space) in Kichijoji for paint on skin action.

Eshimasa, Tokyo Guns Takumi Iwase and studio DESGOTH Masataka Kuranashi will be creating the body art.

Eshimasa San will be painting live on the 25th from 5-6pm.

Tokyo Factory Vol .8 New Designer's Market is being held at Harajuku STARTLINE on January 31st from 11am until 7pm. Head on over to the space to check out fashion, design and accessories created by indie Japanese makers, including Tiny Azure.

Some sugar and spice from all of the TokyoMade creators to you and your lovers! Sharing the love one hand made creation at a time. From Tokyo with love xx

A little Tokyo loving for the ladies in the house (and the lady lovers of course!) Tap into funky feminine style from Japan.

Share the lady love with the ones you love this Valentine's Day. Grab your gorgeous hand made piece in tie for Love Day, February 14.

Shipping from Tokyo is super fast and inexpensive. Your order is shipped within 2 working days and usually takes 3-5 days with EMS to most places in the world!

Tokyo based radio DJ and fabulous event organizer, Guy Perryman, has a delicious array of online in-flight entertainment. His daily shot of Tokyo, known as Tokyo Expresso, features great artists, interviews and all that is happening in and around Tokyo.

Over the next few weeks Guy and Masao are going to be interviewing some of the TokyoMade designers to find out more about their creations and life in general.

Last week Masao and I had our chance to give some of the behind the scenes goss on TokyoMade. You can listen to Masao's interview with Guy here and mine over here!

Head on over to Guy's site and check out some of the TM designer interviews over the next few weeks.

Please note: no zebras, dinosaurs or nani birds were harmed in the making of this blog! It is all about sharing the animal love.

Geeking out with tech loving, alien watching, mouse clicking designs. Geeks and nerds deserve stylish treats too! Shower your tech heads with love this Valentine's Day.