Category Archives: fun links

Fun Link Friday: Mini Tokyo 3D

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Paula

Everyone knows someone who is obsessed with Japan’s easy to navigate public transportation system. Whether you’re memorizing stops and their short jingles and reflecting nostalgically on the line that took you to and from work or school all the time, … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: The Tiny Worlds of Tanaka Tatsuya

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Paula

In previous Fun Link Fridays we’ve featured the miniature worlds of Takanori Aiba‘s bonsai trees, making fantastical spaces with tiny models and growing techniques. This week our fun link is the art of Tanaka Tatsuya, who was recently featured on … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: Social Media Omamori

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Paula

Looking to protect yourself against bad vibes from internet trolls? Want some good luck in getting lots of retweets and likes? The capsule toy company Tama-kyu has created mock-ups of the common omamori, charms sold at Buddhist temples and Shinto … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: Dinosaurs Found in Japan Identified as New Species

Posted on May 21, 2021 by Paula

Okay okay, in some ways this is old news, but it’s still fun! In 2004 a team of researchers working on Awaji Island (Hyogo Prefecture) found dinosaur bones, including a lower jaw, shoulder, and some other parts. Named “Yamatosaurus izanagii” … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: Edible Toast Masterpieces of Japanese Art

Posted on May 14, 2021 by Paula

In the past we’ve shown a variety of tasty pieces of art for Fun Link Fridays, typically of the bento variety. But what if toast was your literal canvas? Last month My Modern Met featured a piece on Japanese designer … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: Pixel Animation Battle of Sekigahara

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Paula

Pixel art has been around for decades, and whether you’re playing a video game or enjoying some 8-bit nostalgia of daily life in Japan, it’s always a joy. A couple of weeks ago Spoon & Tamago featured the work of … Continue reading →

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Fun (?) Link Friday: Meguro Parasitological Museum

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Paula

When was the last time you thought about… parasites? Maybe watching a horror movie or taking your pet to the vet. But if you’re interested in exploring scientific knowledge about these creepy wigglies for fun, Japan has a museum for … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: Viewing Cherry Blossoms in Art

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Paula

This week has been conference recovery, so here’s a quick Fun Link Friday for you all. If you’re missing out on cherry blossom viewing this year (either because you can’t travel or it’s best not to gather at crowded sites) … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: A Single Sheet Samurai

Posted on March 26, 2021 by Paula

Are you serious about origami? How serious is serious? Because according to Colossal, Finnish artist Juho Könkkölä might have you beat. Using upwards of thousands of individual folds, Könkkölä spent 50+ hours creating a fully-armored origami samurai figure using only one … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: Lego Great Wave

Posted on March 12, 2021 by Paula

Are you a fan of art? Of LEGOs? LEGO art? I think we all are. Which is why it was so cool this amazing piece from Jumpei Mitsui, Japan’s only certified professional LEGO builder (did not know that was a … Continue reading →

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