Feature | Music, Books, and Films to Brighten Your Year-End and New Year: Vol. 2
Feature: Ask the Culture Connoisseurs! Vol. 2
What music, books, and films do these cultural experts recommend?
Kenichi Aono
Creative Director, BEAMS / Director, BEAMS RECORDS
—What are your resolutions for 2015?
I want to make time to properly engage with the books I couldn't read much in the latter half of 2014 due to being busy.
MUSIC
Rendezvous in Tokyo
Goro Ito + Jaques Morelenbaum
VERVE / Universal Music
To spend some quiet, beautiful time away from the hustle and bustle of the year-end and New Year holidays. This is a subtly beautiful album that makes a fitting companion for such moments. The collaboration between Goro Ito, a leading Japanese guitarist and composer, and Jaques Morelenbaum, one of Brazil's most important musical figures, features arrangements that artfully blend classical and Brazilian music, with songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Ito's own compositions.
BOOK
Critique of "Typical" Architecture
Yoichi Iijima
Seidosha
With the Tokyo Olympics just five years away, this essay, which begins with Zaha Hadid's design for the new National Stadium, examines the relationship between capitalism and branded architects who design "typical" buildings, tracing back through history. Isn't this precisely the time to read it?
MOVIE
The Flavor of Ochazuke
Director: Yasujiro Ozu
Shochiku
Now available on DVD (¥3,024)
*As of December 27, 2014
It's not just because of the festive atmosphere of the New Year holidays, but this film, with its charming dialogue and manners, is particularly enjoyable to watch at the start of the year. From the opening scene, it makes you want to visit Ginza. The gentle, heartwarming feeling of the final scene is also wonderful.
© 1952 Shochiku Co., Ltd.
KENICHI AONO
As Creative Director for the select shop BEAMS, he engages in activities that connect fashion, music, art, and literature. In 2010, he published his first collection of writings, "Meikyuiki" (Tennen Bunko/BCCKS). In addition to his serialized columns in media such as "OCEANS" (International Luxury Media) and the web magazine "TV & smile," he launched the column "Ongaku Marginalia" in "Mrs." (Bunka Publishing Bureau).
http://www.beams.co.jp
Karen Aoki
Jazz Singer
—What are your resolutions for 2015?
I plan to release three albums at my own pace.
MUSIC
PURE
Maria Callas
Warner Music Japan
A dramatic and unique voice.
BOOK
Solomon's Perjury (Parts I, II, and III)
Miyuki Miyabe
Shincho-sha
A hint of malice, familial discord, and complex human relationships. A mystery novel that keeps you turning pages until the very end.
MOVIE
Music and Lyrics
Director: Haley Bennett
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
A movie to watch when you want to clear your head and have a good laugh. I love the comical performances of Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore.
KAREN AOKI
She primarily engages in live tour activities and serves as a navigator for FM Kumamoto and the internet radio station JJazz.Net. In the summer of 2012, she successfully completed her first New York performance. In December of the same year, she released "Tranquility," an album of jazz arrangements of famous movie theme songs. Her latest album, "Eternal Melody," featuring a collection of pop and jazz standards with luxurious arrangements, is set for release on January 21, 2015.
Updating OPENERS BLOG "Key of Life"
http://www.rambling.ne.jp/artist/karen/
Junji Tanigawa
Space Composer
—What are your resolutions for 2015?
The past and future are born from a continuous stream of moments. I want to cherish the present moment.
Photo by Kenshu Shintsubo
MUSIC
Ruby Sparks
V.A.
Milan Records
I love movies, but I especially love movie soundtracks. I always buy the soundtrack if I like a movie. It's perfect for holding onto those fleeting impressions I felt the moment I watched the film.
BOOK
The American Boys Handy Book
Daniel Carter Beard
Asahi Sonorama
The chapter titles are already captivating: "Finding Bird Nests" and "How to Raise Wild Birds." "Building Your Own Boat" and "Making Your Own Hunting Tools." At first glance, it seems like a manual for children's games, but it's actually a practical survival guide. Reading it aimlessly somehow makes me grin.
MOVIE
A Cow's Life
Director: Emmanuelle Gra
Under The Milky Way
A Cow's Life. Becoming a cow myself. It's the best to become a different creature and empty your mind. It's a movie where you just become a cow for an hour (laughs).
JUNJI TANIGAWA
Born in 1965. Founded the space creative company "JTQ" in 2002. With the theme of "Communicating messages through space as a medium," he constructs communication contexts tailored to specific objectives, including events and installations. His major works include the Heijo Palace 1300th Anniversary Yakushiji Light Painting (2010), KRUG bottle cooler (2011), the Kansei exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in the Palace of Versailles (2008), and IMA CONCEPT STORE (2014). In 2013, he published his collected works, "Junji Tanigawa, The Space Composer," by Page One Publishing, which was selected for the D&AD Awards.
Updating "Composing Days" series
http://www.jtq.jp/
Tomoko Yasuno
Stylist / Jewelry Designer
—What are your resolutions for 2015?
As the jewelry brand CASUCA enters its eighth year, we are stepping up to a new stage!
MUSIC
"Femme Fatale"
(Included in "The Velvet Underground & Nico")
The Velvet Underground & Nico
Universal Music
After hearing Nico's voice again in the wonderful film "The Royal Tenenbaums," I discovered that it resonates with me now. For the past few years, and likely continuing into the next, this has been my favorite album. Like Juliette Gréco among the French, the deep, androgynous voices of singers like Nico always give me the feeling that "everything will be alright!"
BOOK
The Library of Forced Reading
Satomi Kobayashi
Takarajimasha
This book is an essay by Kobayashi after reading recommended books from various people (from celebrities to her middle school friends). What's more, it's a truly unique book because it includes messages from the "recommenders" explaining why they wanted her to read it. Kobayashi's amusing and sharp writing is incredibly light and a joy to read!! I highly recommend it.
MOVIE
KANO ~The Baseball Dream at the Other Side of the Ocean~
Director: Ma Chih-Hsiang
Showgate
Nationwide theatrical release starting Saturday, January 24, 2015
Despite the general excitement, I've never been interested in watching sports. However, my best movie of 2014 might be "KANO," which I saw at a preview screening. "Don't think you'll win, think you can't lose." The beauty of the battle against oneself in this film moved me, and the exhilaration and tears I felt were just like the emotions I experienced during the Sochi Olympics. I have changed.
© Musi Film
TOMOKO YASUNO
Born in Saitama Prefecture. After meeting Kyoko Koizumi, she began planning, designing, and styling costumes. In 1994, she established the styling agency "CORAZON." She works primarily as a stylist for commercials, films, stage productions, dramas, actors, and talents. She garnered attention for designing Mao Asada's costumes for the Sochi Olympics. In the fall of 2007, she launched her jewelry brand "CASUCA" and is also active as a jewelry designer.
http://www.corazonltd.jp
http://www.casuca.jp
Yota Kakuda
Product Designer
—What are your resolutions for 2015?
I want to spend my time seriously and greedily enjoying everything, from design to drinking.
MUSIC
The Makki Fairy Band
The Makki Fairy Band
Victor Entertainment
For those of us who don't have to worry about being interviewed by entertainment reporters during this time of year, why not relax in a kotatsu and immerse ourselves in Hawaiian soul music?
BOOK
Pictures from the Surface of the Earth
Wim Wenders
Haus Publishing Limited
This photo collection by a renowned film director beautifully captures the atmosphere of various locations. For someone like me, who always favors understated designs, it made me realize how beautiful colors can be and the diverse ways they can be used.
MOVIE
Knife in the Water
Director: Roman Polanski
Kadokawa Shoten
This black and white Polish film may not guarantee a warm and fuzzy feeling, but the drama of three people set against the backdrop of a yacht is sure to heat things up, even in the dead of winter.
YOTA KAKUDA
Moved to the UK in 2003 and gained experience at the studios of Shin & Tomoko Azumi and Ross Lovegrove. Graduated from the Royal College of Art (RCA) in 2007. After returning to Japan in 2008, he worked as a product designer for MUJI before establishing YOTA KAKUDA DESIGN in 2011. He has presented designs both domestically and internationally across a wide range of fields. In 2014, he released the tableware series "Common" from Tokyo Nishikai and the clocks "Clock A" and "Clock B" from Lemnos, both of which have seen strong sales.
Updating "Tokyo Romantic Izakaya" series
http://www.yotakakuda.com/