Feature | Music, Books, and Films to Brighten Your Year-End and New Year: Vol. 4
Feature: Ask the Culture Connoisseurs! Vol. 4
What music, books, and films do these cultural experts recommend?
Mari Natsuki
—What are your resolutions for 2015?
Starting April 2015, I'll be embarking on a nationwide live house tour. It's a spring where singing takes priority once again.
MUSIC
Live Double Planet
Michael Hedges
Windham Hill Records
It's been a while, but let's go with Michael Hedges. Sadly, he's no longer with us, having passed away in a traffic accident, but he was a brilliant acoustic guitarist. Apparently influenced by Reich's contemporary music, his compositions feature repetition, but they're far from boring guitar music. His technique, with hammering and harmonics, creates a stimulating, multi-layered sound performed by one person. Please enjoy it in the New Year...
BOOK
HIDEKI SEO
Hideki Seo
HIDEKI SEO
I got my hands on the lookbook for HIDEKI SEO. He's the lead assistant to Azzedine Alaïa, the fashion designer based in Paris. He's such a talented artist that Alaïa's world wouldn't be realized without SEO's contributions today. His artwork is rock-inspired in the Africa series, mystical in the India series, and architectural in the Tokyo series. Experience SEO's world, a mixture of the hard and the fantastical, in this book!
MOVIE
The Farewell
Director: Uberto Pasolini
Bitters End
Nationwide release starting Saturday, January 24, 2015
The ritual of one man's work was to face the deceased with respect. Inspired by an article in The Guardian, director Uberto Pasolini, known for masterpieces like The Full Monty, created this film. I was also deeply moved at the Nara International Film Festival. The Farewell, a story that is both a little sad and a little funny, is a universal tale recommended for the New Year.
© Exponential (Still Life) Limited 2012
Mari Natsuki
Debuting in 1973, she expanded her activities to theater in the 80s, receiving awards such as the New Artist Prize from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. In '93, she launched the conceptual art theater 'Impressionism.' 'Player' is the ending theme for NHK BS's 'Ronia the Robber's Daughter.' She is a regular personality on NHK Radio 1's 'Mari Natsuki: Health is Also Art.' She also serves as editor-in-chief of the web magazine 'NATSUKI ROCK,' demonstrating her multifaceted activities. A nationwide live house tour begins in April 2015!
http://natsukirock.com
Rihito
Model
—What are your resolutions for 2015?
To do everything with care.
MUSIC
Rhapsody in Blue
(featured on George Gershwin Plays Gershwin, etc.)
George Gershwin
Nippon Westminster
Famous as the theme song for Woody Allen's film Manhattan, "Rhapsody in Blue" is a piece that fuses jazz and classical music. Its vibrant melody always excites me, and I listen to it while thinking about my travel plans or what I want to do next year.
BOOK
Eating Earth: My Twelve Months of Vegetarian Cooking
Tsutomu Mizukami
Shinchosha
This is an essay collection of vegetarian dishes the author prepared at home throughout the year. It reflects on the importance and enjoyment of food, and the principle of not taking anything for granted. It makes you think deeply. It's a book that offers a feast for the mind as we head into the New Year.
MOVIE
The Tora-san Series
Director: Yoji Yamada
Shochiku
DVD available now (¥1,944)
*As of December 27, 2014
For me, New Year's movies always mean the "Tora-san" series. The characters full of humanity and the story development, which truly has both laughter and tears, are a New Year's "staple" for someone like me, who grew up in the downtown area.
© 1975 Shochiku Co., Ltd.
RIHITO
Born in Tokyo in 1976. Began his career as a fashion model in Tokyo in 1995. The following year, he expanded his activities to Paris and Milan, walking in numerous runways. He appeared in "Interview" magazine, photographed by Karl Lagerfeld, and was a main model for Jil Sander. In 2013, he resumed modeling for "UOMO" magazine (Shueisha). Since 2014, he has also been active as a producer for the fashion brand "Parmentier."
OPENERS BLOG "DETOUR" is being updated
http://www.novemberagency.com/
Naeko Shinsan
Manga artist / Columnist
—What are your resolutions for 2015?
To turn up the corners of my mouth.
MUSIC
Queen of The Clouds
Tove Lo
Universal Music
Floating, electric, and POP songs. It hit the spot with a sound that feels both fresh and familiar.
BOOK
Under the Night Tree
Kajunmi Yunomori
Shinchosha
I find myself empathizing with the short stories featuring mission-based girls' schools and cats.
MOVIE
Tom at the Farm
Director: Xavier Dolan
Uplink
Now showing
It's a strange, scary, and slightly funny film, but I also find myself wanting to keep looking at Xavier Dolan's beautiful face throughout.
© 2013 – 8290849 Canada INC. (une filiale de MIFILIFIMS Inc.) MK2 FILMS / ARTE France Cinéma © Clara Palardy
Naeko Shinsan
Born in Tokyo and raised in Saitama Prefecture. She works as a manga artist and columnist. Known as an extraordinary field researcher who investigates all phenomena with a shamanistic sensibility. Her books include "Born in a Girls' School" (Chikuma Shobo), "Idol Survival Skills" (Core Magazine), "Absolute Spiritual Level" (Gakken Publishing), and "Name-tan" (Asahi Shimbun Publications), among many others.
http://www.gentosha.jp/category/jigenjoshonikki
Makoto Tanijiri
Architect
—What are your resolutions for 2015?
To go beyond my own boundaries.
I want to grow by constantly placing myself in new environments.
MUSIC
Working Holiday
Yuri Miyauchi
RALLYE LABEL
Yuri creates music as if cooking on the spot. Just as eating a meal in an open kitchen enriches the dining experience, his music teaches us the joy of music.
BOOK
If Cats Disappeared from the World
Genki Kawamura
Shogakukan
We go through our days without noticing the things that are always there. When something that should be there disappears, people realize its importance. This is a recommended read for reconsidering the things we take for granted.
MOVIE
Brazil
Director: Terry Gilliam
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Japan
It's quite bizarre, but the fact that such a world of imagination can be created is wonderful as a form of creation. Although it's an old film, its very modern feel is also appealing.
Makoto Tanijiri
Born in Hiroshima in 1974. Established the architectural design firm Suppose Design Office in 2000. His work spans a wide range, including residences, commercial spaces, exhibition designs, landscapes, products, and art installations. Based in both Hiroshima and Tokyo, he currently has numerous projects underway, both domestically and internationally, encompassing interiors, residences, and complex facilities. His books include "1000% Architecture: I Lived While Being Misunderstood" (X-Knowledge) and "Dandan Moso" (Hearst Fujingaho).
http://www.suppose.jp
Hiroko Otsuka
DJ
—What are your resolutions for 2015?
To discover and spread more newly emerging music!
MUSIC
Saturday Morning
Ahmad Jamal
Jazz Village / KING INTERNATIONAL
He is my favorite jazz musician and a jazz pianist who is still active in his 80s. Last year, I finally had the chance to see him perform live. I love his expressive power, which possesses both light and shadow.
BOOK
Hip Life Revolution
Yumiko Sakuma
Asahi Shuppan
When I visited Brooklyn recently, I understood why it felt so "hip!" This is about the "new lifestyle" evolving in New York amidst a mass-consumption society. I wonder if Japan will be like this in the near future.
MOVIE
Nas: Time Is Illmatic
Director: One9
Parco / Bee's International
Now showing
This documentary about Nas focuses on the seminal East Coast hip-hop LP "Illmatic." It's a chance to reconfirm the appeal of 90s hip-hop, which I experienced during my youth. The appearance of Nas's father, jazz trumpeter Olu Dara, is also a welcome addition.
© COPYRIGHT ILLA FILMS, LLC 2014
Hiroko Otsuka
A DJ who creates a unique JAZZ groove. She has been invited to DJ in New York and Spain, and has performed alongside musicians at events like Tokyo Jazz and Blue Note Tokyo. She presents various ways to enjoy music with a flexible sense that transcends club culture and jazz, including producing DJ sets for jazz cafes and established live houses, as well as writing. In December 2014, she launched the new label Key of Life+. She released the MIX GUIDE "PIECE THE NEXT," focusing on new generation Japanese jazz.
http://djotsuka.com/