The Magnetic Air Bonsai Creates Surreal Levitating Plants
We’ve never had much of a green thumb but maybe we’ll have more luck with an air thumb? A small Japanese company based our of Kyushu has created a fun, poetic twist on indoor gardening. B…
The archive
RamenRyan's articles — page 3
Browse ramenryan's articles in the Akihabara archive.
Japan’s Largest Treehouse is a Sprawling Structure Built Around a 300-year Old Tree
all photos by Koji Fujii / Nacasa and Partners Inc. Japanese Treehouse Creator Takashi Kobayashi has built over 120 treehouses in the past 15 years. When it comes to tree…
A Japanese Engineer Hijacked a Cleaning Robot and Turned it Into an Artist
His name is Mr. Head. He used to be a janitor but last year he made a radical career shift. Now he’s an impressive, sought-after painter who creates abstract splatter paintings in th…
Lacquered Deerskin and Pac-Man Come Together For Unique Collaboration
Inden-ya is a 434-year old family-run company specializing in Koshu Inden, a traditional Japanese craft that consists of lacquer-based printing on deerskin to create l…
Antiwar Posters by Graphic Designer Shigeo Fukuda
“Victory 1945?, one Fukuda’s best-known works, features a projectile heading straight at the opening of the barrel of a cannon If Shigeo Fukuda were alive today, I w…
Japan To Redesign Its Pictograms to Be More Foreigner Friendly
image courtesy the Asahi. Translated by Spoon & Tamago When we moved to Japan in the early 80s my dad, a Jewish New Yorker from the Bronx, quickly realized …
Chaotic Photographs of Electric Cables Suspended Over Japanese Streets
all photos by Ikue Mio courtesy Sankei When visitors first come to Japan one of the things that surprises them the most is the abundance of overhead electrical cables. Ma…
Undulating Toothpick Holder Mimics the Waves of the Sea
It isn’t often that the words ‘gorgeous’ and ‘toothpick holder’ appear in the same sentence, but this is the most gorgeous toothpick holder we’ve ever seen. It’s unique base is carved so …
Sponsor // Slow Hand Design: Thai design shown in Milan 2015
Seven leading Thai brands were chosen to showcase their innovative takes on traditional Thai craftsmanship at Slow Hand Design in Milan 2015. These brands specialize in various facets of …
WalkCar: the World’s Smallest Electric Vehicle That Fits in Your Bag
Move over Segway. Step aside Honda’s Uni-Cub. A Japanese engineer has invented a better way to travel. The WalkCar, developed by 26-year old Kuniaki Sato looks like a laptop. Ex…