Quaint, charming and vividly glorious – architect Terunobu Fujimori’s picturesque treehouse design is impressive on many levels, covering the wide ambit between aesthetics and structure. Specially commissioned for the Kiyoharu Shirakaba Museum, the very first thing that strikes us is not actually the specimen itself, but rather the paradisiacal setting …
Coffee aficionados have their espresso machines. But what do tea enthusiasts have? Japanese electronic giant Sharp have found an innovative solution to this question with their HEALSIO Ocha Presso. Almost looking like a regular espresso machine, the device at hand is actually a unique contraption that takes tea-making to a whole …
A kitchen has always remained a ‘sacred’ space for preparing food and a small yet intimate family dinner at the end of each stressful day. Suffice it to say; our kitchens pertain to our daily habits set within a familiar agenda, and as such things have a way of taking …
Origami (which literally translates to folding paper) is an exquisite form of Japanese paper art that started more than 330 years ago. Interestingly, the art form in its modern iteration has gone beyond the confines of Japanese culture to make its presence felt in contemporary designs across the world. And …
Coffee aficionados must surely be fond of those intricate patterns deftly scrawled above their creamy cappuccino or delectable mocaccino servings. But the sad part is the pattern goes away once you lustfully dig into your favorite beverage. Well, Japanese studio Nendo understands your conundrum when it comes to preserving food …
Fun, whimsical and potentially effective – the contrivance must be Japanese! Well, the above pictured Cat Burger Pillow upholds its Far-East credentials in the expected eccentric manner, and it also impresses us with its adorable essence. The charming images you see are of cat ‘superstars’ Maru and Nana. And, while …
The Japanese surely have their ingenious ways of coming up with innovative umbrella contrivances, be it the illuminating umbrella or the double shaded umbrella. This time around the trend is manifested by Thanko’s Hands-free Shushuku-gasa (Shrinkable Umbrella in Japanese). As the name clearly suggests, the umbrella can be conveniently used …
Remember Gomiba-Go, the trash can that comes to you? Well, the ingenious Japanese team (Kyosho) behind that cool contrivance has come up with another whimsical product – the RC Sugoi Mop (Wow Mop in Japanese). As the short RC prefix makes it clear, the nifty mop can be controlled via …
The Japanese have struck back, this time with the utterly wacky and yet potentially practical ‘two-in-one’ umbrella. Christened as the Niko-Ichi-Gasa, the ultimate umbrella combo sort of fuses two different specimens into a single contrivance. The end result is a very big umbrella that will surely cover your date during …
When it comes to the realm of Japanese contrivances, things have a tendency to be quirky as well as innovative. And, if neck coolers and remote controlled dustbins are your idea of fun, a Japanese restaurant with its assortment of wacky and whimsical vending machines will surely put a smile …
