Fashion! Art! Culture! Satisfy your artistic and cultural mind with articles curated to tickle your fancy and understand Japan more.

 

J-fashion at “Home” and Abroad: A Decade of Fashion Evolution

This article originally appeared in the April 2024 issue of CONNECT. Holly Walder (Gunma) Japanese fashion has moved on, why then, had “J-fashion” not followed suit? What comes to mind when you hear “J-fashion”? Literally ...
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acosta! The Story Behind “Dress Up Darling”

This article originally appeared in the April 2024 issue of CONNECT. Mark Christensen (Fukuoka) In a media world flush with the adventures of super heroes, demon slayers, and immortal elves, it might come as a ...
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Godzilla Minus One: The First Godzilla Movie to Win an Academy Award

This article originally appeared in the April 2024 issue of CONNECT. Dylan O’Connell (Hyogo) On a peaceful sunny day in 1946, the minesweeper conducts its patrol in the Pacific Ocean. The vessel’s arm severs the ...
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Post-Apocalyptic Table Scraps: Fighting for Tech and Fortune in Atlas Lost

This article originally appeared in the April 2024 issue of Connect. Jon Solmundson (Hokkaido) When talking about board games, American games are often thought of in terms of big, fantastical conflicts; while European games have ...
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Corsets for All

An interview with brand Abilletage This article is a web original Holly Walder (Gunma) While the storefront in Ura-Harajuku opened in Febuary 2023, the history of Abilletage spans over a decade. The creator, Designer Bambi, ...
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The Heights of Cosplay: WCS 2023

This article originally appeared in the February 2024 issue of Connect. Mark Christensen (Fukuoka) Cosplay. In just a few decades, what once was a very niche hobby has become wildly popular with fandom communities, conventions, ...
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Suzume: Film Review (Spoiler-Free)

This article is a web original Veronica Nielsen (Hiroshima) In November 2022, Makoto Shinkai’s latest anime film from Comix Wave Films, Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari in Japan), premiered in Japanese theaters about three years after ...
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Journaling on JET:

How to Get Started and How to Keep Going This article originally appeared in the February 2024 issue of CONNECT. Jessica Adler (Kagoshima) Japan’s world of stationery is a treat to any and all interested ...
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Ado: The Anonymous Singer Rising to Fame in Japan

This article originally appeared in the February 2024 issue of CONNECT. Veronica Nielson (Hiroshima) Known as a pop culture powerhouse in the world, it’s no secret that Japan delivers plenty of quality entertainment from anime, ...
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Why I wish I taught before I learnt

This article originally appeared in the February 2024 issue of CONNECT. Finlay McBride (Kagoshima Prefecture) Four months ago, I began teaching English in Japan and so far, it’s been nothing short of rewarding. The students ...
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