Osaka born Akiko Takemoto is an artist specializing in bijinga, images of beautiful women. “I believe,” she says, “that there are some women that only a woman can draw. From my experience as a hairdresser where I met many women and my own experiences as a woman, I thought I would like to draw the seen and the unseen woman.”

JPN | Visual Arts | 04/19/2010 | Info | Review

Monthly web magazine for readers with an interest in Japan’s art scene and artists. With one of Japan’s most comprehensive art databases, artscape compiles up-to-date information about art events throughout Japan, presenting reviews of exhibitions and articles about art trends and artists.

ENG, JPN | Visual Arts | 11/02/2010 | Info | Review

Azito is an on-line gallery specializing in Japanese contemporary art. The site aims to introduce talented artists that are barely known outside Japan. The Japan Times featured an article on AZITO on April 30, 2010: Japan’s modern art gets an online boost.

ENG | Visual Arts | 05/01/2010 | Info | Review

Chax is the official site by Mori Chack, the creator of Gloomy, the cute bear that kills.

JPN | Visual Arts | 08/08/2004 | Info | Review

Large collection of free to use Japanese family crests (mon).

ENG, JPN | Visual Arts | 01/18/2011 | Info | Review

Photos of Japanese manhole covers organized by prefecture.

JPN | Visual Arts | 10/25/2007 | Info | Review

Gururu Journal shows the latest news about Gloomy, the creation of Mori Chack. The site even features my 2002 article about Mori Chack on the English page. Most of the site is in Japanese though.

JPN | Visual Arts | 08/08/2004 | Info | Review

Illustrations by Kanagawa based Japanese illustrator Atsushi Yamamoto. Fun!

JPN | Visual Arts | 10/23/2006 | Info | Review

Ian Lynam Design is a multidisciplinary creative studio specializing in unique solutions for international clients. The studio has been based in Tokyo since 2005, following 5 years of experience working at a number of internationally renowned design studios and advertising agencies.

ENG | Visual Arts | 01/27/2009 | Info | Review

Photos of Japanese manhole covers on Flickr.

ENG | Visual Arts | 10/25/2007 | Info | Review