Thursday, March 15, 2012

Inspired By Japan


These days Japan is on my mind. In the news, I was reminded that a year has passed since the terrible natural disaster. And then I've thought about the Japanese people. How disciplined they are. How persevering and courageous they are. How strong they are behind their silence and courtesy. And I decided: I admire them! 


A few days later, that is today, I went to my favorite Japanese store here, Muji, to buy a few goodies for my home. Then I unrolled all my previous thoughts about Japan and Japanese people over again and realized I had to add something more: They are also incredibly talented! With Japan I associate sleek, sophisticated design. I think hardly any other people manages to combine design and usability into every day products that well. To cut a long story short: I headed to Muji and bought an incredibly cool bin made of recycled phone books (as seen here on the blog). Now tell me, isn't this a super design for an ostensibly unpretentious little home item? Here's to Japan! 

13 comments :

  1. I too was just thinking about that...it's a funny thing with the news, sometimes it feels like the big stories just go away (or maybe it's because I really don't watch it) either way, I feel the same way. Such gorgeous designers with such an eye for what works.

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  2. I love Muji!

    Japan is definitely on my travel radar. I would love to get there in cherry blossom season. You're totally right, the Japanese have such decorum.

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  3. big fan of muji here. their line of aluminum card holders and fountain pens are my faves. love the rising sun with cherry blossom branch.

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  4. Japanese people are really talented and have a great eye for design! I was surprised to realize that the disaster was a year ago (I thought that only a few months had gone by..)

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  5. Did you ask if I like Japanese Design?! I love it!
    Great you added some products of Muji. The paper baasket made of antique white pages is my fav here.

    Great post, Igor!

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  6. Hi Igor,

    happy Thursday to you! I love Muji myslef and Japanese design for the exact reasons you mentioned:
    ~> sleek
    ~> sophisticated
    ~> combining pretty design with usability.

    I love your new basket! And you actually reminded me of the two pretty baskets made from recycled magazine pages in grey tones, that are holding folded but still un-ironed laundry in our bedroom.
    Good subjects for pictures ;)

    Here's to inspiring each other with our blogs!

    Enjoy your day, filakia
    Iro

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  7. Great post, Igor! I love Japanese design for all the reasons you do...clean and minimal with a great simple aesthetic. Beautiful.

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  8. Your post has made me want to go to Muji now and also visit Japan, but think I'll have to save that for another day!

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  9. Asia is taking Scandinavia by storm :) and I am also a huge fan! Love the sleekness the attention to detail. Last time I was at Muji I bought some pens, a ruler and little tree figurines of Paris (the child within said: I must have it!). I actually went there to get one of those acrylic storage boxes but they were sold out. Still managed to spend money in there. (Hard not to!)

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  10. I love Japan, every single thing from there. Specialy the food and ther discipline:)

    regards form Slovenia!

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  11. And they brought us the idea of Wabi Sabi...

    Brilliant post - love your Muji finds!

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  12. I'm also a big Japan fan. Tokyo is a definite must see one day (soon I hope). Love Muji too. Very difficult to go in there without coming away with something very cute!

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