Please introduce yourself and your background. My name is Mizuyo Yamashita. I came to the UK in 2000 to study English and I started working in pottery as a hobby. Now I have a studio in East London. I was born and grew up in a big family of 7 including 2 brothers. My father […]
Category: People
Quite often it is easy to discover a new product or item in a shop or department store, but actually its very rare that you can get to know the person behind the product. We are constantly seeking out these artisans to request an interview in order for us to be able to understand their perspective to what they do and what they think about Japanese crafts.
Anna Kozaki Interview Part Two – The Beautiful Art of Cookie Decoration
In October we had the pleasure of introducing a Japanese sweetsmaker in Tokyo, Anna Kozaki, her products had the benefit of not only looking beautiful, but also delicious. In our interview it was interesting to hear her opinions about sweets and Japan: Humility is a virtue in Japan, thus Japanese creations are usually simple, yet […]
Interview with Yoko Izawa – Jewellery Designer and Craftsperson
Interview and translation by Mike Sullivan Please introduce yourself and your background. In Japan I was working in package design while studying jewellery making as a hobby, then in 1998 I came over to the UK in order to study further and to see a different culture. Initially I was on a Graphic Design course […]
An Interview with Yukari Sato Washi Paper Artist
By Saneyuki Owada, translation by Mike Sullivan. Please tell us about your background and how you became involved in washi paper? I was born in Kochi, a city surrounded by the sea and mountains, and I lived there until I was 6 years old. After that I moved to Ikazaki in Ehime Prefecture. In the […]
Interview with Film Director Yosuke Fujita – Latest Movie Fuku-chan of FukuFuku Flats
Interview and photo by Mike Sullivan. Today your movie Fuku-chan of FukuFuku Flats will be showing at the Raindance Film Festival, previously you directed Fine, Totally Fine – was this your first movie? Yes, that is correct. Although that was my first commercial movie, before that I had made a number of independent movies. I […]
Interview with Tamaki Matsuda – Amazing Lacquer Artisan in Tokyo
Interview by Saneyuki Owada. Please tell us about the beginning of your life. When I was born I my heart wasn’t beating and I wasn’t breathing – it wasn’t exactly an ideal start! My parents were both working as teachers, so I ended up being in childcare soon after I was born. How did you […]
An Interview with Nagisa Isogai – Talented Up and Coming Film Director
Interview and photos by Mike Sullivan. Is Lust of Angels your first movie? I heard about another movie called My Baby? Yes, My Baby was my first movie and Lust of Angels is my second movie. I understand that you wrote the screenplays for both of your movies, could you tell us a bit about […]
Interview with Yuka Ishizuka – Violinist from Hokkaido and studied at the Royal Academy of Music
Interview and photos by Mike Sullivan Please introduce yourself and your background. I am a concert violinist, living in London. I was born in California, U.S.A. and lived in US for 6 years, Japan for 8 years and have been living in London for 12 years. At the age of three, I started the violin […]
Interview with Namiko Murakoshi – Cute Ceramic Maker
By Mike Sullivan Please introduce yourself and your background. I now live and work in London, but I was born and brought up on the islands of Okinawa, home of the longest living people in the world. Feeding the goats and swimming in the sea, I grew up seeing how Okinawan people live. Whatever happens, […]
Interview with Anna Kozaki – Superb Japanese Sweetmaker in Tokyo
By Mike Sullivan Please introduce yourself and your background. I was born in Mie prefecture and went to Canada for high school. Then, I attended the Tsuji Institute of Patisserie in Osaka and worked at a cake shop in Mie. After which, I went to Beijing (China) to study Mandarin, before moving to Macau where […]
An Interview with Tomomi Sayuda – Reknowned London based Designer
By Mike Sullivan, translation by Weini Liao Please introduce yourself and your background, including your studies in Tokyo and London. My name is Tomomi Sayuda and I am a designer living in London. I was born in Tokyo and have been in London for eight and half years. http://www.tomomisayuda.com/ Please tell us about your work. […]
Interview with Thomas Lim – Actor, Producer and Director based in Tokyo
By Mike Sullivan In the past you have travelled through many countries, studied at Rose Bruford College in London and at the Beijing Sports University, and now live in Japan – how did you end up settling in Tokyo? That’s right. I’m from Singapore and had studied theatre in London, and Chinese Kung Fu in […]
Interview with Lisa Ueda – Young Talented Violinist
By Mike Sullivan Please introduce yourself and your background. Where is your family originally from in Japan? My name is Lisa Ueda, I am a solo violinist and recitalist based in London, I work regularly in Europe and Asia. I was born and raised in northern Osaka. My education started at Kyoto International School, and […]
Aiki Mori – Talented Cello Player, Competition Winner and Member of Mori Trio
By Mike Sullivan Please introduce yourself and your background. Where is your family originally from in Japan? I’m from a City called Ichinimiya. It’s about 30km from Nagoya. I grew up there until I was five, then I moved to Tokyo with my family. My father loves to listen to music. My mother studied piano, […]