OK, so I finally made it over to Tokyo and it sure is good to be back. I haven’t been posting much but will do my best to keep the blog up to date while I’m here for the Spring/Summer 2009 exhibition. Since it’s pretty much all about food, fashion and design here, there will be alot of posts related to said topics. If I’m lucky, the first day always starts with a bento from Tenkai-san. I first met Tenkai about 5 years ago after getting a bout of food poisoning here (it’s rare, but happens). After a 3 day haitus from solid food following a heavy IV treatment, I was not about to jump back into the heavy ramen rotation. My friend suggested I try a bento from Tenkai-san: his food is as good for the body as is it for the soul. In my opinion, it combines all the best aspects of macrobiotics, veganism, and the 100-mile diet. It’s based on shojin-ryori (traditional buddhist fare), but geared for the fashionistas of the the Daikanyama shopping district. Sorry for rambling – short version, eat his food and you will be blessed.
The second piece to fall into place this trip was my transport: Yohei is an amazing stylist here in Tokyo and he was kind enough to lend me his custom-made Kalavinka track bike for the duration, that is a serious bro move! Thanks Yohei!
Yohei’s whip is fast and a joy to ride – nasu (eggplant) color scheme, Columbus SLX tubing throughout, fastback seatstays, Campa, Chris King and Phil for all the nerds out there. The killer detail for me is the ancient bonji script on the underside of the downtube – style is king!
The best part about coming here is catching up with old friends. I stopped by the TNP studio (Nonnative, Hobo and Transit Magazine – www.nonnative.com) and had a good chat with the boys.
Satoshi and Taiju took me out to Parentesi for a little pizza and pasta lunch, thanks fellas! We had some sort of tamago (egg) pizza which was original and very tasty!
I also stopped by my boy Asuka’s french cafe in Hiroo for a chat and coffee. His father runs the upstairs, very posh French restaurant – Petit Point, and Asuka runs the downstairs which is a more casual, cafe style affair. The whole joint is hung with amazing woodblock prints by Asuka’s grandfather, Fumio Kitaoka – a well known Japanese print artist. If you are in the area, check it out! http://www.petitpoint.co.jp
Today I finally dropped by the Vendor shop, pretty much the only place I have ever bought gear from when I come to Tokyo. Fuku-san is the man, say what’s up to him and he will drop mad knowledge on you, this guy knows what’s going on!
I also rode over to Meguro to visit Tsukumo Sports, the workshop of Akio Tanabe, creator of Kalavinka handmade bicycles. I feel blessed to be riding a Kalavinka myself at home in Vancouver, it’s a beauty. The workshop is a super fun place to visit, especially since Tanabe-san is so welcoming and humble and entertaining all at once. Fingers crossed, we’ll be doing some sort of Kalavinka-related exhibition at SuperChampion (www.superchampionshop.com), so stay tuned. Here’s a sneak preview:
My friends Tsuyoshi and Misato invited me to their folks place tonite for my first home sushi party – I couldn’t stop eating the toro sashimi!
The newest addition to their family, North-kun, is the happiest black lab I have ever met (well, is there any other kind?!) We took him for a long walk around Den-en-chofu before dinner and I was pretty stoked on how well trained he is now. A handsome fella for sure.
