Malmö is proud to present the first in a series of posts titled Transcript. Transcript is a fortnightly online journal that explores objects, companies, people, moments and places in the world that inspire and constantly open up our eyes.
The first series of Transcript will focus on Japan. Having recently spent a month travelling from the madness of Tokyo to experiencing onsen on Kyushu Island and then back through the serene streets of Kyoto, we became slowly enveloped by the country’s undeniable beauty and the politeness of its people.
It is a place that overstimulates the senses yet has amazingly tranquil moments of stillness. Where bullet trains co-exist with beautiful old bicycles; where automated toilets are used by 90-year-old grandfathers; where vending machine food coexists with the highest grade of sashimi Tuna. Who would have thought that in the busy centre of Shibuya you could stumble upon an old auntie on a back street – presumably called Yuki-san – grilling the most tender of yakitori skewers. She has probably been grilling these skewers everyday for the last thirty years and it is this continual dedication to a single craft that Transcript totally respects.
Ultimately, Japan is a country of contrasts. And as these contrasts are too diverse and too overwhelming to cover in a single post, Transcript will look into Bullet Trains, Vending Machines, Japanese Menswear and Japanese Select Shops in the next four issues.
Wishing you a happy holiday period.
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