Remembering Ryuichi Sakamoto, the origin of Popeye, Japanese interior design, old taxi colors, vintage flower embroidery shirt, mobile kei-van book store, and more...
Ordermade #1
第1号
Welcome to the first edition of Ordermade (オーダーメイド).
Curation of a bunch of things:
6:00 | Art is long, life is short - Ryuichi Sakamoto
Remembering Ryuichi Sakamoto, a legendary Japanese musician who left an indelible mark on the world of music. He sadly passed away on March 28th at the age of 71.
Born in Tokyo in 1952, Sakamoto studied at Tokyo University of the Arts, under the guidance of Tomoyuki Matsumoto. While in grad school, he began working as an arranger and debuted with his album "Thousand Knives" in 1978. That same year, he formed Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi, helping popularize "Techno Pop" in Japan during the 80s. YMO introduced electronic music, such as synthesizers, into their electro-pop sound, gaining significant popularity in the process.
After YMO disbanded, Sakamoto continued to make waves in the music industry. In 1983, he worked on the score for the film "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" and acted alongside David Bowie. In 1987, he became the first Japanese to win an Academy Award for Best Original Score for the film "The Last Emperor."
Sakamoto continued to create, premiering his opera "LIFE a Ryuichi Sakamoto Opera 1999" and increasing his involvement in peace and social issues after witnessing the 9/11 attacks while living in New York.
Sakamoto was also a dedicated environmentalist, founding the non-profit organization "more trees" in 2007 to promote forest conservation. He had a strong connection to the art world, serving as the director of the first Sapporo International Art Festival in 2014.
Unfortunately, Sakamoto announced his throat cancer diagnosis just before the festival opened. After recovering, he released his album "async" in 2017, his first in eight years, and held the "Ryuichi Sakamoto async Installation Music Exhibition" at Watari-um Museum, Tokyo.
In June 2020, Sakamoto's cancer returned. He continued to create music while battling the disease. In December 2022, he streamed a piano solo concert, "Ryuichi Sakamoto: Playing the Piano 2022," performing iconic songs from his career. In January 2023, he released "12," his first album since "async." His official website shared a quote Sakamoto loved: "Ars longa, vita brevis."
Art is long, life is short. As we remember and celebrate Ryuichi Sakamoto's life and contributions, his music will continue to live on.
6:30 | Just a vintage matchbox from the Imperial Hotel Tokyo
7:00 | The origin of Popeye
Launched in 1976, it's known for its "City Boy" aesthetic and has a long history of influencing fashion trends.
Popeye is a monthly fashion and men's magazine based in Tokyo, Japan. It's one of the oldest magazines focusing on men's fashion and is often considered the Japanese version of Nylon magazine. Its tagline is "Magazine for City Boys."
The magazine's focus is centered on presenting a romanticized view of life and fashion in America and Europe. Interestingly, this has led to a revered perception of Popeye among non-Japanese young men.
The "City Boy" trend has become a favored fashion influence, blending vintage, preppy, and streetwear elements that have been refined and updated through archive reposts. This aesthetic has gained traction and popularity.
Curious about Popeye's early days? A reproduction of the first issue was made for the magazine's 40th anniversary, providing an authentic look at the origins of this iconic publication. More here.
The October 25, 1978 issue of Popeye Magazine featured a cover story about the revival of pinball in arcades across Japan and the US. This issue is a testament to the magazine's focus on cultural trends beyond fashion.
Popeye has been influential in the digital realm as well, with scans of its pages becoming popular on social media platforms. This has contributed to the ongoing appeal and relevance of the "City Boy" aesthetic.
Popeye's enduring success is a testament to its ability to adapt and stay relevant in the ever-changing world of fashion while staying true to its roots as a "Magazine for City Boys."
8:30 | Old school Tokyo taxi colours
9:00 | MEDI VINTAGE FLOWER EMBROIDERY SHIRT
This MEDI Vintage Flower Embroidery Shirt by Ameri VINTAGE is inspired by vintage foreign books and derived from the design of the Turkish ethnic costume "kaftan."
By applying softness to the fabric, they express a soft texture and a slightly crumpled vintage feel. The plush embroidery and delicate embroidery on the cuffs and collar are the highlights.
Thanks to its hidden button, the shirt provides a neat impression. With its appropriate length, it can be matched with various styles for your enjoyment.
By incorporating durable and quick-drying linen in the material, this shirt can be worn comfortably as a light summer layer. The string attached to the neckline can be left hanging or tied, depending on your preference.
9:30 | small print books
"small print books is a mobile bookstore traveling the east-side of los angeles in a japanese kei van."
おわり