Japan: 100 years ago

It’s been almost 2 months since I last posted here on my blog – and even then it wasn’t much of a post! As I mentioned then, I don’t really have time to be updating so often… BUT I came across these lovely Japanese postcards at the weekend and bookmarked them to share – they are too good not to.

This set of colour postcards, all issued in the first decades of the 20th century, show a different pre-war Japan. The signs of technological progress are everywhere: overhead power, telegraph or telephone lines, utility poles with multiple arms, trolley cars, steam boats, huge cranes, steel bridges, factories, and modern office buildings are all part of Japan’s cityscapes. And the visual effect of these coloured postcards make me feel like I might understand where the best Japanese anime movies have their roots. – Gizmodo

I’ve now delved into the original source of the images – New York Public Library’s digital collection of Pacific Pursuits: Postcards – and spent some time admiring even more stunning scenes from early 20th century Japan.

Those that Gizmodo picked out are great and certainly do show Japan making their technological advancements but I love those that show a more traditional Japan as well. I’ve picked out some that show places that I’ve been to myself, alongside some places that I haven’t but would love to visit. In contrast to the other images, these places do still look like this – temples, shrines, castles etc. It is, afterall, the traditional side of Japan that I love more than anything else.

Those that I’ve been to…

Maybe next time…

I'm not dead…

…I just don’t really have time for my blog any more. Nor anything much that is post-worthy!

I’m still writing for the Art of Punk series on Colin’s Punk Rock World (a post about logo designs was published today). I also write reviews sometimes, such as the lengthy gig review for Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls at Alexandra Palace that was posted last week.

In more visually creative news, I linoprint-ed some Christmas cards the other weekend. You may or may not remember my designs from last year – check them out here too. I think I like this year’s little reindeer more than last year’s design.

I already am a Wolverine

I love Liz Climo’s simple and highly amusing animal-themed comics, particularly her Halloween themed ones that I’ve been chuckling over this week. This X-Men comic is probably my favourite thing on the Internet right now.

The Art of Punk

After dabbling in gig review writing (here and here), I've landed myself a weekly feature on Colin’s Punk Rock World. This is definitely all down to my writing ability and ideas rather than the fact I’m his girlfriend, obviously!

Every Tuesday I will be posting an article under the theme ‘The Art of Punk’. My first post went out earlier today and is a bit of an introduction to the whole concept, but also features London Calling by The Clash.

Alongside working on my own posts, I’ve also designed some banner-style images to head each blog post on CPRW – for each category: album reviews, gig reviews etc. These also appear down the side of the blog (see above!) and offer quick links to each category.

…I’m not taking over, honest!

12 Types of Cat

‘I love cats. They are cute. They are independent. They can be good companions but they are not needy. Besides nothing says “home” better than a house with a cat in it.’

I could have said exactly that but these are the words of Lingvistov to introduce a series of excellent and amusing illustrations – 12 Types of Cat.

Here are 6 of my favourites:

Lingvistov’s other cat series are great too, including: 15 Truths About Cats and If My Cat Could Speak…

The Complete Gig List

I’m one of those weird people that likes making lists (and playlists). I also really like music and live music in particular. Anyone that knows me well knows that I go to quite a lot of gigs – five in the last month and two more later this week! Which is quite a lot compared to the average person and especially so considering that I don’t live in London (or any other major city for live music, ie. Manchester).

Some years ago I sat down and worked out every gig that I had been to: dates, where it was, who was supporting, who was headlining. I couldn’t always recall the support acts and for some I didn’t want to recall them, but I managed a pretty complete list. Ever since I have been making sure that I keep said list up to date. The list doesn’t include all of the small random local shows in Falmouth nor any from my Pitz-going days as a teenager in Milton Keynes. It does however include gigs that I wouldn’t shout about having been to, but it is honest.

The list used to be published online in a last.fm journal but since the website is having a major re-design (and has been for the last few months) the journal feature isn’t working… So, I’ve posted the list here on my blog instead. And there is also a separate ‘Seen Live’ list that simply lists bands and how many times I’ve seen them.

My current task involves adding to a Spotify playlist containing songs by all of the bands in my gig list – well, all of the ones I deem decent enough to still listen to – in chronological order. I’m still adding to it (and will continue to, as I don’t intend on ceasing going to shows!) but take a look/listen if you fancy it…

It gets progressively more punk.

It’s here!

As of today, Love Japan magazine issue 2 is now available to buy in print and is also free to read online! (Although, I’d recommend getting it in print… because it’s a magazine.)
I got my copy earlier in the week and it looks great.

I’ve worked alongside some super talented and passionate people over the last few months and I’m really excited for the world to see the magazine, at last. I designed this issue but also look out for my own article in the Travel section!

Love Japan Magazine Issue 2 is jam packed full of interesting articles and interviews covering a wide range of topics from food, fashion and art, to lifestyle, travel and events.

Our first 20 print orders get a free gift of either a ‘I ♥ Japan’ pin badge, or Japanese food stickers. Click here to make the jump and grab a copy of the mag!

We hope you enjoy reading the magazine as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it!

Colin’s Punk Rock World

Last month I met a man named Colin who loves punk rock about ten times more than I do – and I really love punk rock myself! He just so happens to have an excellent blog compiling album reviews, gig reviews and top tens called Colin’s Punk Rock World. It was always really well-written but, being the keen graphic designer that I am, I immediately asked if I could offer my design expertise. I initially designed a new banner for the Facebook page and tonight I tweaked the blog to match.

Yes, I am also plugging my own review that I wrote for the blog a few weeks ago. At least, it’s kind of a review but mostly me babbling about how The Gaslight Anthem ‘changed my life’ or something like that. Colin was kind enough to think it worthy of being posted anyway.

ps. Colin is also now my boyfriend but that’s kind of irrelevant here.