Source: Motorpress /Lexus South Africa
Enjoy Japanese Studio Ghibli’s anime films
From sushi tutorials to Studio Ghibli on Netflix, the team at premium car brand Lexus suggest different ways to immerse yourself in Japanese culture through books, films and technology, without leaving your house.
Unleash the chef in you – DIY sushi
Lexus suggests nine ways to a more Japanese-enlightened lockdown.
1. DISCOVER STUDIO GHIBLI
For sheer escapism and stunning artistry, look no further than Studio Ghibli’s anime films. They’ve captivated audiences since 1986 and if you haven’t yet delved into the richly-storied archives, now’s your chance. Netflix acquired the rights to a number of Ghibli films this year: must-sees include My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Princess Mononoke (1997) and Spirited Away (2001) – all available now. netflix.com in South Africa and worldwide.
When you look at the style of Yishan Li’s Lexus UX manga piece, it’s difficult not to think of Studio Ghibli. Yishan’s beautiful, warm illustration has a calming dreamlike quality to it, and features a young woman on a beach leaning on her Lexus UX, watching the sunset.
Read more: Lexus UX manga: Yishan Li interview
2. FIND ANCIENT TREASURES
For those keen on Japanese culture and apparel, you can feast your eyes on the silken splendour of its full kimono collection online. The ‘Search the Collections’ function unearths everything from 17th-century traditional treasures to sleek contemporary creations. Meanwhile, the virtual ‘Museum of the World’, curated by the British Museum, boasts a brilliant ‘Asia’ section.
Read more: How Japan’s fashion designers are redesigning the kimono
3. PERFECT YOUR SUSHI ROLLS
For a taste of Japan, why not start or perfect your sushi-making skills at home. Every second household during the lockdown has unleashed a chef in the making, so you have no excuse. Head out to your nearest store or order online from some of SA’s leading food chains for your sushi stock and fill your locked-down pantry with everything you need. Stock up on any and everything from miso paste and yuzu sauce to sushi-making kits and rice, as well as Japanese-style handcrafted tableware. Check out the free recipe tutorials, too. How to make sushi_woolworths
4. MASTER A NEW ART SKILL
With its intricate scripts and fluid brush-strokes, calligraphy (or shodō) is beloved throughout Japan. It is rooted in meditation and mindfulness, but the practical element is totally immersive, so if you’re struggling to calm your thoughts, a YouTube tutorial could be just the ticket. Look for origami and block-painting videos too: you might not have all the required materials, but with a bit of initiative (using styrofoam packaging instead of printing blocks, for example), you’ll be surprised by what you can achieve.
5. TRY HOME-STYLE HANAMI
The Japanese tradition of hanami (cherry blossom viewing) might be trickier this year, but you can still get your fix in some ingenious ways: by spying on Tokyo’s pink-petalled Chidorigafuchi moat via the live Sakura Cam, or by browsing the Smithsonian’s stunning collection of blooming artworks.
6. LOSE YOURSELF IN A BOOK
Weaving poignant anecdotes and folklore tales with meticulously-researched history and sumptuous prose, Alex Kerr is Britain’s foremost writer on all-things Japan. His books and articles, such as Lost Japan (1993) and Dogs & Demons (2001) bring to life his childhood in Yokohama, and reveal the rich customs and culture of his adopted homeland. These are ideal for armchair travellers. Check out his e-books on www.takealot.com
Dogs & Demons: Takealot.com/dogs-and-demons-ebook
Lost Japan: Takealot.com/lost-japan-ebook
7. BREW A MOMENT OF CALM
On your next grocery run, stock up on some soothing Japanese sencha green tea, like Pukka’s Organic Supreme bags (available from Faithful to Nature, Wellness Warehouse and some supermarkets). While it’s brewing, pop on Spotify’s ‘Japan Top 50’ playlist, an eclectic mix of Japan’s most-played songs. Prefer baking? Vivid Matcha’s ceremonial-grade matcha powder is perfect for making a matcha crepe cake.
8. CHECK OUT THE TOYOTA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM COLLECTION
The Toyota Automobile Museum may be closed currently, but you can still browse through the amazing collection of cars stored there. The museum collection dates from 1886 to the present day, covering multiple brands from across the globe. Some of our favourites are the 1966 Toyota 2000GT ‘Bond Car’ from ‘Live and Let Die’ and the famous Lexus LFA.
Check these out on: https://toyota-automobile-museum.jp/en/archives/car-database/
9. START WITH A STRETCH
For nearly 70 years, millions of people across Japan have started the day by tuning into rajio taisō (radio calisthenics) on TV and NHK radio – a three-minute routine of low-impact stretching, bending and jumping. Combining bright piano music with a rather sombre male voiceover, it’s a much-loved part of Japanese culture. Give it a go via YouTube – whether in your workout gear or Pikachu costume.
1. DISCOVER STUDIO GHIBLI
For sheer escapism and stunning artistry, look no further than Studio Ghibli’s anime films. They’ve captivated audiences since 1986 and if you haven’t yet delved into the richly-storied archives, now’s your chance. Netflix acquired the rights to a number of Ghibli films this year: must-sees include My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Princess Mononoke (1997) and Spirited Away (2001) – all available now. netflix.com in South Africa and worldwide.
When you look at the style of Yishan Li’s Lexus UX manga piece, it’s difficult not to think of Studio Ghibli. Yishan’s beautiful, warm illustration has a calming dreamlike quality to it, and features a young woman on a beach leaning on her Lexus UX, watching the sunset.
Read more: Lexus UX manga: Yishan Li interview
2. FIND ANCIENT TREASURES
For those keen on Japanese culture and apparel, you can feast your eyes on the silken splendour of its full kimono collection online. The ‘Search the Collections’ function unearths everything from 17th-century traditional treasures to sleek contemporary creations. Meanwhile, the virtual ‘Museum of the World’, curated by the British Museum, boasts a brilliant ‘Asia’ section.
Read more: How Japan’s fashion designers are redesigning the kimono
3. PERFECT YOUR SUSHI ROLLS
For a taste of Japan, why not start or perfect your sushi-making skills at home. Every second household during the lockdown has unleashed a chef in the making, so you have no excuse. Head out to your nearest store or order online from some of SA’s leading food chains for your sushi stock and fill your locked-down pantry with everything you need. Stock up on any and everything from miso paste and yuzu sauce to sushi-making kits and rice, as well as Japanese-style handcrafted tableware. Check out the free recipe tutorials, too. How to make sushi_woolworths
4. MASTER A NEW ART SKILL
With its intricate scripts and fluid brush-strokes, calligraphy (or shodō) is beloved throughout Japan. It is rooted in meditation and mindfulness, but the practical element is totally immersive, so if you’re struggling to calm your thoughts, a YouTube tutorial could be just the ticket. Look for origami and block-painting videos too: you might not have all the required materials, but with a bit of initiative (using styrofoam packaging instead of printing blocks, for example), you’ll be surprised by what you can achieve.
5. TRY HOME-STYLE HANAMI
The Japanese tradition of hanami (cherry blossom viewing) might be trickier this year, but you can still get your fix in some ingenious ways: by spying on Tokyo’s pink-petalled Chidorigafuchi moat via the live Sakura Cam, or by browsing the Smithsonian’s stunning collection of blooming artworks.
6. LOSE YOURSELF IN A BOOK
Weaving poignant anecdotes and folklore tales with meticulously-researched history and sumptuous prose, Alex Kerr is Britain’s foremost writer on all-things Japan. His books and articles, such as Lost Japan (1993) and Dogs & Demons (2001) bring to life his childhood in Yokohama, and reveal the rich customs and culture of his adopted homeland. These are ideal for armchair travellers. Check out his e-books on www.takealot.com
Dogs & Demons: Takealot.com/dogs-and-demons-ebook
Lost Japan: Takealot.com/lost-japan-ebook
7. BREW A MOMENT OF CALM
On your next grocery run, stock up on some soothing Japanese sencha green tea, like Pukka’s Organic Supreme bags (available from Faithful to Nature, Wellness Warehouse and some supermarkets). While it’s brewing, pop on Spotify’s ‘Japan Top 50’ playlist, an eclectic mix of Japan’s most-played songs. Prefer baking? Vivid Matcha’s ceremonial-grade matcha powder is perfect for making a matcha crepe cake.
8. CHECK OUT THE TOYOTA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM COLLECTION
The Toyota Automobile Museum may be closed currently, but you can still browse through the amazing collection of cars stored there. The museum collection dates from 1886 to the present day, covering multiple brands from across the globe. Some of our favourites are the 1966 Toyota 2000GT ‘Bond Car’ from ‘Live and Let Die’ and the famous Lexus LFA.
Check these out on: https://toyota-automobile-museum.jp/en/archives/car-database/
9. START WITH A STRETCH
For nearly 70 years, millions of people across Japan have started the day by tuning into rajio taisō (radio calisthenics) on TV and NHK radio – a three-minute routine of low-impact stretching, bending and jumping. Combining bright piano music with a rather sombre male voiceover, it’s a much-loved part of Japanese culture. Give it a go via YouTube – whether in your workout gear or Pikachu costume.
Books and Cars – Lexus LFA on Toyota Automobile Museum Collection
LEXUS SUGGESTS NINE WAYS TO IMMERSE YOURSELF IN JAPANESE CULTURE AT HOME