‘Bakemono Zukushi’ monster scroll

24 Jun 2010

The Bakemono Zukushi handscroll, painted in the Edo period (18th-19th century) by an unknown artist, depicts 24 traditional monsters that once used to spook the people of Japan.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Oyajirome (親白眼) has a bulging eye on the back of its head and a claw on its one-fingered hand.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Daichiuchi (大地打) is a mallet-wielding monster with a bird-like face.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Dōmo-kōmo (どうもこうも) is a two-headed creature with gray skin.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Sara-hebi (さら蛇) is a large, snake-like creature with the head of a woman.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Mi-no-kedachi (身の毛立) has a coat of body hair that stands on end.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Nobusuma (のぶすま) has a brown body, human-like face, spiky hair, claws, and sharp black teeth.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Uma-shika (馬鹿) is a horse-like monster with a horn on its head and a single bulging eye.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Hajikkaki (はぢっかき) has a round white body with short arms and legs.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Odoroshi (おどろし) is a red-faced monster with big eyes, black teeth, and long hair.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Yume-no-seirei ("dream ghost" - 夢の精霊) appears as a thin old man in a white robe.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Yamamba (山姥) is a mountain hag.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Rokurokubi (ろくろくび), a long-necked woman, is pictured next to an Inugami (犬神) dog spirit.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Boukon (亡魂), a departed soul, appears to have pale blue skin, long hair, and a distended belly.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Ushi-oni (牛鬼) is a sea monster with the head of a cow and the body of a giant spider or crab.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Yamawaro (山童) is a one-eyed kappa-like creature found in the mountains.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Buraribi (ぶらり火) is a white, bird-like creature surrounded by ghostly flames.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Uwan (うわん) is a creature that inhabits abandoned buildings.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Akashita ("red tongue" - 赤舌) is a hairy-faced creature that hides in a dark cloud.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Yuki-onna ("snow woman" - 雪女) appears on snowy nights as a beautiful woman with long hair.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Nekomata (猫また) cat demon plays the shamisen next to a kitsune (狐) fox spirit.

Bakemono Zukushi monster scroll --
Kami-kiri ("hair cutter" - 髪切) are known for sneaking up on people and cutting off their hair.

- View the entire scroll.

[Via: International Research Center for Japanese Studies - Yokai Database]

Time-lapse video: Giant spider crab sheds its shell

22 Jun 2010

Enoshima Aquarium (Fujisawa, Japan) has released some time-lapse footage of a molting Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi), whose 3.8 meter (12 ft 6 in) leg span makes it the world's largest arthropod species. The video was shot over a 6-hour period.


+ Video

Sci-fi illustrations by Shigeru Komatsuzaki

21 Jun 2010

Here is a collection of sci-fi illustrations by the prolific Shigeru Komatsuzaki (1915-2001), whose fantastic work appeared on plastic model kit boxes and in magazines and picture books in the 1960s to 1970s. Click the "+" under each image for a larger view.

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
The Missiler, 1970 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Giant Shocker Machine, 1975 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Space colony, 1980 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Crawler, 1968 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Mobile marine airport, 1980 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Tokyo volcano, ca. 1965

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Attack Boy, 1970 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Undersea super tunnel, 1981 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
SHADO-mobile, ca. 1970 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
UFO, ca. 1970 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Solar City, 1982 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Thunderbird 1, 1964 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Thunderbird 2, 1964 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Thunderbird 3, 1964 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Thunderbird ships, 1964 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Rikishi Boy, 1970 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Frog car boat, 1961 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Baron car boat, 1961 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Highway rescue boat, 1981 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Space train, 1981

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Moon bus [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Air car [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
HariHari, 1970 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Sea monster battle, 1954 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
The Mole (Jet-Mogura Tank), 1968 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Thunderbird 6 - Sky-Ship 1, 1968 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Thunderbird Mars Explorer - Zero X, 1967 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Proteus Bluebird CN7, 1963 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Long John - Spirit of America, 1963 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Earthquake, 1979 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Guardman Robot, 1970 [+]

* * * *

Edit: A few more images. (Thanks, Franz!)

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Underground metropolis, ca. 1980 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
World Space Force, 1982 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Horizon Car, ca. 1960 [+]

Illustration by Shigeru Komatsuzaki --
Ark of Space, 1968 [+]

Igarashi concept vehicle designs

18 Jun 2010

Igarashi Design has dreamed up a series of ultramodern concept vehicles, including the bikes, mini-copter, wheelbarrow and snowmobile shown below. [Link]

IgarashiDesign concept vehicle --

IgarashiDesign concept vehicle --

IgarashiDesign concept vehicle --

IgarashiDesign concept vehicle --

IgarashiDesign concept vehicle --

IgarashiDesign concept vehicle --

IgarashiDesign concept vehicle --

IgarashiDesign concept vehicle --

IgarashiDesign concept vehicle --

IgarashiDesign concept vehicle --

IgarashiDesign concept vehicle --

IgarashiDesign concept vehicle --

Pachimon postcards

14 Jun 2010

Here is a collection of vintage bromide cards showing various pachimon kaiju (imitation creatures based loosely on famous TV and movie monsters) at iconic locations around the world. Published by Yokopro in the 1970s.

Pachi-mon --
New York

Pachi-monster --
London

Pachi-monster illustration --
Egypt

Pachi-mono card --
India

Pachimono card --
Italy

Pachimon illustration --
Africa

Pachi-monster card --
Netherlands

Pachi-mono card --
Rome

Pachimon illustration --
Mexico

Pachimon illustration --
Alaska

Pachi-mono card --
Hong Kong

Pachimono card --
America

Pachi-mon bromide --
Africa

Pachi monster bromide --
London

Pachimon postcard --
Hawaii

Pachi-mon --
Moscow

Pachimono postcard --
Paris

Pachi-mon illustration --
America

[Link: Room 103]

Surrealistic paintings by Tetsuya Ishida

07 Jun 2010

The surrealistic paintings of Tetsuya Ishida (1973-2005) explore the dark side of modern life.

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

Painting by Tetsuya Ishida --

[Link]

Hayaku: A time lapse journey through Japan

03 Jun 2010

This time-lapse video of Japan -- shot by Brad Kremer in the summer of 2009 -- features impressive footage of Tokyo, Matsuyama, Imabari, Nagano, Gifu, and Mt. Ishizuchi.


+ Video

Futuristic mega-projects by Shimizu

01 Jun 2010

Japanese construction firm Shimizu Corporation has developed a series of bold architectural plans for the world of tomorrow. Here is a preview of seven mega-projects that have the potential to reshape life on (and off) Earth in the coming decades.

* * * * *

- Luna Ring

In response to the ever-growing demand for energy, Shimizu has developed plans for the Luna Ring, a project that seeks to transform the Moon into a massive solar power plant.

Luna Ring lunar solar power generation plan by Shimizu Corporation --
Luna Ring's 11,000-kilometer (6,800-mile) "solar belt" spans the Moon's equator

Electricity collected by the Luna Ring's enormous "solar belt" is relayed to power conversion facilities located on the near side of the Moon. There, the electricity is converted into powerful microwaves and lasers, which are beamed at Earth. Terrestrial power stations receive the energy beams and convert them back to electricity.

Luna Ring lunar solar power generation plan by Shimizu Corporation --
Luna Ring feeds power to energy-hungry Earth

The solar power plant is built mainly using lunar resources. Moon rocks and dust are used to manufacture building materials such as cement, bricks and glass fibers. Water is produced through a chemical process involving lunar soil and hydrogen.

Large machinery and equipment from Earth is assembled in space and landed on the lunar surface for installation. Much of the construction is performed by robots controlled by people on Earth, and a team of human astronauts is stationed on the Moon to supervise the robot operations. [More]

* * * * *

- Green Float

Shimizu's Green Float project seeks to build "botanical" cities that float like giant lily pads in the equatorial Pacific, where sunlight is plentiful and the impact of typhoons is minimal.

Green Float island concept by Shimizu Corporation --
Lily pad-like cities at sea

Each floating island features a 1,000-meter (3,300-ft) central tower. The lower section of the tower serves as an industrial area with offices and factories employing 10,000 workers, while the upper section functions as a residential area for 30,000 people. Another 10,000 residents live at ground level, in low-rise townhouses near the beach.

Green Float island concept by Shimizu Corporation --
Green Float islands are 3 kilometers (1.9 mi) in diameter and support a population of 40,000

The typical Green Float island landscape consists of forests, grasslands, waterways and reservoirs. A portion of the land is set aside for agriculture and some of the shallow beaches are used for cultivating seafood, making the islands 100% food self-sufficient.

The eco-friendly Green Float cities rely on a variety of natural energy sources, including wave, wind and solar power, as well as ocean thermal energy conversion.

Green Float island concept by Shimizu Corporation --
Green Float islands join to form a floating metropolis

Green Float islands are built upon a floating base of connected hexagonal tubes that each weigh 7,000 tons and measure 20 meters (65 ft) across and 50 meters (165 ft) deep. The primary structural material for the honeycomb-like base, as well as for the island's buildings, is magnesium alloy. Seawater -- which is composed of 0.13% magnesium by weight -- is an abundant source of magnesium. One ton of the material can be extracted from 770 tons of seawater. [More]

* * * * *

- Mega-City Pyramid

Shimizu's proposed Mega-City Pyramid is a self-contained city for one million people.

Future vision of Shimizu Corporation --
The Mega-City Pyramid stands 2,000 meters (1.25 miles) high

The pyramid-shaped hyperstructure is an assembly of skyscrapers suspended within a skeleton of 350-meter (1,150-ft) long shafts made from lightweight materials (such as carbon and glass fibers).

Mega-City Pyramid concept by Shimizu Corporation -- Mega-City Pyramid concept by Shimizu Corporation --
Residential buildings (left) and office complexes (right) inside Mega-City Pyramid

The skyscrapers within the Mega-City Pyramid are home to residences, offices, research institutions, shopping and entertainment centers, and other facilities. The connecting shafts, which measure from 10 to 16 meters (30 to 50 ft) in diameter, contain the city's plumbing, electrical and communication systems, as well as a network of trains, escalators and moving walkways.


+ Video

The proposed hyperstructure has a footprint of approximately 8 square kilometers (3 sq mi), and it features an open-air construction that allows sunlight to reach the interior. A network of optical fibers transports sunlight into poorly-lit areas.

Mega-City Pyramid concept by Shimizu Corporation --

Construction of the massive Mega-City Pyramid is facilitated by robots and automated assembly systems, as well as by the use of standardized parts and materials. [More]

* * * * *

- Space Hotel

To capitalize on the coming boom in space tourism, Shimizu has developed plans for a space hotel in low-Earth orbit.

Space Hotel concept by Shimizu Corporation --
Shimizu Space Hotel, located 450 kilometers (280 mi) above Earth

The hotel -- which is powered entirely by solar energy -- features a microgravity recreational area where guests can enjoy sports, dining, and gazing at the Earth and stars. The 64 guest rooms and 40 staff rooms are situated in a ring measuring 140 meters (460 ft) in diameter. The ring rotates at a speed of 3 rpm to produce an artificial gravity of 0.7 g in the rooms. A 240-meter (790-ft) elevator shaft connects the hotel facilities with the docking port. [More]

* * * * *

- Lunar Bases

For the more adventurous offworld traveler, Shimizu has developed plans for lunar bases.

Lunar base concept by Shimizu Corporation --
Lunar bases are the key to establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon

Shimizu's proposed bases feature a modular design of interlocking hexagonal units that can be arranged both horizontally and vertically. The modules are built using concrete made from lunar soil and rock. Tele-operated robots and automated assembly systems are used to construct the bases. [More]

* * * * *

- Urban Geo-Grid Plan

Back on Earth, Shimizu's Urban Geo-Grid Plan seeks to reduce urban congestion and improve the overall efficiency of Tokyo by placing a variety of city functions underground.

Urban Geo-Grid Plan by Shimizu Corporation --
Urban Geo-Grid Plan puts much of Tokyo underground

The plan -- which covers an area extending from central Tokyo to the Boso Peninsula on the opposite side of Tokyo Bay -- consists of a vast underground network of so-called "grid points" and "grid stations." Grid points incorporate community facilities such as grocery stores, exhibition halls and public bathhouses, while the larger-scale grid stations incorporate office buildings, hotels, shopping centers, and train stations. An extensive underground transportation network connects the grid points and stations. Moving all these facilities underground frees up an enormous amount of street-level space that can be set aside for parks. [More]

* * * * *

- Desert Aqua-Net Plan

The Desert Aqua-Net Plan seeks to make the desert habitable by constructing a network of lakes and waterways.

Desert Aqua-Net Plan by Shimizu Corporation --
Desert Aqua-Net Plan brings water to the desert

The plan involves creating artificial lakes in low-lying desert areas. Islands are constructed in the middle of the lakes, which are filled with seawater channeled inland through canals. The canals connect the lakes to form an extensive water network.

Located 150 kilometers (95 mi) apart, the artificial lakes measure 30 kilometers (20 mi) in diameter and 20 to 30 meters (65-100 ft) deep. The canals running between the lakes measure 50 meters (165 ft) wide and 10 meters (35 ft) deep

Desert Aqua-Net Plan by Shimizu Corporation --

The lakes reduce temperatures and increase humidity in the surrounding areas, creating a comfortable and mild environment. Seafood and biomass resources (such as algae and seaweed) can be cultivated in the saltwater lakes, and the canals can be used to transport people and goods between the cities built on the artificial islands. [More]

Zombie meat

24 May 2010

Zombie Meat (Zonbi niku) --

"Zombie Meat," an exquisite new Japanese snack for the horror enthusiast, consists of bite-sized chunks of tender blue flesh that, according to the package, has been aged to deadly perfection at the graveyard.

Zombie Meat (Zombi niku) beef jerky --
Zombie Meat

The ghastly meat snack, which tastes remarkably like peppered beef jerky, can be found at select shops in Japan for 399 yen (about $4.50) per pack.