Harajuku in peril?

Taking up herewith Recent Culture News Trend in Japan by Media...
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Harajuku in peril? by Japan Times on 25 Nov., 2008

Tokyo's Harajuku area has long enjoyed a reputation as being a hotbed of home-grown youth culture and fashion, but could the opening of a Swedish-owned H&M signal the beginning of the end of small independent boutiques and edgy ambiance? PATRICK MACIAS PHOTO
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Out of the lamp and onto the stage (Nov.14)

Mieko Sasaki / Special to The Daily Yomiuri

Choreographer David Bintley readies world premiere of 'Aladdin' ballet ahead of new role at Tokyo's New National Theatre
David Bintley, artistic director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, has become big news in the Japanese ballet world for two major reasons. The first is Aladdin, his new ballet commissioned by the New National Theatre, Tokyo, which will have its world premiere tomorrow. ...Full Story>>

TASTE OF HOME #57 / Potato harvest inspires recipes and poetry: Can you dig it? (Nov.14)

Tamako Sakamoto / Special to The Daily Yomiuri

Oh I can't wait any more

I want to see you soon

Now, I am coming

I will reach you in a second

So, where are you?

Wow, finally I got you!

My dearest Potato-chan!

Guess what? This is a poem my 10-year-old son wrote when he dug up some potatoes that he had grown. Again this year, he brought discarded potatoes from a nearby vegetable field with his friends and planted them in our garden. In August, they harvested them and enjoyed a "potato party." My son was so excited that he composed the poem afterward. ...Full Story>>

Table wear: Trio of exhibits look at dressing up your eating experience (Nov.14)

Kumi Matsumaru / Daily Yomiuri Staff Writer

Designer Jurgen Lehl will show about 1,000 spoons he designed, collected or had artisans make for him in an upcoming exhibition. "The spoons have a little bit more character [than conventional ones]. They are not something you can see everywhere," Lehl told The Daily Yomiuri in front of an array of various spoons. "We have basic spoons at our shop, but most of the spoons [at the exhibition] are quite unique," said Lehl, who designs such items for daily life as furniture, bed linens, towels, pottery and glassware in addition to clothing. ...Full Story>>

From birth to death: Chopin's life to unfold before Japanese audience (Nov.14)

Hiroko Oikawa / Special to The Daily Yomiuri

For anyone who loves Frederic Chopin's piano works or wants to explore his waltzes and nocturnes for the first time, a series of concerts set for later this month will be a precious one.
In what is titled "Le Journal Musical de Chopin," all of the composer's solo piano works will be performed by six international pianists in Tokyo and Osaka. ...Full Story>>
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By T.S. on 26 Nov., 2008