Art&Culture
FULL OF CHARACTER
Part Japanese folklore, part pop culture, Kimiaki Yaegashi’s visual musings need no translation.
s READ MORE
CLOSE
CLOSE
FULL OF CHARACTER
Kimiaki Yaegashi is having fun at work. This is made clear in the Tokyo-based illustrator’s slightly surreal depictions for magazines, brands, fashion labels, and more, which often combine characters from Japanese folklore (yokai) with pop-culture references. Highlights include an image of kappa snapping a smartphone pic of kintaro and tengu clinging to a hippo on the cover of ‘Unplanned Journey’, a zine for TOKYO CULTUART by BEAMS; an ongoing series featuring a pizza-obsessed ‘bikini girl’ that took the focus of his first solo exhibition in 2014; and a 232-page book brimming with charming takes on traditional iconography in ‘Nippon Clipart’.
His fascination with drawing began at an early age, but endured having realised the power the medium has to “communicate beyond words.” Yaegashi’s talent allows him to entertain audiences across the world through simple but highly imaginative compositions. Like ‘SUMOBICHON’, a collection of black-and-white illos which shows the hilarious friendship between a fluffy little bichon frise and a towering sumo wrestler. The intimidating nature of Bichon-chan’s human dissipates when they’re together, with the wrestler allowing his pup to unravel and roll around in his cloth mawashi, hang on his leg while exercising, and share in the same steaming hot pot for dinner. Selfies, kisses, and even costume exchanges further demonstrate the unlikely soft spot this sumo has for his beloved bichon.
From kunoichi (female ninjas) floating on flamingos to ningyo (mermaids) perched at a sushi bar—and so much more—Yaegashi’s amusing take on Japanese symbolism seems to know no bounds. And with a career spanning more than two decades, his own affable character seems endless, too.
DOG-FRIENDLY: TAKE THE LEAD
We are thrilled to introduce Dog-Friendly, a collection of city guides for dog-loving people, created together with our long-time contributor, photographer Winnie Au, and fellow enthusiasts, indie publisher Hoxton Mini Press. Available for purchase here.
August 25, 2021
PACK OF DOGS
Have you ever imagined Amy Winehouse or Nick Cave as a Chihuahua, Neil Young as a Vizsla, or PJ Harvey as an Afghan hound? That’s exactly what San Francisco-based artist Michael Gillette has done through his unique illustration project, blending beloved, iconic music legends, both past and present, with their dog counterparts. Pack of Dogs, our first foray into book publishing, is a celebration of pup and pop culture for music and dog lovers alike.
August 25, 2020
HOME AND DRY
Bath time can be a dignified affair with MiaCara’s new Groom collection, designed to bring luxe to wet dogs.
November 28, 2022
UP CLOSE AND PARTICULARLY PERSONAL
Photographer Sophie Zimmermann celebrates the “small moments in between” of dog portraiture.
November 21, 2022
WHETHER THE WEATHER
From raincoats and puffers to sweaters and bathrobes, Cloud7 designs for every dog and all occasions. But that’s not to stay one style fits all.
October 31, 2022
MUTUAL ADMIRATION
London-based illustrator Ashley Percival creates colourful prints full of energy and charged with imagination.
October 11, 2022
LET LOOSE
For his series ‘Compositions and Attitudes’ photographer Hosung Jang captures dogs’ unadulterated curiosity.
September 30, 2022
GLORIOUS BASTARDS
Built to battle with any and all elements—while looking wildly cool—Bastards is for design-loving humans and dogs with plenty of attitude.
August 10, 2022
BLOSSOMING
Feeling camera shy? Try taking a leaf out of your pup’s book. In these lush images, Clemens Schneider captures dogs in full bloom.
August 1, 2022
SENSE OF ADVENTURE
The MiaCara Travel Collection has landed—explore the range, then explore the world.
July 18, 2022
Loading more posts...