Latest news with #Beams
Tokyo Weekender
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Street Fighter II's E. Honda Is Taking Over Osaka's Bathhouses This Summer
If you ever button-mashed your way through Street Fighter II , you probably remember E. Honda's iconic stage: a traditional sento bathhouse with ornate tiles lining the walls and a sumo ring in the center. This summer, that beloved backdrop is stepping out of the arcade and into real life as E. Honda becomes the face of the 2025 edition of Sento no Susume (Osaka & Kansai Edition), a campaign to revitalize Japan's unique bathhouse culture. List of Contents: Soap, Sento and Sumo Fighting Get to Know the Sento no Susume Project Soap, Sento and Sumo Fighting Sento no Susume 2025 (Osaka & Kansai Edition) brings together three iconic brands. It's sponsored, as always, by Beams Japan and Cow Brand Soap — a legendary Japanese soap brand with over a century of history. This year, Capcom is lending support. The event runs from August 7 to September 30 and will transform Osaka's Utopia Shiratama Onsen into a nostalgia-packed Street Fighter II- themed space, with artwork depicting E. Honda and the game's main protagonist, Ryu, including a specially commissioned mural adorning the bath's interior walls. Additionally, across Kansai, approximately 160 bathhouses will hang limited-edition noren curtains featuring E. Honda. The campaign also includes a stamp rally where you visit 12 different sento and collect stamps. Collect them all, and you will be eligible to receive one of 4,500 limited-edition prize sets (original, Street Fighter II –themed towels). Beams will also hold pop-up stores at three locations in the Kansai region, selling special sento-themed merchandise: two types of T-shirts, caps, sauna hats, towels, wash buckets and Cow Brand soap with a limited-edition box. From August 7 to 21, Beams Tennoji and Beams Umeda will showcase the collaboration, while Beams Namba will offer it through August 31. Key items will also be available at 23 additional Beams locations across the country during the campaign period. Get To Know the Sento no Susume Project Sento no Susume is a collaborative project launched in 2019 by Cow Brand Soap and Beams Japan , created with the shared goal of celebrating and preserving Japan's sento culture. Cow Brand Soap — a brand beloved for over a century, guided by its philosophy of 'Constant Kindness' — is committed to supporting local communities and protecting bathhouse traditions. Beams Japan , known for spotlighting Japanese creativity through retail and collaborations across fashion, crafts and regional events, brings a cultural perspective to the project. While the role of public bathhouses has shifted over time, sento continue to serve as meaningful spaces for relaxation and community connection. Through creative content, events and collaborations, Sento no Susume aims to inspire a new generation — including visitors and those unfamiliar with sento — to discover their quiet charm. Since its Tokyo debut in 2019, Sento no Susume has consistently pushed creative boundaries to make bathhouse culture relevant to contemporary audiences. Now in its fifth edition, the 2025 campaign spotlights one of the most beloved aspects of sento culture: the ability to bring together strangers and create spontaneous connections. More Information Sento no Susume 2025 Osaka & Kansai Edition runs from August 7 to September 30, 2025. For more information and participating sento locations, click here . Social Media Campaign for Visitors to Japan Travelers to Japan can join a special campaign on social media and receive an exclusive sticker from the collaboration. For more details, check out the official event page .
Mercury
21-07-2025
- Business
- Mercury
LLM teams up with Terra Search at historic mine
Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. LLM and Dr Simon Beams team up to explore historic Highway Reward mine Company has extensive and detailed exploration and mining data from acquisition The parties will use AI tech to determine new copper-gold drill targets Special Report: Loyal Metals has joined forces with highly regarded Terra Search geologist Dr Simon Beams to unlock the potential of its Highway Reward copper-gold mine in north Queensland. Amongst the world's highest-grade copper mines, the project operated from 1987 to 2005 with historical production of 3.65Mt at 5.7% copper and 260kt at 4.5 g/t gold. Throughout the mine's 20-year dormancy, Terra Search has preserved a comprehensive and robust archive of both exploration and mining data — an invaluable foundation for revitalisation. And Dr Beams himself has over 38 years of hands-on experience at the mine and with the broader Mount Windsor Volcanic Belt – invaluable expertise at the company works to realise the full potential of the world-class copper-gold system. Loyal Metals (ASX:LLM)says this collaboration could unlock the remnant potential of the mine using advanced AI-powered mining software to create 3D geological models and identify promising exploration targets for drilling. Transforming legacy assets through innovation The company has $4.4m in funding to deploy modern exploration techniques at the project, which it believes could unearth the next generation of discoveries. 'Highway Reward is more than a historic mine - it's a proven, high-grade copper-gold system with significant untapped potential,' MD Adam Ritchie said. 'Engaging Dr. Simon Beams enables us to fast track the next phase of discoveries, combining unmatched local expertise, modern exploration tools, and a clear vision for revitalisation. 'With a comprehensive digital data set and $4.4 million in funding, Loyal Metals is well positioned to unlock significant value through targeted exploration.' Dr Beams says the project has immense untapped potential. It also holds a special place for him, having been there for the first discovery drill hole. 'Having guided this project through its early exploration, I've seen firsthand the richness of its geology,' he said. 'Now, we're bridging decades of hands-on knowledge with cutting-edge tools—AI, advanced geophysics, and 3D modeling—to fast-track new discoveries. 'This isn't just about revisiting old data; it's about rewriting the playbook with modern precision. 'We're not just revisiting a mine; we're setting a new standard for how legacy assets can be transformed through innovation.' This article was developed in collaboration with Loyal Metals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions. Originally published as Loyal Metals teams up with Dr Simon Beams to unlock Highway Reward copper-gold potential
Herald Sun
21-07-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
LLM teams up with Terra Search at historic mine
Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. LLM and Dr Simon Beams team up to explore historic Highway Reward mine Company has extensive and detailed exploration and mining data from acquisition The parties will use AI tech to determine new copper-gold drill targets Special Report: Loyal Metals has joined forces with highly regarded Terra Search geologist Dr Simon Beams to unlock the potential of its Highway Reward copper-gold mine in north Queensland. Amongst the world's highest-grade copper mines, the project operated from 1987 to 2005 with historical production of 3.65Mt at 5.7% copper and 260kt at 4.5 g/t gold. Throughout the mine's 20-year dormancy, Terra Search has preserved a comprehensive and robust archive of both exploration and mining data — an invaluable foundation for revitalisation. And Dr Beams himself has over 38 years of hands-on experience at the mine and with the broader Mount Windsor Volcanic Belt – invaluable expertise at the company works to realise the full potential of the world-class copper-gold system. Loyal Metals (ASX:LLM)says this collaboration could unlock the remnant potential of the mine using advanced AI-powered mining software to create 3D geological models and identify promising exploration targets for drilling. Transforming legacy assets through innovation The company has $4.4m in funding to deploy modern exploration techniques at the project, which it believes could unearth the next generation of discoveries. 'Highway Reward is more than a historic mine - it's a proven, high-grade copper-gold system with significant untapped potential,' MD Adam Ritchie said. 'Engaging Dr. Simon Beams enables us to fast track the next phase of discoveries, combining unmatched local expertise, modern exploration tools, and a clear vision for revitalisation. 'With a comprehensive digital data set and $4.4 million in funding, Loyal Metals is well positioned to unlock significant value through targeted exploration.' Dr Beams says the project has immense untapped potential. It also holds a special place for him, having been there for the first discovery drill hole. 'Having guided this project through its early exploration, I've seen firsthand the richness of its geology,' he said. 'Now, we're bridging decades of hands-on knowledge with cutting-edge tools—AI, advanced geophysics, and 3D modeling—to fast-track new discoveries. 'This isn't just about revisiting old data; it's about rewriting the playbook with modern precision. 'We're not just revisiting a mine; we're setting a new standard for how legacy assets can be transformed through innovation.' This article was developed in collaboration with Loyal Metals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions. Originally published as Loyal Metals teams up with Dr Simon Beams to unlock Highway Reward copper-gold potential
Tokyo Weekender
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
How Mogi Folk Art Sparked Tokyo's Mingei Renaissance
In the heart of Tokyo's bohemian neighborhood of Koenji, Mogi Folk Art has carved out a space where tradition and contemporary design collide. Opened in 2022 by Keiko Kitamura and Terry Ellis, the store is described as an homage to mingei , Japan's folk craft movement that champions the beauty found in everyday handmade objects of use. Since opening, Mogi Folk Art has gained an international following for its unique selection of furniture, homewares and clothing, which are brought together under the discerning eye of its owners. Ellis is a renowned figure in the Japanese design and craft scene, and Kitamura is a seasoned buyer with a honed eye for the overlooked. Together, the couple offers a philosophy that craft should be alive, not archival. The store embodies the pair's decades-long work in this world; to look back at their joint career is essentially to plot the resurgence of mingei, so paramount have they been to its current revitalization. It was a path littered with obstacles at the start. The pair began working as buyers for the lifestyle giant Beams in the 90s, where they first began to introduce Japanese craft pieces into the rotation during the early 2000s. However, as Ellis recalls, the objects at this time were seen as so old-fashioned that the press 'wouldn't even look at them.' List of Contents: From Okinawa to Tokyo: The Mingei Revivalists The International Language of Mingei The Future: Crafting Continuity Related Posts Examples of Okinawan pottery From Okinawa to Tokyo: The Mingei Revivalists Mingei, which translates as 'folk craft' in English, was a movement born in the late 1920s as a response to the rise of mass production. Led by art critic and philosopher Soetsu Yanagi and potters Shoji Hamada and Kanjiro Kawai, the movement sought to elevate the handmade crafts of ordinary people — ceramics, textiles, woodwork — as objects of beauty and cultural value. Though it became a defining aesthetic in mid-century Japan, the movement eventually receded from public attention as consumer tastes shifted. It was Soetsu Yanagi's son — the legendary industrial designer Sori Yanagi — who first taught Ellis and Kitamura the joy of folk crafts. Nearly three decades ago, he suggested they take a trip to Okinawa to pursue this interest. 'At the time, no one was going,' Kitamura recalls. 'It was cheaper to fly to Hawaii.' The couple's first trip in 1997 was a revelation. Okinawan ceramics — known for their earthy palettes, robust nature and bold abstract patterns — were unlike anything they'd seen in Japan, and really spoke to the pair. But when they began introducing pieces at Beams, they received little attention. 'Craft wasn't trendy,' Ellis says, laughing. Okinawa itself still carried postwar baggage: Newspapers mostly reported on American military antics, not artisanship. Yet slowly, through repeat trips (now over 100 and counting) and Beams' cult influence, Okinawan pottery would shed its provincial image. Kitamura and Ellis began by introducing simple plates with no decoration, before carefully moving into bolder colorful pieces, gradually bridging Okinawa's craft traditions with Tokyo's design-conscious audience. By the 2010s, what was once dismissed as 'old-fashioned' had become coveted, and Japanese craft had found a permanent place within Beams through the 2003 launch of its in-house brand Fennica, presided over by Ellis and Kitamura. The International Language of Mingei The history of mingei follows a similar path of bridging cultures. 'The founders of mingei looked westwards,' Ellis notes, 'first from China and Korea, then to Europe and America. Mingei was always internationally minded.' Today, Mogi Folk Art's shelves reflect this: African masks sit beside Mashiko stoneware; Tottori plates share space with indigo-dyed fabrics, altogether creating a space that feels eclectic yet coherent. The commonality? The mark of the hand — a quality Ellis values over mere beauty. Despite this, Ellis notes the early mingei movement was Eurocentric in its influence, beginning to seek inspiration from Africa and South America only in the 1960s. Mogi offers a selection of African art pieces, which Ellis sees as having an affinity with Japanese craft. 'There's a common belief that mingei shares its sensibilities with Scandinavian design, but I'm skeptical of that. Sure, there's a shared emphasis on functionality, but I see more kinship between Japanese and African art.' The parallels, he argues, lie not only in aesthetics but a spiritual utility — objects acting as vessels for ritual, not just decoration. Japan's masks, costumes and religious icons echo West African sculpture and textiles in their embodiment of spirits and unseen forces. 'It's not art for art's sake.' The Future: Crafting Continuity Ellis has always known his role lies in selection rather than creation. 'I tried my hand at ceramics in Okinawa,' he admits, 'but realized I didn't have the talent for it. I know I'm good at selecting — that's where my strength lies.' This clarity of purpose defines Mogi Folk Art and pushes it forward — Ellis' curatorial instinct pairs with Kitamura's nuanced approach to maker relationships. 'My mission is finding the middle ground between our commissions and the specialisms of local makers,' she explains. Their philosophy extends to Mogi's clothing line, which the pair designs entirely in-house. Rejecting the dilution that plagues many small or avant-garde brands (Ellis: 'Designers often start with something great, then have to water it down due to time and cost'), they choose to focus on simple, elemental pieces: smocks, T-shirts, sneakers, and soon, jackets. The palettes — indigo, khaki, beige — mirror the earthy tones of their objects, as if translating folk art's materiality into wearable form. Each garment is produced through longtime Beams connections, using fabrics chosen for their quality and longevity over trend, and the result is clothing that exudes a quiet confidence. Last year, Ellis and Kitamura expanded their vision further with a new dedicated gallery space a few doors down. Open on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Mogi & Mogi Gallery Shop serves as a showcase for one-off, standout pieces, and often spotlights overlooked voices: women artists sidelined by Japan's male-dominated craft history, and older makers with overlooked archives. Despite collecting for so many years, Ellis fondly recalls the first masterwork he obtained — a bowl by the renowned mingei potter Shoji Hamada. 'I had encountered mingei objects before, but this was something else. It was the first time I thought, 'If I don't buy this, I won't be able to sleep!'' At its core, Ellis and Kitamura remain driven by their mission to create spaces where others might feel this same spark, proving through the quiet power of selection that when an object speaks for itself, it needs no explanation. More Info Mogi Folk Art is open each week from Thursday to Monday. Mogi & Mogi Gallery Shop is open on Saturday, Sunday and Monday or by appointment. For more information, visit their website or find them on Instagram at @ mogi_folk_art and @ mogi_and_mogi . Related Posts Ontayaki no Sato: Digital Detox in a Folk Pottery Commune in Kyushu Revisiting Traditional Japanese Crafts with Noritaka Tatehana 'Mingei: The Beauty of Everyday Things' Exhibition
The National
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
A history of PlayStation collaborations, from McDonalds to Les Benjamins
Since the first PlayStation was released in 1994, the console and its successors have sat comfortably on the throne of gaming. Despite competition from Nintendo and Xbox, each generation of PlayStation has remained some of the bestselling, with the most successful of all being the PlayStation 2, which sold more than 160 million units. With its popularity comes the demand for co-branded merchandise. This past weekend, Turkish clothing brand Les Benjamins announced a collaboration with PlayStation to release clothes with the console's logo and tagline. The collaboration is the latest attempt by PlayStation to expand its brand and cement its place in pop culture. Here, we look at all the different collaborations with PlayStation over the years. Les Benjamins's PlayStation release includes three T-shirts, two sweatshirts, a hoodie, a bomber jacket, a polo shirt and jeans. All the items bear the PlayStation logo with the brand's name written in the console's recognisable font. The clothes also make use of the four shapes found on every PlayStation controller – circle, square, X and triangle. Last year, to celebrate PlayStation's 30th anniversary in December, Japanese clothing brand Beams released a set of hoodies and crewnecks that celebrated the gaming console. These were a lot more subtle in their representation and used the PlayStation's iconography in a minimalist way. German sportswear brand Puma also collaborated with PlayStation to release a line of colourful t-shirts. The Puma line used hues such as baby blue and violet to present a more playful side of the console. Alongside the shirts, Puma also released a PlayStation shoe collection that is closer in spirit to the console colours. The sports shoes came in black, white and blue and featured details that fans of the console will recognise. But biggest shoe collaboration for PlayStation was in 2021, when rapper Travis Scott and Nike released a special pair. The Nike Dunk Lows feature the signature Travis Scott reverse swoosh and the original PlayStation Logo with Japanese lettering under it. The cream and light blue footwear was an instant hit with collectors and PlayStation fans alike. Today, the shoes sell for upwards of $2,000 on marketplace StockX. PlayStation fans were given a chance to play with their food with the release of a pasta collaboration in 2023. British online supermarket Ocado and pasta makers Garofalo teamed up with Sony to create pasta shaped like the characters on the Sony controller. The PlayStation pasta was sold in a 500g bag that cost $2.92. The collaboration was the first of its kind for PlayStation, but it wasn't the first time the console was associated with food. In 2012, American fast food chain Taco Bell ran a promotion for participants to get a chance at owning the portable PlayStation Vita console. Four years later, the chain announced another promotion for a chance to win a special golden PlayStation 4 console, which has now become a sought after collector's item. The first documented collaboration between PlayStation and a fast food chain was in 2001, when McDonalds released a Japan-only exclusive happy meal toy that featured four characters from PlayStation games. The characters were PaRappa the Rapper from the game of the same name, Toro from Doko Demo Issyo, Pipo Saru and Chocobo from Ape Escape. There have been numerous releases of toys and collectibles that feature PlayStation game characters. Most recently, Sony released keychains that featured all the controllers and portable devices from its history. These keychains were only available in Japan and could be found at gachapon machines, coin-operated capsule toy vending machines. The most well-known collaboration for PlayStation toys and collectibles is with Funko. The company, which produces figurines that feature characters from pop culture, collaborated with PlayStation to release a line of some of its most recognisable characters. Some of the most popular of these are of Joel from The Last of Us, Kratos from God of War, Sam Porter Bridges from Death Stranding and The Hunter from Bloodborne. Many of the PlayStation Funko figures sold out immediately and can only be bought on the second hand market for exorbitant prices.
