Latest news with #TheGreatWaveoffKanagawa
Business News Wales
6 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Geophysics Company Targets Growth as It Launches New North Wales HQ
Borehole geophysics technology leader Robertson Geo has officially opened its new headquarters, bringing all UK operations under one roof and marking a major step in the company's continued expansion. The move to Tre Morfa Enterprise Park in Conwy from sites in Deganwy and Llandudno follows sustained growth for the award-winning business, which serves customers in more than 160 countries and operates from additional bases in the US and Hong Kong. The new 20,500 square-foot facility features a purpose-built manufacturing facility, modern offices, a training hub, and a world-class calibration centre that will serve as a standard-setter for the markets they support — including the renewables, geotechnical, offshore wind, mining, energy, and environmental sectors. The interior has Japanese and Welsh influences including Bonsai trees, slate from local quarries, a Kaizen 'ideas wall' and bespoke, tailored details marrying industry and contemporary design. The firm plans to expand further within the park to accommodate its growing Robertson Geo Services team. Speaking at the launch, Managing Director Simon Garantini welcomed guests and thanked partners and staff: 'It's emotional leaving our previous premises after more than 45 years, but this move marks the start of an exciting new chapter. 'The new headquarters gives us the space and facilities to realise our ambitions, collaborate more effectively, and continue innovating at the forefront of our industry. 'Our team has grown, international demand is increasing — especially in the US and Asia — and we're now well-positioned to steadily double both our headcount and sales revenue.' The new HQ will also be home to the RG Academy, a global training centre to host bespoke programmes and welcome delegates from across the borehole geophysical and petrophysical logging arena to North Wales. Guests at the event included Cllr Emily Owen, Deputy Leader of Conwy County Council, Bangor Aberconwy MP Claire Hughes, and senior representatives from OYO Corporation of Japan, Robertson Geo's majority shareholder. At the event, Hirofumi Amano, President and CEO of OYO Corporation, presented Simon with a framed copy of The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai. He said: 'This is a very big, beautiful building and will be a wonderful place to work for everyone at Robertson Geo. 'The picture we presented is a symbol of this company – how the crew and the boat will sail into the blue ocean and expand their horizons. We look forward to visiting again soon.' Claire Hughes MP said the commitment of Robertson GEO to Conwy was a boost for the local economy: 'This is a hugely impressive development for the area and a great example of a business with global reach choosing to invest in North Wales. 'With the company creating highly skilled jobs, exporting worldwide, and now training the next generation here in Conwy, it's a win for the whole region. That it coincides with the Year of Wales and Japan makes it even more special.' Cllr Owen added: 'This is really exciting for the area. To have a company making such strides globally and choosing to remain rooted in Conwy is fantastic – it's creating skilled jobs, supporting our economy, and flying the flag for Wales.' Emily Gleaves, Director of Abundant Properties, oversaw the build alongside MD Interior Fitout Specialists. Both based in Wirral, they collaborate on projects nationwide. 'This was a real partnership project from day one, and we're proud of the result. The feedback has been amazing, it's a building that reflects Robertson Geo's identity and gives its people a space to thrive,' she said. 'The way the staff in particular have embraced it and the looks on their faces when they saw the finished article was a great feeling.'
Japan Forward
26-06-2025
- Business
- Japan Forward
Hokusai Inspires a New Form of Cardboard Recycling at Osaka Expo
このページを 日本語 で読む A small company in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, has turned ordinary packaging into a canvas for art, including woodblock prints by Katsushika Hokusai. Yamamoto Sadao Shoten, a packaging materials firm based in Kita Ward, has developed "art cardboard" printed with vivid reproductions of famous works. The Osaka-Kansai Expo selected their creation for a virtual exhibition. By combining their uniquely designed, easy-to-dispose-of cardboard with striking artwork, they've transformed a utilitarian product into something visually and emotionally engaging. Despite having only three employees, including third-generation president Kazuhiro Yamamoto (44), the company is driven by a bold ambition to leave behind a lasting legacy. Founded in 1946 by Yamamoto's grandfather, Sadao, the business continues to supply cardboard and cushioning materials to e-commerce firms and other clients. When Kazuhiro Yamamoto took over as president seven years ago, he set out to solve a common annoyance. That is, how to neatly dispose of collapsed cardboard boxes without having to tie them up with string. His solution was a cleverly engineered design. When one folds this box a certain way, it stands upright on its own. This allows it to serve as a container for other discarded cardboard. An art cardboard box printed with one of Hokusai's masterpieces. (Provided by Yamamoto Sadao Shoten) One version of this innovative box features a print of a Hokusai masterpiece. What looks like a standard cardboard box transforms into a self-standing unit that doubles as storage. Light enough to carry with one hand, the product, named Smapoi, received both a patent and a trademark. Sakai City officially certified it under its 2022 venture procurement accreditation program. While preparing for Expo 2025, the team had a flash of inspiration: to feature the iconic works of Katsushika Hokusai, whose art appeared at the 1867 Paris Expo and left a profound impact on painters like Van Gogh. They chose to print pieces like The Great Wave off Kanagawa on the Smapoi units, framing it as "a message to the world." Expo organizers selected it for inclusion in the virtual Healthcare Pavilion, which showcases outstanding technologies from small and medium-sized enterprises across Japan. Despite its ingenuity, Smapoi has yet to reach the general market. One of the main hurdles is regulatory. Many municipalities still require cardboard waste to be bundled with string, making Smapoi's string-free design incompatible with current disposal guidelines. Kazuhiro Yamamoto holding an art cardboard box. Kita Ward, Sakai City (©Sankei by Kenji Nakano) Even so, the company continues to promote it as an eco-conscious alternative, one that reduces reliance on plastic string and contributes to cutting down plastic waste. Looking ahead, the team also hopes to register their "art cardboard" as a return gift under Sakai City's furusato nozei (hometown tax donation) program. "I want people to remember this as something that made its debut at the Expo," Yamamoto says. "Something that lives on as a legacy." Author: Kenji Nakano, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Tom's Guide
23-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Watch: This Laptop Is Literally a Work of Art – MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Ukiyo-e Edition
MSI is making waves — literally — with the Prestige 13 AI+ Ukiyo-e Edition, part of its new Artisan Collection. Featuring The Great Wave off Kanagawa, the iconic woodblock print from 1831 by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, this limited-edition laptop combines traditional Japanese lacquerware techniques with a cutting-edge ultralight design. But it's not just about looks — this 2.2 lb laptop also packs an Intel Core Ultra 9, a gorgeous 2.8K OLED screen, solid port selection, and a 5MP webcam with a physical shutter. Pricing: Rumored to start at $1,599 (TBD)
Metropolis Japan
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metropolis Japan
International Hokusai Club
When The Great Wave off Kanagawa started appearing on t-shirts and phone cases, I wondered if people knew the artist behind it. The name Katsushika Hokusai doesn't always come up, but his brushwork has rippled through global art history—from Monet's garden to pop culture timelines. Now, a new initiative is putting Hokusai back at the center of the conversation, and not just in Japan. The International Hokusai Club was recently launched to share Hokusai's legacy beyond museum walls, focusing on his role not just as a ukiyo-e printmaker but also as an educator, innovator and global bridge between Edo-period aesthetics and modern design. In a 1999 issue, Life magazine named Hokusai the only Japanese person among the top 100 people who shaped the last millennium. That's no small recognition. But ironically, many in Japan still associate him with just a few famous prints. In contrast, overseas curators, collectors and scholars have been unpacking his layers for decades. At a recent press presentation hosted by the Japan Art Academy, cultural experts—including art historian Hidehiko Tsunoda and Fujihisashi, a global arts advisor—highlighted how museums in the U.S. and Europe see Hokusai as more than an artist. He's studied as a designer, animator even a kind of social commentator. What stood out was the idea that Hokusai's value isn't static—it's still being uncovered. That's where the club comes in. Think of it as a cultural platform: part fan club, part think tank. The club is structured with multiple membership tiers—corporate, full and general—allowing institutions, collectors and individuals to participate in different ways. Membership fees are still being finalized, but applications can be submitted through flyers at each event or via the Japan Art Academy website. The real mission? To reintroduce Hokusai as a dynamic figure through global exhibitions, educational outreach and high-tech preservation. In 2026, the club plans to launch the traveling 'Educator Hokusai Exhibition,' featuring animated shorts based on Hokusai Manga , rare hand-painted scrolls and interactive displays using ultra-high-resolution digital scans. Stops will include California, Singapore, Dubai, Paris and Milan. And it won't just be a passive experience. Workshops for families, school tours and lectures will be part of the rollout. The club is also working with overseas museums and collectors to expand Hokusai's representation in Western collections. TOPPAN Holdings introduced a demo of their digital imaging tech at the launch event—scanning Hokusai's brushstrokes down to the micron. The goal? To protect these fragile works for future generations while also using the data for research and exhibition. There's also a grassroots side to the club. Monthly 'Hokusai Club' meetups are being planned in Japan, and art-focused tours both domestically and abroad are in the works. The club isn't just about fans—it's got some serious backing. Honorary patrons include kabuki masters, art dealers, professors and even former ambassadors. But the door's open to anyone. If you're into traditional art, digital preservation or just wondering how a painter from the Edo period ended up on sneakers, there's a place for you here. How to Join or Learn More: Visit the Japan Art Academy's site at Or, reach out to contact@ to learn more. English applications and inquiries are welcome! Interested in Japanese art? Check out our other articles on quintessential Japanese artists: Kiyoshi Awazu and the Reinvention of Contemporary Japanese Aesthetics Ryushi Kawabata Dragon Knots by Yumiko Yamakawa
Tokyo Weekender
09-05-2025
- Tokyo Weekender
Follow the Money: A Travel Guide to Japanese Banknotes
There are many ways to experience Japan. You can plan your itinerary based on everything from exciting activities to delicious food or fascinating people waiting for you in every corner of the country. You can even construct a sightseeing plan around money. We're not talking about being mindful of expenses while planning your travels (though you should definitely do that) but rather visiting the locales printed on Japanese banknotes, old and new. From world-famous destinations to hidden gems, here's what you can expect on a wallet-inspired tour of Japan. List of Contents: Cranes: Back of the D Series ¥1,000 Bill Lake Motosu: Back of the D Series ¥5,000 Bill and the E Series ¥1,000 Bill The Green Pheasant: Back of the D Series ¥10,000 Bill Shureimon Gate: Face of the D Series ¥2,000 Bill The Irises Screen: Back of the E Series ¥5,000 Bill The Phoenix Statue of Byodoin: Back of the E Series ¥10,000 Bill The Great Wave off Kanagawa: Back of the F Series ¥1,000 Bill Wisterias: Back of the F Series ¥5,000 Bill Tokyo Station Marunouchi Main Building: Back of the F Series ¥10,000 Bill Related Posts Cranes: Back of the D Series ¥1,000 Bill Izumi in Kagoshima Prefecture is the largest migratory bird site in Japan. It attracts more than 10,000 cranes each winter. Symbolizing good luck and prosperity, the birds were first recorded wintering in this cozy corner of Kyushu back in 1694 and have been a protected natural resource ever since. cranes flying in izumi, kagoshima The Izumi Crane Observation Center leases nearly 5 square kilometers of rice paddies for the majestic animals to sleep, frolic and feed on grain and fish every morning, which is the best time to see them up-close from the viewing deck. The crane-wintering season in Izumi lasts from November to March. Lake Motosu: Back of the D Series ¥5,000 Bill and the E Series ¥1,000 Bill Formed by an eruption of Mount Fuji, Lake Motosu offers some of the best views of Japan's iconic sacred mountain. Located in Minobu, Yamanashi Prefecture, it's the westernmost body of water among the Fuji Five Lakes. It's also the deepest of the lakes at 121 meters and known for its clear waters which, when observed from the shore, appear an otherworldly shade of ultramarine. Water sports and camping are popular activities around Lake Motosu, which is also a religious ceremony site for people who worship Mount Fuji as a god. The Green Pheasant: Back of the D Series ¥10,000 Bill As Japan's national bird, the green pheasant can be spotted in the wild all over the country, but the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage network gives travelers a chance to enjoy the emerald bird amid the picturesque and historic scenery of the Kii Peninsula. Spreading across Mie, Nara and Wakayama prefectures, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been bringing people to the spiritual heart of Japan for over a millennium while giving them plenty of pheasant-spotting opportunities. Other animals that may be enjoyed — from afar — on the Kumano Kodo routes are tanuki racoon dogs, black kites and blue-tailed skinks. Shureimon Gate: Face of the D Series ¥2,000 Bill A symbol of Okinawan culture, the vermilion Shureimon Gate is an impressive wooden structure located near Shuri Castle. Inspired by Chinese architectural styles, the gate was constructed in the mid-16th century to welcome envoys and important guests to the Ryukyu Kingdom. Shureimon Gate Noted for its beauty, the gate was designated as a National Treasure in 1933. It was unfortunately destroyed during World War II and consequently rebuilt in 1958. The Irises Screen: Back of the E Series ¥5,000 Bill Considered an icon of Japanese screen-painting, 'Irises' by Ogata Korin takes up a pair of six-panel screens dating back to the 18th century. In the possession of the Nezu Museum in Tokyo, this National Treasure has a much bigger impact in person than on the back of Japanese money (featuring the right screen) where its original azure and green colors have understandably been toned down. Praised for its abstract portrayal of nature combined with a pleasing geometrical design, it's said that the screen inspired the Iris paintings of Vincent van Gogh. The Nezu Museum's collection numbers 7,600 works, including other National Treasures as well as Important Cultural Properties. The Phoenix Statue of Byodoin: Back of the E Series ¥10,000 Bill The Phoenix Hall is the only original structure of the Byodoin Temple in Uji city, located just south of Kyoto. Built in 1053, its name was inspired by its form, with the hall's elegant architecture giving it the appearance of a bird taking flight. The roof is also adorned by golden phoenix statues. Originally a villa of the Fujiwara clan, the Phoenix Hall also served as the background of The First Battle of Uji where samurai battled warrior monks. The Great Wave off Kanagawa: Back of the F Series ¥1,000 Bill One of the most reproduced images of all time, Katsushika Hokusai's 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' was produced in 1831 and is the first in the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series capturing a 19th-century view from somewhere in modern-day Yokohama. Often mistakenly referred to as a painting, The Great Wave is actually a woodblock print, meaning that there are various, equally-legitimate versions of the work found in museums around the world. The Ota Memorial Museum of Art in Shibuya, Tokyo, has an early print, as does The Tokyo National Museum, though not on permanent display. A great place to learn more about Hokusai is the Sumida Hokusai Museum in Tokyo's Sumida ward, where the artist spent most of his life. Wisterias: Back of the F Series ¥5,000 Bill A popular symbol of good luck and longevity, Japanese wisteria can be best enjoyed at the Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture. It's home to over 350 wisteria trees, including a 160-year-old giant spanning 1,000 square meters with 80,000 individual flowers. The trees are in bloom from April to May. During the winter months, visitors to the Ashikaga Flower Park can also bask in the glow of 'The Garden of Illuminated Flowers,' an installation featuring 5 million colorful flower-themed lights. Tokyo Station Marunouchi Main Building: Back of the F Series ¥10,000 Bill First opened in 1914, Tokyo Station is the masterwork of architect Tatsuno Kingo. The station's iconic red-brick Marunouchi main building was restored in 2012 and today delights travelers from all over the world, particularly due to its octagonal domes decorated with eagle sculptures and zodiac motifs. Designated as an Important Cultural Property, the building is illuminated at night, enhancing its old-timey elegance against the techno-modern Tokyo skyline. The building houses the Tokyo Station Gallery with its revolving exhibitions and more than 150 stores, restaurants and other convenient facilities. Related Posts The Faces of Japan's New Banknotes | Spotlight Exploring the Lesser Traveled Prefectures of Ehime and Oita Sasebo Travel Guide: A Historic, Coastal Getaway
