Hasta La Ideas

Japanese materials form an ultralight blazer and insulated vest for a tech-driven twist on the traditional sport coat

Always one to challenge the norm in lifestyle and performance outerwear, NYC-based Isaora has once again taken a conventional piece and transformed it into something truly their own. With the 2.5-Layer Tech Blazer with removable Pertex Insulated Vest Isaora reworks the traditional sport coat for a tech-driven alternative. The unique construction of the combination piece calls on multiple innovative Japanese fabrics for an incredibly lightweight and highly waterproof foundation.

The blazer itself is constructed of a 8,000mm waterproof, breathable nylon that makes for a matte texture and color, loaning the blazer a uniquely futuristic look. In a good way. The underlying vest is made of a nearly transparent ultralight Pertex ripstop with PerimaLoft ONE 40g insulation and Aquaguard waterproof zippers—a simple design touch we’re always happy to see. The ultralight material and soft coloring makes the vest sleek enough to be worn on its own, while the modest bit of insulation is both impressively warm and comfortable.

Snapping together with more than a handful of snaps throughout the yoke and flank of each piece, the intriguing blazer and vest make for a definite statement piece that’s sure to ease the transition from winter to spring. The 2.5-Layer Tech Blazer and Pertex Insulated Vest are made in NYC with Japanese materials and are now available separately or together online from Isaora. The combo sells for $469 while the blazer and vest can be found individually for $289 and $199, respectively.

Charcoal helps naturally refresh your mouth

From water bottle filters to ch’i-balancing bracelets, the natural cleansing power of Binchotan charcoal takes on many forms, but Morihata‘s “black toothbrush” may be the most useful application yet.

The nylon bristles on the polypropylene toothbrush are blended with high-quality Binchotan charcoal powder from Wakayama, Japan, which not only helps eliminate plaque and bad breath, but also prevents unhealthy bacteria from growing within the fibers.

While the handle could be a little sturdier for a hearty brush, we found that the bristles are just soft enough to get the job done without abrading your gums. The counterintuitive black brush head only adds to the fun for frequent cleanings.

The Binchotan toothbrush sells in several colors from Rikumo‘s online shop, or in white only from NYC shop Occulter and Project No. 8‘s shop at the Ace Hotel for $6 each.

Reusable water bottle incorporates traditional charcoal filtration

From design powerhouse Black + Blum comes a stellar new alternative to wasteful disposable water bottles. Eau Good uses Binchō-tan, a traditional Japanese charcoal, to naturally filter tap water over the course of six hours. The plastic bottle has a small indent to hold the charcoal in place while drinking, and a simple squeeze releases the piece for replacement. Held in place with a metal ring, a natural cork stopper secures the opening.

Sourced from sustainably harvested timber, the charcoal is created by burning the wood at a precise 1000 degrees celsius. Once activated, the filter rids water of chlorine and other odors while balancing pH levels to deliver a natural, clean finish. While many filters currently use processed charcoal, Binchō-tan has a longer shelf life and is recyclable as a fertilizer and deodorizer. The charcoals—only $3.70 per piece—can be reactivated by boiling after three months for an average life of six months.

We recommend picking up a pair from the Black + Blum shop to keep your cold, clean water in constant rotation.

Tran Anh Hung’s latest film takes a beautiful look at loss, love, sex and death

In a tale of passion, pain and friendship, the film Norwegian Wood explores deep-seated themes of loss and sexuality. Based on the book of the same title, the film takes place amid the civil turmoil of 1960s Japan, following the story of three young lovers whose paths cross in a tangle of past personal history and future potential. The central character Watanabe, played by Kenichi Matsuyama, is torn between two women—one of whom he is bound to by the suicide of their mutual childhood friend. The resulting emotional distress leads to a tumultuous relationship marred by separation, loss and, ultimately, by death. Directed by Tran Anh Hung, the film probes deep into the young-adult psyche, confronting common difficulties that are born from the transition into adulthood.

Filmed on location in Japan, the cultural and geographical elements of the country play out strongly in the film’s visual narrative. The outstanding imagery enhances the poetic nature of the story, the beautifully composed shots teasing at the isolation characters encounter as they try and relate to one another. While the screenplay communicates the story effectively, the cinematography is the shining star of the film, cementing the various elements together into compelling film. The actors’ fantastic performances bring the characters to life and draw the audience deep into the story.

The sexually charged film also explores how passion, lust and attraction fit into already complicated relationships, but portrays sex differently than what is common in Western cinema. The sexual interactions of the characters lack any moments of over-the-top uncontrollable passion, and there is no effort to create an atmosphere of animal lust, resulting in a more natural and sincere story.

Though somewhat slow at times, overall, the film marks an excellent exploration of the suffering that comes with love. The film opens 6 January 2012 at the IFC Center in New York City.

A massive compilation of the Japanese master artist’s sketchbooks now available in a single book

One of the best-known artists of the Edo period and famous for his ukiyo-e series 36 Views of Mount Fuji, which includes his ubiquitous wave print, Katsushika Hokusai greatly influenced artists from Monet and the Impressionists to Picasso. Hokusai began painting at age six, instigating a lifetime dedicated to both serious and casual art-making, which he viewed as an expression of self-help. He was also known as a marketing maverick, popularizing his work and attracting students with a series of sketchbooks he called manga; he produced 12 during his lifetime and three were published after his death. The hugely impressive collection includes an array of seemingly effortless sketches and studies of people, animals, nature and more that capture emotions with impeccable detail.

Typically the notebooks are sold separately or in a multi-volume set, but this new edition combines all 15 of Hokusai’s notebooks into a single tome. The 970-page anthology contains more than 3,900 individual drawings, paintings and woodblock prints “sketched at random and in a carefree manner.”

The massive book opens with a brief tutorial of sorts in “geometrical construction.” Hokusai breaks down his subjects to their most basic forms, components so simple he drew them with only a compass and ruler. Here one can see his use of overlapping flat circles to achieve a sense of volume and depth, and conversely consecutive circles drawn in a row to create a sense of flatness.

Further into the collection one can see both paintings and sketches, which showcase Hokusai’s extreme control with both fine and broad brush techniques. Hokusai Manga keeps the reader, or viewer, in a constant state of curiosity, changing subjects from page to page. This of course is due to Hokusai’s own exploratory eye that led him to sketch anything and everything that caught his attention, a spirit exemplified in the many humorous portrait-style paintings and detailed caricature drawings.

Hokusai Manga can be found on Amazon for $43.