OK, so I’m still having an awesome time here in Japan. I just got back to Osaka this afternoon. My time in Tokyo and Nagoya was great, but it’s nice to be back in Osaka. It’s really laid back here. I dig it. Before coming to Osaka, I had heard people compare Osaka to San Francisco, and I think that’s a good comparison. Tokyo feels more like NY. Tokyo gives me a headache. Osaka rocks.
So, to pick up where I left off, the lunch meeting at Hysteric Glamour on Saturday went really well. I met the owner, Nobu, and the art director, Katsu…
That’s Katsu holding up a mock-up of the blanket they’re making with the graphic I made for them. It’s gonna be sick. Can’t wait to have one on my bed. And they’re making bandannas from the same artwork that will be handed out at a special promo art show in Hong Kong on June 1st. They’re flying me out for the event, which should be a lot of fun.
After lunch, we headed over my homie Akio’s office to do an interview and photo shoot for Warp Japan magazine. We took this car…
I seriously think it was the smallest car I’ve ever been in. Once at Akio’s office, we met the photographer and got the interview rolling. We talked for about an hour. We talked a lot about Buddhism, and art, girls, bicycles, graffiti, etc. It was fun. Ussun got this photo of Akio, myself, and the photographer (forgot his name) after the interview…
From there we headed over to a guy named Nakano’s place for some smoking and bike talk. Nakano is a local designer, and a fixed gear nut. I got to try out his homie’s bike…
I think you can tell how much fun I was having. I’m definitely bringing a bike with me next time. Riding the streets in Tokyo is super fun. It’s cool to ride on the left, and it’s fun squeezing through the little streets.
As the sun was going down, we walked through Roppongi so I could visit some bike shops. The architecture in Roppongi is off the hook…
That night I was tattooing in the hotel room again…
Knocked out these little swallows in about an hour. Good fun. That night I also met my favorite Japanese artist, Usugrow…
If you haven’t heard of him, you will. I’ll make sure of that. He’s super talented. He should be throwing down in the states soon enough. He’s a really nice dude. I think he’s got a great art career ahead of him.
On Saturday, Nakano and Akio took me to an alleycat race. On the way, we stopped at a little bike shop that sells high-quality used parts. I picked up some pedals, bar tape, and some other little stuff. It felt great to get some used parts. I got some vintage toestraps that are so dope. My new bike will be the best one yet.
We met up with the alleycat racers at the local messenger meeting place. Check out this guy’s set-up…
This guy can track stand forever…
And I watched this kid do multiple backwards circles…
And check out this guy’s helmet he made out of innertubes…
I bought a little belt bag from him that was made from tubes too. It’s cool.
And check out these cherry blossoms I spotted at the messenger park…
I’m so psyched to be here to see them. They’re gorgeous.
Around 1:30 it started raining, so we split without seeing the start of the race. For lunch, we headed over to the old Tokyo fishmarket…
And you know the sushi rocked. These guys fed us…
The stuff on the right is whale meat, my new favorite…
Happy post-sushi customers…
I should have bought one of these. They’re tamago logs. Fucking delicious…
These were my guides on Saturday: Nakano, Ussun, and Masa…
I’m in good company. Around 6pm, Ussun, Masa, and I headed to Nagoya. We went there so I could do a live painting demo at a graffiti supply store. I painted in a little room in back with a wall of windows facing the main store space. It was like being in a window display, except I was the mannequin. Really weird situation, but really cool for the kids. Every weekend they have 2 writers do demos on temporary plywood sections. Here’s what I hooked up…
I’m not a big fan of doing graffiti in situations like this, but it was a great promo for Rebel8 and the local writers were super nice. I must have signed about 30 blackbooks. It’s always kinda nostalgic to get up in blackbooks. I’ve been doing it for 17 years, and it’s still fun...
Comments
///////// Good times in Osaka, cherry blossoms in full effect... Written by Mr.Limbo on 2006-04-10 10:32:25
///////// You represent brother! Keep doingit!! Its inspiring to see!!!1 Written by dsrup on 2006-04-10 10:58:11
///////// sweet
Written by aaron on 2006-04-10 11:07:12
///////// Blanket looks sick! Written by documenta7 on 2006-04-10 11:51:20
///////// I Read all the thigs in your days in Japan,Its so cool, I hope soon you can be in my city, Monterrey Mexico. Greets from one friend here! Written by Dose Uno Axolotl on 2006-04-10 15:48:53
///////// Where can I get one of those blankets????? Written by ilikethings on 2006-04-10 16:58:40
///////// mike, what kind of bikes do you have / ride? looks like your having a blast Written by skot on 2006-04-10 19:00:42
///////// yo man, im hoping to see you spill some of that cheddar on a keiren frame! you'll love it like your girlfriend! Written by on 2006-04-10 19:04:21
///////// where is this used parts shop you found? in roppongi? Written by luke on 2006-04-10 20:09:49
///////// shrimp mountain rules! Written by on 2006-04-11 06:39:07
///////// nice tri spoke. very nice. Written by ynnej on 2006-04-11 10:11:41
///////// god shit man Written by cha on 2006-04-11 11:30:11
///////// Wow, seems like the perfect trip to Japan. I heard that it's really helpful to have someone who knows Japan well to show you around. Looks like you got a good crew out there, much respect! Some dope tattoos on the fly too. Even though you might not do tatts full time anymore, I'm gonna save some cash! Hopefully enough to convince you to do just one more eh? Right on, till then, long live Rebel 8! Written by Giant in Japan on 2006-04-11 13:21:30
///////// big upz! Written by jas 1000 on 2006-04-11 15:09:45
///////// the kid that did the "multiple backwards circles" is Shingo. He goes by Singo3 and he's a sick skater as well as one of the nicest people I've met in Japan. I shot skate photos of him and missed my last train. He and his friends drove me home the entire time questioning me about 50 cent. random to see him here. Written by fucking sick on 2006-04-11 19:36:21
///////// Wow...looks like you're killin it out there! That blanket is so sick. Damn right OSAKA ROCKS! Written by john on 2006-04-12 10:54:03
///////// Hysteric Glamour is sick, they dropped that LedZep jacket not too long ago, major props on that one buddy. Written by Eyeris1 on 2006-04-12 16:27:39
///////// Damn, you're living the life homes.... thats fresh that you met Usugrow...hes got some ill letter styles...Where can I get my blanket too ese? Stay Up....Por Vida oh yeah, this blog is dope..always interesting... Written by cesar one on 2006-04-12 22:45:48
///////// that is gonna be a sick ass blanket! looks like good times, meng. Written by raodpig on 2006-04-12 23:47:54
///////// Shingo ruled it. Everybody there mentioned to me that he's a sick skateboarder as well. He was highly regarded among his crew.
I'll let you everybody know when the blanket is available. I hope to see a sample at their party in Hong Kong in June.
Thanks for all the comments. Written by The Count on 2006-04-13 13:44:44
///////// you're hot
i like your mustache Written by laura on 2006-04-13 15:58:23
///////// Looks like your doing it big out in JP, MIKE. I wanna go there some day. And to Paris too. I hope all is well. See ya in July.
Written by Danno_SF on 2006-04-14 21:14:13
///////// Where's my weekly dose of GIANT blog!!!...?
"Tumbler sees everything."-Solomon Gummo
Peace...and more blogs! if you can... Written by S. christopher Smith on 2006-04-16 11:30:45
///////// you're HOTTTTTTT! Written by on 2006-04-23 18:29:48
///////// ITS COLD. I NEED THAT BLANKET! THAT HAS TO BE THE ILLEST BLANKET EVER!EVER! Written by DJ RELLS on 2006-05-03 21:17:14
///////// giant Written by giant on 2006-06-11 18:50:18
///////// Must. . .have. . .blanket. Seriously, when and where are these available?
Written by italodisco on 2006-07-23 17:58:39
///////// hi, just came across your blog, searching for bike shops selling track stuff in tokyo. any help me with info on bike shops would be appreciated. cheers! Written by t3z on 2006-07-23 18:32:23
///////// I live in tokyo now as well and am trying to find shops selling fixed gear stuff. I need a bike in this jungle please help!
Written by on 2006-09-22 07:44:40
///////// Dude, if you're going to HongKong, stop by Taipei! I am sure there's enough audience to greet you here, hohoho!! buzz me at burguzomo at hotmail dot com, if you're ever planning to visit this rebel island.
Written by Snuppy on 2006-12-18 01:10:08
///////// thats cool shit, how did they get those graphics on the quilt, blanket, etc.>? Written by PaulSmall on 2007-04-15 23:52:11
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