Volume II Issue 11: Lessons from Tokyo
On Curation
Eature was paused over the last several months as life took over. I moved across the country, turned thirty, and took on more at work than anticipated. Things have finally begun to settle down, and I’ve returned with greater clarity.
I started Eature last year while on a three-week pilgrimage through Japan, my third trip to the country in three consecutive years. I wanted a space to document the experience and explore what made the cities that I had fallen in love with special.
In Tokyo, the first thing I was struck by wasn’t the crowds of Shibuya or the flashing lights of Akihabara. It was the use of negative space despite the city’s density. My 300-square-foot hotel room in Ginza held a single bench, two smooth pieces of stoneware, two glass coffee mugs, a compact Nespresso machine, two long umbrellas, two fluffy cotton slippers, and fabric spray. Each item was intentionally chosen, preventing the room from feeling cluttered.
I continued to notice this pattern throughout the city. The hinoki counter at our omakase dinner was kept clear except for the single ceramic plate holding a single piece of nigiri in front of each diner (an intimate group of eight). The lifestyle shop in Nakameguro displayed two pieces of glassware on a single white shelf, instead of filling the store.
Before Tokyo, I would have labeled this as minimalism. But minimalism focuses on less is more, while the emphasis in Tokyo is on intentionality as a means of curation. I’ve noticed that I had been subconsciously applying the same approach as I’ve moved homes, culled my closet, and restructured my routines.
I started this publication to explore the relationship between travel and culture. Eature will continue exploring cities through their food, craft, and hospitality, but the culture experienced while traveling doesn’t stay at the destination. It follows you home to your closet, dinner table, and daily rituals.
It starts with these lessons from Tokyo, but Tokyo won’t be the last city to follow me home.
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Explore Volume I: Tokyo | Kyoto | Osaka | Kobe | Nara & Uji | Sapporo | Chicago | Denver | Orange County