The mercury reached 35 deg C(95 deg F) in Tokyo - combined with crazy humidity. If you don’t have an office sponsoring you with air- conditioning 24-7 you can either melt away into the floor, or try some traditional Japanese things designed against the heat:
Fu-rin (Japanese wind bell) is one of the really old methods. Yes, it is a bell and yes, all it does is ring when the wind plays with it but its light, gentle sound can make you feel cooler (with a little faith). Another one is called Sudare(bamboo shades). These prevent direct sunlight from heating up your house, but still allow the wind to go through. It’s a very simple design which can be found in a similar form in many other countries. Uchi Mizu(sprinkling water around the house) is also really effective, because it lowers the temperature about 1-2 degrees.
Uleshka adds: Can’t we install sprinklers all over the streets of Shibuya, so people can jump through them? Well…. I would…
Some more Japanesy things might be Uchiwa(paper fan) or Sensu(folding fan) used by people walking through the streets during summer (I wish there was some wind). This very traditional item is actually a fantastic medium on which to put prints or draw beautiful artwork (… or also boring advertisements). Then, of course you cannot but notice people with sunshades. There are simply sunshades everywhere….
One more slightly strange thing to guard against the heat is goldfish! A big tank of water filled with funny fish to watch. Maybe the idea is to picture yourself in a big cool ocean swimming amongst them? Not sure- but I am fascinated by this “pocket size” version of the fish tank I found at Tokyu Hands.
Written by Uleshka & Kyoko
poor dog needs some shade...
cooling sheets for animals
Fu-rin
Sudare
woman with Sense
*Uchi Mizu* effect
girl with sunshade
fish tank *pocket size* version
8 Comments
- Share and Enjoy:
As of December 31, 2008, PingMag and sister site PingMag MAKE are both on extended hiatus, and will not be updated for the foreseeable future. We are eternally grateful for your fantastic support over the years.
Important Notice
31 Dec 2008
Ryu Itadani: A World in Colors
29 Dec 2008
Magibon: From YouTube to Japan
26 Dec 2008
Benedetta Borrometi: Cheerful Paintings for All
24 Dec 2008
Nakagin Capsule Tower: Architecture of the Future
22 Dec 2008
Cute and Pop! 60s Girls Comics by Eico Hanamura
19 Dec 2008
Japan’s Hi-Tech Toilets
17 Dec 2008
Amusement: Gaming Culture Meets Art and Fashion
15 Dec 2008
HIROCOLEDGE: A New Tradition that Blends into Modern Times
12 Dec 2008
Masato Seto: The Sweet Allure of Betel Nut Beauties
10 Dec 2008
-
None found
keep check it out
Posted by: aharaka on August 5th, 2005 at 9:19 pm
yo
Posted by: elie on August 6th, 2005 at 10:22 am
You should go to Kamata station there are a lot of train parked, then steal their cooling system.
Posted by: Felix on August 6th, 2005 at 11:20 pm
thanks for subject. it is very intersting post
Posted by: nakliyat on February 28th, 2008 at 3:15 am
Wow, 35 is hot, be careful with pets!
Posted by: Skirt Girl on May 18th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
m
Posted by: Forex on August 16th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
all exhibitions done is Japan require visitors fill out their information. this is done so that the organizers can send
Posted by: perdeci on December 24th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
So “improvement” does not necessarily mean “make it look all futuristic and cool ooh this would look great in my new hover car”. However, the rash of designers setting out to improve the design of the humble clothes hanger are actually managing to combine some pleasing designs with a marked improvement in the actual functionality of the design, too. Well, most are.
Posted by: amed on December 25th, 2010 at 12:26 pm