#Wajima
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roger1952.bsky.social
Shinji Wajima. Japanese guitarist.
Clad in the sartorial defiance of a Meiji-era scholar-intellectual (bunjin), Shinji Wajima—co-founder, vocalist, and virtuosic guitarist of the pioneering heavy metal power trio Ningen Isu (人間椅子)—stands backstage wielding a cherry-finish Gibson EDS-1275 double-neck electric guitar. Against a raw wall scrawled with venue graffiti, Wajima pairs wire-rimmed spectacles (megane) with a pale, patterned haori jacket draped over an ivory kimono, tucked into crisp, pleated, pin-striped hakama trousers and grounded by traditional thonged zōri sandals. The mahogany body and dual necks—twelve-string above, six-string below—introduce a monumental Western rock artifact directly into the solemn silhouette of classical Japanese dress. Formed in 1987 in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, by Wajima and bassist Ken'ichi Suzuki, Ningen Isu ("The Human Chair") named itself after Edogawa Ranpo’s macabre 1925 short story. For nearly four decades, the band has crafted a singular sonic universe that fuses the heavy, doom-laden riffs of Black Sabbath and progressive rock with classical Japanese literature, Tsugaru folk mythos, and Buddhist cosmology. Wajima’s performance attire is no mere theatrical gimmick; it is an authentic reclamation of historical identity. By adopting the garb of a turn-of-the-century literary ascetic, Wajima channels the existential anxieties of Meiji and Taishō authors—such as Osamu Dazai, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, and Sakutarō Hagiwara—translating their poetic decadence into crushing, pentatonic guitar passages.
September 7, 2026 at 9:15 AM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
The "Phoenix" Fountain pen for the revival of Wajima matsuzawakobo.com/phoenix_en/
By adding this masterpiece, which we create with all our heart and soul, to your fountain pen collection, you will be supporting the revival of the Wajima urushi industry.
#fountainpen #wajima
The "Phoenix" Fountain pen for the revival of Wajima Black The "Phoenix" Fountain pen for the revival of Wajima
March 24, 2024 at 7:25 AM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
A luxury keyboard finished in Wajima-nuri.
Each key is hand-lacquered by master artisans, giving it an exceptional look and feel.
My workshop can create something similar as well—please feel free to get in touch if you’re interested😊
A luxury keyboard finished in Wajima-nuri. A luxury keyboard finished in Wajima-nuri. A luxury keyboard finished in Wajima-nuri.
January 22, 2026 at 3:21 AM
floatingworlds.bsky.social
Jun'ichiro Sekino (1914-1988)
Sumo Wrestler Wajima
#japanese #woodblock
December 12, 2024 at 1:47 AM
shineyezehuhh.bsky.social
All 12 episodes of Nippon Sangoku are streaming on Prime Video.
Wajima Ouga from Nippon Sangoku
June 21, 2026 at 9:30 PM
analog.jorditora.com
The sun just before the fire that followed the earthquake.

Wajima, Noto peninsula, 11/2023
📷 #Yashica fx103 + 🎞️ #Fujifilm 200

#FilmPhotography #BelieveInFilm #FilmIsNotDead #analogfilmfeed
Wajima 11/2023. This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
February 27, 2025 at 3:30 PM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
The "Phoenix" Fountain pen for the revival of Wajima
youtu.be/mMlVE0PSNEE?...

The image shows Shirayone Senmaida, a famous sight in Wajima.
February 13, 2024 at 1:39 AM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
A person walks down a street in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the days following a magnitude 7.6 earthquake, which struck off the coast of the Noto Peninsula on Jan. 1, 2024. More than 500 deaths have been attributed to the event, which was the worst quake since the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Wajima city
January 1, 2025 at 1:02 PM
docseuss.bsky.social
wajima? majima's wario?
October 30, 2025 at 1:39 AM
knownameart.bsky.social
Ouga Wajima 😊
#日本三國 #NipponSangoku #fanart
May 10, 2026 at 2:39 AM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
The first Phoenix fountain pen for supporting Wajima has been completed, and we were able to deliver it to the donor in the United States last month. Production is still ongoing, but the situation for Wajima craftsmen remains difficult, and production is delayed.
Phoenix fountain pen
March 1, 2025 at 5:14 AM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
I have launched a website for the "Phoenix Fountain Pen" project to support the revival of Wajima.

Japanese　matsuzawakobo.com/phoenix/
English　matsuzawakobo.com/phoenix_en/
February 1, 2024 at 6:42 AM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
This is an initiative to plant urushi trees for the future development of the urushi industry in Wajima.

gogetfunding.com/wajima/
urushi tree planting
April 17, 2024 at 12:13 PM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
Ishikawa Students Make Commemorative Wajima Lacquerware; Continuing Traditions After Noto Peninsula Earthquake / The Japannews
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/noto...
Ishikawa Students Make Commemorative Wajima Lacquerware; Continuing Traditions After Noto Peninsula Earthquake
<p>WAJIMA, Ishikawa – Sixth-grade students in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, which was hit by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, have started making panels decorated with Wajima’s traditional chinkin gold-i...
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
December 17, 2024 at 2:41 AM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
Sad news continues. Takashi Wakamiya, who led a pioneering makie group in Wajima, has passed away. He was still in early 60s. This is a great loss for Urushi art. He was involved in planting urushi trees in Wajima, and we shared a mutual passion. Last year's earthquake may have shortened his life..😞
March 8, 2025 at 1:36 PM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
Rice Planting Begins in Quake-Hit Terraced Fields in Wajima; Volunteers Enjoy Working in Restored Paddies

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/noto...
Rice Planting Begins in Quake-Hit Terraced Fields in Wajima; Volunteers Enjoy Working in Restored Paddies
<p>WAJIMA, Ishikawa — Rice planting has begun at scenic rice fields which were heavily damaged by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and heavy rainfall in 2024, in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Saturday....
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
May 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
This special helmet was created to celebrate the release of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. It was made using Wajima-nuri, a traditional Japanese urushi lacquerware technique.
#starwars
starwars.disney.co.jp/movie/mandal...
This special helmet was created to celebrate the release of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. It was made using Wajima-nuri, a traditional Japanese lacquerware technique.
April 30, 2026 at 12:21 PM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
The "Phoenix" Fountain pen for the revival of Wajima matsuzawakobo.com/phoenix_en/
By adding this masterpiece, which we create with all our heart and soul, to your fountain pen collection, you will be supporting the revival of the Wajima urushi industry.
#fountainpen #wajima
July 27, 2024 at 2:22 PM
japantimes.co.jp
Takaho Shoji’s dedication to Wajima-nuri lacquerware symbolizes a city’s determination to rebuild after unimaginable loss.
Japan's Wajima craftmakers see hope in disaster-hit region
Lacquerware maker Takaho Shoji hunches over his desk in the disaster-hit city of Wajima in central Japan, applying another layer of coating to a dark, wooden box.
buff.ly
December 29, 2024 at 10:16 AM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
Donations are coming in from Hanyu-san's overseas fans for Wajima reconstruction support crowdfunding. We are truly grateful for this. This is an initiative to increase the number of urushi trees, which are essential for the urushi industry that is a key industry in Wajima
gogetfunding.com/wajima/
Hanyu Yuzuru
June 17, 2025 at 12:44 AM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
We continue to seek support through crowdfunding. gogetfunding.com/wajima/
April 23, 2024 at 8:45 AM
roger1952.bsky.social
At the market in Wajima, Japan. Photography by Danake Carlsson of Flickr
October 13, 2025 at 3:02 PM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
Over ¥300 Mil. Raised Through Crowdfunding To Help Wajima Lacquerware Craftspeople; Major Earthquake Last Year Rocked Industry

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/noto...
Over ¥300 Mil. Raised Through Crowdfunding To Help Wajima Lacquerware Craftspeople; Major Earthquake Last Year Rocked Industry
<p>KANAZAWA — More than ¥300 million was raised by the end of last year through crowdfunding for craftspeople and workshops of Wajima lacquerware, a traditional craft in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, t...
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
February 8, 2025 at 11:57 PM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
Wajima Lacquerware Meets with Warm Reception at Milan Design Week, as Officials Plan to Grow Overseas Sales of Craft / The Japannews
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/noto...
Wajima Lacquerware Meets with Warm Reception at Milan Design Week, as Officials Plan to Grow Overseas Sales of Craft
<p>Officials from Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in April paid a visit to Milan Design Week, where they hope to start exhibiting Wajima lacquerware from next year. They were encouraged by the potential ...
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
June 9, 2025 at 9:35 AM
matsuzawa.bsky.social
The "Phoenix" Fountain pen for the revival of Wajima
matsuzawakobo.com/phoenix_en/

By adding this masterpiece, which we create with all our heart and soul, to your fountain pen collection, you will be supporting the revival of the Wajima urushi industry.
#fountainpen #wajima
March 13, 2024 at 8:32 AM