Strike a Match

STRIKE A MATCH

Strike a match. Y

Strike a match. Spark your curiosity.

Found in Japan

While exploring the narrow streets of the Shimokitazawa neighborhood in Tokyo, Japan, one store in particular caught my eye. The Tokyo Retro A.M.A. Store. This quaint store displayed furniture and miscellaneous objects from the 70s and 80s. I acquired a small collection of matchboxes that displayed beautiful graphic design like I've never seen in a matchbox. Their diverse design made me curious to explore their origin further.

This publication is a result of these findings—a journey of curiosity, discovery, and a profound appreciation for the artistry that resides in the seemingly ordinary.

Nabemono

Grill • Alcohol • Nabe

Near Kamiyacho intersection, Minato Ward.

鍋 物

Nabe Mono

What is Nabemono?

Nabemono, called nabe for short, is a category of Japanese hot pot dishes traditionally cooked at the dinner table in a donabe (clay pot). The word nabemono is a compound of nabe, which translates to "cooking pot" and mono, meaning " thing." Indeed, a nabe can contain almost anything. In Japan, nabemono is a winter comfort food staple. It's usually made by preparing a simple dashi stock and simmering a mix of vegetables and meat or seafood until just cooked. Copy: MasterClass

"Donabe

"Good for building stamina."

Main Phone: 03( 436 ) 6851

Not able to translate entirely.

Hanagiri

Mitsukoshi

Mitsukoshi, Ltd. Is an international department store chain with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. It was founded in 1673.

Copy & Photo: Wikipedia

Gen’ichirō Inokuma

Gen’ichirō Inokuma was a Japanese painter. Inokuma is best known for his large-scale abstract paintings that allude to industrial landscapes, ladders, rail tracks, derricks, cranes, urban maps, and city planners’ blueprints.

In 1950, Inokuma designed the famous red on white Hana Hiraku wrapping paper for Mitsukoshi.

Sanwa Bank

The Sanwa Bank, was a major Japanese bank headquartered in Osaka, which operated from 1933 to 2002. It merged with Tokai Bank to form UFJ Bank. In the 1990s, it was the most profitable bank in the world, and second-largest in terms of assets behind its eventual merger partner Tokyo-Mitsubishi.

The matchbox features artwork created by Seiji Fujishiro, with the inscription "the world of fairytales" beside his name; however, I am uncertain whether this is the title of the artwork.

"Saitama Bank, your home and information for daily

Saikin Saitama Bank

home bank for wisdom daily life."

Saitama Bank

Saitama Bank is a Japanese bank founded in Saitama Prefecture 1943. In 1990, the bank's financial instability was revealed. Its directors were alleged to have mismanaged corporate assets and breached fiduciary duties by purchasing a large block of stock in a Japanese manufacturing company at what were grossly inflated prices.

All Things Western

Nopalitos is envisioned as a contender in the domain of Western-influenced convenience stores in Japan, standing shoulder to shoulder with giants like 7-Eleven and Lawson. In its essence, Nopalitos draws inspiration from a beloved Mexican dish, featuring diced Nopales (Cacti). The choice of the number 39 is symbolic, echoing the card found in the traditional Mexican bingo game, La Loteria, where a Nopal is artfully illustrated.

Translations made with Google Translate. Design, Photography and Illustrations by Rudy Gutierrez.

Matchbox printed on Bristol paper.

Matchbox tray hand dyed with marbling ink.

Printed in Boston, USA. 2023

Rudy Gutierrez @graphic_tendencies

www.rudysportfolio.com