Face To Face

Kuribayashi Takashi is known for his installation artwork centered on the theme of boundaries, borders and limits. His fascination with borders began during his time in Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall. His works encourage viewers to imagine what lies beyond the border; for instance, a marshland hidden above the ceiling of a stark white room. Another work shows moisture frozen in the air to reveal what cannot be seen, such as the threat of radioactive contamination. Through his work, he seeks to reveal what lies beyond the border, hidden in plain sight.

Japanese folklore is full of Yokai, legendary monsters and spirits known feared for their ability to cause inexplicable phenomena. Today, however, they've come to be seen in a different light, and are often featured in popular anime and manga. Komatsu Kazuhiko, a folklore researcher who has been studying Yokai for more than 40 years, believes they provide an insight into Japanese culture and society. He joins us for an in-depth talk on the past, present and future of Yokai.

Millions of people in Ukraine have been displaced as a result of the military invasion by Russia. In the midst of this humanitarian crisis, international NGO Médecins Sans Frontières, known as Doctors Without Borders in English, has been providing emergency frontline medical support in Ukraine and surrounding countries and is speaking out to the world about what it has witnessed. Dr. Yuko Nakajima, the president of MSF Japan, joins us to detail MSF's activities in Ukraine.

Kyohei Sorita is creating a new wave in Japan's classical music scene. Winning second prize in the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition catapulted him to fame as a world-class pianist. Much like his piano playing, he has been bold, flexible and playful in his ventures. After studying in Moscow, he relocated to Warsaw. While there, he founded his own orchestra and record label in Japan. He is scheduled to study in Vienna to pursue the art of conducting. He shares his motivation and his vision for the future of classical music.

A mysterious forest garden, dotted with dozens of small ponds. A plaza covered by a massive steel plate perforated with countless small openings. The man behind these works is architect Junya Ishigami, who explores the relationship between mankind and nature. Ishigami believes that architecture of the past was designed to keep humans safe, yet separate from nature. His goal is to create architecture that facilitates communication with nature. To learn more about this goal, we visit his newest creation: a cave-like structure that's both restaurant and residence.

Kusumi Masayuki is the author of the best-selling manga "Kodoku no Gurume," or "The Solitary Gourmet." The story follows a traveling salesman who searches for good restaurants in locations across Japan. He prefers to eat alone in unpretentious eateries, contemplating quietly over his meal. The pandemic has led to an increase in people dining alone, which has contributed to an unexpected revival in the series' popularity. Join us for some food for thought on the simple pleasures of everyday life.

For over a thousand years, textiles have been produced in Nishijin, Kyoto Prefecture. In a process that involves over 20 steps, more than 2,000 silk threads are dyed before being woven into complex designs and 3D textures. Hosoo Masataka is the 12th-generation head of his family's company, which produces Nishijin textiles. By developing new techniques and applications, he's hoping to expand the scope of this traditional craft. He believes that both his textiles and society thrive on innovation, diversity, and the continuous pursuit of beauty.