Japan 100

I got a tip from a friend of mine to go check out the Japan Design Today 100 show at the Design Exchange. It's been a while since I've paid them a visit, and I've actually been waiting for this show to come to Toronto for some time now, so I decided to make the trip down (despite the weather).

If you're expecting to dive into a whole world of futuristic trinkets and toys, this show will only half meet your expectations. Though there is a healthy amount of strange and beautiful design objects to be discovered, much of the show is actually dedicated to the history of Japanese design and how its influence has spread worldwide.

Along with the more futuristic and unusual offerings (Muji's wall-mounted pull-chord CD player, Sony's tiny Qualia digital camera) were more seemingly simple yet equally engaging objects such as the Kikkoman Soy Sauce bottle and my personal favorite of the show, Midori Anzen's safety helmets, all designed for different professions.Their website controls are pretty nice. I just wish I could understand what everything said.

Overall, it's definitely one of the better shows I've seen at the DX. Oh, and don't forget to try out Naoto Fukasawa's Massage Chair complete with "Shiatsu" setting. It's pure heaven (without looking like a La-Z-Boy).

Japanese Design Today 100 is on display February 8 - April 29, 2007 at the Design Exchange (235 Bay Street just South of King).