Artist Cole Sternberg’s Boat Voyage from Japan to Portland

A new exhibition, "The Nature of Breathing in Salt," highlights an adventure-inspired process

Late last year, bicoastal American painter Cole Sternberg stepped aboard a bulk shipping vessel at the Shin Kasado port in Western Japan. It was the Ultra Letizia ship’s maiden voyage, headed toward Portland, Oregon. And, while the boat carried no cargo (as it was on a test run) it would provide a home and studio space for Sternberg and his linen, graphite and watercolors. On …

Asaba Ryokan

Japanese tradition, mid-centruy modernism and healing hot springs

A 90-minute train ride to the south west of Tokyo on the Izu peninsula, in a small village called Shuzenji, is Asaba, a 500-year-old ryokan that, since our recent visit, has become the sole destination of our continued daydreams. Known for Wasabi farms and the oldest hot spring in Izu, Shuzenji, is a destination for national tourists that’s not as often frequented by Westerners. The …

Kan-no-shiro Matcha Powder

More than just a tea shop, Kyoto-based retailer Ippodo Tea Co. has specialized in the cultivation and blending of matcha, sencha and other Japanese teas for nearly three centuries. Their Kan-no-shiro 40g can of matcha powder is ground from shade-cultivated leaves and soothes with its full-bodied flavor and mellow sweetness. It’s an unfailing choice for green tea aficionados and newcomers alike.