Japan holds a special place in my heart. I lived and worked there for a time and being on my own, living in a foreign country far away from home, taught me many valuable life lessons.

The day before I was to go on vacation, March 11th, the tsunami and earthquake struck the country. I was stunned and glued myself to the radio and Internet to keep up-to-date with the latest news. Even while in Costa Rica, I couldn’t help but watch the news and feel waves of emotion for the country and its people – my second home.

The images and videos captured of the Japan tsunami and earthquake are extremely upsetting and at moments nearly have me in tears. Being so far away, unable to physically assist with relief efforts is a helpless feeling. So I donated money to the Canadian Red Cross. I urge you to take part, here’s how:

Canadians wishing to help support relief efforts underway are encouraged to contribute by:

• Donating online
• Calling 1-800-418-1111
• By texting the word ASIA to 30333 to make a one-time donation of $5*
• Donating at a participating bank branch
• By contacting their local Red Cross office. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked “Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami” and mailed to the Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2.

* A one-time donation of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill. Standard messaging rates and additional fees may apply to donation texts. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. This service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected for the benefit of the Canadian Red Cross by the Mobile Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at www.mobilegiving.ca. You can unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP to 30333.

Images from the Canadian Red Cross

Japan is by in large a nation of contrasts. For example, one moment you’ll be walking past ancient shrines and temples in your very own neighbourhood and the next you’ll be surrounded by 50 storey skyscrapers and architectural buildings that seem to step out of a science fiction movie.

One building which has recently caught my attention – and one which I’m sure you’ll find interesting – is the Kanagawa Institute of Technology, designed by Junya Ishigami Architects. It is composed of 305 steel columns, surrounded by glass and serves as a workshop by the Institute’s engineering and design students along with members of the local community.

The building is essentially a glass box in the midst of the Institute’s campus using contemporary minimalism – an open concept space with a predominantly white interior –to blur the lines between the indoors and outdoors, thereby making this a pretty cool learning environment.

Images from Dezeen

This December marks the three year anniversary since I returned home to Toronto from my travels overseas. I lived in Tokyo, Japan and worked as an English language instructor teaching adults and children.

Living overseas, particularly in a non-Western country is quite an experience. You have to deal with many life changes, such as coping with the language barrier, social customs (the familiar and unfamiliar), food (the tasty and unusual), a new work environment and establishing a network of friends and supporters.

Japan has a population of over 127 million people and the Greater Tokyo Area is home to 39 million residents. It was my very first-time living on my own and being completely cut-off from my family and friends. Living in a densely populated city has its ups and downs; there were many moments of joy, loneliness and self-discovery oftentimes occurring simultaneously.

One of the things I absolutely adore and love about Japan is the shopping and fashion. There is no other city that pushes the boundaries of fashion both playfully and skilfully. Initially, I found the Japanese sense of style a little strange for my North American palette but I soon changed my way of thinking. While there I experimented with textures, accessories, colours and clothing – I came home with a completely new wardrobe and a dozen new pairs of shoes.

The fashion scene in Japan, from a practical and artistic standpoint, is years ahead of North America and one of the reminders I recently had of this was an exhibition currently being held at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo called, Luxury in Fashion Reconsidered which examines the historical and cultural views on luxury through fashion.

Accompanying this exhibition is a special exhibit titled, Kazuyo Sejima Spatial Design for Comme des Garçons. Comme des Garçons clothing was selected from the Kyoto Costume Institute (KCI) Collection and is displayed in spaces designed by architect Kazuyo Sejima.

Rei Kawakubo’s clothing floats effortlessly in what appears to be suspended animation casting a ghost-like quality on the collection. The shapes and colours of Kawakubo’s avant-garde designs are accentuated through this simple exhibit transforming it into sculptural art. It also showcases how her designs originally upset the fashion establishment when she made her debut in Paris in 1981, pushing fashion into artistic and conceptual expression changing clothing’s relationship with the body.

The merging of Sejima’s and Kawakubo’s talents makes for a cohesive and thought-provoking exhibit bringing back memories of my time in Japan.

Photos courtesy of Amelia Groom, Big in Japan.