Shigeki Miyamoto is a renowned craftsman most notable for crafting luxury handmade chairs. Considered a guru and a contemporary artist, he has a long list of high-profile clients such as General MacArthur (1930s), Shigeru Yoshida (Japan’s Prime Minister), the architect Zaha Hadid who designed the Olympic stadium in London, and a plethora of others. His contributions in the craft and architecture world ultimately earned him the Yellow Ribbon Medal of Honor from the Emperor of Japan.

Special thanks to H&K Global Connections and Manuel Bovio (Whatchado) for granting access and assistance to this project.

We talk with Ohio-born drummer, Marty Bracey, about his legacy drumming for some of Japan’s top bands in the 80’s & 90s – earning him Japan’s equivalent of the Grammy award. Marty shares his experience living in Japan for the past 47 years.

Special thanks to H&K Global Connections for translations and assistance.

A huge thank you to Mr. Marty Bracey for giving us the time to create an intimate video portrait of his life. Please find his website HERE.

Mr. Noe Montoya is an 80 year old professional tailor originally from Honduras in the business for over 40 years. He talks about life, lessons, and family.

Photography by Sharon Joetama (sharonjoetama.com)

Chapter 4:

Keisuke Ogata is the owner of a mom & pop intimate restaurant who specializes in gyoza (pot-stickers). He goes into his humble beginnings as a Japanese salaryman and his eventual transition to specializing in gyoza.

Special thanks to Keisuke Ogata for sharing his story. Please find his restaurant, (Gyoza Bar Keisuke) HERE