I hope this young female chef’s cooking is as good as her knife twirling. You seriously don’t wanna mess with her down a dark alley. Watch the video below to see her quick-fingered twirling action…

Via CNN

Technorati Tags: China, cuisine, knife twirling

If you haven’t heard of The Selby, you have now! For voyeurs captivated by the creative interiors of interesting people, Todd Selby captures these spaces with photos, paintings and videos. His latest is of Yoshiko Kajitani – designer of Yoshiko Creation Paris.

Yoshiko Kajitani on The Selby

Technorati Tags: creative interiors, interesting people, photo posing, photography, Todd Selby, The Selby, Yoshiko Creation Paris, Yoshiko Kajitani

Any martial artists who want to train at the home of kung fu might be inspired by this documentary that follows four people, including two westerners, as they travel to and train at Shaolin.

The Real Shaolin is a moving, poetic and action-packed documentary feature about two Chinese and two Westerners who journey to the Shaolin Temple in China, inspired by Jet Li’s Kung Fu movie “The Shaolin Temple”. In the course of excruciating martial arts training, their fantasies to become Kung Fu warriors collide with harsh reality, as the Shaolin Temple is the ultimate test for martial artists from all over the world. Will they achieve their goal of living the Shaolin dream?

Find out more on RealShaolin.com

Via The Awesomer

Technorati Tags: documentary, film, kung fu, martial arts, Shaolin

Retro Kanban is a fascinating web site dedicated to old Kanban which means “shop sign“. This site carries a collection of enamel signboards, which were familiar from the 1930s to the 1970s and is a fantastic resource for designers, who just pure eye-candy who love the era.

Retro Kanban

Via Retro Thing

Technorati Tags: design, enamel signboards, Japan, Japanese shop signs, retro, Retro Kanban

Love Japanese dogs? Check out this lovely book featuring Japanese breeds of dogs, captured by designers Kazuya Takaoka and Sachiko Kuru. The Akita has got to be my favourite. (Second only to the Siberian Husky.)

“The Graphics of Japanese Dog” by Kazuya Takaoka and Sachiko Kuru

Via NotCot

Technorati Tags: culture, dogs, Japan, Japanese dogs, Kazuya Takaoka, Sachiko Kuru

Origami as just as hobby? You’d be surprised by the talents and acumen of a Dr. Robert Lang, who after practising the art since childhood, went on to use origami principles in the development of his scientific research, such as in creating an oversized space telescope.

Though he is one to look up to, it’s true to say he is no ordinary man. Between his efforts to earn a PhD in applied physics, his job at NASA’s Jet Propulsion laboratory, his eighty technical papers, and his forty-six patents in optoelectronics and lasers, he somehow found time to implement and evolve a number of original origami designs.

Continue reading at The Origami Resolution

Visit Lang Origami

Technorati Tags: crafts, Dr. Robert Lang, Japan, origami

The NY Public Library has scans of an 1804 book from China that shows 22 engravings depicting punishment methods. The vintage illustration is lovely even though the subject matter isn’t.

You get the gruesome methods such as lime being used to burn eyes and fingers being tortured as well as the hamstringing above.

There’s also the close confinement punishment, which might drive the prisoner mad, but at least they keep their bits intact.

Then there’s the slightly comical ear-twisting, though sure, the person being inflicted probably wouldn’t find it so funny.

See all 22 on the NYPL Digital Gallery

Via BoingBoing

Technorati Tags: China, China torture, culture, NY Public Library, punishment methods

Chordata, a project by Singaporean Joanne Lin consists of a design made up of four square polypropylene sheets and two customized clips. You wouldn’t think it looking at the gorgeous result which shields a lightbulb to create a lamp.

Read more on CulturePush

Technorati Tags: Chordata, design, pendant lamp, Joanne Lin, Singapore

Hokusai’s extraordinary Great Wave art piece has become iconic and subsequently popularised to death! However, Levi’s did do a slightly different take with their 3D jeans poster advert.

If your memory needs a nudge, see the original below, along with another rendition with an eagle.

See more Hokusai Great Wave designs on Designer-Daily.com

Technorati Tags: art, design, Great Wave, Hokusai, Levi

Talented Korean superstar Rain headlines the new awesome looking Ninja Assassin movie produced by the The Wachowski Brothers of The Matrix.

It’s been awhile since we’ve seen a decent ninja flick and we’re lovin the upgraded chain dart-knife.
The film will be released in Hong Kong on November 26, 2009 but check the trailer below to see what to look forward to.

Head on over to Neonpunch to read up more about this awesome forthcoming film…

Technorati Tags: Korean superstar, Ninja Assassin, The Matrix, Rain, The Wachowski Brothers