Tracing the footsteps of Katsushika Hokusai by bicycle – Part 2 of the short series. This time, we will start with Hokusai in his twenties, when he entered the Katsukawa school and plunged into the world of ukiyo-e. Table of Contents 　1. In the Sumo Town (Ages 20~)　2. Man of the North Star (Ages 30~)　3. Becoming Hokusai, Katsushika Hokusai (Ages 40~) 1. In the Sumo Town (Ages 20~) Hokusai was allowed to use the name Katsukawa Shunro within just one year of entering the Katsukawa school, where he produced ukiyo-e prints (note that he changed his art name over 30 times in his lifetime, but this column will consistently use “Hokusai”).At that time, the motifs of ukiyo-e prints […]

In 1856, the young French printmaker Bracquemond was shown a collection of ceramics by an acquaintance. These ceramics, imported from Japan, a country then closed to foreign relations, would likely have been rare in Western Europe. However, what captured his attention was not the ceramics themselves but their wrapping paper. It was a page from Katsushika Hokusai’s “Hokusai Manga.(Hokusai Sketch)” Impressed by the artwork, Bracquemond went on to obtain a copy of “Hokusai Manga” through great effort and introduced it to his painter friends in Paris, eventually leading to Hokusai becoming widely known across Europe from France. …Unfortunately, the story is sa […]

Connecting people who enjoy rides. This time, introduced by Kenichi Kawamura, the founder of CYCLING JAPAN, our “Ring-Tomo” is Akikazu Yamashita. Alongside modeling for outdoor magazines and commercials, Yamashita organizes an event called Bike & Camp due to his passion for cycling. Nearly commuting exclusively by bike, we had a chat with Yamashita about his cycling experiences. Table of Contents 　Profile　1. What’s your beloved bicycle?　2. What’s your favorite cycling route?　3. The most recent ride event you participated in and your thoughts about it?　4. The ride event you’d like to participate in next and why?　5. The most memorable moment in your cycling life?　6. Your f […]

Connecting people who enjoy rides. This edition of “Ring-Tomo,” introduced by Shinji Iwanami, the cycling guide at “HOSHINOYA Fuji,” features Kenichi Kawamura. He is not only a cycling guide for tourists visiting Japan but also the founder of “CYCLING JAPAN,” which offers cycling guide tours. We had the chance to ask Kawamura, who guides rides all over Japan, about various aspects related to cycling. Table of contents 　Profile　1. What’s your beloved bicycle?　2. What’s your favorite cycling route?　3. The most recent ride event you participated in and your thoughts about it?　4. The ride event you’d like to participate in next and why?　5. The most memorable m […]

Connecting people who enjoy rides.”Ring-Tomo” from the first Japanese Tour de France participant, Daisuke Imanaka, is here with Shinji Iwanami. He’s a professional cycling guide at “HOSHINOYA Fuji.” What kind of rides has he been doing recently? Table of Contents 　Profile　1. What’s your beloved bicycle?　2. What’s your favorite cycling route?　3. The most recent ride event you participated in and your thoughts about it?　4. The ride event you’d like to participate in next and why?　5. The most memorable moment in your cycling life?　6. Your favorite cycling gear and why　7. What does cycling mean to you?　Introduction of the next guest. Profile Name　Shinji IwanamiJob　H […]

Connecting people who enjoy rides.”Ring-Tomo” from TV producer Daisaku Kawase is none other than Daisuke Imanaka, whom you all know. He is the first Japanese participant in the Tour de France. I wonder what kind of rides he has been enjoying lately.

Connecting people who enjoy rides. The first guest is the freelance producer, Daisaku Kawase. The most memorable ride of his life was the scene on that mountain in Japan…

*This information is current as of January 2024, as confirmed by this website. Additionally, this page is not an official source from Docomo Bike Share. I’m introducing information mainly about Tokyo.If you have any questions, please contact Docomo Bike Share directly.