Ghosts in the Aisles, Cities in Bloom

Hello fellow walkers and art lovers—

We’ve got two things to share this month: a new exhibition opening next week, and an international open call for artists to join our next group show. One dives into the ghosts and glow of Tokyo’s konbinis. The other asks a simple question: Can one enjoy the city the way one can bathe in nature?

Let’s get into it.

One Hundred Views of Edo Konbinis

APR 11 – MAY 9, 2025 · Opening night: APR 11, 19:00 @ NININI·NI

Illustrations by Pavel Sipkin

Starting April 11, the streetlamp of Jinny Street Gallery will host One Hundred Views of Edo Konbinis, a new solo exhibition by Tokyo-based illustrator and architect Pavel Sipkin.

Through a series of 40 illustrated mini-scrolls, Sipkin imagines an alternate present where Edo-period spirits, aesthetics, and rituals flow freely through today’s Tokyo konbinis. The result is surreal, funny, and strangely plausible.

“The rhythm of ancient tales intertwines with the pulse of neon lights.”

These works move fast: rapid brushwork mimics the speed of the city, while traditional elements slow things down—reminding us of a time when rituals stretched across hours, not seconds. The konbini becomes more than a store; it’s a modern shrine, lit by flickering fluorescents, stocked with both snacks and spirits.

“Konbinis evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort, a ritualistic embrace in the chaos of urban life.”

Yurei drift past the ATM machine. Tengu wait in line. Vending machines glow like lanterns. Sipkin’s take on folklore is playful but serious: these ghosts aren’t stuck in the past—they’ve adapted.

Alongside the exhibition, you’ll also find a limited edition Jinny Lemon Sour, featuring a custom label designed by Sipkin. Available at a few of our favorite neighborhood izakayas.

Visit the exhibition page for more information.

Big City Bathing – Open Call

Submissions are open until MAY 9

We’re now accepting submissions for our next open-call exhibition: Big City Bathing.

Inspired by shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), we’re flipping the idea on its head and asking: can the city also heal you? Can wandering its alleys, crowds, chaos, and still moments offer the same kind of renewal?

We’re looking for works that explore the sensory, emotional, and philosophical rhythms of urban life—how the city wears us down, lifts us up, pulls us apart, and brings us together.

Accepted mediums: Photography, Illustration, Digital art / mixed media; others are welcome—if in doubt, reach out!

Submission fee

• ¥3000 ($20 USD) for a single image
• ¥5000 ($35 USD) for a series (up to 3 pieces)

Includes curation, printing, and exhibition costs.

All selected artists will receive a printed catalog of the show.

Not selected? You’ll still get 20% off the catalog.

• Eligibility: Open to creators of all levels, anywhere in the world
• No nudity, violence, or explicit work (street gallery constraints)

→ Submit here: https://www.jinnystreetgallery.com/bigcitybathing

We’re excited to see what you make—and how you interpret the city as a space for renewal.

Thank you, as always, for walking with us—past the posters, under the lanterns, through alleys that feel familiar and new all at once.

See you around the hood,

—Toto and Lorenzo