Components photos on Flickr

Neon illumination is the main component to all types of formed wall signage from channel letters, including Reverse Pan Channel Letters, Open Faced Channel letters, and Dual Light Channel Letters. Additionally, custom neon signs are also prevalent in window signage.

Custom neon signs are versatile and can be fabricated into any size and shape. Neon signs can be displayed all by themselves. This method, often referred to as "skeleton neon," is a simple, cost-effective solution to your neon signage needs.

Easton EC90 42cm 31.8 clamp by Dustin Smith

Deconstructed food replicas by B

セパレートサンプル

Produced by Iwasaki Co., Ltd. (Osaka), 2024

These models separate the components of a strawberry shortcake (sponge and cream) and prawn tempura (prawn and deep-fried batter). They highlight the differences in calories with and without the cream or batter, emphasizing the high-calorie content of these additions.*

Taken from the exhibition

Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan’s food replica culture

(October 2024 – February 2025)

Diners in Japan will often be tempted into one of the country’s 1.4 million restaurants by remarkably convincing three-dimensional recreations of available dishes, typically displayed in a glass case outside. Some of these food replicas are so realistic that it can be hard to believe that you can’t eat them.

This autumn, Japan House London presents Looks Delicious!, a mouth-watering journey through the uniquely Japanese phenomenon of sanpuru (from the word ‘sample’), offering UK audiences a rare opportunity to see these skilful creations up close and appreciate their artistry. There has never been an exhibition fully dedicated to Japanese food replicas in the UK before.

The practice of creating food replicas began in the early 20th century, when wax models introduced Japanese people to new kinds of cuisine, particularly yōshoku (lit. ‘western food’). From the 1920s, department stores in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and beyond began to regularly use food replicas to showcase their menus, in particular less familiar Chinese and European dishes. The trend spread quickly, and today the models are ubiquitous across Japan, despite being rarely seen outside of the country.

For this exhibition, the world-leading food replica manufacturer Iwasaki has been commissioned to create 47 brand new food samples, representing each of Japan’s prefectures. Dishes range from goya chanpuru (bitter melon stir fry) from Okinawa to the famous abundant seafood from the northern seas of Hokkaido. As well as this presentation of regional cuisine, Looks Delicious! explores: the history of food replica culture; how replicas are produced; how food models have become an integral part of nutritional education; alongside some alternative and future uses of food samples in Japan. Videos, maps and detailed diagrams will bring the art-form to life in a way that has never been seen before.

Historically made from candle wax and now frequently created using PVC, the process is incredibly bespoke, with each item being made to order for individual restaurants. Having evolved beyond menu promotion, the process has now become its own form of cultural expression in Japan, and food replicas can be found on goods from keyrings to phone cases, some of which will be stocked at the Shop at Japan House London.

[*Japan House]

Taken in the Japan House

100_1860 by Kitty KatKya