Taking inspiration from Japan’s many Shōtengai (local market streets) and their capacity for serving as community centres and gathering spaces, Coal Drops Yard hosted a Shōtengai Japanese Market across three weekends in summer 2021 (24 and 25 July, 31 July and 1 August, and 7 and 8 August, 12pm to 6pm each day), curated by BEAMS & CO as part of Lower Stable Street Market.
Exploring Shōtengai
Like most Shōtengai in Japanese cities, the ten stalls offered a wide range of goods. There were homewares from Native & Co, artisan Japanese bread from Rise Bakery and Bar (the sister bakery to Happy Sky Bakery), okonomiyaki from Okan and a range of posters from Problem Press, to name just a few.
The market was about more than commerce, however, with a focus on building bonds between the businesses and with the wider London community.
Japanese fashion photographer Mika Ninagawa
Recent work from the acclaimed fashion photographer and director Mika Ninagawa was also exhibited on site. Entitled Beauty and Power, Ninagawa’s photographs of Japanese Para athletes radiated positivity and colour, displayed on lightboxes along the walls of Lower Stable Street.
Vendors List
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- Ki:ts (Fashion, Lifestyle and Accessories)
- Native & Co (Lifestyle, Craft)
- Nishura East (Lifestyle, Japanese Tea)
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- Notable Designs (Stationery)
- Notting Hill Editions (Book, Publisher)
- Okan (Food)
- Problem Press (Art, Print)
- Rise Bakery and Bar (Food, Bakery)
- Tokyo Bike (Lifestyle, Bicycle)
About Beams & Co
Beams&Co is a creative agency that works between brands and cultural communities, and partnered with Coal Drops Yard on the market.
Instagram: @beams_and_co
