Japanese artist Grind Pencil has garnered a high profile commission at Japan Rail’s Noda Station in Osaka. He is painting 10 huge pillars located at the front of the station. The theme commemorates Osaka’s famous Central Market, the city’s answer to Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market. It’s the place in Osaka where restaurant owners arrive at 415am every morning to start making bids on the freshest seafood available. This is a pretty big deal for the artist and it makes him happy to know he can make an ‘honest’ living doing what he loves; street art. He said of course he’d love to be tagging and bombing all over the city, but now, with three kids, he wouldn’t dare risk it and Japanese security is very tight. There are cameras everywhere. He’s been arrested once and that’s enough. Although his other work definitely has more ‘edge’ to it, he’s grateful to have been granted this honor by the city to be able to showcase the city’s pride and joy; one of Japan’s largest markets. There are some images below, but I didn’t stay out there all day. It’s that time of the year when the temperature climbs to 100 degrees with humidity. I felt like I was melting. I’ll be documenting more of his work in the next couple of months (when it’s cooler):