Machiya Building Returns to Kyoto
…and that ideal vision was that Kyoto would once again be a beautiful wooden city… Steve Beimel of JapanCraft21 in Kyoto is an...
top of page
Search
Sep 1
Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess
I first discovered stories about the thunder god, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, when I visited the Gion Matsuri last summer. Susanoo-no-Mikoto is...
Aug 19
An Introduction to Shinto
Have you ever wondered about Japanese Shinto shrines? What is the meaning behind those zigzag shapes of paper that hang from a rope, and...
Aug 9
The Chrysanthemum Festival
Do not think yourself The vanishing dew. Think instead Of the long-blooming Chrysanthemum flower. The Heian Court calendar was peppered...
Jul 23
Japanese Drama Update!
Turn to me Mukai-kun Sincere guy Satoru Mukai (played by Akaso Eiji) had a perplexing break-up ten years ago: one which he never quite...
Jul 10
Fairy Furoshiki Colouring Book Art!
Our founder Cathy is a professional children's book illustrator, currently illustrating a big series of colouring books for Little Tiger...
Jul 1
Kyoto Machiya: Mugen
Machiya are the beautiful, traditional townhouses of Kyoto, made with tremendous craft and skill. In 2016 I stayed at the lovingly...
Jun 20
Making Fuji-san Origami
This spring we took a road-trip out to the beautiful Yamanashi area of Fuji Five Lakes. At the Fujisan World Heritage Centre I saw cute...
Jun 16
Spring in Fuji Five Lakes
The peak of Mount Fuji is oblivious to time. What season does it take this to be that the falling snow should dapple it like a fawn? toki...
May 24
Meet Catherine Pawasarat: Author of The Gion Festival: Exploring Its Mysteries
My Japan Journey Interview 8: Catherine Pawasarat: expert and author of The Gion Festival: Exploring Its Mysteries There is no question...
Apr 26
The Miyako Odori: Kyoto's Spring Dance
In preparation for our exciting interview and blog with the Kyoto geisha and maiko photographer John Paul Foster, I began to learn about...
Apr 18
Cherry Blossom Kyoto - a Travel Journal
The best among blossoms is the red plum, whether light or dark in colour. As for the cherry, the blossoms should be on slender branches,...
Apr 12
Meet Natalie Leon: Author of The Japanese Art of Living Seasonally
My Japan Journey Interview 7: Meet Natalie Leon: Author, Japanophile, Forager In our blog today, we celebrate new writer Natalie Leon,...
Mar 12
JanuaryInJapan Book Club 2024 Review: The Wisdom of Tea
Thank you so much to everyone who joined us this year for our online JanuaryInJapan Book Club event! We meet once a year and we're very...
Feb 14
Kasane: Looking at Colour Layering
Murasaki Shikibu wearing juunihitoe. Lady butterfly perfumes her wings by floating over the orchid –Bashō I have long been fascinated by...
Jan 22
Meet John Paul Foster: Kyoto Photographer of the Floating World
Mamefuji © John Paul Foster Meet John Paul Foster: Kyoto Photographer of the Floating World My Japan Journey Interview 6: John Paul...
Jan 5
Making Valentine Hearts
I love this time of year - the snowdrops will soon be showing their pale green shoots, the little birds are hopping about in the garden,...
Nov 28, 2023
Making Christmas Trees
I discovered these gorgeous little paper Christmas trees in Snow Peak's London store, when I was recently invited to hold furoshiki and...
Oct 20, 2023
Meet Rachel, Kyoto's Travel Bug Art
My Japan Journey Interview 5: Rachel: Kyoto travel sketchbook artist I met Rachel for the first time in Kyoto this summer, in a quieter...
Sep 17, 2023
Meet Nóra Hamucska, sumi painter
My Japan Journey Interview 4: Nóra: ink painting artist Our friend Nóra is a passionate ink painter. Her foundational skills are in...
BLOG
bottom of page