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Nov 29
Kokoro by Lafcadio Hearn
This month let's take a look at the writing of Lafcadio Hearn in his essay collection of 1895, called Kokoro . In his essays, we discover...
Sep 8
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...
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...
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...
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...
Jul 23, 2023
Kyoto Travel Journal: Gion Matsuri 2023
Chigo, Yasaka Shrine Influences and Beginnings When I was in my early twenties, and without much experience of travel, I arrived with my...
Mar 24, 2023
More Japanese Drama!
I love watching Japanese drama! It's a great way of improving Japanese listening skills while being entertained! My vocabulary has...
Feb 8, 2023
JanuaryInJapan 2023: The Old Capital Bookclub Review!
We had a fantastic time at our online JanuaryInJapan Bookclub this year - thank you so much to everyone who joined us! Our subject for...
Jan 20, 2023
Kyoto and Tokyo Travel Journal, Fall 2022
It was almost three years to the day when we returned to Kyoto in November 2022. In the intervening time, when it was not possible to...
Dec 20, 2022
January In Japan Book Club: The Old Capital
Our JanuaryInJapan Bookclub was so good last winter when we came together to talk about the first chapter of The Tale of Genji, that...
Sep 29, 2022
Japanese Drama Update!
Only Just Married I love watching Japanese dramas. There are quite a few romantic ones to catch up on. In fact I'm beginning to think...
Aug 11, 2022
Zusetsu ART and Masao Ebina
Kobai (Red Plum Blossom) by Masao Ebina. Note the fine gold strings and pattern on the koto. Many of you know that I am an artist with...
Jul 28, 2022
Tea Ceremony and Tanabata with Camellia Kyoto
This year's Tanabata could not have been more special. We visited the Camellia Garden Teahouse in north west Kyoto, live on Instagram,...
Jul 21, 2022
You'll Love Yuzu, our New Furoshiki!
Have you ever tried the delicious Japanese citrus fruit called Yuzu? You might recognise the bright yellow fruits and their delicious...
Jul 3, 2022
The River of Heaven - Tanabata in Japanese Poetry
Curious this day on which long ago they must have pledged their troth; like the River of Heaven's waves rising - this is sent out. This...
Apr 14, 2022
Beautiful Blue Snowflower!
Hello everyone! We have such exciting news for you! Our Snowflower Pink furoshiki has done so well, we have been able to create it in a...
Mar 24, 2022
Cha no Yu - A Sense of Beauty
茶の煙柳と共にそよぐ也 cha no kemuri yanagi to tomo ni soyogu nari the tea smoke and the willow together trembling I often think back to the tea...
Feb 16, 2022
A Review of our JanuaryinJapan Online Book Club Event!
We loved looking at this beautiful image of Murasaki Shikibu. What could the significance of the green and red colours in her juunihitoe...
Jan 19, 2022
Looking at Traditional Japanese Patterns!
Our new-in-for-spring 48cm Reversible Furoshiki Bright Pink Cherry Blossom and Blue Wave To celebrate our new spring furoshiki, I'm keen...
Dec 30, 2021
Kuzunoha and the White Fox
Kuzunoha by Yamakawa Shuuhou It’s January – the days are short and dark and the nights are long and cold. It’s a perfect time of year...
Oct 14, 2021
Take a Look at our New Furoshiki Handbook!
We're thrilled to be able to introduce you to our new Zusetsu Furoshiki Handbook! It includes 16 different styles of furoshiki wrap, so...
Sep 22, 2021
Autumn in Kyoto
Glorious Eikandou in the fall Autumn is a magnificent time of year to be in Kyoto. The air is cool, but the skies can be bright blue, and...
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