Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.766
Konnichiwa, Ichiroya News Letter readers!
How are you doing? This time Mitsue is writing.
The season has completely turned to autumn, and the weather is comfortable in Osaka. Autumn is good season to enjoy art, music, reading and eating. Though I enjoy them all around a year, I often visit museums in autumn. Also enjoying Chinese tea is one of my favorite, a different way of serving from Japanese one. May be I will talk about this issue some day, but this time let me show you wonderful art crafts.
The other day I visited an exhibition of Shanghai Jushu embroidery works in Osaka. 'Jushu' literally means carpet embroidery. I was so surprised at them, because they looked like paintings! They are called "Oil painting of the East" which is registered in Chinese nation grade Intangible Cultural Heritage. Shanghai developed rapidly after the Opium War in 1984 as a center of transportation of coastal area. So Western culture entered to China and many artists gathered in Shanghai. As a result, new cultural art of fusion of Western and Eastern was born. Tapestry has been a representative art craft of East-West trade. Now high quality embroidery art crafts are made in Shanghai including Jushu embroidery works. 100% wool threads are used according to the process like this.
1. Rough sketch is drown to the net fabric of Asa.
2. Wool threads are dyed by hand and dried.
3. Lining is attached to the net fabric and stretched tightly.
4. Stitch with various techniques.
The shade of threads is adjusted by its dipping time on high temperature and proportion of water. Photos are allowed to be taken, so I introduce some pieces which are impressive symbolizing of China.
There are also works which reproduce the paintings of such as Gogh, Vermeer and Klimt. They are exactly like the real ones though I have never seen yet...(-_-;)
Though Ichiroya has no items of Jushu embroidery work, I introduce Soshu embroidery works. It is one of the three major Chinese embroidery technique with Sagara and Swatow. Soshu embroidery works use 100% silk threads to express gracefulness and elegance.
Fukuro obi
Tsukesage
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.764
Dear Newsletter readers.
Hi, this is Azusa writing. How are you?
Autumn has at last arrived here and we have a fine crop of rice in Japan. I like autumn best of all the seasons because it's comfortable and we have a lot of tasty food.
In Osaka, we have autumn festivals for the celebration of a good harvest. There are a lot of festivals in Japan, and the autumn festival is well-known in Osaka. People are marching through the city towing a festival float. They are very enthusiastic, and they even practice singing songs for many weeks for the festival, which is held only once a week.
But in the elementary school I went, the situation was a little different.
It was like the autumn festival was held in my class all year round. A lot of students were singing the festival songs and beating a desk like it is a drum all the time, during the recesses, lunchtime and even in the class hours. The lyrics of the songs are to express gratitude for rices. When they were in the music room, they would play the songs on the piano with an index finger, and sing the songs. The students and teachers love the festival very much, and were thankful to rices, I assume.
It would be great to visit Japan in autumn! Would you like to eat good rice or see the autumn festivals in kimono?
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.763
Konnichiwa, Ichiroya News Letter readers!
How are you doing?
This time Iori is writing.
How are you doing?
This time Iori is writing.
The big typhoon has passed Japan on September 4th.
It hit this Kansai area and we had heavy storm here. A strong wind blew off my carport roof and the roof hit my car!!
Oh my god... I need my car get reparied.
Also a big earthquake occurred in Hokaido...
I hope the early restoration of the damaged areas...really.
It hit this Kansai area and we had heavy storm here. A strong wind blew off my carport roof and the roof hit my car!!
Oh my god... I need my car get reparied.
Also a big earthquake occurred in Hokaido...
I hope the early restoration of the damaged areas...really.
After the typhoon went through, I feel like the autumn has come at last!
It's getting cooler and cooler in the morning and the evening.
I hear the songs of autumn insects when I'm in bed.
It is really comfortable. I like it;)
It's getting cooler and cooler in the morning and the evening.
I hear the songs of autumn insects when I'm in bed.
It is really comfortable. I like it;)
In autumn, foods are great in Japan. New rice, chesnuts, sweet potatoes, Matsutake mashrooms... I strongly recommned you to come and visit to Japan in Autumn. Not only seeing the red leaves at temples but also having delicious food!
We have an event of 'Jyugoya' in September. We also call it 'Otsukimi'.
'Otsukimi' means “viewing the moon”. It is a seasonal festival to enjoy the moon on the night of August 15th, on the old Chinese calendar.
It will be the 24th night this year. In Japan, people decorate with silver grasses and offer rice dumplings to the moon. It is said that silver grass can house a Shinto God, and acts as a charm against evil. People offer the rice dumplings in appreciation for the harvest of grains. During this Tsukimi season in Japan, McDonald’s sells “Tsukimi burgers” which have sunny-side up eggs in them. yummy!
'Otsukimi' means “viewing the moon”. It is a seasonal festival to enjoy the moon on the night of August 15th, on the old Chinese calendar.
It will be the 24th night this year. In Japan, people decorate with silver grasses and offer rice dumplings to the moon. It is said that silver grass can house a Shinto God, and acts as a charm against evil. People offer the rice dumplings in appreciation for the harvest of grains. During this Tsukimi season in Japan, McDonald’s sells “Tsukimi burgers” which have sunny-side up eggs in them. yummy!
Anyway, do you know it is said that there are rabbits on the moon? This is because the shape of the lunar crater looks like a rabbit pounding rice cake with a mortar and pestle. In Arabia, it is said that there are lions on the moon. What do you see in the moon in your country?
I will make rice balls and see the moon rabbits on the 'Jyugoya' night.
I will make rice balls and see the moon rabbits on the 'Jyugoya' night.
Today, I will introduce kimono and obi for Autumn.
I also recommned these lovely accesorries.
www.ichiroya.com This is sold out but will be available again soon, so please contact us if you are interested in this obidome buckle.
Thank you for reading!
Please have a nice weekend.
Please have a nice weekend.
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.762
Dear Newsletter readers,
Hello, this is Mari.
Kids went back to school! YES!
Generally speaking, Summer kimono and Yukata season is over.
However, I don't feel like wearing hitoe kimono yet, because IT IS HOT!
I hope it will cool down soon.
Kids went back to school! YES!
Generally speaking, Summer kimono and Yukata season is over.
However, I don't feel like wearing hitoe kimono yet, because IT IS HOT!
I hope it will cool down soon.
Have you heard about "Team Lab"?
They are a creative team which provides digital contents such as
WEB site, smart phone apps, interior design, architecture, TVCM,
stage performance and so on. I have heard about them and their
interesting art exhibitions for years. Finally, I had a chance to
experience it in Osaka.
They are a creative team which provides digital contents such as
WEB site, smart phone apps, interior design, architecture, TVCM,
stage performance and so on. I have heard about them and their
interesting art exhibitions for years. Finally, I had a chance to
experience it in Osaka.
I went there with my family as the last event of our kids' summer break.
The exhibition was GREAT! We had so much fun!
For us, the highlight of the exhibition was "Graffiti Nature". Our sons
drew and colored animals, and scaned them. 5 seconds later, the bird and
alligator which they draw were flying on the wall and crawling
on the floor! It was amazing! Kids were so excited and chasing them around.
The top image is the bird which our second son colored.
The exhibition was GREAT! We had so much fun!
For us, the highlight of the exhibition was "Graffiti Nature". Our sons
drew and colored animals, and scaned them. 5 seconds later, the bird and
alligator which they draw were flying on the wall and crawling
on the floor! It was amazing! Kids were so excited and chasing them around.
The top image is the bird which our second son colored.
The room was too dark to take pictures. So, I couldn't take a picture of
their animals on the wall. Please take a look at the movie below.
You will get the idea what is "Graffiti Nature". It's really amazing!
their animals on the wall. Please take a look at the movie below.
You will get the idea what is "Graffiti Nature". It's really amazing!
Their exhibitions are available all over the world.
There may be one in your town! Check it out!
https://www.teamlab.art/e/?type=pickup
We have colorful, impressive and gorgeous stage costumes which
are very creative like the exhibition!
Thank you for reading until the end.
You have a wonderful weekend!
You have a wonderful weekend!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.761
Dear newsletter readers,
Konnichiwa! Ogenki desuka? Yoko desu!
Hope everyone is enjoying the last weekend of August.
By Chinese lunar calender, we are supposed to be in Autumn now, but it is still super hot during the day in Japan and I still cannot live without my summer shorts and sleeveless shirts! Atsui desu!
But faintly, it is funny, but I am starting to smell the Autumn in the air, and gradually, I can tell by the colors in the sky and sunset in the afternoon, it is shifting to Autumn. Dragonflies are making circles over the rice patties, and Tsuku-Tsuku-Boshi are crying out to remind us that Autumn is coming.
The above photo is taken yesterday on my way home from work, I love driving in this beautiful sunset which is about to change to Autumn sunset. Though we had record breaking duration of sizzling hot summer days this year, we are definitely starting to listen weak steps of Autumn along the way. Omachi shite ma-su.
By Chinese lunar calender, we are supposed to be in Autumn now, but it is still super hot during the day in Japan and I still cannot live without my summer shorts and sleeveless shirts! Atsui desu!
But faintly, it is funny, but I am starting to smell the Autumn in the air, and gradually, I can tell by the colors in the sky and sunset in the afternoon, it is shifting to Autumn. Dragonflies are making circles over the rice patties, and Tsuku-Tsuku-Boshi are crying out to remind us that Autumn is coming.
The above photo is taken yesterday on my way home from work, I love driving in this beautiful sunset which is about to change to Autumn sunset. Though we had record breaking duration of sizzling hot summer days this year, we are definitely starting to listen weak steps of Autumn along the way. Omachi shite ma-su.
During my long summer Obon holidays, I took a short trip to Nagoya with my kids and parents. What is in Nagoya?
Well, there is a town in Nagoya I have been wanting to visit. The town is called Arimatsu, yes, the city that originated THE Armatsu Shibori(tie-dye). From my short research on internet, the area seemed rather cozy and quiet at this time of year, but I thought it would be a very nice place for a quick vacation with my kids and parents. Oh! by the way, we enjoyed nice Onsen and meals (Matsuzaka gyu-) on the way, of course! hehehe
Well, there is a town in Nagoya I have been wanting to visit. The town is called Arimatsu, yes, the city that originated THE Armatsu Shibori(tie-dye). From my short research on internet, the area seemed rather cozy and quiet at this time of year, but I thought it would be a very nice place for a quick vacation with my kids and parents. Oh! by the way, we enjoyed nice Onsen and meals (Matsuzaka gyu-) on the way, of course! hehehe
Arimatsu town was originated in 1608 in Tokaido by eight migrants from other parts in Aichi perfecture and became very famous for their Shibori dyeing techniques and products. The place is also known by #41 of 'Stations Of The Tokaido' by Hiroshige Ando, Ukiyoe artist. Please check! So! about 400 years ago, people in Arimatsu started tie-dyeing with vegetables dyes, especially indigo, on cotton and other fabrics. They developed more than a hundred ways of making incredible patterns on a cloth by Shibori! Travelers passing though the Tokaido back then would buy Yukata or Tenugui, hand towels, to mop up sweat, and in this way, Airmatsu-shibori became quite popular throughout Japan.
If you are interested, they have Arimatsu shibori festival held on the first weekend of June! I probably go back for the festival next year!!
If you are interested, they have Arimatsu shibori festival held on the first weekend of June! I probably go back for the festival next year!!
Here are some fabrics with shibori(tie-dye) technique!!
Wishing you a lovely weekend everyone!
Here is a photo of Marin with my parents's Shiba. You can see Marin is not wanting to make an eye contact!! hahaha
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.760
Dear Ichiroya newsletter readers,
Hello from beautiful sea! I'm Nagisa writing. How was your summer vacation? Did you go somewhere? I went to Okinawa for the first time with my friends. Okinawa is southernmost prefecture of Japan located in the East China Sea, and consists of over 150 islands. It is popular tourist destination because of warm climate throughout the year. However, it is also well known as a region where a lot of typhoons are coming during summer. Before the trip, there were five typhoons No.15 - No.19 around the south side of the main island of Japan. (Theses typhoons were born for five days in a row, and it was the first time in a history.) The first day of the trip, we enjoyed shopping, taking a lot of photos at various instagenic spots, drinking and eating local foods in the heavy rain. However, the second day, we can enjoy scuba diving under the sunny summer sky! It was a miracle! It was just because our everyday actions are good, it must be so. The sun shower, blue gradation, clear sea water, colorful fishes and corals... They were beautiful beyond description, so I'll show you some photos taken over and under the sea instead.
Speaking of Okinawa, have you ever heard of 'Ryukyu Bingata'? It is one of the dying technique representing Okinawa, and is designated traditional craft-work. It has some characteristics. The first one is to dye with pigments. The second one is to use hand-carved Katagami(stencil paper). And above all, it is dyed with vibrant colors which have tropical atmosphere. It has already existed around 15th century, and it was formal wear, and was also casual wear worn by from royal family to common people. However, there were some rules about it base color or designs. For example, royal women were wearing yellow Bingata Kimono at formal occasions, and light blue Bingata Kimono was worn as a casual wear. Only prince and queen were allowed to wear Bingata Kimono with dragon or Houou(phoenix) design. A person of high status was wearing Bingata Kimono of large sized pattern, but old person's one is small. Please refer to these information, if you buy Bingata Kimonos!
These are the REAL Bingata we have, so delightful and tasteful:
Bingata coloration are so pupular- I'd like to introduce you Bingata-style items which have vibrant colors!
Lastly, it is personal note, I celebrated my 30th birth day and 30th diving during the trip to Okinawa. I'm sooooo HAPPY to go there with them, and really grateful for celebrations, surprises, handmade presents and their gentleness! It was the BEST summer vacation ever! I will never forget this trip.
Rainer Nicolai | Flickr
Hello, how have you been? This is Mitsue writing.
Deadly heat wave have continued across Japan. Summer has become much hotter than ever before. More than 20 thousands of people were carried in ambulance by heat stroke, and more than 60 people died of it. Historic high temperature is recorded in several places. It also rained so hard and the disaster such as flood and landslide struck Western Japan. Some typhoon has already passed through Japan which usually approach in autumn. It is crazy summer! Global warming which causes natural disaster is a serious matter that we have to think about it much more.
Well, do you have any summer plans? I have already enjoyed cruise excursion with my friend last month. First, we flied to Singapore and got on a ship to Port Kelang of Malaysia. After enjoyed sightseeing at Kuala Lumpur, we were back to Singapore by the ship. So we enjoyed 2 nights shore excursion. The cruise on a big ship was my first experience, and I enjoyed ethnic food (Chinese, Malaysian and Indian), music, entertainments and activities. In Kuala Lumpur, an Islam mosque was impressive to me. Visitors had to wear pale purple gown to enter inside. The wide praying place have very holy atmosphere. The monument which remembers the soldier of the independence war in Malaysia made me think about peace.
In Singapore, I visited the city's remarkable places and Indian town for shopping. I've never been to India, but I could feel it if I were brought to Indian market. The smell, excitement and hustle were so impressive to me. There are also China and Arab towns, so I thought various cultures coexist near by with its own originality. I also enjoyed swimming at the top of a hotel. The night view from the pool was so splendid with massive tall buildings! I felt Singapore is performing fusion and coexistent of new and old culture. It might be same as Japan, but Singapore has more diversity of languages, religions, and cultures.
We offer modern and retro kimono fashion. Click here for the official Kimonotte instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/kimonotteichiroya/
Let me introduce some items with ship design.
nagoya obi
www.ichiroya.com
www.ichiroya.com
fukuro obi
www.ichiroya.com
kurotomesode
www.ichiroya.com
vintage kimono
www.ichiroya.com
www.ichiroya.com
houmongi
www.ichiroya.com
komon
www.ichiroya.com
Thank you for reading. Have a nice week end.