Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.822

T.Kiya | Flickr

Konnichiwa everyone! 　Ogenki desuka? 
This is Yoko from Ichiroya. 　

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend.

 

Everyone! if you are shopping for Christmas, we strongly recommend EMS shipping method instead of SAL.
SAL can take more than one month for delivery, especially during a busy mailing season.  
We also offer shipping method by DHL!   DHL is very reliable and can deliver pretty much anywhere usually much faster than EMS.

Please feel free to let us know if you prefer DHL.

 

November is ending, and it will be December soon, last month of 2019!
I can't believe it!  To me, it feels like this year was only started a few months ago....sigh...

Kaki (persimmons) on my tree are almost gone, unlike last year, we had a very good harvest of Kaki this year.

I have shared some on top of the tree with birds and fallen ones on the ground with Marin. hahaha
My beagle Marin LOVES persimmons, see the photo?  
As soon as she hears the thud, (sound of Kaki hitting the ground) she runs to it.  Funny girl!

 

 

Now that it is actually cold, dressing in Kimono can finally become very fun and comfortable.
In winter, why not enjoy a Kimono or Obi with 'Tsubaki'(Camellia) motif which can give a very elegant impression.
Leaves of Tsubaki remain green all year, so it is considered as one of the auspicious and sacred trees in Japan.
I hope you can include Tsubaki motif in your Kimono outfit this winter!!!

 

*Tsumugi* 
With a nice chic color Kimono of shibori(tie-dye).
The Obi goes well with both Kimono.

 

www.ichiroya.com

 

*Houmongi*
To a wedding or formal party, a very nice coordinate with Tsuzure Obi.

 

www.ichiroya.com

 

We would be happy to assist you if you have any questions on what to wear this winter!!

 
Arigato gozaimasu for reading our weekly newsletter!

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.821

 

Dear Ichiroya newsletter readers
 
Hello. How are you doing?
Mitsue is writing　this time.
The days are getting shorter now, so I can often see beautiful sunset from train on the way back home. It is one of my pleasures these days. Other ones of this season are visiting museums, reading, playing and listening to music. Many exhibitions are held all over the country in autumn.

 

The 71st annual exhibition of Shoso-in Treasures was opened at Nara national museum for 20 days. Forty-one treasures have been selected for display from approximately 9,000 collections. Among these, four treasures are exhibited for the first time. This exhibition is designed to provide a general overview of the Shoso-in treasure, but in commemoration of the emperor’s Enthronement, this year it features some of the most celebrated and representative treasures of the collection. In addition to treasures, the collections can tell us a great deal about the origins and heritage of the Shoso-in. 
The Shoso-in is a storage of treasure that belongs to Todai-ji in Nara. The building is  Azekura log-cabin style with raised floor. The treasures are from the age of Emperor Shomu (701–756), as well as arts and crafts from the Tempyo era (about 729-749) of Japanese history.

 

* Photo of museum with long queue and entrance of exhibition

 

I heard there will be long queues to enter at daytime, so I visited in the evening to avoid waiting. However, I was surprised to see the long queues! Actually they were for the cheaper admission fee to enter at late time. I didn’t want to wait, so I entered soon at regular fee.
I was deeply impressed to see the treasures such as the 7 strings Zither with beautiful decoration, a mother-of-pearl Inlay box and the red sandalwood long-handled incense burner. They show the superb craftsmanship of the time.

 

As for the details of Shoso-in, please click here.
http://shosoin.kunaicho.go.jp/en-US  
As for the 71st Annual Exhibition of Shoso-in Treasures, click here.
https://www.narahaku.go.jp/english/exhibition/2019toku/shosoin/2019shosoin_e.html

 

Nara ‘s mascot called Sento-kun is a little cute, a combination of Buddha and deer. 
I found it at Nara station. The photo is old one, and now it is a tourist information office

 

 Nara station

 

Sento-kun

 

Let me introduce some items with Shosho-in treasure pattern. 
Please enjoy its beautiful design. 

 

Fukuro obi 
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5dca00645a33a
Uchikake
https://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/460331/
Bolt
https://www.ichiroya.com/item/list2/448443/

 

  Thank you very much for reading to the end. dozo yoi ichinichio, we wish you a wonderful day!

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.820

Dear Ichiroya news letter readers

 

How are you doing?
This time Iori is writing.
It is getting colder and has been comfortable sunny days these days in Japan.
Leaves are getting red or yellow. It is time to go seeing red maple leaves.

 

This month we'll have the Shichi-go-san festival for children of three, five and seven years of age.
You might have read about the Shichi-go-san before in the previous article.
It is a day of prayer for the healthy growth of young children.
I have three kids and they are seven, five and three years old, so we took photo shooting of them in advance.
Kids looked happy in pretty kimono because there are few chances to wear kimono recently.
Parents were tired trying not let them run and jump, and make them smile to the camera at the same time.
Anyway, it will be a good memory.

 

7-year-old

5-year-old

3-year-old

Did you know we have made original children's kimono on Kimonotte project?
It has colorful, cute and attractive designs from authentic vintage kimono.

 

For 3 years old girl
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5dc36e1c59ef1

 

For 7 years old girl
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5dc37041bd0b0

 

We also have new kimono for 5 years old boys.
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5dc3a4124b0fd

 

There are many other cute and kawaii kimonos for children in our shop.
Some vintage items are useful for handicraft material and so on.

 

Thank you for reading till the end.
Please have a wonderful weekend!
See you next time.

 

 

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.819

Alejandro Slocker | Flickr

Dear newsletter readers,  Hello, This is Ayumi writing this week.  Hajimemashite! I am a new Ichiroya staff for writing English descriptions of kimono items. My writing name is 'Noma' which is my family name. I am glad to join this wonderful Ichiroya newsletter team and share our current news with you:) Yoroshikuonegaishimasu!

First of all, I would like to introduce myself a little.  I am from Hiroshima. I used to play Kyudo(Japanese archery) , Judo and researched about Kappa(one of the most common Japanese ancient imaginary monster) at University. Also I love comics, music and keen on Kimono, of course! If you interested in, please feel free to let me know. I am happy to write about them!

By the way, The Halloween has gone and outside is getting chilly day by day. I know everyone is waiting for Christmas season. Personally, I have a big day before it. It is our fifth wedding anniversary on 29th of November. Hmm, time flies!! 

Well, This time I would like to write about my wedding. I had a wedding at Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima Island which is one of the best scenic spots in Japan.

 

Pietro Zuco | Flickr

What do you know about Miyajima?  It is one of the oldest shrine in Japan. Please see the photo above, the shrine is stands in the sea. The red Torii (Gateway) stands by itself against the waves. In fall, Miyajima is sooooo beautiful with the contrast of marine blue, 'Momiji'(maple leaf is tinged with red and yellow) and the shrine's elegant  vermilion red. It is like the seventh heaven!

 

In the Wedding, I wore Shiromuku(white Uchikake). The bride in the white Kimono is me, and in blue one is the Shinto priest of the shrine.

 

 

 

 

 

After the ceremony, I changed my outer to colorful Uchikake and I did up my hair in Japanese traditional style! The Uchikake has gorgeously shining with scenery of Itsukushima Shrine design. The most of guests wore kimono for the party. My grandma and grandpa wore traditional formal kimonos. The ladies are in charming and vibrant Furisodes! It was the most fantastic day ever!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have a chance to see Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine, I strongly recommend to visit around 10:00 am, because you can see  a wedding ceremony almost every weekends around the time.

We have some more splendid Uchikake Kimonos in our shop! Please see the fabulous designs. You must fall in love with the kimono world as I do!

http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5dba3adf18a51

I hope you like this newsletter! Have a wonderful weekend everyone. ;)

 

 

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.818

 

Dear newsletter readers, 

 

Hello, this is Mari writing this week.
Last time, I wrote about Rugby World Cup 2019. Japan, a.k.a brave blossoms, played very well, and advanced to the quarterfinal. Although they lost against South Africa, they did great job. I want to thank them for entertaining and encouraging us with their great performance.
I still look forward watching rest of games!

 

There was the throne of His Majesty the Emperor on Tuesday, October 22nd. The ceremonies participated in by around 200 foreign heads of state and other dignitaries. They were live broadcasted. I watched TV with great interest. As you see in the top picture, Japanese imperial family members were dressed like Heian Nobles for the ceremonies. The image on the TV monitor was just like Heian period (794-1185), and I felt like we have time traveled back to the period.

 

I was also amazed by colorful and gorgeous fashion of those state guests.
You can see them in the article below.  
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/g29516694/emperor-naruhito-enthronement-ceremony-japan-photos/#sidepanel

 

It was raining hard in the morning of the day. However, when our new Emperor showed up, the rain stopped, and there was a rainbow in the sky.
We all felt some super natural power at that time. It must be a good sign for the Emperor and all of us.

 

The Emperor wore yellowish brown "Sokutai".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokutai

 

 

The Empress wore colorful "Junihitoe".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C5%ABnihitoe

 

 

Both majesty looked great in the traditional costumes.
As the Emperor declared, we all hope peaceful Reiwa era.

 

While I was watching the ceremonies, I really thought that the traditional costumes "Sokutai" and "Junihitoe" are beautiful.
As you may know, Heian Nobles in the traditional costume pattern is all time favorite. We have many of them on our site!

 

<Obi>
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5db11dff2c8ef

 

<Kimono>
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5db11e7ad17c4

 
Thank you for reading until the end.
Hope you enjoy our newsletter. See you next time!

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.817

 

 

Toshihiro Gamo | Flickr

 

Konnichiwa everyone! Ogenki desuka? 
This is Yoko from Ichiroya.  
We must first thank you for many emails concerning the Typhoon which affected Kanto and Tohoku areas of Japan last week.  Though it did not leave much damage in Osaka this time, we were very very scared.
If you remember the last year's typhoon, it flooded Kansai Airport and knocked down telephone poles and caused water outage and black outs. 
If there is a way to send rain and wind to other parts on the Earth with drought, I would love to know.... honto 

 

I guess the typhoon took the summer heat with it, it is all the sudden cold now.... samui samui...
I talked about taking my thicker Futon out in my last newsletter, but now I must take out my Kotatsu table. 
Kotatsu is a heated table with a thick comforter over it.  It is very warm and comfortable, and my beagle Marin loves getting in the Kotatsu with us..  I do not recommend one because it spoils everyone in the family. (lazy)

 

By the way, have you seen a pink color grasshopper? A staff at Ichiroya saw one and took this photo!
Can you believe your eyes? I guess it is a sudden mutation? or a sign of good fortune!? 
she said. 

 

 

 

Finally, October is here! yes, it is the Awase(lined) season.
Some Kimonos with Autumn colors or motifs, now to come out from the closet!! Omachi!!
October is perfect month for entertainment! Here are some recommended coordination for October!

 

how about these for a Shichigosan outing?
https://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5d941ba39810a

 

or to a nice lunch or see a play? 
https://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5d941bd862974

 

how about this pair to a museum?
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5d941c0bab195

 

 

I hope you enjoyed my newsletter!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone. :)

 

 

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.816

Dear newsletter readers, 

Hello, this is Mitsue writing this week.

It is getting cooler and cooler in Japan. Autumn is my best favorite season, for eating, reading, playing music and outgoing. I visited China last month where I wanted to go for a long time. I have been to Taiwan and Hong Kong before, but China was my first visit.

I visited mainly Soshu and Shanghai, so let me share you about Soshu this time

Soshu (Suzhou in Chinese) is a major city located about 100 km northwest of Shanghai. It is a major economic center and focal point of trade and commerce, and the second largest city in the province. The city is situated on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the shores of Lake Tai.

The city's canals, stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens are so beautiful and attract tourists in China. The classical gardens were added to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997 and 2000. Soshu is often said as the "Venice of the East". Do you know a famous song of ‘Soshu Yakyoku’ which was composed by Japanese ‘Ryoichi Hattori’ in 1940 for a Chinese movie song,

Silk is also famous from old times. It was the main trade item of Silk Road as an expensive valuable one. But its manufacturing method has been kept secret for a long time, and those who took the cocoon bag out of China were sentenced to death.
Industrial technology was introduced to the Eastern Roman Empire in 6th century and spread form there. In the 14th century, silk fabric embroidery work was at its peak in China, and embroidery technique had evolved in such as Soshu, and Nanjing,

The photos show manufacturing factory of silk fabric. They put 2 worms into the cocoon to make thick and strong fiber. The fiber stretches largely without breaking. Can you see the difference of the cocoon size between the single and double worms?

Well, the Tiger Hill is known for its natural environment and historical sites. It is named so because it looks like a crouching tiger. A legend says that a white tiger appeared on the hill to guard it following the burial. The tower has been a tourist destination for hundreds of years, as evidence of poetry and calligraphy carved into rocks. It is leaning a little because of land subsidence, so it is called as ‘Eastern Pisa’.

Ichiroya has some items with Soshu embroidery work. Please click the URL to enjoy the beautiful embroidery technique.

https://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5d9ac01a51f00

Which is your favorite one? We are glad to hear if you let us know.

Thank you for reading.
Have a wonderful weekend and see you next time!