Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.782
Dear Newsletter readers,
Hello! This is Nagisa writing. How was your New Year's holidays? I went to Tokyo in this Oshogatsu. Yes, I went to Tokyo again. I have no idea how many times I talk to you about my trip to Tokyo in this newsletter. This time, my purpose was watching Rice Bowl which is the football game between champions of collage league and corporate league. KG Fighters, my old school football team participated in the game as the collage champion! At first, I was going to watch the game at sport bar, but I can't find the place anywhere in Osaka. I consulted with my friend what should we do. I thought that Tokyo maybe call us, and KG Fighters need our support. It must be so! We discussed about it on Jan. 1st, and we headed to Tokyo on Jan. 3rd. Unfortunately, they lost the game. However, I'm so glad that I was able to watch their fight with my own eyes!
Of course, we enjoyed sightseeing in Tokyo, too! We went to Tokyo Tower which was a radio tower worked until 2013. The height of the tower is 333 meters, and there are two observatories each at 150 meters and 250 meters above the ground. We took part in a tour named 'TOP DECK TOUR' to go up the upper one. Look at this urban view! There was also beautiful Mt.Fuji over the concrete jungle. Can you see it? We can see it so clearly and that was very moving! I regret that the picture can't express how beautiful it is. On the other hand, there are lots of mirrors arranged geometrically in the observatory. Neo-futuristic! Tokyo Tower has just marked 60th anniversary in December last year. Its red silhouette is symbol of Tokyo even now, isn't it? If you ever visit to Tokyo Tower, I recommend that you join the TOP DECK TOUR!
Geometric pattern is often used on Kimono items, too. I'd like to introduce you today my favorite items of stylish and unique geometric pattern!
< Obi >
< Kimono >
< Han-eri and Obiage >
By the way, I went to 'WIZARD TOUR 2019' of VICKEBLANKA last week. Do you remember him? He is Japanese piano man who I'm addicted to. Did you listen to his songs yet? That was my first time to go to his show at music club. Sometimes he sing ballad songs playing piano, and sometimes he play rock music strumming guitar. Also, sometimes he change the music club into disco club playing EDM music, and sometimes he sing pop songs running around on the stage. There were full of magic, and I saw wizard on him! Time just flew because it was sooooo much fun! I got a year's worth of energy from his performance.
Thank you for reading til the end! That was my story of start of 2019. It was good start even if I do say so myself. haha... See you next time!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.781
Hello, how are you doing? Mitsue is writing this time.
Almost a month has passed since new year began. I caught a cold and kept sleeping with stomachache during the holidays. I finished cooking Osechi dishes before the New Year's Day, and ate Ozoni in the next morning. Then, suddenly I felt something strange with my stomach. 'Is it food poisoning?' I asked to myself. 'No, no, my son is good and similar symptom does not come out with him.' I replied. Fortunately I had no fever, so I could read some books and watching TV in bed. I thought I spent busy time at the end of the last year, so God gave me a rest in the beginning of a year.
Talking about my private matter, I am a member of an orchestra of Chinese instrument. I play Niko (two strings fiddle) and Kosou (Chinese harp). We perform a concert annually and visit somewhere to play together with other orchestra. I went to Tokyo and Kyoto to play last year, and sometimes plays at a church and a home for elderly people as a volunteer.
At the end of the last year, I played 'Haru no umi' (The Sea in Spring) with an orchestra member. It is a music for Japanese instruments of 'Koto'(Japanese harp) and 'Shakuhachi' (five-holed bamboo flute) composed in 1929 by Michio Miyagi, and known for one of the most famous pieces for New year. We tried to play with Chinese harp and Western flute. It was an interesting trial and we practiced over a year.
Almost a month has passed since new year began. I caught a cold and kept sleeping with stomachache during the holidays. I finished cooking Osechi dishes before the New Year's Day, and ate Ozoni in the next morning. Then, suddenly I felt something strange with my stomach. 'Is it food poisoning?' I asked to myself. 'No, no, my son is good and similar symptom does not come out with him.' I replied. Fortunately I had no fever, so I could read some books and watching TV in bed. I thought I spent busy time at the end of the last year, so God gave me a rest in the beginning of a year.
Talking about my private matter, I am a member of an orchestra of Chinese instrument. I play Niko (two strings fiddle) and Kosou (Chinese harp). We perform a concert annually and visit somewhere to play together with other orchestra. I went to Tokyo and Kyoto to play last year, and sometimes plays at a church and a home for elderly people as a volunteer.
At the end of the last year, I played 'Haru no umi' (The Sea in Spring) with an orchestra member. It is a music for Japanese instruments of 'Koto'(Japanese harp) and 'Shakuhachi' (five-holed bamboo flute) composed in 1929 by Michio Miyagi, and known for one of the most famous pieces for New year. We tried to play with Chinese harp and Western flute. It was an interesting trial and we practiced over a year.
Miyagi composed this piece from his childhood image of the sea from the port town of 'Tomonoura' (in Fukuyama city of Hiroshima prefecture) that he saw before he lost his eyesight. I had lived in Fukuyama city for 5 years since my husband transferred there. We often drive there to see beautiful scenery and eat delicious sea food. Tomonoura has been a prosperous port since ancient times. Its unique circular harbor was preserved even after modern port facilities were introduced. So 'Tomonoura' is very calm and quiet place facing to the 'Setonaikai' (Seto inland sea). There are many historical temples and shrines around there, and the area is famous for red sea bream fishing. Tomonoura is the spot where the Iroha Maru, a ship belonging to Sakamoto Ryoma had sunk. It is a very historical port town, so I recommend to visit there if you come to Japan.
Today I introduce some pieces with musical instrument design. I hope you like them. Thank you for reading.
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.779
Happy New Year, newsletter readers!
This is Azusa writing. I hope you will have a bright and happy year! How was your new year holidays? Did you eat something delicious? I spent my holidays with my family, and my parents said to me the whole time, "Come on, eat eat" during the holidays, so I was always eating various foods like rice crackers, rice cakes, oranges and special New Year's dishes called Osechi-ryori and Ozoni. Have you heard the word "Kami-sama"? It is a word for deity. In Japan, it is believed that there are myriads of deities. They are said to be in everything. They are in mountains, rivers, the sun, forests, and even in toilets! They are enshrined everywhere in Japan. For example in the Ise Jingu in Mie, Amaterasu Oomikami, the deity of the sun is enshrined.
Many Japanese people visit shrine to pray to deities for good health in the new year. It is called Hatsumode. I also visited a shrine in my neighborhood with my family and made a wish and made a new year's resolution. My new year's resolution is to do a little bit of exercise and get enough sleep! Let me introduce you kimonos and obis with a shrine and temple design!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.778
Hello Ichiroya news letter readers!
The last news letter of the year is my turn, Iori is wiriting.
Did you have a wonderful Christmas??
I ate lots of delicious foods and cakes on Christmas day.
And now I am waiting for the delicious New Year's Osechi dishes!
My mother cooks Osechi dishes and Mochi(rice cake) with her sisters every year.
This year, I am going to help cooking some dishes. I will try!
The last news letter of the year is my turn, Iori is wiriting.
Did you have a wonderful Christmas??
I ate lots of delicious foods and cakes on Christmas day.
And now I am waiting for the delicious New Year's Osechi dishes!
My mother cooks Osechi dishes and Mochi(rice cake) with her sisters every year.
This year, I am going to help cooking some dishes. I will try!
We need to clean our office and keep things tidy for new year, 2019.
Our office will be closed between 12/28 (Fri.) and 1/6 (Sun.), Japan time,
for the New Year holidays.
During our holidays, no new items will be listed, and we won't be able to reply to any emails or process shipments.
Thank you so much for your understanding and consideration.
Our office will be closed between 12/28 (Fri.) and 1/6 (Sun.), Japan time,
for the New Year holidays.
During our holidays, no new items will be listed, and we won't be able to reply to any emails or process shipments.
Thank you so much for your understanding and consideration.
Thank you for shopping at Ichiroya this year.
We hope you'll enjoy shopping with us next year, too!!
And also please keep your eyes on our working Kimonotte Side Project unique items!
We hope you'll enjoy shopping with us next year, too!!
And also please keep your eyes on our working Kimonotte Side Project unique items!
Hope everyone is having grateful time in this holiday season.
Domo arigatogozaimasu! - Thank you very much!
Yoi otoshiwo!! - Happy New Year!!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.777
Dear Newsletter readers,
Hello, this is Mari.
Are you ready for Christmas and New Year?
What kind of dishes do you cook for holiday gathering?
Since I used to live in the U.S for long time, I cook American holiday dishes.
The typical dishes at my home include followings.
Are you ready for Christmas and New Year?
What kind of dishes do you cook for holiday gathering?
Since I used to live in the U.S for long time, I cook American holiday dishes.
The typical dishes at my home include followings.
- Roast beef
My boys, including my husband, are not big fans of turkey. So, I always cook
roast beef. More than that! there is no large enough oven to roast turkey in
Japan! So, that is another good excuse not to cook turkey.
My boys, including my husband, are not big fans of turkey. So, I always cook
roast beef. More than that! there is no large enough oven to roast turkey in
Japan! So, that is another good excuse not to cook turkey.
- Green bean casserole
This is the most popular dish at my home. 1 3qt baking dish is not enough for
my boys. I always bake 2 dishes. While we eat the first dish, I bake the second
dish. By the time we finish the first one, the second one is ready to be served.
Although they are not vegie-lovers at all, this is the special dish!
Unfortunately, Campbell's cream of mushroom soup can is not available at regular
super market in Japan. So, I make the dish from scratch with milk, butter and fresh
mushroom. Actually, it taste better than the one I use the canned soup.
This is the most popular dish at my home. 1 3qt baking dish is not enough for
my boys. I always bake 2 dishes. While we eat the first dish, I bake the second
dish. By the time we finish the first one, the second one is ready to be served.
Although they are not vegie-lovers at all, this is the special dish!
Unfortunately, Campbell's cream of mushroom soup can is not available at regular
super market in Japan. So, I make the dish from scratch with milk, butter and fresh
mushroom. Actually, it taste better than the one I use the canned soup.
- Sweet bread
Since my husband used to live in Hawaii, he loooooves Hawaiian sweet bread.
So, freshly baked sweet bread must be there. My boys eat the bread so fast!
30sec. after I took the bread out from the oven, they finish half of it.
Again, I need to bake 2.
Since my husband used to live in Hawaii, he loooooves Hawaiian sweet bread.
So, freshly baked sweet bread must be there. My boys eat the bread so fast!
30sec. after I took the bread out from the oven, they finish half of it.
Again, I need to bake 2.
These three are "must be served" dishes. Other than them, I randomly serve mac & cheese, green salad, creamed corn and so on. I will cook those dishes for Christmas, too. My oven will be so busy to bake all those dishes! I hope that I won't burn any of them.
As some of you may already know, we are working so hard on this unique obi project! Look at them! They are not traditional obi you know! Keep checking the following page, we will try to make more unique obi!
*Even if the obis are sold out, please contact us if you want them. We will make it for you.
https://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5bf5e56d9b5e4
https://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5bf5e56d9b5e4
Thank you for reading my newsletter! Happy holidays!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.776
Konnichiwa everyone! Ogenki desuka?
This is Yoko from Ichiroya. I hope that you are having a nice weekend. :)
This is Yoko from Ichiroya. I hope that you are having a nice weekend. :)
Have you noticed that we are having a huge markdown sale???
The price is incredibly tempting and you do not want to miss this opportunity!!
Please check our Final Sale category to view what is left!!
The price is incredibly tempting and you do not want to miss this opportunity!!
Please check our Final Sale category to view what is left!!
Also, our Kimonotte Side Project is still ongoing!! Our staff is working very hard to make this project unique and extravagant! Even an item says SOLD, we can still accept your order! Please feel free to contact us. 
It seems that the weather in Japan has decided to shift to Winter all of the sudden!
We had some warm days last week, but we are having awfully cold days this week. Totemo Samui desu!
I took out my Nenneko, Haramaki, Kotatsu, oil heater, neck and arm warmers on the same day. Now I am ready!
Good thing my beagle Marin keeps me warm on cold night! haha
I talked about Danjiri Matsuri in my last newsletter, and I would like to tell you how it went along with some crazy photos of people involved. I hope you enjoy!
Unlike last year, the weekend of Matsuri this year was perfect!!, a bit cold but sunny throughout the weekend.
I enjoyed cooking Oden, making Onigiri rice balls and Miso soup with ladies in my neighbor to provide the members of Danjiri. They pull the Danjiri float on foot all day, so a warm meal is a life saver to them.
Unlike last year, the weekend of Matsuri this year was perfect!!, a bit cold but sunny throughout the weekend.
I enjoyed cooking Oden, making Onigiri rice balls and Miso soup with ladies in my neighbor to provide the members of Danjiri. They pull the Danjiri float on foot all day, so a warm meal is a life saver to them.
Danjiri is a traditional Matsuri. This Aki(Autumn) Matsuri has been in our town since the Edo era.
Danjiri appears mainly in festivals of western Japan and are roughly categorized into two types, 'hiki-danjiri' (a decorative float towed by festival participants) and 'katsugi-danjiri' (a decorative float shouldered by festival participants). Danjiri in our area seems to be Katsugi though there are wheels attached at the bottom.
Danjiri appears mainly in festivals of western Japan and are roughly categorized into two types, 'hiki-danjiri' (a decorative float towed by festival participants) and 'katsugi-danjiri' (a decorative float shouldered by festival participants). Danjiri in our area seems to be Katsugi though there are wheels attached at the bottom.
Since it involves carrying a huge wooden Danjiri on their shoulders most of the times, the participants are mainly young people in their late teens and early 20's.
For this special traditional day, some very young participants try to get as much as attention they can by putting heavy make up on and wearing their hair wild and colorful!!!
Can you tell what is on a boy's head at the top photo? You guessed it right! It is a chameleon!!! Can you believe his hair is dyed, not painted or colored in ink!! A lady who did his hair also did my daughter's hair. My daughter said she likes working with difficult request and making a challenge! Sugoi!
Well, this year is almost over.... soon it will be the year of the Boar. Are you ready to welcome the New Year??!!
Here are some items you can use for the New Year!! These auspicious motifs are perfect as the New Year display or Oshogatu outings.
Thank you so much for reading. Have a wonderful weekend!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.775
Dear Ichiroya newsletter readers,
Hello! This is Nagisa writing. How have you been? Have you heard the news about EXPO 2025 yet? Osaka has been selected as the host of it! That's incredible! As you know, EXPO was once held in Osaka in 1970. 77 countries attended and displayed pavilions under the theme of 'Progress and Harmony for Mankind'. I hear that the number of visitors were over 64 million! I think that it's a good opportunity not only to spread Japanese culture, but also to learn cultures came from overseas. I wasn't born yet at that time, but I often hear that 'We waited in the line for many hours to see the moon stone.' I don't know how excited they were, so I'm looking forward to Osaka EXPO 2025!
Though EXPO 2025 will be hold in Yumeshima, where is reclaimed island in Osaka city, I often go to EXPO park in Suita city where EXPO '70 was once held. I went there again last week, and it was the 4th time for me this year. I have no idea how many times I go to there for the last 10 years... Anyway, I go to the stadium close by the park to watch football game, and usually go straight home. However, I dropped in the inside of the park last time to see the projection mapping show! Fantastic and exotic images were projected on the Tower of the Sun with spectacular music! It was so amazing! Up till the day, I passed through the artistic work without stopping, but I couldn't help buying a lapel pin and a magnet of Taro Okamoto's art works for myself filled with emotion. The inner area of the tower has been opened to the public from March this year, so I want to go there someday!
When I see some warm lights such as projection mapping or illumination in downtown, I really feel Christmas is just around the corner. Then, I'd like to introduce you some Obis for this winter season from Kimonotte Brand Side Project!
We also so have some other unique Obis. Please check this page! I'm happy if you find favorite one...
The other day, I met a fabulous album suitable for cold winter. It is 'wizard' by Vick Blanka. One day, I heard his song from radio while I was working. I took to him as soon as I heard his song! I watched music videos on You Tube, got his albums, and when I realized it, I was in a CD store where the new album 'wizard' release event was about to hold. He was singing songs and also playing piano by himself. Beautiful falsetto voice and melody of piano... I was really touched by his live performance! Some people say, his song like MIKA singing Queen's song. If you like Queen or MIKA, you must listen to Vick Blanka! I recommend 'Slave of Love' to begin with. At the end of the event, he kindly shook hands with me. I've been filling with happiness even now, so I'm worried that I might drain his energy from his hand by the handshake at that time...
Thank you for reading till the end. I'm having fun this winter while listening to favorite music and watching football games. KG Fighters advances to the final dramatically, and Houston Texans is winning 9 games straight. Hope you have a good winter, too!
