ICHIROYAのブログ

元気が出る海外の最新トピックや、ウジウジ考えたこととか、たまに着物のこと! 

★★★当ブログはじつはリサイクル/アンティーク着物屋のブログです。記事をお楽しみいただけましたら最高。いつか、着物が必要になった時に思い出していただければ、なお喜びます!お店はこちらになります。★★★


Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.834

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200221172719j:plain

Dear Ichiroya News Letter readers,
 
Konnichiwa!
How are you doing? I hope you are having a great weekend.
Midori is writing this week.
I am a new member of Ichiroya. I write English descriptions of Kimono.
Since this is my first entry, I would like to introduce myself a little bit.
My last name is Koo. I am Japanese and have a HongKongese American husband and a 5-year-old daughter.
We lived in Okinawa (the southernmost prefecture of Japan) for the first 4 years of marriage, 
and then moved to New York and lived there for the past 4 years, and now we are back in my hometown.
Our daughter loves to go to her preschool. She already made a lot of friends and even a handsome boyfriend! lol
I am happy that she is fitting well in to new surroundings. 
I will also try to get used to the new environment just like her, and make every effort to become well acquainted with my new job as fast as I can.
 
By the way, Today, February 23rd is Japanese Emperor Naruhito's 60th birthday.
The emperor's birthday is a national holiday in Japan which is the first one of Reiwa era.
On this day, the main gate of the Imperial Palace is open for the public and the emperor greets people,
The emperor receives the blessings of the people, and the people waving the national flags to express the celebration as shown in the top picture.
Unfortunately, since the Coronavirus is going around the world, they will not open the gate this year.
I really hope the situation will calm down as soon as possible.
 
Speaking of the 60th birthday, turning 60 is special for Japanese people.
We call the 60th birthday as "Kanreki" which literally means, full circle of the calendar.
There is a saying "Life Begins At Sixty."
People consider that the new life begins at 60.
I've heard people in other countries also celebrate their 60th birthday by throwing a party.
Is there any traditional or special things you do in your country?
In Japan, the person who turns 60 wear a red padded sleeveless kimono jacket called "Chanchanko" and hold a family reunion.
I wonder if the emperor wears a Chanchanko on his 60th birthday party...?
We have a traditional "Chanchanko" at Ichiroya! It comes with traditional red hood and fan.

www.ichiroya.com

 
As it is used for Chanchanko, the red color is often used for auspicious occasions in Japan.
It denotes strength, passion, self sacrifice and blood.
Why don't you celebrate the birthday of your loved one by giving red colored Kimono or Obi this year?
It would be a special birthday present! Here are some of them.
 
 
That's all for today. I hope you enjoyed my first News Letter from Ichiroya.
Thank you for reading and see you next time!
 
Midori

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.833

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200214130246j:plain

 
Konnichiwa everyone! Ogenki desuka? 
This is Yoko from Ichiroya.  
Our Winter in Osaka this year has been rather warm which is quite unusual. 
 
We have at least a day or two days of snow in Winter, but this year we have not had any snow.
It is a little sad to me as I enjoy watching snow falls on trees in my garden.  It is a very beautiful sight.
But, I think my beagle Marin does not mind it at all because she dislikes the cold weather! 
She is a beagle!! She should be running around in the snow?! Not my beagle.... :(
 

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200213144700j:plain

 
Spring maybe not too far away, it maybe just around the corner!? already?
So! in my newsletter, I would like to recommend a perfect Kimono to wear in Spring!! yay yay!
 
In a Japanese Kimono magazine, I read that 'Iromuji Kimono is Kakkoii 'cool'!
Iromuji Kimono can be very useful in various Kimono scenes and events as it does not have any patterns which makes it so much fun to choose Obi! 
Also choosing accessories, such as Obiage, Obijime and Obidome, to go with Iromuji is so much fun!!
You can 'show' your STYLE here!   
In Spring of Japan,  we find many people wearing Iromuji at a graduation and entrance ceremonies.
 
Here are some of Iromuji we would like to show you!
 
If you are looking for a finest Iromuji Kimono, why not own Iromuji by Itchiku Kubota?!
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5e44ca5e2ee2c
 

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200214130319j:plain

#368844 The finest iromuji bay Icchiku Kubota
 
(Iromuji with fine woven pattern is also considered as Iromuji.  Please check woven details of these Kimono! What do you see?)
 
If you put a Kamon(family crest) on Iromuji, you can wear not only as a formal Kimono to wear to Ochakai, celebratory event, 
or wedding, but also suitable to wear to a nice dinner with friends or to attend a theatrical play.  How convenient! 
 
More colors are available, so please check our Iromuji category to find your favorite color!

Have you seen our Kimonotte original cashmere Kimono shawls? It would also look fantastic over Iromuji!!
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5e44da2c30b4a
 
 
For prices in USD, please email us. 
We will give you a price without sales Tax based on the day's currency rate. 
arigato gozaimasu for your time!
 
 
Thank you so much for always reading our newsletter!
Wishing you a happy weekend Minasan!

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.832

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20130807212020j:plain

Paul Williams | Flickr


Dear newsletter readers, 
 
Hello, Mitsue is writing this week. How are you doing?
There was a good thing last month which is not sure it could be understood by everyone.
I saw a flight of International Space Station (ISS) near my house. A friend of Face Book let us know the date and time of flight of ISS which could be seen in Kansai area. I was lucky to see the shinning light flying through the orbit.
The ISS is a huge manned construction located about 400km above the Earth. While it circles around the Earth at a speed of 17,700mph (or 90 minutes per orbit), Earth and star observation, or experiments and research are being conducted. Though I'm not a geek, I'm very interested in space.  
 
Well, I wrote a little about English version of Hyakunin Isshu called 'Whack a Waka' in my last issue, and I was planning to play during the New Year holidays. However, there was a big problem! There was no one to play with me! My family and friends are not good at English.... So I enjoyed matching game by myself differently from the normal way of playing. There are some kinds of playing, but normal one is like this. One player reads a poem (reading card), and other players take the card on which the lower part is written.
 
Hyakunin Isshu is a traditional Japanese collection of one hundred poems by one hundred poets. All poems were written in Japanese classical Tanka style of 31-syllable verse form with five lines in 5-7-5-7-7 pattern. It was composed by Fujiwara no Teika in the Heian era(794-1192). The heart of Japanese culture remains on each poem which is over seven centuries ago. 
 
There are some championship of Hyakuninn Isshu in Japan. A series movie 'Chihayafuru' which is based on girl's comic were released. It is about a school girl, Chihaya Ayase, who is inspired by a new classmate to take part in Hyakunin Isshu competition. It is very interesting and cool.
 

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200208112706j:plain

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200208112721j:plain

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200208112740j:plain


The cards of English version 'Whack a Waka' is made easy to play even if players are not accustomed to Hyakunin isshu. One side has poem in Japanese, and the other side has poem in English and charming picture which is continually designed. 
The Wolrd Karuta Association was established to help hand down these poems through literary sport. As an official organization for 'Whack a Waka', the world's first English-language Karuta game was produced. It aims to promote the experience of these timeless poems to new audiences around the world.
 

Here are some items with Hyakunin Isshu motif, available at Ichiroya. We hope you enjoy browsing those items:
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5e37a22d1d1bc
 

Thank you for reading. Please have a good weekend!

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.831

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200202123410j:plain
 
Hello, Ichiroya news letter readers!
Ogenkidesuka? Hope you are having wonderful weekend.
Though a month has passed already, this is the first time writing the news letter for me in 2020, so Akemashite Omedetougozaimasu!(Happy New Year to everyone!)
 
Do you set any goals or ambitions at the beginning of the year in your country?
In Japan, we do that. We make goals or ambitions by ourselves, and talk and share about that with family.
We did that on the 1st in January.
My kids have some funny and good goals, so let me share some of them.
 
The oldest girl, just turned to 8 years old, said 'I will go to the toilet by myself this year! and I also want to learn 'Shuji'(calligraphy class).'
The second 5 years old boy said 'I will go to the toilet by myself this year! and I also want to learn 'Karate'!!"
The third 3 years old girl said 'I  will go to the toilet by myself this year! and I want to wear kimono every day!!'
"Kids! Mom is so happy if you guys go to the toilet by yourself!"
(Please don't worry, they don't need any help but they just want me to accompany them to the toilet.)
Well, nobody of them has achieved this goal so far.
I hope they do so I can save some time in the busy morning.
 
The older daughter and the son have just started learning 'Shuji'(calligraphy) and 'Karate' since last week.
The younger daughter wore casual kimono on the new year's day and some people told her that she looked so cute in the kimono. She was really happy so she wore kimono for a few days from then on.
Now she says "Mom! I want to wear dresses like Disney princesses!" 
 
 
 

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200202123326j:plain

Anyway, I also made some goals, too. One of them is to wear kimono this year.
I just wore Yukata at once in last summer. We'll have my son's entrance ceremony this spring so I am planning to wear kimono at that time. I got a fantastic flower design Houmongi kimono from Ichiroya. I am looking forward to putting on it.
I also want to try kimono casually for outing. Do you know the way to wear obi without tying? It is kind of a trend in Japan now. It is very easy way to wear obi without tying, you just bind the obi round your waist like a belt, and bind Obijime (or a belt is fine) onto it. It is new way to enjoy kimono more casually.
We shared some photos of the style in our Instagram. 
 
 

 

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200202123458j:plain

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200202123527j:plain




 
Hanhaba obi(narrow obi) is good for that style.
Let me introduce some of them.
 
 
Some of you already know we made iPhone case(for X and Xs) and wonderful cashmere stoles.
They are so kawaii!!
 
 
Cashmere Stoles 
It goes well not only with kimono but also with shirt or blouse style!
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5e2d88430b506
 

Arigatougozaimshita (Thank you)for reading till the end.
Please have a good weekend!
 
Iori
 

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.830

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20070504134637j:plain

 
 
Dear newsletter readers, 
Konnichiwa! this is Ayumi writing this week.
How is your weekend? I hope you have a wonderful time:)
 
January is almost gone. I put my decorations of the New Year celebration away at last. They will be burned in 'Tondo'(fire festival) at shrine. And then, all of my Oshougatsu events are over!
 
 
Anyway, have you ever heard about 'Kappa'? It is an imaginary monster that lives on either land or in water. Surprisingly, I found The motif of Obi at Ichiroya!
 
I used to study anthropology at University, especially about 'Youkai'(Japanese ancient imaginary monsters). Some of you might know about them from Japanese Manga, Animation etc... I think Kappa is the most common 'Yokai' in Japan.
 
Recently, Kappa has identically designed. They have green body which like children and whose head has placed on it a dish of water.
However, the designs are well-known after Edo period (1603-1868). Before that, they have some different shapes and character each region.
Example, they have fuzzy children shape like monkey and lived on the trees at My home town Hiroshima. On the other hand, they have big turtle shape in North, or straw figure shape(some time transform children) in South.
They are totally difference but called 'Kappa'.
 
There are some of the reason why the unique Kappas are fading from everyone's mind. The biggest one is the naturalists works actively in the middle of Edo period. They did grouping many vague and unclear things and named them based on Chinese researches. Additionally, the naturalists published  picture book of 'Yokai'. and it was spread out all over Japan because of development of printing technique at Edo period.
At the least, Kappa's image has been unified.
 
It is interesting, isn't it?
 
Please check Ichiroya's cute and Unique Kappa items out!

Thank you for reading till the end.
See you soon!
 
Ayumi
 

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.829

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200113134333j:plain
On the morning of Seijinshiki
 
Konnichiwa Minasan! Ogenki desuka?  This is Yoko writing this week's newsletter. I hope everyone had a very nice start of the New Year!
Readers in Australia, our hearts are with you.   We pray that good amount of rain reaches Australia and stops the bush fire from spreading further.   
This would be my first newsletter this year, and I would like to share how I spent my new year so far with you!
 
 
As I do every year, I pay a visit to my parents' place in Nara on Gantan and go to Kashihara Jingu Shrine together. They rebuilt the Tori-i (main gate to the shrine) last year, so it was very refreshing to find the brand new Tori-i standing at the entrance this year. The pathway to the shrine after the Tori-i gate and also the Chouzuya (where we wash hands) were packed with people! It took us nearly 30 minutes to the main Honden(sanctuary)!! Honden is always very grand and nice.  People wish for good health and prosperity for the New Year there.
Mina sama ni totte mo yoi toshi de arimasu youni!  (We wish you a good year!)
f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200115042208j:plain
 
f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200101113359j:plain
 
 
f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200115042209j:plain
 
After the New Year celebration, THE BIGGEST EVENT of our family was waiting!
Yes, the Seijinshiki for my daughter!!!
On Senjinshiki (Coming-of-Age Ceremony) , we celebrate young people become Seijin (adult). 
In Japan, when you turn twenty, you are considered as a responsible adult.  
Many females wear Furisode and males wear Kimono with Hakama or business suits.
So, over the last year, we have prepared Furisode, Obi, obiage, obijime, bag, zori, tabi.... list goes on...... 
Good for me, I work for a Kimono company!!!!   yattaaa!!
We picked out a nice blue Shibori(tie-dye) furisode and re-tailored to fit her measurements.
Yuka has graciously offered us to borrow her very nice Fukuro Obi, and with help by everyone at ICHIROYA. we were able to have a very nice Seijinshiki!  She LOVED the Furisode, the Obi, the hair, the makeup and everything!!
We could not have asked for a better day.  Weights are lifted off my shoulder...  yokatta...
Please let me share some photos of her in her blue Furisode. (and the little Marin with parents) LOL
f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200113133916j:plain
 
f:id:yumejitsugen1:20200115042210j:plain
 
Itsumo arigato gozaimasu for reading our news letters. 
Kotoshimo dozo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
 

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.828

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20191221163213j:plain

Minamiza theater
 
Dear newsletter readers, 
 
Happy new year!
This is the first issue of our newsletter in 2020. 
This is Mari writing this week.
We are thankful for your patronage through last year.
We look forward to do business with you this year, too.
 
As I have been mentioning sometimes, I looooove Japanese traditional performing arts. In December, one of the biggest events among KABUKI fan, "THE FESTIVE KAOMISE PRODUCTION" was held  at the Minamiza theatre in Kyoto. 
 
The annual ‘Kaomise’ (‘face-showing’) production has been held since the Edo period (1603-1868), which is an all-star line-up and one of the biggest events of December in Kyoto. It is a chance to watch historic plays, domestic plays and dances, performed by top-ranking actors and young stars.
 

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20191221205824j:plain

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20191221205819j:plain

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20191221205842j:plain

 
I went to see the "Kaomise" in last December. 
The plays and dances were fantastic and spectacular! My seat was right next to the elevated walkway through the audience to the stage! The actors walked through there, so that I was able to see them very close!
 

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20191221203842j:plain

 
The top photo was taken outside of Minamiza theatre. All the wooden plates have kabuki actors' name on them. The plate is called "Maneki". They are hand written. When the "Maneki" are hang on the Minamiza theater, people in Kyoto feel that it is the end of year. Then, Maiko (who performing songs, dances, and playing the shamisen) wear 'Kanzashi'(ornamental hairpin) with "Maneki" on it. Although we don't have them at this moment, we sometimes have those kanzashi with Maneki. I just want to show them to you.
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5e030b1c60ab0
 
Now, you may understand how popular "Kaomise" is.
 
In January, there is another annual big event in Tokyo.
It is so called "New Year Asakusa Kabuki".

www.asakusakabuki.com

 
It is a gala selection of plays and dances featuring the most talented young stars in kabuki today. Compared to other kabuki performances, the length of each show is shorter, the tickets are sold at very reasonable prices for Kabuki. The program is perfect for tourists and people who have never seen kabuki before.
https://www.kabukiweb.net/theatres/images/asakusa_2019_hon1-min.jpg
 
There is a fun event which is called "Kabuki in Kimono". The audiences and theater staffs wear kimono! This year, it is set at soiree on Sunday, January 19th. If you happen to be in Tokyo on the day, why don't you visit there! It is not mandatory to wear kimono. However, most of audiences will be in Kimono! I learn what I should wear at Kabuki theaters by watching those ladies in Kimono there. Well, Tokyo is too far for me. It is one of my dreams to watch "Asakusa Kabuki" someday in future.

f:id:yumejitsugen1:20191214173809j:plain

 
There was special featuring pages of those young KABUKI stars on a popular magazine. I'm a huge fan of all of them! Aren't they cool? 
They are not only good looking guys, but also very talented, great performers!  I really look forward to their success, and will support them by watching their performance. Remember those faces! They will be living national treasures in future!
 
Many Kabuki performances are based on the Edo period(1603-1867).
There are interesting Edo theme items and Kabuki stage costumes! 
 
 
Thank you for reading until the end.
We will do our best to make our customers happy with our products and service through this year, too.
See you next time!