Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.837
Konnichiwa, Ichiroya news letter readers!
How are you doing?
I hope everyone is having wonderful weekend.
This time Iori is writing.
How are you doing?
I hope everyone is having wonderful weekend.
This time Iori is writing.
It is getting warmer these days.
The other day, the flower forecast for 'sakura'(cherry blossom) is announced.
Since 'sakura' appears in many Japanese old books, pictures and of course in kimono design, Japanese love 'sakura'(cherry blossom) so much!
Everyone is waiting for 'sakura'(cherry blossom) is blooming in this season!
Those pastel pink flowers make us feel happy, cheerful and peaceful.
Some people give this name 'Sakura' to baby girls with the prayers.
The other day, the flower forecast for 'sakura'(cherry blossom) is announced.
Since 'sakura' appears in many Japanese old books, pictures and of course in kimono design, Japanese love 'sakura'(cherry blossom) so much!
Everyone is waiting for 'sakura'(cherry blossom) is blooming in this season!
Those pastel pink flowers make us feel happy, cheerful and peaceful.
Some people give this name 'Sakura' to baby girls with the prayers.
As you may know, 'sakura'(cherry blossom) is seen all over Japan.
It starts to bloom from the warm area, Okinawa and Kyushu district, and slowly up to Tohoku and Hokkaido area.
Here in Osaka, the flower forecast says it starts to bloom on the 20th March and will be full bloomed on the 28th this year.
Since the weather has been getting warm for the past few years, 'sakura'(cherry blossom) also starts to bloom earlier and earlier.
It starts to bloom from the warm area, Okinawa and Kyushu district, and slowly up to Tohoku and Hokkaido area.
Here in Osaka, the flower forecast says it starts to bloom on the 20th March and will be full bloomed on the 28th this year.
Since the weather has been getting warm for the past few years, 'sakura'(cherry blossom) also starts to bloom earlier and earlier.
My son will have the entrance ceremony on the 6th April, so I hope the blooming goes on till then!
(here is my past newsletter ---about my children's Shichi-Go-San festival last year. The boy wearing the kimono with dragon and a hakama, is my son who is going to enter elementary school)
Maybe we need to go taking pictures of him and full bloomed 'sakura'(cherry blossom) by then.
Today, I will introduce some items with 'sakura'(cherry blossom) motif.
Japanese also like to go seeing 'sakura'(cherry blossom), gathering and having a party under the 'sakura'(cherry blossom) trees.
We call it 'Hanami'.
We also have some items with the 'Hanami' in old times.
We call it 'Hanami'.
We also have some items with the 'Hanami' in old times.
You can seen how much Japanese love 'Sakura' from old times.
Hope everyone will be able to make a good start this year!
Thank you for reading!
See you in next time.
Domo arigatogozaimasu!
See you in next time.
Domo arigatogozaimasu!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.836
Konnichiwa, Ichiroya news letter readers!
This is Ayumi writing this week.
How is your weekend? Hope you are having nice one!
This is Ayumi writing this week.
How is your weekend? Hope you are having nice one!
March has begun!
The sun is getting shiny and warmer around Ichiroya.
In this season, I consider when to put my daughter's 'Ohinasama'(Kimono dolls of the Girl's festival on 3/3) away.
Surprisingly, we have an old proverb; it is said that the daughter's marriage is delayed if you leave the dolls for a long time after the Girl's festival day.
It is quite a hard work for me because the dolls are so many and I have to take care of them carefully.
Hmm....I will ask my husband to do it on this weekend!
The sun is getting shiny and warmer around Ichiroya.
In this season, I consider when to put my daughter's 'Ohinasama'(Kimono dolls of the Girl's festival on 3/3) away.
Surprisingly, we have an old proverb; it is said that the daughter's marriage is delayed if you leave the dolls for a long time after the Girl's festival day.
It is quite a hard work for me because the dolls are so many and I have to take care of them carefully.
Hmm....I will ask my husband to do it on this weekend!
My husband works as an engineer. He sometimes helps my housework.
Some of you may think Japanese men are workaholic.
It is true!
Honestly, he has time to meet our daughter only weekends even though we live together, because he usually leaves our house at AM6:30 and returns around PM10:00.
He sometimes goes to work on his holiday for the night shift task in middle of the week even he works all the weekdays!
It is true!
Honestly, he has time to meet our daughter only weekends even though we live together, because he usually leaves our house at AM6:30 and returns around PM10:00.
He sometimes goes to work on his holiday for the night shift task in middle of the week even he works all the weekdays!
However, due to the recent situation, his lifestyle has changed a little from the end of February.
His company asked him to try home teleworking on every Wednesday and stagger office hours later everyday, because he always takes a quite crowded train for one and half hour on his way to work.
The beginning, He was at a loss as to what to do his morning time at home, but later, he started to do housework such as cooking and making 'Bento'(packed lunch like above photo) for family and plays Lego blocks with our active daughter.
His company asked him to try home teleworking on every Wednesday and stagger office hours later everyday, because he always takes a quite crowded train for one and half hour on his way to work.
The beginning, He was at a loss as to what to do his morning time at home, but later, he started to do housework such as cooking and making 'Bento'(packed lunch like above photo) for family and plays Lego blocks with our active daughter.
After finishing his teleworking last Wednesday, he took the little lady for a walk to see our neighbor's charming cats and dogs.
On the way home, they brought some dandelions, horsetails and veronica persicas back. She showed them to me so happily.
Spring is here!
On the way home, they brought some dandelions, horsetails and veronica persicas back. She showed them to me so happily.
Spring is here!
I really hope he finishes the workaholic life and continues this life style as long as he can!
Why don't you check some graceful spring items from Ichiroya!
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5e605ae7c8ba0
Thank you for reading until end. See you next time!
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5e605ae7c8ba0
Thank you for reading until end. See you next time!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.835
Dear newsletter readers,
This is Mari writing this week.
Last time I wrote, I said happy new year to you. Now, it is already March!
Can you believe it? Time really flies!
Last time I wrote, I said happy new year to you. Now, it is already March!
Can you believe it? Time really flies!
March 3rd is "Hinamatsuri", girl's festival to celebrate the growth of girls in Japan.
We display special dolls called "Hiinaningyo".
The most luxurious set has 7 steps, 15 dolls. There are Emperor and Empress on the top step,
3 woman servants on the second step, 5 musicians on the third step , 2 ministers on the fourth step, and 3 man servants on the fifth step.
The sixth and seventh steps have wedding tools such as a chest of drawers, mirror stand, sewing box and so on.
The top picture shows the traditional full set of "Hinaningyo".
We display special dolls called "Hiinaningyo".
The most luxurious set has 7 steps, 15 dolls. There are Emperor and Empress on the top step,
3 woman servants on the second step, 5 musicians on the third step , 2 ministers on the fourth step, and 3 man servants on the fifth step.
The sixth and seventh steps have wedding tools such as a chest of drawers, mirror stand, sewing box and so on.
The top picture shows the traditional full set of "Hinaningyo".
There are also 5 steps sets which don't have the lower two steps of wedding tools, and
3 steps sets which have only top three steps. The most simple one is just a pair of dolls,
an emperor and an empress. Since the luxurious sets require a room to display, simple
sets are more popular in these days. However, it is still Japanese tradition to display "Hinaningyou" in
February and March.
3 steps sets which have only top three steps. The most simple one is just a pair of dolls,
an emperor and an empress. Since the luxurious sets require a room to display, simple
sets are more popular in these days. However, it is still Japanese tradition to display "Hinaningyou" in
February and March.
My grand parents bought a pair of "Hinaningyo" for me when I was born. Back then, my parents
were young and didn't have enough space to display a full 7 steps set of dolls at home, so
the simple pair of dolls was good enough for me.
As a child, I enjoyed display and watch them around this time of year.
were young and didn't have enough space to display a full 7 steps set of dolls at home, so
the simple pair of dolls was good enough for me.
As a child, I enjoyed display and watch them around this time of year.
Later, my two younger sisters joined our family. Then, my parents bought a pair of dolls to
each one of them because they thought it is fair to give us our own "Hinaningyo".
In that way, there are total three sets of dolls in our house.
each one of them because they thought it is fair to give us our own "Hinaningyo".
In that way, there are total three sets of dolls in our house.
(I broke my leg right before the picture was taken. So, I'm wearing a cast...
My sisters still tease me when we see this picture.)
My sisters still tease me when we see this picture.)
Last year, my baby sister gave a birth to a girl. She is my first niece.
My sister displayed her dolls at their place to celebrate her daughter's
first "Hinamatsuri". The dolls will be inherited by my niece. My sister told me that
she will dress her baby in the red kimono which we wore when we were babies. (The one
I'm wearing in the above picture.) We are glad that our mother has been keeping our
kimono and dolls in good condition. Since I don't have a daughter, my dolls are still in
my parents' house. Writing this newsletter made me feel like I want to display them at my place
even though I don't have a daughter. I will celebrate my "Hinamatsuri" again from next year on!
My sister displayed her dolls at their place to celebrate her daughter's
first "Hinamatsuri". The dolls will be inherited by my niece. My sister told me that
she will dress her baby in the red kimono which we wore when we were babies. (The one
I'm wearing in the above picture.) We are glad that our mother has been keeping our
kimono and dolls in good condition. Since I don't have a daughter, my dolls are still in
my parents' house. Writing this newsletter made me feel like I want to display them at my place
even though I don't have a daughter. I will celebrate my "Hinamatsuri" again from next year on!
In traditional way, girls wear kimono, and have a party with their girl friends.
Girls Kimono are here!
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5e55eabdbe26a
Girls Kimono are here!
http://www.ichiroya.com/sp/list.php?spid=S5e55eabdbe26a
If you have daughters, nieces or grand daughters, why don't you dress them and take pictures!
They must be really cute in Kimono!
They must be really cute in Kimono!
Thank you for reading until end. See you next time!
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.834
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Thank you for reading and see you next time!
Midori
Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.833
Konnichiwa everyone! Ogenki desuka?
This is Yoko from Ichiroya.
Our Winter in Osaka this year has been rather warm which is quite unusual.
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.
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.... :(
She is a beagle!! She should be running around in the snow?! Not my beagle.... :(
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
(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!
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
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.
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.
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
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!)
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.
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 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!"
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!"
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.
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.
Hanhaba obi(narrow obi) is good for that style.
Let me introduce some of them.
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!!
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
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
