Traditional Japanese footwear comes in a variety of styles and materials all tailored for different age, gender, profession, occasion, and season to name a few. But one common aspect is that they all have thong toes like the flip-flops of today. These are a popular type of footwear worn by people in kimono on the…
Eifu Kawamata is a highly demanding craftsman Let’s take a look at his work closely to find out what differentiate him from other wooden container craftsmen? Yes, every fine craftsman is demanding when it comes to creating their work, there’s no question about it. But for Eifu, his scope of work goes beyond the norm.…
On March 3rd, Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival ) or Girls’ Day is celebrated in Japan. Platforms covered with a red carpet are used to display a set of ornamental dolls (hina-ningyo) representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants, and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian period (794-1192) — it is said that the custom of displaying…
A traditional New Year decoration “kadomatsu” (literally, gate pine) are typically made of pine branches and bamboos and is placed on both sides of the entrance to the house (or a building). These pine branches serves as the welcome sign for this year’s God to come visit the house. To prepare for the coming year,…
