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.…
Here in Japan, almost every locale has at least one festival or matsuri in late summer/early autumn, usually related to the rice harvest. Even here in suburban Tokyo, where local shopping district holds such matsuri for two days, one for children and one for the real adult matsuri. It depends on the type of matsuri,…
Actually this wasn’t an ordinary walk. There are many shrines and temples in Yanaka and Nezu district, and among them, there are seven shrines/temples that worship the Shichifukujin or Seven Gods of Good Fortune. Namely, Ebisu, Daikokuten, Bishamonten, Benzaiten, Fukurokuju, Jurojin, and Hotei. Visiting each of these seven shrines/temples with its particular god are called…
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,…
Tori-no-Ichi Fairs started in 13h century in Japan to thank for the harvest for the year. Kumade or rakes with wheat ornaments are sold at the shrines where the Fairs are held. A more elaborately decorated kumade with colorful symbols of good fortune to bring wealth and prosperity to the purchaser are sold on the…
