Chabako - Cedar Tea Boxes

In the 1800’s Japan developed Chabako for exporting tea overseas. They attached colourful labels to the boxes, introducing the western world to Japanese Ukiyoe prints and design. With multi-coloured wood block prints showing Japan’s unique design sense, a few of these designs still exist and are occasionally exhibited.

Chabako : Cha = Tea / Bako = Box are wooden boxes that date from the Meiji era and were originally used to export Japanese tea overseas. With excellent moisture, insect, and oxidation-proof qualities, they were created for "keeping tea leaves fresh and transporting them safely”. Made with galvanised iron (tin) lining inside a wooden frame of Japanese cedar made by a skilled craftsman, there are said to last for over 100 years.

Creating the Chabako:

30 year old Japanese Cedar wood is exposed to the elements (rain and wind) for two months then dipped in water, flattened by stacking them and placing heavy stones on top until they are thoroughly dried. This strengthens the wood and prevents warping. Metal lining inside the box fortifies the functionality is attached and cut to size with special scissors. Finally, Washi (Japanese paper) tape coverings are used for all the sides and corners of the box to improve durability.

Chabako making is a meticulous process, a constant balancing and matching act between the available wood and the parts needed to make a particular-sized box. Skilled and dedicated artisans meticulously process every step to create a highly functional and sustainable storage box that lasts over a century.

The Last Five Chabako makers:

The original role of Chabako (to preserve and carry tea leaves) has almost died out due to the emergence of cardboard carton boxes and aluminium packaging.  Some essential materials for Chabako have disappeared, such as the metal sheets made explicitly for Chabako and Washi tapes. As of May 2021, there are only five Chabako makers left in Japan. Chabako remains an endangered industry. In order to keep this tradition alive, these companies are finding new uses for Chabako as interior storage boxes with their sizes being altered to suit modern living.

The Maeda Workshop has manufactured Chabako for 3 generations. Master Maeda is renowned for his fine skill and has been awarded for excellent craftsmanship from Shizuoka Prefecture. Shizuoka, the home of Mt.Fuji is one of the largest tea producing areas in Japan because of the temperature, the clean water that comes from the southern alps, and its proximity to major ports. He began his apprenticeship at the age of 15, not long after the end of WWII, helping his father make Chabako. For the last 65 years, he has dedicated his life to the creation of Chabako. In his later years, Master Maeda began training younger craftsmen in his craft, to pass on the culture and acquired skills for the coming generations. Now, his students continue his work as he monitors, creating Chabako with the same care and precision as their master.

The Strength of Chabako:

The first Japanese tea is said to have been exported to Europe from Hirado, Nagasaki in 1610 by the Dutch East India Company.  However, if it were not for Chabako the tea leaves could not endure the long and unforgiving condition of the journey on board ships and the trade would not have lasted long. Chabako has successfully evolved to become an ideal storage/transportation box to preserve tea leaves fresh, effectively keeping humidity and insects away and prevented them from oxidation. Chabako proved to be the most effective solution to the problems of rough travel by sea as it was back then. Foreigners moving to Japan thus came to know Chabako, which subsequently lead to the birth of the "fabric-covered Chabako" among the foreign community in Japan.

Where Does the High Functionality Come From?

To begin with, the use of Japanese Cedar (Sugi) wood is the first defence of the box. Sugi has a high insect and moisture-proof effect. It has less aroma and sap than other woods, so it does not interfere with the delicate smell of tea. In addition, by fitting galvanised iron (tin) inside the wooden frame, moisture-proof, insect-proof, and oxidation-proof properties are significantly improved. Before galvanised iron, they used linings such as Washi paper soaked with persimmon astringent. By the end of the Meiji era, galvanised iron came into the picture and gradually replaced other alternatives. In addition, Washi paper tape is used on every corner of the box to strengthen the structure. Washi is known to be one of the most durable materials, preferred over fabrics.

Sizes and Types :

Chabako sizes are expressed as xxK or xxKS. K is kilogram.  This means that the box can carry xx kg of tea leaves.  KS is K”Squat”, which means it is lower in height than the relevant K and it carries about half the volume. eg. 1K=1kg of tea leaves, 1KS=500g of tea leaves. Nori-S and Nori-M, they used to carry sheets of Nori sheets (seaweed sheets). Nori-S carried 100 pieces of Nori, and M carried 200 pieces of Nori.

Chabako Care:

• Cleaning Wood : Wipe with dry cloth. Avoid using detergent.

• Cleaning Tin / Galvanised Iron: Wipe with wet cloth and dry.

• Do not sit or stand on unfortified box.

• Do not affix casters or hinges on unfortified box.

• The top will not be fitted tightly. This does not prevent air tightness of the box.

Please visit our store to see our new selection of Chabako:

JAPAN BEST PARIS BOUTIQUE:

Bows & Arrows Paris:
17 Rue Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth
75003 Paris, France

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday from 12:30 pm to 7:30pm

Telephone:
09 83 70 76 98

Ministry of Clothing

Ministry of Clothing started in 2008 with a new marketing idea that responds to the demands of young adults who are interested and highly aware of new fashion trends. The current generation is much more aware of trends, fabrics, and history then previously, especially Japanese youth.

Moc’T is a brand belonging to one of the most important spinning company in Japan. Shinnaigai has been at the very beginning of many sports high-tech fibers. Shinnaigai works with all the major Japanese fashion brands, supplying them with best quality cotton or wool. In 2016, Shinnaigai’s president was visiting an old sweatshirt factory in Osaka’s country side and decided to buy the 1950’s machines that he found in a corner of the factory: the Moc't project started here.  Shinnaigai brought the machine back to their Osaka factory, creating one of the only remaining three or four factories producing authentic loopwheel terry cloth in the world.

The loopwheel process was developed by Italian inventor Guiseppe Negra back in 1926, using machines which rotate around cylinders at an incredibly slow rate to create layer after layer of cotton. These machines can only complete twenty-four rotations per minute, meaning it takes an hour to produce just one meter of loopwheeled terry. All that time and effort is well worth it though because the resulting fabric is remarkably durable. While the resulting product is first-rate, the loopwheel process itself was just too slow for these rapidly scaling companies and in the mid-century they all traded up to faster, side-seam manufacturing for their knits.

As vintage garments have continued to inspire modern designers, there has recently been a significant resurgence of interest in loopwheel sweatshirts. For years now, reverent workwear brands have turned back to loopwheel as no other fabric can create that soft and sturdy texture which characterises the legendary sweatshirts of the forties and fifties.  In Japan, most of the good vintage clothing you can find that are still in good condition were made on these loopwheel machines.

Moc't collection is limited to very few pieces in only one color: the legendary “GR7” grey, the most classical colour used by the most famous sport brands from the 1950’s. Competitors will surely continue to modernise and digitise their processes, but Moc’t small Japanese factory will continue to churn along at one meter per hour to guarantee premium comfort and quality.

Moc't collection has a very limited distribution in Japan, only being sold at three prestigious shop in Tokyo. Bows & Arrows is the only store outside Japan to carry Moc't line. 

Bows & Arrows has a selection of MocT sweats and Tshirts at our Marais store and on our e-shop. Click Here to see the MocT collection

Traditional Brewing Soy Sauce & Ume Plum Ponzu

In the last decades, soy sauce making technology has become predominantly for mass production. Optimal temperature brewing, where the temperature to the mix is raised plus technology that adds pre-cultured yeast, has shortened the conventional brewing period to half a year and to reduced the price of soy sauce. This is mainly due to the demand of soy sauce overseas.

However, we choose soy sauce that continues to protect the traditional method of brewing, in which the microorganisms that settled in the brewery brew soy sauce in the temperature changes of the four seasons.

Yeast from "ancestors" who settle in the tank on the wall of the brewery gives the soy sauce a rich flavour. Literally, the power of post-ripening yeast that works after ageing does not appear without time. Melanoidin, which is a functional substance of soy sauce with high ability to capture active oxygen, increases its amount as the colour deepens due to long-term ageing.

Japanese food is said to increase the longevity of Japanese people, this is due in part to the fact that we eat a fair amount of fermented food. Tests are beginning to show that this is a factor in the relatively low rates of corona cases and the high rate of recovery. Everything from soy sauce, to pickles, to other fermented foods all contribute to this “natural immunity” from viruses.

We call the manufacturing method of making soy sauce in the temperature changes of the four seasons "natural brewing" according to the conventional practice without adding temperature to the mash.

The taste of “naturally brewed” soy sauce is very different from mass produced soy sauce. Additionally, we select sauces that uses natural ingredients with no additives or GMO’s. All the soy sauce and soy ingredients we carry at Bows & Arrows are made with Traditional “Natural Brewing”. Please visit Bows & Arrows to see our selection or Click Here for our online store : Japan Best

What is Ponzu:

Ponzu is a light soy based sauced that is usually made with yuzu citrus. It is a staple in our fridge and used for multiple dishes. Ponzu pairs well with shabu shabu, chicken, pork, fish, seafood, gyoza or dumplings, tempura, steamed vegetables, etc. It also makes a delicious base for salad dressing. Although soy sauce is generally used for dishes, ponzu gives the food added lightness because of the citrus and is less salty than soy sauce.

We have just introduced “Ume (plum) Ponzu” to our collection of sauces. Ume and fermented Ume is used often in Japanese cuisine because its sour taste compliments Japanese food. You can use this the same way you use “Yuzu Ponzu” for a different "Plum" taste. 

Please visit Bows & Arrows to see our selection or Click Here to find Ume Ponzu on our online store : Japan Best

New Years Food, Family Games

Osechi (New Years Food)

The tradition behind osechi ryori goes back centuries, to the Heian period (794-1185). Ritual offerings of food used to be presented to the gods on sechinichi, or days that marked the changing of the seasons according to traditional Chinese almanacs that were used during this time. The most important sechinichi, of course, was the day that marked the beginning of the New Year. On this day, special dishes were offered to various deities, and also eaten by members of courtly society.

Over the centuries, these traditions made their way to the rest of society, and by the Edo period (1603-1868), they were being practiced commonly around Japan. They combined with other beliefs, notably that on the first days of the New Year, any kind of work – including cooking – was to be avoided. There are two competing theories as to why this was the case. One was that the gods shouldn’t be disturbed by the sounds of cooking on the first days of the year, and the other is simply that the beginning of the year was meant to be a time of rest, when everyone – particularly the women of the household, who did most of the work around the home in those days – could enjoy a well deserved break.

Black beans: Kuromame (黒豆) are meant to be a symbol of health, with the associated idea that the person will be able work hard in the year to come.

Kazunoko: The dish is herring roe, but the symbolism is connected both the the large number of tiny eggs, and to the meaning of the Japanese words. Kazu means “number” in Japanese, and “ko” means children. The wish behind this item is that the next year will bring many children. For an extra layer of meaning, look to the name of the fish in Japanese: the word for herring is nishin, and if it’s written with an alternate set of kanji (二親), it means “two parents.”

Tazukuri: The dish is sardines boiled in soy sauce. Historically, sardines were used to fertilize rice fields, and this word means “rice field maker” (田作り) in Japanese. Symbolically this food is eaten in the hopes that the coming year’s harvest will be plentiful.

Kōhaku kamaboko: Kamaboko is a kind of fish cake, and kōhaku means red and white. The colors represent Japan (most easily found on the country’s flag), and are generally considered to be good luck. According to some, the red color is meant to prevent evil spirits, while white represents purity. Incidentally, Kōhaku Uta Gassen is one of the most popular TV shows that people watch on New Year’s Eve, and it’s a singing competition between two teams – the white and the red.

Datemaki: An omelette mixed with mashed shrimp or hanpen (fish paste). It tastes a little bit different from the tamagoyaki that you might be used to, but it’s rolled into a similar shape, which happens to look like a scroll from the side. That’s why this particular food is associated with learning and scholarship.

Kurikinton: These are sweet dumplings that are made from chestnuts. Because they’re yellow in color, they’re associated with gold, and eating them is meant to bring financial prosperity in the year to come.

Kobu: This is a type of seaweed, and this word is closely connected to the word yorokobu, or happiness, which is what this food is meant to bring in the New Year.

Kōhaku namasu: A vinegared salad made with carrot and daikon. It’s pretty close to red and white in color, so it is meant to provide some of the same benefits as kōhaku kamaboko.

Tai :Sea bream; the symbolic meaning here is something of a play on words. Tai is part of the Japanese word medetai, meaning happy or joyous. This fish is often eaten on special occasions, and it’s one of the dishes that is served as okuizome, the traditional food that a baby is fed about 100 days after he or she is born. In osechi, it’s meant to bring joy and happiness in the new year.

Shrimp: The kanji for shrimp (海老) mean “old man of the sea,” playing on the sea creature’s bent back and antenna that look like whiskers. This food is meant to bring longevity.

Satoimo: Also known as taro root, this dish is eaten in the hopes that the family will be blessed with many children – just like many small taro tubers grow off of the main tuber.

Renkon: Known as lotus root in English, this vegetable has very distinctive holes when it is cut in cross sections. Because you can see clearly when you look through these holes, this food is eaten in the hopes of having a future with no obstacles – or at the very least, obstacles that you can see clearly…

Kuwai: This is an underwater plant that grows a long tuber. This long, extended shape has led to its association with having a long, steady career – no job-hopping for this delicacy!

Gobo: Burdock root is a commonly eaten vegetable in Japan, and one of its characteristics is that it’s hard to cut down, and it stays firmly planted in the soil. As osechi cuisine, it’s meant to impart strength and stability.

Zoni: A simple soup, flavored with dashi (a stock made from bonito and/or seaweed) in eastern Japan and with miso in the Kansai area, served with chewy pieces of mochi (rice cakes).

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New Years Games

In the last days of new years we play games at home. A popular card game is Karuta. You can read the rules here: http://karuta.game.coocan.jp/handbook%20e.pdf

Hagoita are small decorative wooden paddles that act as good luck charms for the New Year. These ornaments can be bought at fairs occurring from mid December to early January.

The original wooden paddles that these charms are based on are from a Japanese game called hanetsuki. In this badminton-type game, players strike bad luck away with the paddles.

Modern hagoita are often adorned with 3-dimensional artwork made of silk, washi paper, or wood. The art usually resembles Japanese geisha, kabuki actors, or sumo wrestlers. Specialty stores may sell hagoita decorated with Japanese characters, famous actors, or even Disney characters. Some very special hagoita will also be embellished with gold leaf. Hagoita displaying one kabuki actor is known as hitori-dachi, and one displaying two kabuki actors are known as futari-dachi. In very rare instances, a hagoita will display as many as FIVE kabuki actors on it. This would be known as a gonin-dachi.

Takoage kite flying is a favorite. The kite flying New Years tradition is so prevalent in Japan because the Tokugawa shogun during the late Edo period restricted the flying of kites except during the New Year’s period.They are sold in convenience stores and toy shops around mid December.

Shimekazari Exhibition and New Years in Japan

SHIMEKAZARI & New Years

Traditional Japanese New Year Decorations made of Hemp

While the western world make Xmas wreaths, the Japanese will begin making shimekazari. This braided straw is made as a New Year decoration to bring luck and ward off evil spirits. It comes in many shapes but usually consists of straw as the base, pink, and an orange.

These are placed at the top of the house entrance to prevent bad spirits from entering and to invite the Toshigami (歳神), or Shinto deity, to descend and visit. This traditional New Year decoration is made of shimenawa, a sacred Shinto straw rope, and other materials such as bitter oranges, ferns, and white ritual paper strips called shide.

The Yamakawa family, specialists in the traditional art of twisting and twining hemp fibers into shimenawa ropes for ritual use, we can see five beautiful handmade shimekazari made of Japanese-grown hemp.

#001  “ SPECTACLES ”  W170×H310 (mm)
The “spectacles” (megane) offer a promising glimpse at the year ahead. Sacred ropes are usually made with a left-hand twist, but this shimekazari combines both left- and right-handed twists. A beautiful and sculptural artefact, the spectacles can be enjoyed as a pureobjet d’art.

#002  “ BALL ”  W110×H370
The round circle symbolizes a perfectly round ball or sphere (tama). The classic tama motif imparts a sense of sacredness, gravity, and the self-fulfilling nature. Easily hung in entryways or on walls, this shimekazari works well as a gift or as a year-end greeting.

Hemp has been used since the prehistoric Jomon period to make clothing, nets, rope, and other such goods. Lustrous and robust, hemp became an important medium for communicating purity and prayers to the gods as well. In shrines and temples, shimenawa serve to bound and separate pure spaces—those inhabited by gods and buddhas—from the impurities of the mundane world. The sacred ropes also play an important role in Sumo and traditional performing arts.

#003  “ DOVE ”  W210×H155
In both Eastern and Western cultures, the dove is regarded as a heavenly messenger, one that bears signposts of the gods and heralds peace. The dove motif, with its well-rounded and pleasing shape, has been used since ancient times as a shimekazari that protects the home.

 #004  “ LADLE ”  W140×H260
This shimekazari, shaped like a ladle (shakushi or shamoji), carries the meaning of welcoming—literally “scooping up”—good fortune. Traditionally the decoration has been used to protect people and places connected to the food industry, and as a prayer for a safely gathered and abundant harvest in the coming year.

#005  “ RAIN AND THUNDERBOLT ”  W900×H300
A true masterpiece, this shimekazari features layers of hanging hemp fibers that evoke the numinous scenery of life-giving rain pouring down from heaven, accompanied by thunder and lightning. This classic design, simple yet refined, stands out among all the traditional designs of shimekazari.

 ORDERS  

They accept orders by phone and email.
Domestic and international delivery available.
Please understand that we can produce only a limited number of each motif. 

The price list can be downloaded from this link.

mail@nichinichi.com
☎︎＋81-75-254-7533
10:00-18:00 closed on Tuesday

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New Years Traditions

Since we don't really celebrate Christmas as much as New Years. The time of the year that companies are mandatorily closed so that everyone can spend time with their family which lasts from 1 week to 10 days. Here are some of our traditions:

Kagami mochi ("mirror rice cake"), is a traditional Japanese New Year decoration. It usually consists of two round mochi (rice cakes), the smaller placed atop the larger, and a daidai (a Japanese bitter orange) with an attached leaf on top. In addition, it may have a sheet of konbu and a skewer of dried persimmons under the mochi. It sits on a stand called a sanpō over a sheet called a shihōbeni which is supposed to ward off fires from the house for the following years. Sheets of paper called gohei folded into lightning shapes similar to those seen on sumo wrestler's belts are also attached.

The kagami mochi first appeared in the Muromachi period (14th–16th century). The name kagami ("mirror") is said to have originated from its resemblance to an old-fashioned kind of round copper mirror, which also had a religious significance. The reason for it is not clear. Explanations include mochi being a food for sunny days, the spirit of the rice plant being found in the mochi, and the mochi being a food which gives strength. The two mochi discs are variously said to symbolise the going and coming years, the human heart, "yin" and "yang", or the moon and the sun. The "daidai", whose name means "generations", is said to symbolise the continuation of a family from generation to generation.

Traditionally the kagami mochi was placed in various locations throughout the house. Nowadays it is usually placed in a household Shinto altar, or kamidana. It has also been placed in the tokonoma, a small decorated alcove in the main room of the home. 

It is traditionally broken and eaten in a Shinto ritual called kagami biraki (mirror opening) on the second Saturday or Sunday of January. This is an important ritual in Japanese martial arts dojos. It was first adopted into Japanese martial arts when Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo, adopted it in 1884, and since then the practice has spread to aikido, karate and jujutsu studios. After the New Years celebration the mocha is boiled in a soup with various vegetables, red beans, with different regional and styles .

Toshikoshi soba, year-crossing noodle, is Japanese traditional noodle bowl dish eaten on New Year's Eve. This custom lets go of hardship of the year. The custom differs from area to area and it is also called misoka soba, tsugomori soba, kure soba, jyumyo soba, fuku soba, and unki soba.

The tradition started around Edo period (1603-1867) and there are several theories believed that long soba noodles symbolise a long life.[2] The buckwheat plant can survive severe weather during growing period, soba represents strength and resiliency. It is a tradition to not break the noodle while you eat it for good luck for the new year. The making is quite easy, you put the soba and cook it the same way you cook pasta. Just a few minutes and then add tsuyu sauce. You can use any topping that you like, for example nori seaweed, negi green onion, ginger, wasabi, etc. These noodles can be eaten cold with a dipping sauce or in a hot bowl. If they are eaten cold we use a dipping called tsuyu which is a mix of soy sauce, mirin, fish stock. For hot soba we can use the same stock. For vegetarians, it’s possible to use “dashi” made with Kombu seaweed, not fish.

Then we go to the temple to at midnight on December 31, Buddhist temples all over Japan ring their bells a total of 108 times ( joyanokane) to symbolize the 108 human sins in Buddhist belief, and to get rid of the 108 worldly desires regarding sense and feeling in every Japanese citizen.

During the next days we eat "Osechi" good luck food with food for health, work, family, and happiness. In this way we appreciate our living family and ancestors and can say "Akemashite Omedeto to put the last year behind and open ourselves to the new year.

The First of January is spent visiting temples, spending time with your family. Eating Osechi which is new years good Luck food.

Daruma New Years Resolution:

Have a wish.
Have a goal.
Draw one eye.
Make it come true.
Draw the other eye when it is fulfilled.

The Daruma doll is an old Japanese traditional wishing doll that helps people to achieve their dreams and goals. Millions of people in Japan regard it as a talisman of good luck and perseverance, making it a poplar gift of encouragement.

Covered in a priestly robe from head to toe, with big eyes wide open and lips tightly shut, Daruma dolls have a sturdy body. Their thick eyebrows are drawn in the shape of a crane and the moustache in the shape of a turtle.  It is believed that cranes live 1,000 years and turtles 10,000 years, respectively.

How to use: Make a wish or define your goal. With that in mind, draw an eye on the left eye and keep the doll. When your goal is achieved, draw the other eye.

Traditionally the left eye pupil is drawn first. It is believed to have come from the fact that left seats are above the right ones in the Japanese seating arrangement protocol. There are, however, no rules spelled out for this matter. To physically paint an eye on the pupil of a Daruma doll signifies opening of one’s mind. In other words, by painting a Daruma’s eye pupil, you have opened up the eyes of your mind.

Each Daruma is hand painted by a craftsman

Colours & their meanings:
Although typically red, the Daruma doll comes in various colours and sizes. In general, this interpretation of colours has become the standard:

Red: Luck & Good Fortune
Blue & Turquoise: Work & School Accomplishment
Purple & Green: Health & Longevity
Yellow: Security & Protection
Gold: Wealth & Prosperity
White: Love & Harmony
Pink: Love
Black: Success in Business

Place of origin: 
Hand-made & hand painted in Takasaki, Japan

Tokyo Lights & Kentucky Fried Xmas

Xmas Japan Style

Christmas has only been widely celebrated in Japan for the last few decades and is still not seen as a religious holiday or celebration. However, customs that came to Japan from the west such as sending and receiving Christmas cards and presents are popular. In Japan, Christmas in known as more of a time to spread happiness rather than a religious celebration. Christmas Eve is often celebrated more than Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve is often thought of as a romantic day, in which couples spend together and exchange presents. In many ways it resembles Valentine's Day celebrations in the UK and the USA. Young couples like to go for walks to look at the Christmas lights and have a romantic meal in a restaurant - booking a table on Christmas Eve can be very difficult as it's so popular.

Families often eat Kentucky fried chicken on Christmas day. Traditionally, homes and apartments in Japan do not have ovens so the traditional oven baked chicken cannot be made. Hence it is the busiest time of year for restaurants such as KFC and people can place orders at their local fast food restaurant in advance. There was an advertising campaign by KFC in the 1974 called 'Kentucky for Christmas!' (Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!) which was very successful and made KFC popular for Christmas.

The traditional Japanese Christmas food is Christmas cake, it's not a rich fruit cake, but is usually a sponge cake decorated with strawberries and whipped cream. The 'shortcake' emojii is used for Japanese Christmas cake.

Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan. However, often schools are closed on Christmas Day. One piece of music is especially famous around Christmas and the end of the year in Japan -Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and it's final act the "Ode to Joy". The music is so famous it's simply known as 'daiku' (which means 'number nine'). Choirs all over the country sing it in German. One choir in Osaka, has 10,000 people in it and is known as the 'Number Nine Chorus'! It's thought it was first sung in Japan at Christmas by German prisoners of War in World War One and over the years it became more and more popular.

Parties are often held for children, with games and dancing. Japanese Christmas Cake is a sponge cake decorated with trees, flowers and a figure of Santa Claus. In Japan Santa is known as サンタさん、サンタクロース santa-san (Mr Santa).

Another Japanese gift bringer is Hoteiosho, a Japanese god of good fortune from Buddhism and not really related to Christmas. His belly and red clothing however, resemble those of Santa Clause. Having eyes on the back of his head, Japanease Hotei-osho leaves presents for kids and is considered to be watching all the naughty children around the globe.

At this time of year the holiday lighting displays — referred to simply as “illumination” — are where the country’s masterpieces are being created. The displays rarely include typical Christmas icons like a bellowing Santa Claus, dancing snowmen or more solemn scenes depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Illumination displays are still just as fantastical, often serving as a showcase for technological advancements in the field of LED (light-emitting diode) lighting.

Meguro Rive

The Japanese New Year (called 'Oshogatsu') is more like a traditional Western Christmas. New year is the period where families get together, have a special meal, pray and send greetings cards. New year is celebrated over five to 10 days from December 31st to January 4th and is a very busy time.

Bows & Arrows wishes you very Happy Holidays, however you choose to celebrate them

Please click here to view our Xmas Gift Sets!

Incense and You You Ang

According to legend, a log of agarwood drifted ashore on Awaji Island in the third year of Empress Suiko’s reign (595 CE). This driftwood from S.E. Asia began washing up on our shores and people started noticing how wonderful it smelt when it was burnt. It was brought to court and instantly favoured among the nobles and this precious wood became more valued than gold.

When trade began with the Silk Road, incense began to arrive with Buddhism from India via China and Korea. It is said that Samurai warriors would prepare for battle by purifying their minds and bodies with the incense and developed an appreciation for its fragrances. After arriving in Japan and being used in mostly Buddhist ceremonies, the experience of scent took on new forms.

For nobility at court, there was a game they enjoyed where they would smell incense and guess what ingredients it was made from. It developed into an incense-smelling ceremony called Kodo or, “The Way of Fragrance”. Kodo dates back more than one thousand years when nobles in the Imperial Court would find poetic inspiration in “listening to the fragrance” of aromatic woods. This term was used to describe the pleasure and inspiration derived from breathing in scents of fine incense.

Incense also became a way to perfume, not only your environment, but used as a perfume for clothing and hair. Eventually incense became accessible to other classes, while always being revered as something extremely precious.

Bows and Arrows currently carries You You Ang’s Incense. The name comes from the Japanese words, “youyou-jiteki” which means to act naturally without any restraints and to live with a relaxed feeling.  You You Yang is for those who wish to take little of time to enjoy a moment with yourself, or to share with loved ones, with the belief that incense “Makes time to clean your heart”.

You You Ang’s incense continues to be produced in the birthplace of incense, Awaji Island.

This incense series is for meditation, relaxation and to uplift your spirit. There is an incense series for meditation, relaxation and to uplift your spirit. Some products are “Negative Ion”: This air purifying effect is resistant to high temperatures and cleanses the air in your space.

Bows & Arrows also carries “Kampo” incense. Kampo is the ancient art and practice of natural medicine using a combination of Asian herbs and roots. This incense is made using prescriptions of Kampo ingredients that have been kneaded in the incense along with the essential oils that match the symptoms. It is not a medicine, but it helps to improve the condition. In addition to the deep scent of Kampo, you can expect an aromatherapy effect from the natural oil.

We recommend that, as a general rule with burning incense and candles, always make sure that you are in a well-ventilated room. If the weather permits, it is always good to have a window cracked as well.

We recommend that, as a general rule with burning incense and candles, always make sure that you are in a well-ventilated room. If the weather permits, it is always good to have a window cracked as well.

YOU YOU ANG INCENSE AT BOWS & ARROWS:
please click the name to purchase online

Agarwood Negative Ion: The scent is calm with a good balance of sweetness, bitterness, and spiciness. The primary wood used for incense in temples in Japan. Think of this as sitting down and reading your favourite novel and taking a break to enjoy something you love.

Sandalwood has a moderate sweetness and bitterness. This is also used in temples. It is good for a lighter meditation, when you just need a few minutes to cleanse your spirit.

Hinoki Cypress Negative Ion has a light relaxing woody scent. Think of taking a walk in the forest and uplifting your mind and soul.

Hakka Mint Negative Ion (Japanese Peppermint) is refreshing and invigorating. It stimulates mental agility, refreshes the spirit, and eases fatigue. Perfect for when you wake up in the morning or even if you merely need a little refresh during your day.

Cherry Blossom Negative Ion incense has a soft and floral fragrance. Cherry Blossoms bloom for only one week of the year, yet they bring happiness to everyone who experiences them. In the same way, this incense was created for you to have a moment of joy and happiness during your day. This incense comes both in the Tube type and the Gift Box Type.

Snow, Moon and Flowers:
Yuki (Snow): A dignified tranquility, the scent is inspired by snow.
Tsuki (Moon): A mellow scent inspired by the moon.
Hana (Flowers): A scent inspired by the refined and graceful Japanese cherry blossoms.

Kampo Incense for Insomnia: A relaxing floral scent using a combination of natural oils and the deep scent of the traditional herbal and root Kampo medicines. This incense contains lavender oil, which is known for relieving body tension and carefully selected Chinese herbs to aid in relaxation to help you sleep.

Kampo Incense for Diet Treatment: An exotic and graceful herbal scent using a combination of natural oils and the deep scent of the traditional herbal and root Kampo medicines. The scent of sandalwood is clean and calming, so it is said to keep you from drinking and eating much.

Kampo Incense for Hay Fever: A relaxing soft scent from a combination of natural oils and the deep scent of the traditional herbal and root Kampo medicines. The main scent is sandalwood, ginger, and peony, which all have a calming relaxing effect. The scent alone will not cure your Hay Fever but it will aid in relaxation of your throat which helps your body to rest and recover.

To learn more about You You Ang Click HERE

Japanese Dogs & Uno Hake Brushes

There are many types of domestic Japanese dogs however you rarely see them in cities because most of them are bred to be outdoor dogs.

It is only in the last 15 years or so that we have seen so many Japanese people having dogs!  In 2003 there was a “boom” which is a Japanese phrase meaning that something has become very popular. Many apartments still ban dogs because of the noise. Japanese that buy dogs now tend to be tiny and mostly western breeds. This is mostly because Japanese apartments are quite small. But it has become a huge industry with clothes, accessories, crazy unimaginable accessories and dog strollers. For some reason, many people prefer to keep their dogs in a dog stroller when take them out.

Dog owner etiquette is very important. Of course you would never see dog poo on the street. Most people actually carry special dogs wipes to wipe their behind after they have done their business. If your dog pee’s you always have a bottle of water to wash it away. There is no law or regulation, just Japanese manners.

Some of the most popular Japanese dogs:

Akita Inu:
Probably the most famous around the world for being the breed that Japan’s most famous dog “Hachiko” was. This is the dog that came to Shibuya station every day, years after his master had died. His ashes were put with his masters at their family plot in Aoyama Cemetery. A symbol of loyalty and friendship between dog and owner. Personality: Akita Inus are dominant dogs and are known to do poorly with other dogs of the same sex. They are, however, very good with people and children.

Shiba Inu:

A small, alert, and agile dog that copes very well with mountainous terrain and hiking trails.  The Shiba Inu was originally bred for hunting. It looks similar to and is often mistaken for other Japanese dog breeds such as the Akita Inu or Hokkaido Inu, but the Shiba Inu is a different breed with a distinct blood line, temperament, and smaller size than other Japanese dog breeds. Shiba Inu are independent, territorial, and proud. They need to be socialised early.

The Hokkaido Inu:
Believed to have an older bloodline compared to the other Japanese dog breeds. From Japan's northernmost island, the Hokkaido Inu has a thicker outer coat, larger paws, and smaller ears to help them cope with the frigid cold. Intelligent, strong, and devoted, the Hokkaido Inu had been bred to be hunting dogs, capable of managing wild boars and even small bears. As a result, they continue to be very strong-willed breed and may show aggression toward other dogs. They tend to develop a very strong bond with their owners and require a fair amount of attention. They are strong, devoted, intelligent.

But for the most part, Japanese dogs are hunting dogs and not so happy in the city unless you buy them when they are puppies and train them. Still they are hunters by nature and don’t always get along with the other dogs in the dog park. They do have an elegance and pride about them and always stand out when you see one in the city as they look distinctly Japanese.

Uno Hake Dog Brushes

The bristles made from wild boar hair. The wood is magnolia.

“Hake” are brushes formed by separate pieces of wood. After drilling small holes in one piece of wood, they attach the strands of hair by hand because it is the only way that they can ensure they are tight enough. After this they bond the wood with the main piece. After this the hairs are cut to symmetry.

Uno Hake brushes started in 1917. Currently Ms. Chieko Uno works with her daughter Michiyo to continue their family craft. These brushes have been modernised to have an array of modern uses. For home use, to clean your face, body, clothes, shoes, etc.

To achieve this the type of animal hair need to be chosen and prepared for each product. Each type of hair has a different texture needs to be treated with oil.

Size: about W7.5 x L14 x H5.5 cm

Please visit Bows & Arrows or see it online HERE

Tsutsumu: The art of Wrapping

Xmas season is nearing so we are thinking about packaging.

The designer, Oka Hideyuki, left a wonderful footprint in the world of “design” together with the word “Tsutsumu (meaning “to wrap”) as he continued to study traditional Japanese packaging and collect various related items in the dawn of “design” in Japan.

For the Japanese, wrapping is not a mere act of decoration that adds to the formal beauty or functionality. Japan’s culture of wrapping has evolved over millennia since the Jomon period, guided by three intertwining factors: practicality, artistry, and faith.

From origata gifts wrapped in white paper, we feel the purity of something that has never been used by anyone; seeing the tamago-tsuto (egg-bundle) with its minimal and efficient design, we appreciate the functionality of nature and the human sensibility that discerned it; one sheet of wrapping furoshiki can bring to mind the fluidity of water. For the Japanese, the art of wrapping is a condensation of respect for nature and wisdom, dialogue with the gods, and a language by which to communicate intangible feelings and forge deeper connections with the other person.

Wrapping comes in so many forms: wood, bamboo, paper, fabric, etc

At Bows and Arrows Paris we use traditional rice bags. They can be purchased at our store or online Click Here to see our packaging

Sada Yaco, Kyotography, Hinoki Lab

Sada Yaco (Sadayakko Kawakami) was born into a wealthy family in 1871. When Sada was four years old, Sada was sent to work as a maid at the Hamada geisha house in the Yoshicho district. Three years later, Hisajiro died, leading the Hamada's proprietress Kamekichi to adopt Sada as her heir. While with them, she learnt all the traditional arts: the tea ceremony, flower arranging, singing and, above all, dancing and theatre. "In the winter of 1883, at the age of twelve, the child celebrated her debut as an o-shaku, literally 'a sake pourer,' an apprentice geisha. She also received her first geisha name. From now on she was to be Ko-yakko or Little Yakko, named after a geisha named Yakko who had been one of the most adored in Tokyo. Kamekichi felt sure that Little Yakko would grow up to be as brilliant a star in her turn.

To make sure that Koyakko's career would blossom, Kamekichi sent her to a Shinto priest to learn how to read and write. This was revolutionary for several reasons. Women's education in Japan was only just starting- the first women's school (for noblewomen only) did not open until 1870. "Geisha were expected to be modern, trendsetting women, but such a skill put Sada ahead of the crowd". Koyakko also took secret lessons in judo, and learned how to ride horses and play billiards.

After becoming the Prime Minister’s mistress at just 15 thanks to her beauty and the magnificence of her shows, she met her husband, actor Kawakami Otojiro, with whom she would open a theatre in Tokyo. After three years (1888) the Prime Minister released Yakko from being his mistress, though he remained her friend and advisor.

 Sada Yacco performed with her husband in Japan, often appearing as a man, in various theatres around the country. Due to her husbands constant financial difficulties, they traveled constantly, eventually the ended up with a theatre troupe in the USA. From there they toured Europe and her fame grew into legend. She used the fact that she was once a Geisha and played on other aspects of western fantasies about Japanese in a way that fascinated westerners. A very strong and clever woman that famously interacted with many artists of the time.

One of the few remaining photos of Sada Yacco was taken by Pablo Picasso. Debussy took inspiration from her when composing music. During the ‘Japanism’ movement, Sada Yacco acted as idol and muse for French artists. She also experienced commercial success: Guerlain, surfing on the wave of her fame, created the perfume ‘Yacco’ in homage to her. During this period, the young woman launched her own range of cosmetics and kimonos, sold in a boutique in her name not far from the Opéra Garnier in Paris.

One of the few remaining photos of Sada Yacco was taken by Pablo Picasso. Debussy took inspiration from her when composing music. During the ‘Japanism’ movement, Sada Yacco acted as idol and muse for French artists. She also experienced commercial success: Guerlain, surfing on the wave of her fame, created the perfume ‘Yacco’ in homage to her. During this period, the young woman launched her own range of cosmetics and kimonos, sold in a boutique in her name not far from the Opéra Garnier in Paris.

Kyotographie Festival in Kyoto 

"KYOTOGRAPHIE Kyoto International Photo Festival" is one of the few international photo festivals in Japan, held in Kyoto, one of the world's leading cultural cities. Kyoto has been a source of cutting-edge culture while preserving tradition for a thousand years.

Kyoto, where important works from Japan and overseas and valuable photo collections are expanded into quaint historical buildings and modern modern and contemporary architectural spaces, sometimes in collaboration with traditional craftsmen and cutting-edge technology. We aim to create a unique photo festival.

Although Japan is leading the world in camera and printing technology, "photograph" seems to have a low reputation as an expression medium in Japan. Focusing on this, they set up an international festival to look at the possibility of "photograph" as a means of expression, and vowed to realise it in the city of tradition and innovation "Kyoto" that the world is paying attention to.

To see more watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IkDMjHU404&t=1s

And here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQnLe8R0Zyw&t=1s

Hinoki Lab:

Hinoki aroma bath salt, a Japanese traditional ritual for relaxation. This bath salt is made from Himalayan salt, which contains rich beneficial minerals, and a blend of 3 types of finest hinoki essential oils, which were carefully steam distilled in the Shinjo Village. With the natural hinoki fragrance, you can enjoy the deep relaxation, while bathing with this salt, like you are walking in the forest !

The pink salt contains rich Ca, Mg, and other natural minerals, which could effectively soften skin and gently warm the body, and achieve a deep overall relaxation of the whole body during bath.

Volume: 300g

Hinoki is a species of cypress native to Japan. For centuries, Hinoki cypress wood has been praised for countless and precious uses: from the building of ancient Japanese temples and shrines to the making of the therapeutic aroma. Hinoki is often applied to enhance the Japanese forest bathing experience, Shinrin-yoku. 

The aromansists of phytoncides, substances emitted by plants and trees, help the body feel pure and provide natural relaxation, just like walking in the wild forest.

Visit Bows & Arrows to view products from Hinoki Lab or see our products online HERE!  Hinoki Lab:

Hinoki aroma bath salt, a Japanese traditional ritual for relaxation. This bath salt is made from Himalayan salt, which contains rich beneficial minerals, and a blend of 3 types of finest hinoki essential oils, which were carefully steam distilled in the Shinjo Village. With the natural hinoki fragrance, you can enjoy the deep relaxation, while bathing with this salt, like you are walking in the forest !

The pink salt contains rich Ca, Mg, and other natural minerals, which could effectively soften skin and gently warm the body, and achieve a deep overall relaxation of the whole body during bath.

Volume: 300g

Hinoki is a species of cypress native to Japan. For centuries, Hinoki cypress wood has been praised for countless and precious uses: from the building of ancient Japanese temples and shrines to the making of the therapeutic aroma. Hinoki is often applied to enhance the Japanese forest bathing experience, Shinrin-yoku. 

The aromansists of phytoncides, substances emitted by plants and trees, help the body feel pure and provide natural relaxation, just like walking in the wild forest.

Visit Bows & Arrows to view products from Hinoki Lab or see our products online HERE! 

Autumn in Japan & Spicy Devil Ramen

Autumn season has started in Japan. On September 22nd, 23rd or 24th, the Autumnal Equinox is celebrated as a national holiday in Japan. In Japan, this holiday is known as 'Shūbun-no-hi'. The sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west on this day, making day and night equal in length. Autumnal Equinox Day was established as a national holiday in 1948. Before then, the autumnal equinox was an imperial ancestor worship festival called 'Shūki kōrei-sai' and the holiday had its roots in Shinto traditions as a time to give thanks to the deities for a successful harvest.

It’s also when the one of our favourite flowers is in bloom. This flower is known by many names. Because the flower starts to bloom at about the time of the autumnal equinox, the red spider lily is also known by the name "Higanbana (equinox flower)". In Japanese, "Manjushage" for red spider lily means "flower of the heavens", and according to one of the Buddhist scriptures, red flowers will fall from the heavens as a signal of an upcoming celebratory occasion. That is the apparent origin of the name. In English, they are known as the Red Spider Lily, Lycoris or Cluster Amaryllis. Rice farmers don't put them there solely for aesthetic reasons, though. As with any Amaryllis, their bulbs are poisonous. They are supposed to keep moles, mice and other hole-digging vermin, that might damage the crops, at bay. The flowers grow in graveyards for the same reason - to keep wild animals away, at least, that was their purpose in the olden times before cremation became the general rule. 

The red glow quickly fades as the petals shrivel up, leaving the plant bare. The leaves then emerge, bringing life back to the plant once more before they too turn brown and the plant returns to the soil, dying a second time. This curious growth habit was explained in a Chinese myth. The sun goddess Amaterasu assigned two elves (or fairies) to guard the flowers and leaves independently. Mañju guarded the petals while Saka guarded the leaves, always knowing about the existence of one another, but forbidden to meet. Curiosity drove them to defy Amaterasu and once they finally met they fell in love. Amaterasu punished them with a curse to never meet again and so now Saka’s leaves only come out once Mañju’s petals have died. They live in eternal separation. Another name for the flower is ‘Mañjusaka’ in Chinese and ‘Manju-syage’ in Japanese.

Originally, the plant came from China. But only it's female variety made it to Japan. Thus, missing the male part, the higanbana cannot reproduce via pollen like most other flowering plants do. They can grow only from bulbs and as bulbs don't fly with the wind, human intervention in one form or another brought them to where they grow now. It is also very hard to find the bulbs in stores. We have been looking for years in both the countryside and in cities. Only recently we found out the reason for this from a farmer who knew the story. Apparently, there is an old myth that if you pick this flower, the house in front will burn. This could be partly because this is a poisonous flower and myths are often created as a warning for people to treat them with caution.

The equinoxes are also a special time for Buddhists who traditionally see them as days when the border between the worlds of the living and the dead is at its thinnest, making the equinoxes important days to honour ancestors and remember the dead. Japanese use Autumnal Equinox Day to pay respects to deceased family members, visit family graves and hold family reunions in honour of those who have passed.

We love Autumn in Japan for many reasons. August is very hot in Japan and because of the humidity it can be extremely hot. When Autumn starts, we all feel very relieved that the air will cool down. We look forward to "Koyo" (紅葉) which refers to the red, orange, and yellow leaves that change colour every autumn, and the tradition of appreciating the colours of this fall foliage.

The countryside is stunning, and we take many trips just to enjoy these colours. It’s always a nice time to visit the hot springs during this time as you can see the autumn leaves at various outdoor baths. And the temples are always very pretty. Kyoto and Nara are especially beautiful to visit during this time.  

Spicy Devil Ramen:

Delicious and spicy! It is a spicy ramen from Hiroshima. The most popular summer product in Nakagawa is "Spicy Tsukemen Hiroshima Style". In addition, the standard ramen that has been very well received throughout the year is "Hiroshima Tantanmen."

Nakagawa Seimen has developed this "Hiroshima no Jin! Oni Shin Ramyun" as a product that incorporates the goodness of these two products.

The soup is based on the pork bone soy sauce flavor of Hiroshima ramen, and with the addition of chili oil and doubanjiang, the spicy, spicy, bright red soup that takes advantage of the characteristics of Hiroshima tsukemen is finished for hot use.

In addition, the noodles are made into medium-thin noodles that take advantage of the characteristics of Hiroshima ramen and are easy to cook so that you can enjoy the taste of a specialty store in just one pot.

Please enjoy the easy-to-cook demon spicy ramen that combines spiciness and deliciousness.

Portion for 2 people! Cooks in only 2 minutes. Put the noodles in boiling 500cc hot water and boil for about 2 minutes, and then add the soup directly into the pan. Add greens vegetables, Chinese cabbage, bean sprouts, leeks, eggs, tofu, or any toppings you feel like. It is quite spicy so if you aren’t crazy about spice, we recommend the Regular Hiroshima Ramen.

Please visit Bows & Arrows to see our selection of noodles from Nakagawa Seimen or visit our online store. 

Rice Season!

It is the rice harvesting season in Japan right now and the countryside is beautiful. The rice is always beautiful with the light green in summer that suddenly has heavy golden grains at the beginning of autumn.

Most rice is grown in relatively small plots of land and is either hand with a small sickle, or machine cut if the space permits. Before cutting the rice, the rice has field must be drained of water. Because of this the field is usually very muddy and boots must be worn. The rice is cut and traditionally bound with the stalk part of the rice. From there it is hung upside down for over a week to dry. Hanging rice in the sun makes it taste much better, but some people do not want to risk the rain so will use a machine.

After the rice is dried it is separated from the husks and weighed and bagged. From the rice is either polished locally or sent to a polishing plant.  From there it is brought to the customer.

It is very important in Japan to have a deep respect for our rice. When we wash rice before boiling it, it is very important to never lose even one grain during the washing. When we eat rice, we must eat every last grain in our bowl. If you are at a restaurant and are not so hungry, please ask for a smaller portion of rice so that you are able to finish every last grain.

Other tips for eating Japanese rice:

It is bad etiquette is to stick your chopsticks in your rice. Many visitors feel that sticking chopsticks in the rice is an easy and obvious way to put them. However, in Japanese culture, sticking chopsticks vertically into rice should only be done only during funeral rituals, and therefore, something to be avoided during regular mealtimes.

Additionally, it is very bad manners to pass food between people from chopstick to chopstick. This is also only used in a funeral ritual where our loved ones small bones are picked up by two family members after cremation and placed in the urn. This should never be done at the table or anywhere other than during a funeral ritual.

During meals with people, if you have to pick up food from a communal plate, turn your chopsticks around and use the clean ends and place the food on your plate. 

When eating rice, hold the rice bowl in one hand and the chopsticks in the other. Lift the bowl towards your mouth while eating. Additionally, it is poor manners to pour soy sauce over white cooked rice because you are implying that the rice is not good.

When eating sushi, lift the sushi up with your fingers or chopsticks, turn it over, and dip it into soy sauce fish-side first. That way the rice won’t start to break apart before it hits your mouth.

For the soy sauce, pour some soy sauce into the small dish provided. It is considered bad manners to waste soy sauce, so try not to pour more sauce than you will be using.

Other obvious eating etiquette:

Please do not play with your chopsticks, they are not drumsticks

Please do not cross your chopsticks over your bowl or plate in an X shape. Always keep your chopsticks straight and horizontally placed in front of you.

Please never point your chopsticks at anyone. Just like pointing at someone with your finger is considered rude, holding a pair of chopsticks and pointing them at someone is considered equally rude. Waving your chopsticks in the air and using them to point at someone or something are bad manners. Make sure you put your chopsticks down before you start chatting.

If you are eating with waribashi (disposable chopsticks) please don’t rub them together to remove splinters. Rubbing your chopsticks implies that you think the restaurant you’re dining at doesn’t provide quality chopsticks. If you are in a place that provides low quality chopsticks, you should probably have never gone there in the first place.

These are just tips that will show respect in Japanese restaurants and with friends. Smiling and bowing and staying cute are always good qualities!

Please visit Bows & Arrows for our selection of rice or visit us online Here!

Tokyo Bike & Crane Bell

One of our favourite bicycles in Tokyo is “Tokyo Bike”. They ride very nicely, are stylish in their simplicity. There are several places where you can rent a Tokyo Bike while in Tokyo: https://tokyobikerentals.com/jp/rental

Several hotels also offer Tokyo Bike rental, and this is highly recommended as seeing Tokyo by bicycle is one of the best ways to see the city. You will be able to cross Tokyo to some of your favorite spots, discover new areas during your ride, and most importantly, avoid traffic jams!

Japanese are very careful drivers because the traffic laws are extremely strict and since the crime rate is so low, the police’s job is primarily to make sure that drivers are following the traffic rules. In that sense it makes cycling very easy and convenient. Please also respect the rules and stop at red lights and only park in designated parking areas.

Everything started when Tokyobike came up with the name.

If it is a "mountain bike" that runs in the mountains, it is a "Tokyo bike" that runs in Tokyo.

They envisioned the happy smiles of the people riding the Tokyobike. It's not just about running and moving fast, it's a tool that makes small changes to everyday life.

They wanted to make something like that.

For example, a soft towel, a comfortable pen, or an easy-to-use tool. Isn't it the casual concern of these creators that makes us feel lighter in our daily lives?

Tokyo Bike thought about what we should do to drive comfortably in Tokyo, where there are many traffic lights and slopes. Rather than speeding up, the lightness of the moment you step on it and the feeling of being able to climb uphill quickly.

In other words, the design and theme is "TOKYO SLOW" so that you can feel the scenery and the smell of the air without being aware of the bicycle. From there, they designed the frame and examined the parts used one by one. The result is a Tokyo bike.

The inspiration and ethos for tokyobike begun with the name. In the same way that a mountain bike is suitable for riding across mountains, tokyobike is for pedaling around Tokyo. 

We want you to forget the bicycle itself and simply enjoy the ride. That is why they emphasize comfort over speed, and a feeling of lightness at the first turn of the pedal. All their frames and parts are based on this concept of  ”TOKYO SLOW”  – that is what tokyobike is all about.

The frames are light and come in various colors with a few different styles, including children’s bicycles. You can create a bike to suit your style by choosing the accessories from the seat to the handles, etc.

In recent years you can purchase Tokyo Bikes in Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Milano, Melbourne, Bangkok, and Taipei.

Crane Bell:

Crane bell is a very popular bell collection in Japan. Crane is recognised for creating some of the most beautiful and best sounding bicycle bells on the planet. All bells are hand made to the highest quality standards.

With timeless designs and “Built to Last” manufacturing, Crane is proud to present to the world an exceptional line of high quality brass and aluminium bicycle bells.

Once you ring a Crane bell, you`ll quickly realize why bikers all over the world agree that when looking for a bell for their bike, Crane is among the first on their list.

Available colours : silver, gold, black, copper

Place of Origin: Osaka, Japan

Please visit Bows & Arrows to see these bells or visit our website Here to purchase them online.

Japanese Mascots & Kawai Chopsticks

In Japan we have yuru-kyara (mascot characters), they are the cute symbols of cities, towns, districts, or even buildings. They represent everything from sports teams, governments, police, prefectures … there are cute mascots everywhere in Japan. Many mascots have their own specific characteristics with specific likes and dislikes. They have their own social media accounts, fan clubs, and merchandise as well. Here are some of our favourites:

Domo-kun is one of the most recognizable mascots in and out of Japan. Domo-kun was first shown in a stop-motion cartoon in 1998 by NHK, Japan’s main main broadcasting agency, for its 10th anniversary and everyone loved the character so much, he remained as their mascot. Domo-Kun’s has a large saw-toothed mouth that is locked wide open and lives in a cave with its friends. Domo also farts often and sweats a lot when he is nervous or upset. Domo-Kun can’t speak normal languages and uses a form of grunts and roars to communicate. His favorite food is nikujaga, a Japanese meat and potato stew. Domo has many friends with interesting characteristics.

Domo lives in a cave with Mr. Usaji, known as Usajii (うさじい), a portmanteau of the words usagi (rabbit), and jii (old man, grandpa). Mr. Usaji is a wise old rabbit who has lived in a cave for decades, loves to watch television and drink green tea. Mr. Usaji is not into any "new" materials, and does not own a telephone In terms of fashion, Mr. Usaji focuses on materials instead of shapes. Mr. Usaji's favorite food is carrots, and his least favorite food is "something that is meaningless."

Also in the cave live two bats, a mother named Maya and her child Morio . Maya suffers from alchoholism; her favorite foods are seasonal while her least favorite food is alcohol. Mario's favorite food is Japanese-style tomato spaghetti, while his least favorite food is shitake mushrooms.

The other main character in the shorts is a weasel girl named  Tā-chan, a 17 years old weasel who aspires to be a fashion stylist or model in Tokyo and is always using technology (televisions, mobile phones, and cameras). She has not had a boyfriend in ten years and she is seeking a platonic boyfriend. She has a passion for bidding in auctions, but she gives up by the end. Tashanna's favorite food is apricots and mint tarts, and her least favorite food is sea urchin

Bear Boy (Kogumagorō, also known as A Little Bear) is a Moon Bear  and one of Domo's friends from the neighborhood; the timid cub enjoys playing baseball.  

Hee and Haw are pixie twins from one flower. Domo is the only individual who can see them.

The Fox Trio consists of Esuko, Brother Fox Aniki-chi, and Fox Boy. Esuko, the youngest member, enjoys making crocodile tears, plotting schemes, and causing havoc. Brother Fox, the eldest member, dutifully cares for his youngest siblings and feels upset when referred to as "short-legged". Fox Boy, having a quiet demeanor, converses with Domo and Bear Boy and prefers to read.

Hungry Bear (Harapekoguma), a large and powerful bear, feels too hungry to take advantage of his strength.

The Ghost (Hyūtarou) randomly appears and disappears.

You can watch short films on the NHK website. It will make you smile. 

If you like this character, we still have a few pieces at our store Bows & Arrows!

Kumamon:

Kumamon is a mascot created by the government of Kumamoto in 2010 and was voted as the best mascot in Japan in 2011. It was created in 2010 for a campaign created to draw tourists to the region after the Kyushu Shinkansen line opened. A large part of Kumamon's success can be attributed to its cuteness. The unusual marketing strategy of free licensing is also behind Kumamon's commercial success, since the Kumamoto prefecture grants usage rights for free to anyone as long as their products promote goods and services from the prefecture. The Bank of Japan estimated that Kumamon, Kumamoto’s adorable mascot, had pumped ¥123.2 billion into the region before his second birthday. Although he has a youtube channel, he doesn’t have many of the quirks of other mascots, likes & dislikes, etc. Although his story comes from history. Miyamoto Musashi — a legendary samurai who called this corner of Kyushu home in the 17th century — was Kumamoto’s most famous resident… until a black bear with bright-red cheeks swiped the swordsman off his throne. Kumamon has an office where he carries out his duties as Kumamoto’s manager of sales and happiness (his official title).

Barii-san:
Barii-san was created to be a guide for Imabari City in Ehime prefecture. Everything about this Japanese mascot is meant to represent the area it comes from. It is a chicken as the main food that the city is known for is yakitori, grilled chicken. He wears a haramaki made of cotton. Cotton is the main product of the city which has the largest towel making production in the country. his diadem is actually an invitation to visit the spectacular Kurushima-Kaikyō Bridge. Also, Barii-san holds in his hand a boat-shaped wallet, a hint to the local Imabari Shipbuilding, the largest ship builder in Japan.

Sanomaru:
Sanomaru is a dog, and also a samurai. He wears traditional clothes, a hakama style skirt and zori flip flops, with an upturned ramen noodle bowl on his head and “imo-fry”, potatoes fried in breadcrumbs, on a skewer, as his sword. Sanomaru embodies the city’s culinary specialties: Sano-ramen noodles and potato fries with a special sauce. Sanomaru was created to attract tourists to Sano, about 55 miles of Tokyo. The charming samurai also aims to promote unity among the three municipalities that joined forces in 2005. His personality is mischievous and gluttonous. His hobby is tasting the food of Sano prefecture. His weakness is not being able to remove the Sano ramen bowl from his head. His charm point is his cute bangs that are ramen noodles.

Melon Bear:

Melon Bear might be one of the most bizarre mascots in Japan. He represents the two main things that represent Yubari City in Hokkaido. When one would think of a bear that represents melons, you would picture a kind and welcoming animal, but the creators decided to go a different route. The bear design makes it look savage and ready to attack anyone who walks by it. One of the main aspects of the mascot is to run around and attack other mascots in the vicinity. The story behind the bear’s current appearance is that it had been eating locally grown melons and was altered into its current form. It isn’t the official mascot of the city, but it has gained in popularity and has become a well-known mascot in the country.

Namazu:
Namazu is derived from an old Japanese myth. It is a giant catfish that sleeps in the mud under the earth. It is guarded by the god Kashima who restrains the catfish with a large stone. When Kashima lets his guard down the catfish begins to writhe around and cause earthquakes. This mascot will come out during preventative events or when there are earthquake drills in major areas. You can see pictures of the catfish on signs that warn you of earthquakes and where to go if there is a disaster.

Prefecture Police mascots complied by Edward Harrison :

Miyagi-kun from Miyagi prefecture is a wild goose and the Miyagi bush clover are two symbols of the prefecture and are incorporated into their mascot. Miyagi-kun holds the clover in his hand which acts as an antenna for his radio.

Hikaru-kun & Hikari-chan: Koshihikari a popular variety of rice cultivated in Japan is the subject of Niigata’s pair of mascots. The Koshihikari produced in Niigata is considered by many to be the best rice in the world so these mascots are of course, rice grains.

Tateyama-kun: Designed by Fujiko Fujio (the pen name for two manga artists called Hiroshi Fujimoto and Moto Abiko). Most famous for creating Doraemon and Obake no Q-taro they both came from Toyama. The design and name of the character comes from Mount Tate one of the tallest peaks in Toyama.

Ryupi-Kun: Fukui prefecture is the location for Japans only dedicated dinosaur museum and considered one of the best in the world. Fukui is also the location for the Kitadani Dinosaur Quarry, where many interesting discoveries have been made. His name combines the word kyourue which means dinosaur and pi which stands for police and people.

Konohakeibu: The bird symbol of Aichi is of course an owl, a Eurasian scops-owl to be precise which is called ‘konohazuku’ in Japanese. Shinshiro in Aichi is a famous spot where the calls of the owls can be heard. So the first part of the name comes from the type of owl while the later, ‘keibu’ means police inspector.

Sento-kun isn’t Nara’s only deer inspired mascot. The city famous for the deer that roam through the town and park. Legend says the mythological god Takemikazuchi arrived in Nara riding a white deer to guard the newly built capital of Heijō-kyō. Since then the deer have been regarded as heavenly animals, protecting the city and the country. Napo-kun’s name comes from abbreviating the two words Nara and police.

Fukumaru-kun: One of the prefecture symbols of Yamaguchi is the fugu. Shimonoseki a city in Yamaguchi is known as fugu city and supplies a large part of Japan with the toxic delicacy. It was also the first city to lift the ban on fugu sales during the Meiji period. The fugu can inflate its body several times it’s normal size and of course can poison it’s predators. In Yamaguchi they call the fish ‘fuku,’ which means ‘to blow’ or ‘happiness.’ ‘Maru’ the second part of Fukumaru’s name means circle.

Gorou-kun: ‘Mutsugorou’ is the Japanese word for mudskipper and where Gorou-kun takes his name. The wide eyed mudskipper a creature common on the coast line of saga represents the friendliness of the police force, their sense of justice and cheerfulness.

Kawai Chopsticks:

"Tetoca" chopsticks by Kawai are made from trees bearing fruits including chestnut, persimmon, mandarine, and peach.

These chopsticks are coated with bees wax for a better protection. The bees wax is known as an eco friendly material, and it is gentle on the skin as well. 

Wood: Chestnut, Persimmon, Tangerine, Peach.
Beeswax finish

Please visit Bows & Arrows to see these chopsticks or visit our online store Here to view them.

Japanese Summer Bugs we Love

One of Japanese children’s (adults too) favorite summer pastimes is finding a summer bug pets. Mushi is the Japanese word for insect. Konchishonen is a word for a boy that loves to play with insects. Astroboy and Pokeman were created by self-professed insect fanatics. Japanese fascination with bugs goes back a long time. A thousand-year-old story Mushi Mezuru Hime is about a free-spirted young princess who loves bugs while other girls only love butterflies and flowers and how her passion for insects interest stirs up an interest in boys around her.

Everyone has their favorite summer bugs. Part of summer fun for kids is to go find your bug pets by yourself with a net. Classical Japanese literature is full of stories about crickets, mayflies and fireflies. These pets are fun and an easy summer pet to keep as they don't take up much room in your house. We keep them in a cage called Mushi Kago. These go back centuries, traditionally made by bamboo but recently they are mostly come in a green plastic cage with a viewing window at the top. 

Kabutomushi (Rhinoceros Beetle):

During the summer, many children spend afternoons or evenings trying to catch these beetles and insects to bring home as pets. Many children prefer catching them instead of buying them at a pet store and some families have made it a tradition. If you can’t catch one, you can always buy them at local pets shops for 500-1000yen. Kabutomushi has a thick body which has a glossy black-brown sheen. It is not difficult to catch this beetle. It can easily be found during the morning in the woods where there are oak trees. Make sure to find a tree that has sap coming out of it, as the sap attracts the beetles which would feed on it. They like to eat sugar and sweets. We often feed them watermelon or jelly. These beetles don’t have a very long life, the male will die in about 4 weeks and the female will continue to live until she lays her eggs. The babies will live approximately one year. Make sure to take care of them by keeping them hydrated, giving them lots of leaves, and giving them lots of jellies. It’s better to have them in male and female pairs so if you can get two. 

Kuwagata Mushi (Stag Beetles):

These are similar to Kabutomushi and can be found in the forest as well. Keep their cage clean with dirt and wood and leaves. They also like to eat sweets like jelly or fruits. Beetles can get dehydrated so keep them moist. You can buy humidifiers for the beetles at a pet store. Unlike Kabutomushi, Kuwagatamushi have a much longer life span and can live for a few years if properly taken care of.

Tombo (Dragonflies): 

One of our favorite bugs are dragonflies. So many different colors and types. Dragonflies breed in water and can be found around lakes, rivers, ponds and rice paddies in Japan and children are often nearby chasing them about with long handled nets to add to their collection of summer insects that they proudly carry about in little plastic containers. You can catch a dragonfly with a net or follow one and wait for it to sit down and slowly move towards it and move your fingers in circles around it’s eyes, hypnotizing the dragonfly and it will remain still for a while and you can draw or study it or just walk around with it on your finger.

Because they dragonflies are so beautiful, they are often found on summer yukatas, obi’s, pottery, etc.

Hotaru (Fireflies):

Firefly viewing is a traditional Japanese summer activity that has been practiced for centuries.  Japanese people have long held a soft spot for these tiny glowing insects, which occupy a special place in Japanese culture. They were used as a metaphor for passionate love in the Man’yoshu, an 8th century poetry anthology, but they also figure in recent popular culture such as “Grave of the Fireflies”, the classic 1988 anime film by Miyazaki Hayao / Studio Ghibli depicting life after WW2.

In the past, watching fireflies is a common activity but today’s urbanization has depleted the number of fireflies than can be seen. Nonetheless, many people still enjoy watching the beautiful fireflies by the river at night. The firefly’s ability to emit light makes them pretty so children love to catch them. The beauty of fireflies does not last long, in which the Japanese termed as “hakanasa.”

Semi (Cicada):

If you have ever spent summer in Japan you would have heard the semi (cicada) singing “Tsuku-tsuku Boshi” song all summer. There are many cicadas during the summer and they make more noise as the weather gets hotter. You see kids trying to catch cicadas with nets. While the cicada’s straw-like mouth seems like it can sting, it is only used to suck sap from trees, so it is safe for children to hold cicadas. Although since they make so much noise so it is not usually recommended to keep them as house pets. 

Since cicada’s live from 13 to 17 years underground and only live for one season we consider that there is a kind of poetry to their lives. We find the skin they shed on trees. Some people collect them. Semi are also popular casts for jewelry pieces. 

Although Japan is very populated, we still have a lot of wild nature and if you have time it's always nice to take at least a day trip walking around in nature. 

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Summer typhoons, Hara Museum, Daimonya Daruma

Summer comes with typhoon seasons from storms that tend to form over the Pacific Ocean and move towards the coast of Asia.

Some of us like them because of the big surf waves just before the typhoon hits head on. This is usually accompanied by police trying to get everyone out of the water, but for the most part, we only go out with locals who know the water and when it’s time to go home. Many pro-surfers come to Japan in summer to follow the waves when there is a big typhoon. For the most part, everyone stays inside and waits for it to pass.

In history, these storms protected Japan from multiple invaders. In Japanese the kamikaze (Japanese: 神風) literally "divine wind" were two winds or storms that are said to have saved Japan from two Mongol fleets under Kublai Khan. These fleets attacked Japan in 1274 and again in 1281. Due to the growth of Zen Buddhism among Samurai at the time, these were the first events where the typhoons were described as "divine wind" as much by their timing as by their force.

In the first invasion, the Mongols successfully conquered the Japanese settlements on Tsushima and Iki islands. When they landed on Hakata Bay, however, they met fierce resistance by the armies of samurai clans and were forced to withdraw to their bases in China. In the midst of the withdrawal, they were hit by a typhoon. Most of their ships sank and many soldiers drowned. The first incident took place in autumn 1274 when a Mongol fleet of 500 to 900 ships carrying 30,000 to 40,000 men attacked Japan. While in Hakata Bay, Kyushu, a typhoon hit the fleet. An estimated 13,000 men drowned, around one-third of the ships sank, and the rest were damaged.

During the time period between the first and second invasion, the Japanese built two-meter-high walls to protect themselves from future assaults.

Seven years later, the Mongols returned. Unable to find any suitable landing beaches due to the walls, the fleet stayed afloat for months and depleted their supplies as they searched for an area to land. After months of being exposed to the elements, the fleet was destroyed by a great typhoon, which the Japanese called "kamikaze" (divine wind). The Mongols never attacked Japan again.

In history, these storms protected Japan from multiple invaders. In Japanese the kamikaze (Japanese: 神風) literally "divine wind" were two winds or storms that are said to have saved Japan from two Mongol fleets under Kublai Khan. These fleets attacked Japan in 1274 and again in 1281. Due to the growth of Zen Buddhism among Samurai at the time, these were the first events where the typhoons were described as "divine wind" as much by their timing as by their force.

Although the name was used towards the end of WW2 for the one way missions of the pilots. This is because the tradition of death instead of defeat, capture and shame was deeply entrenched in Japanese military culture; one of the primary values in the samurai life and the Bushido code was loyalty and honor until death. However, it is important to remember that the name’s origin is from Typhoon’s and Divine Wind. The word originated from Makurakotoba of waka poetry modifying "Ise" and has been used since August 1281 to refer to the major typhoons that dispersed Mongol-Koryo fleets who invaded Japan under Kublai Khan in 1274.

However, during this last weeks typhoon tragedy struck Naoshima, the famous ‘Art Island’, and Yayoi Kusama’s Pumkin was tragically blown into the ocean. In previous years the statue has always been removed before a typhoon, there is an internal inquiry for the reason it wasn’t removed on this occasion. Benesse House, looks after the Pumpkin and has fished it out and promised to repair and restore it.

Hara Museum Gunma:

The Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo’s Shinagawa ward closed in January 2021. It was uniquely housed in a Western-style building that was originally built as a residence in 1938. This was followed in April 2021 with the relaunching in Shibukawa, Gunma of a single consolidated venue named Hara Museum ARC, after the French word for “rainbow” and the name of the foundation that operates it.

Born in Tokyo in 1935, Toshio Hara studied at Gakushuin University, majoring in political economics and later at Princeton University. In 1977, he established the Foundation Arc-en-Ciel for which he continues to serve as chairman. Over the years, he has served in various capacities, such as vice-president of the International Council of the Museum of Modern Art, New York and emeritus trustee of the Honolulu Museum of Art. His many awards include the French Medal of the Legion of Honor which was bestowed upon him in 2017.

The museum was designed by Arata Isozaki. Isozaki stands out as one of Japan’s foremost architects and a designer of many museums in Japan and abroad and the winner of the Pritzker Prize, commonly known as the “Nobel Prize for architecture.”

Asymmetrical arrangement was used in the positioning of the three contemporary art galleries, with the square-shaped Gallery A flanked on both sides by the oblong Galleries B and C, their distinctive pyramid-shaped roofs topped by skylights that bathe the interior with a gentle, natural light.

The Kaikan Pavilion, on the other hand, is a quiet space that adopts the traditional shoin (drawing room) style of Japanese architecture. A high level of craftsmanship is evident in the details, from the woodwork to the use of black mortar, granite and washi paper in the finishing.

Located at various locations on the museum grounds are permanent outdoor installations by artists such as Andy Warhol, Olafur Eliasson and Jean-Michel Othoniel. In addition, much of the energy used by the museum comes from solar power generation, out of consideration for the environment.

Jean-Michel Othoniel: “Kokoro” (the Japanese word for Heart):

Andy Warhol Campbell's Tomato Soup:

Olafur Eliasson: “Sunspace for Shibukawa”:

Olafur Eliasson: “Sunspace for Shibukawa” : “An observatory in which the relative path of the sun moving across the sky can be charted over the duration of a year. An artwork to experience the space neither as something static nor a mere container of action and time, but as something dynamic which consists of time whose configuration depends on its function, on the activity of its users.”

Approximately every two weeks, a perfectly round rainbow is projected onto the convex surface directly opposite the prism though wich the light passes. In winter, rainbows are visible in the early morning, with autumn and spring affording views later in the day. During the summer solstice, round rainbows appear during the day’s last hours of sunlight. The gradual temporal shifts in the occurrence of the rainbows subtly merge celestial movements with the experience of space and light.

The Hara museum’s The Kankai Pavilion is especially stunning. It was built in 2008 as part of an expansion of Hara Museum ARC that took place to mark the 20th anniversary of its founding in 1988. The Pavilion’s aim was to augment the ARC’s original purpose as a museum of contemporary art by providing a unique showcase for the Hara Rokuro Collection of traditional East Asian art. By incorporating features of the Japanese shoin (drawing room), it offers the viewer a new spatial experience that lies at the intersection between the traditional and the modern. 

This collection was amassed before WWII by the Meiji-era industrialist Rokuro Hara who sought to protect Japan’s cultural properties and prevent their outflow to foreign lands. It focuses mainly on early-modern Japanese painting, but also includes calligraphy and handicrafts, as well as Chinese art. This invaluable collection includes a number of Japanese government-designated National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.

Maruyama Okyo’s “Landscape of Yodo River” is particularly beautiful. A hand painted silk scroll that is 1.690 x 42 cm long, dated 1765 depicts the Yodo river as it flows from Fushimi in Kyoto to Tenmabashi and Osaka Castle. It records in great detail along the way, the hustle and bustle on both banks – the townfolk. Fishermen, and other aspects of daily life – all from the moving point of view of a boat. The spatial expression and other aspects are unlike anything seen in the west, while the high realism based on Okyo‘s pioneering use of detailed sketches. Has the effect of drawing the viewer into the space itself. His ability to capture the color of the sky and river surface as it changes with the passage of time is a testament to his powers of observation and superb craftsmanship at a time when the visual experiences of the Japanese was being transformed by new ways of seeing.

If you are ever in Japan, this piece is really worth visiting! You can view it from both sides and spend a long time enjoying the detailed work. After leaving you will want to see it again and again.

A Nexus of Rainbows is the first collection exhibition to be held at the newly consolidated Hara Museum ARC, currently showing.

Part I Spring-Summer: Contemporary Art:

Ai Weiwei, Karel Appel, Arman, Toshimitsu Imai, Tom Wesselmann, Andy Warhol, Erró, On Kawara, Tetsumi Kudo, Toko Shinoda, Ushio Shinohara, Jasper Johns, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Jean Dubuffet, Louise Nevelson, Nam Jun Paik, Lucio Fontana, Jackson Pollock, Christo, Tomio Miki, Robert Mapplethorpe, Robert Rauschenberg, Jim Lambie, Lee Ufan, Roy Lichtenstein, James Rosenquist, Mark Rothko and others Traditional Art: Dragon and tiger, Kano Tan’yu, Landscape of Yodo River, Maruyama Okyo and others.

Part II Autumn-Winter:

Contemporary Art: Nobuyoshi Araki, Masako Ando, Adriana Varejao, Francesca Woodman, Izumi Kato, Mika Kato, Anselm Kiefer, William Kentridge, Tokihiro Sato, Malick Sidibe, Jae-Eun Choi, Jason Teraoka, Mickalene Thomas, Mika Ninagawa, Christian Boltanski, Jonathan Borofsky, Kae Masuda, Miwa Yanagi, Yukinori Yanagi, Tomoko Yoneda, Tadanori Yokoo, Pipilotti Rist, Jean-Pierre Raynaud and others Traditional Art: Dragon among clouds, Kano school, Mountain landscape with waterfall, Kano school and others.

We also visited Daimonya, our supplier for Daruma!

The Daruma doll is a centuries-old Japanese traditional wishing doll that helps people to achieve their dreams and goals. Millions of people in Japan regard it as a talisman of good luck and perseverance, making it a popular gift of encouragement.

Daimonya is located in the prefecture of Gunma, in the center of Takasaki city and is creating Daruma since 2 centuries. 200 long years of perfectionism in each doll, hand painting all details with a brush, using high quality pigments and gold leaves through traditional techniques learned from generation to generation. That is the number 1 task of Sumikazu Nakata, the owner of Daimonya and strong representative of Gunma area and its community of Daruma makers in which Gunma is its birthplace.

Although typically red, the Daruma doll comes in various colours and sizes. In general, this interpretation of colours has become the standard: 

Red: Luck & Good Fortune
Purple: Health & Longevity
Yellow & Green: Security & Protection
Gold: Wealth & Prosperity
White: Love & Harmony
Black: Protection against bad spirit and luck
Blue & Turquoise: Accomplishment at work & school
Pink: Love

This Is How It Works:

Decide on a specific goal you are determined to achieve.

Both eyes of the Daruma doll are blank. Draw one eye to signify your commitment to achieve your specific goal.

Place the Daruma doll somewhere visible in your home/office so you are constantly reminded to work on your goal while it also focuses on your goal.

Once you have achieved your goal, you can draw in the Daruma doll’s other eye to complete it and thank it for its good omen.

The doll is modeled after Bodhidarma, the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism. The Daruma varies in design depending on region and artist, but the traditional Daruma doll represents the silhouette of Bodhidarma in deep meditation, sitting in the customary Zazen posture. This posture in Zen meditation clears the mind of distracting thoughts in an attempt to recognize the truth by mental concentration – a perfect condition to focus on one’s goals.

A Japanese proverb closely associated with Daruma is “Fall down seven times, get up eight” – emphasizing the importance of persistence when it comes to achieving one’s goals.

Count on the positive energy of Daruma and achieve your goals in a positive, motivational and fun way!

Click HERE to watch a video of Mr. Nakata.

And HERE to watch a video of him Painting “Samurai Blue” for World Cup Soccer!

Please visit Bows & Arrows to see our selection of Daruma from Daimonya in 2 sizes, or visit our online store HERE to order. 

Obon Festival, Banshu Hamono

Now that the Olympics are finished, we will all try to get back to our normal routine, get the corona numbers back down, prepare for summer holidays, celebrate All the athletes, and remember cute moments like this one:

This man stood outside the Tokyo Olympic Village every day from 7am - 9am outside the Olympic village to motivate athletes and was on the news because he had such a sweet sign! 

The man, who wished to remain anonymous held up the sign every time a bus transporting Olympic the athletes passed by. The man says he initially started holding up Welcome signs on July 22 - a day before the opening ceremony - but changed his sign to its current supportive message on July 26, after seeing so many people obsessing over the medal count. His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Appreciative athletes have posted pictures of him on Instagram and turned him into a viral star of the Games. 

Cuteness and dedication are two of the many things we really love about Japan! Advance.

We also love Yamagi Mokko, a small furniture company in Hokkaido’s that made the cases for the Olympic medals. The 3rd generation president Yuichiro Yamagami bid on the contract, along with Chiba-based industrial designer Shinya Yoshida. The pair proposed a subtle yet striking design that blends traditional and modern woodworking techniques. Made from locally-sourced Japanese ash wood that would later be dyed in dark indigo blue, the cases were first created by a CNC drill and then later finished by hand. A total of eight small magnets embedded in the case and lid hold the two parts together. The medals themselves were designed by Junichi Kawanishi are are made from recycled cell phone components.

Click HERE to see how it was made!

Highlights of the opening of the Olympic Ceremony was when Naomi Osaka lit the torch designed Oki Sato of Nendo, design studios. The form was intended not only to represent the sun but also all the life and energy that the sun gives birth to. And in a nod to the future of energy, hydrogen is being used to fuel the flame for the duration of the Olympics.

During the Closing Ceremony we finally got a Taiko drummer (instead of the tap dancers at the opening that really confused everyone). Ending with the closing of the caudron where the sun became the moon and the baton was passed to Paris for the next Olympics. At the end there was an incredible light show of flags of colors blending together to create the Olympic ring!

Click HERE to see some highlights of the Closing Ceremony!

Obon :

Obon is a summer festival similar to the Mexican, “Day of the Dead” where we remember our ancestors. Every summer we celebrate Obon for about 3 days, which is a yearly Buddhist. It is believed that each year during obon, the ancestors' spirits return to this world in order to visit their relatives.

Obon starts with “mukaebi” on August 13th, which are ‘welcoming fires’, we make a small bonfire in front of our houses to guide spirits for their return back to their homes.

In most older Japanese homes (grandparents house) there is a 'butsudan' alter for our deceased family and ancestors with small memorial tablets, fruits, flowers, Japanese sweets, salt, and sake - a practice used to offer late loved one's objects they enjoyed in their lifetime. Prayers are made at the altar to pay respect and to seek guidance. Most important is the ihai, a wooden tablet inscribed with two items: the date of death, and the special name given to the deceased by a priest. This alter is a kind of communication place between the worlds of the living and the dead, butudan are used whenever a family member wants to pay respects to, consult, or share news with a deceased ancestor.

While practiced mostly in countryside areas recently, some regions will also prepare horses made of cucumbers and cows made of eggplants with wooden sticks for legs. The symbolism behind it is that the horse will help spirits return home as soon as possible, while the cow will take them back to heaven slowly as soon as the festival is over.

During the second and third days of Obon celebrations, families following the tradition will invite a Buddhist priest to their home, or visit a temple or shrine, to recite a sutra and perform a memorial service. They are called hoyo or kuyo in Japanese.

After the recital, we have lunch together, recalling old stories of our deceased. The meal, called shojin ryori (monk food), is purely vegetarian, and usually includes stewed beans, spinach with soy sauce and sesame, or pickled cucumbers.

Traditionally, lanterns are hung in front of houses to guide the ancestors' spirits, obon dances (bon odori) are performed, graves are visited and food offerings are made at house altars and temples.

At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into rivers, lakes and seas in order to guide the spirits back into their world. The customs followed vary strongly from region to region.

The Obon week in mid August is one of Japan's three major holiday seasons (alongside New Years and Golden Week). In recent years, travel activitiy in mid August has become somewhat more spread out and less concentrated, but it is still considerable on certain days.

This is also the beginning of summer holidays. Many people plan trips around this time both domestically and abroad. If you have plans to travel around Japan in this time, expect higher prices and plan far in advance.

Banshu Hamono:

Knife & Scissors for your gardening this Summer!

Since the Edo era (1603-1868) the blacksmith and hardware industry known as Banshu (in the Hyogo prefecture of Japan) started long ago as a Katana (sword) manufacturers. Each sword carefully handmade which have stood the tests of time and are still remain an exceptional instrument. 

Banshu Hamono was originally a family business coming from this region and history of craftsmen. What began as an industry producing swords, they began to produce knives for the kitchen and have since expanded to now manufactures a variety of products including utility knives, traditional Japanese razors, Japanese gripping shears used for cutting thread, pruning shears, floral shears, and various gardening tools.

Each individual piece is painstakingly hand-made by skilled craftsmen using the same techniques that have been employed for generations. For about 250 years, various new designs have been created to meet the needs of customers.

Higonokami Folding Knife Brass:

Higonokami's simple design hasn't changed for over 100 years, and is a long-life design that has been and is still loved. This famed Japanese pocket knife, comes with a shape that hasn't changed since the Meiji period (1868-1912). This folding knife is very versatile and can be easily carried in your bag, and to be used for many purposed. Only one last crafter, Motosuke Nagao, who has inherited the family's blade crafting skill, is able to produce the true Higonokami.

His family has intilaly started the knife making at Miki, which is one of the birthplace of iron-sand crafting in Hyogo prefecture, Japan. The crafter Motosuke is the 4th generation, and to recruit one skilled member of his family was also part of the creation process of this famous pocket knife series.

The handle of this pocket knife is made of brass and the blade is made from the famous Japanese “blue steel” (aogami). As the Higonokami knives are purely hand made, each knife is unique, and may come with a slight difference, resulting from the variations during the final finishing step. 

Brass and steel knives can be perfectly polished and sharpened at home, making it a precious tool, but patina is always coming back, showing higonokami's true value: being a humble and daily tool for the ones who appreciate them!

For: cutting paper, wood, craft

Care: After use, clean the blade with cotton soaked with olive oil to prevent it from rusting. 

Please visit Bows & Arrows to see this knife or visit our website HERE to purchase it online.

Ikenobo Basami Flower Scissors:

Scissors for bonsai, specifically for cutting flowers with thick stems like lilies and other flower arrangements. They come in different sizes such as Koryu style and ikenobu style. The blades are set at an acute angle in order to cut cross-sections without crushing plant fibers, allowing for flowers to absorb water and live longer.

Ikenobo is a flower arrangement used by the school called Ikenobo, which has schools all over the world.

Length 180mm 237g

About the maker: Akira Inoue, a 90-year-old craftsman, creates a flower scissors by hand forging. He is one of the best scissors craftsmen in Japan who makes scissors from a single iron rod. Not to mention the sharpness, you can feel the artistry of the handmade scissors and the stylish atmosphere of the sound when you cut it. They are scissors that represents Japan.

Please visit Bows & Arrows to see this knife or visit our website HERE to purchase it online.

Olympic Pavillion, Ayame Sunglasses

As the Olympics continue in Tokyo there have been multiple scandals surrounding people involved in the games, as well as with the athletes. The number of corona virus cases have reached over 2,800, we have never had so many cases since the pandemic started. Prime Minister Suga’s public support ratings are down to 30% and it is unlikely that he will remain Prime Minister.

No one was very pleased with the opening ceremony. With . When people who looked like taiko drummers came out, that is what we expected. Instead we saw tap dancing?

Nevertheless, we do follow the games from home and feel happy to see people who have trained so hard fulfill their dreams.

There are also many art pop-ups around the city, which is nice. As part of the Pavilion Tokyo 2021 program, six globally acclaimed Japanese architects and two renowned artists were enlisted to design temporary pavilions for Tokyo’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. Below are the exhibitions:

Terunobu Fujimori (1946-) has been creating architectural works integrated with nature. The base of the Tea House “Go-an” is covered in grass. The charred cedar (yakisugi) used for the upper exterior walls, are made by burning and carbonizing The surface of cedar wood. The char layer on the surface of the wooden boards protects them from deterioration and enhances fire resistance.

After entering the waiting room on the ground floor and taking the ladder to the tea room upstairs, you can view the new Japan National Stadium out of the large window.

Fujimori, not only is Japan's leading architectural historian, but a maverick figure who made his late debut as an architect at the age of 45. His representative works include “Kusayane (Grass roof)” and “Douyane (Copper roof)” in La Collina Omi-Hachiman, and “Mosaic Tile Museum Tajimi”. The Tea House “Go-an” which stands just opposite of the Japan National Stadium is the latest of many of the tea houses that he has created.

“After all, I like heights. Not only can you see the entire tea house well, but from there you can also view the stadium. A tea house requires otherworldly characteristics. Instead of it just standing on the ground, it requires height. Once You climb up and enter through the narrow and dark crawl-in entrance, you see a completely different scenery. This effect is unique to tea houses ”(Terunobu Fujimori)

Kazuyo Sejima (1956-) was particular about creating a pavilion somewhere where you could sense both history and modernity at the same time. The Hama-rikyu Gardens is a representative Daimyo Teien (feudal lord's garden) of the Edo Period, with a tidal pond (a type of pond formed with seawater that changes its shape depending on the rise and fall of the tide) and two duck hunting sites. Sejima was convinced that this traditionally styled garden which stands in stark contrast to the skyscrapers of the neighboring Shiodome district is “A place where you can access both historical and modern aspects of Tokyo”. She created a pavilion inspired by a winding stream (a type of waterway built in gardens of the Heian Period), to match the various waterways that are in the Hama- rikyu Gardens.The pavilion is installed on the former site of the “Enryo-kan” State Guesthouse of the Meiji Period. The title “Suimei'' It has been named with the hope of imagining a bright future from the ever-changing water surface, which at the same time reflects the history of Tokyo.It has been named with the hope of imagining a bright future from the ever-changing water surface, which at the same time reflects the history of Tokyo.It has been named with the hope of imagining a bright future from the ever-changing water surface, which at the same time reflects the history of Tokyo. 

“It can be said that Hama-rikyu is a garden that coexists with water. I thought about adding water into that scenery, to depict modern society. The winding stream looks as if it is still when viewed from a distance. But when you look at it closely, you realize that it is flowing quietly. This slowly flowing water represents the connection between the past, present and future. ”(Kazuyo Sejima)

Sou Fujimoto (1971-) designed a cloud-shaped pavilion. He expresses his admiration for clouds, and his belief that they are “the ultimate architecture that envelopes all kinds of things for its immense size”. Inspired by clouds that float over various countries This pavilion is installed at two completely different locations, Yoyogi Park, as if they were a “big roof of the world”, he designed the pavilion under the concept “a place for everyone”, to symbolize diversity and tolerance. And Takanawa Gateway Station --a park and a recently built train station building. By placing the exact same thing in different locations, Fujimoto not only aims at visualizing the differences of each location, but to express the concept of a cloud enveloping various places at the same time.

“It has an exterior but doesn't have walls, yet an inner space exists. Moreover, the three-dimensional inner space is extremely complex and dynamic. Clouds cannot be realized with architecture, yet they make us feel like there is something architectural to them. ”(Sou Fujimoto)

Junya Ishigami: “There is an old residence in Kudanshita, which was built in 1927 (the second year of the Showa Period) by Mankichi Yamaguchi, a wealthy businessman. Architects including Tachu Naito, who designed the Tokyo Tower, were involved in its construction. In the old but beautiful garden of this residence, I built a canopy that gently shields us from the sunlight, which will be present only this summer.

In order for the newly built canopy to blend in with the historical scenery, I thought of giving it an aged look from the beginning. Specifically, I plan to fill the garden with wooden pillars and roofs, which have been burnt using the Yakisugi technique (By adjusting the fire heat, the surface of the cedar wood is carbonized, and some parts of the wooden structure are burned away. The wooden structure that spreads widely across the carbonized jet-black wooden structure has a similar appearance to an abandoned house too. It looks as if it transformed. from a new building to a ruined house, and underwent the transition of a building due to aging in an instant.

The black wooden structure covers and hides the surrounding skyscrapers which were non-existent in the early Showa period, and the countless beams of light that pour through the holes in the structure blend with the sunshine filtering through foliage. As the modern scenery that peeps through the trees disappears and the strong sunshine of the summer softens, visitors share the same ancient time that flows within the garden. The jet-black structure is the cool shadow that drifts in between the old trees on a summer's evening. ”(Junya Ishigami)

“I wondered if it would be possible to create an architecture that is new yet looked like it had always been there, which blended in with the historical landscape.” (Junya Ishigami)

When the project initially started in 2018, Teppei Fujiwara (1975-) who was interested in the history of streets as the origin of theater, was planning to design a pavilion under the theme of “a street-like theater”. However, after reflecting on the immense changes over the past year, he saw it as an opportunity to rethink the role of how theater can help to find a response. Fujiwara decided to create “a theatre for plants and people” where the gardening culture inherited from the Edo Period is presented as a continuous legacy of our relationship with the natural world.

The completed pavilion is made of an open wooden framework, designed to enable plants to grow entangled with the people and culture of the city. The “plant beam” is a structural beam that also plays home to a diverse collection of vegetation. A small architectural. Element That Creates A Place For Plants To Belong, Which Can Also Be Used As Furniture For People To Sit On And Rest.

This Pavilion Is A Story Of How Plants And People Come Together In Tokyo. A New Kind Of Garden Within The City Where People We hope that you can participate in some of the activities on offer and join in this longstanding urban culture of making gardens in Tokyo.

“We can say that gardening is the smallest scale of order in a city like Tokyo. Through this pavilion, I want to present the story of the plants and streets in Tokyo” (Teppei Fujiwara)

The bowl-like structured pavilion by Akihisa Hirata (1971-), allow people to walk through it and even sit on it, is constructed using twisted geometry which loosens and strengthens the boundaries between the inner and outer space at the same time. In other words, while forming a small closed area in the city, at the same time it connects with the outer world. The premises of the United Nations University is the place where you can feel the huge void in the city, which is created from the neighbouring This pavilion is placed in the center of this void, as if it were an observational facility.

This architectural work created by assembling wood which has been cut using the latest Japanese three-dimensional cutting technology, stands with both a strong sense of materiality and something resembling the fineness of a craftwork. A hole-like space bringing various contexts in the city will be realized.

“These days, I think that the architecture we design should embody a“ different dimension ”which pierces through the mediocre reality” (Akihisa Hirata)

Yayoi Kusama: Is A Participatory This Installation Where Visitors Cover A Room Painted Entirely White With Brightly Colored Stickers In The Shape Of Dots. Throughout The Exhibition, The Room Gradually "Obliterates" As It Becomes Covered In Dots.

"Self-Obliteration" Has Been A Long- standing theme for Yayoi Kusama (1929-) since the 1960s. As the polka dots cover up bodies and spaces, everything --including her own body and others --disappearing into them.

“For example, by covering my entire body with polka dots, and then covering the background with polka dots as well, I find self-obliteration. Or I stick polka dots all over a horse standing before a polka-dot background, and the form The mass that is'horse' is absorbed into something timeless. And when that happens, I too am obliterated. ”(Yayoi Kusama,“ Infinity Net: The Autobiography of Yayoi Kusama ”, 2002 )

Makoto Aida (1965-) created two castles made out of cardboard and blue tarps. These are both reliable materials as they are durable even though they are cheap. They also share a similar characteristic, as they both symbolize temporariness instead of permanence. Aida has By utilizing these two materials, this pavilion becomes a representation of human beings' resilience. It is also a criticism towards modern sculpture which only uses heavy, hard, expensive and long-lasting materials.

The stone mound on which this pavilion is installed was built during the construction of the Meiji Jingu outer gardens, using what once used to be the stone walls supporting the Edo Castle. It was designed and constructed by architectural engineer Toshikata Sano, who led the barracks construction after the Great Kanto Earthquake and also promoted the use of reinforced concrete in primary school buildings. The cardboard and blue tarp castle standing on the stone mound is a message of encouragement --“ let's get through this together ”--from Tokyo to various regions in Japan that still suffers from the damages left by disasters. It also represents a strong sense of determination to face disasters that Tokyo is likely to experience someday soon. 

“What I want to emphasize is the opposite of permanence --temporariness, unreliableness, paltriness --as well as the bravery in trying to withstand such characteristics. I'll never know what the outcome will be like unless I try creating it. Sink or swim , I will try. I want to dedicate the outcome to Japan of today --or more specifically to Tokyo ”. (Makoto Aida)

AYAME GLASSES

Seeking a sense of the times while studying classical music, Find the point of contact between universality and humor. Finding an answer to a contradiction can be difficult, but the skill of Japanese skilled craftsmen can support it!

"Ayame" is a eyewear brand, manufactured in Japan and established in 2010.

The brand team continuously develops and manufactures quality products using the latest fashion designs for all ages. Ayame not only manufactures their own products but builds also high quality eyewear for other domestic Japanese as well as international companies.

Ayame strives for the highest quality, reliability, and best designs over all other eyewear manufacturers. In 2016 In Collaboration With "SWANS" Manufacturing, the collection has won also the Prestigious Award "Eyewear Of The Year".

Please visit Bows & Arrows to Try on some of their glasses!
You can also visit our Website Here to purchase them online.

Teru Teru Bozo, Hachiko's Grave, Tamanohada

A teru teru bōzu (Japanese: てるてる坊主 or 照る照る坊主, literally "shine shine monk") is a small traditional handmade doll made of white paper or cloth that Japanese farmers began hanging outside of their window by a string. In shape and construction they are essentially identical to ghost dolls. This talisman is supposed to have magical powers to bring good weather and to stop or prevent a rainy day. Teru is a Japanese verb which describes sunshine, and a bōzu is a Buddhist monk (compare the word bonze), or in modern slang, "bald-headed"; bōzu is also used as a term of endearment for addressing little boys.

Teru teru bōzu became popular during the Edo period among urban dwellers, whose children would make them the day before the good weather was desired and chant, "Fine-weather priest, please let the weather be good tomorrow."

Traditionally, if the weather does turn out well, a libation of holy sake is poured over them, and they are washed away in the river. Today, children make teru teru bōzu out of tissue paper or cotton and string and hang them from a window when they wish for sunny weather, often before a school picnic day. Hanging it upside-down acts as a prayer for rain. They are a very common superstition in Japan.

There is a famous warabe uta associated with teru teru bōzu, written by Kyoson Asahara and composed by Shinpei Nakayama, that was released in 1921.

Making a Teru Teru Bozu is as easy. First, prepare two same-sized square pieces cloth or simply use two pieces of tissue paper and one rubber band. Second, crumple-up one of the pieces of cloth into a ball-shape for the head, then wrap the other piece around it, twisting to make the doll’s head. Last, use your rubber-band to keep the head in place. And if you want to get a bit more creative, you can find many tutorials on YouTube showing you how to make cute Teru Teru Bozu from a soft wool material! The principle is basically the same.

Hachiko’s Grave

Hachiko is Japanese Shiba dog, famous for his loyalty to his owner, Hidesaburo Ueno, whom he meet every day at Shibuya station after Professor Ueno returned home from work (as an agricultural scientist). Mr Ueno passed away one day from a cerebral hemorrhage but Hachiko continued to show up at Shibuya station every evening for the next 9 years. This act of loyalty moved the hearts of many Japanese and led to the creation of this statue in his honor. In 1934, a bronze statue commemorating the dog was set up in front of Shibuya Station a year before his death. Shibuya Station is one of Japan's busiest railway stations, a major spot for fashion and youth and attracts many visitors. With so many exits at the subway station, it is often difficult to meet up with friends or family. It is very common for people to meet in front of Hachiko’s statue. 

What many people don’t know is that Hachiko was buried next to his owner in Tokyo’s famous Aoyama cemetery. You can find the exact location on Google Maps when you visit Tokyo!

It is the largest and very beautiful cemetery in the Aoyama district of central Tokyo. It is known for its cherry blossoms and also as  the final resting place for many foreigners who came to Japan in the Meiji era to help advise the government in its drive to modernize Japan. This is a very pleasant and pretty place to walk through. The graves are very well kept and there are many flowers and trees. During every season we enjoy walking through the cemetery as it is a big green area in the center of Tokyo. In spring many people enjoy “Hanami” cherry blossom viewing here. There is a long street in the center of the cemetery lined with cherry blossoms. When they are in full bloom you can feel that you are inside a flower tunnel.

Tamanohada

Founded in 1892, Tamanohada is one of the oldest soap company in Japan. Based in Tokyo, they debuted by producing soaps for schools and hospitals.

In 2003, they started their first line of branded soaps, with a popularity growing year by year.

Each soap is made using a carved wood mold, like traditional Japanese pastries, using "RSPO" vegetable oils, a certification made in collaboration with Green Peace against deforestation.

Tamanohada soaps are perfect for sensitive skin, hands and body. Its texture is between liquid and milk, leaving a delicate moisturize protection and scent to your skin. Leaving your soap on a small dish will also perfume your bathroom.

This soap is made from entirely plant-based material. And thanks to its round shape, it could be easily rolled around in your hand and gives you a pleasant feeling. This soap is also excellent at moisturizing, cleaning and lathering during bath. It is well considered and designed to have a stable form, and does not oxidize easily.

This soap series is made to give your skin an extra gentle care, and thus could be used for washing your body and also your face. With the extravagant original perfume blend from this soap series, you would be surrounded with lovely and natural aroma from the originally used plant, while going out. During your bath, and when you start rolling this soap in your hands, your bathroom will be also filled with this lovely and natural fragrance!

Fragrances include:

Lavender: blend of lavender essential oil and rosemary oil. Floral and elegant scent.

Rose: emphasizes the sweetness of the gorgeous rose scent. An elegant yet sweet impression.

Gardenia: blend of lemon oil and ylang-ylang oil with a sweet and sensual gardenia (gardenia). Fresh sweet scent.

Orange: Based on the scented bitter orange blossom, the bittersweetness of Petit Glen is well blended. The fresh scent of green spreads and provides also a light floral tone.

Musk: refreshing sheer floral with a touch of sexual spice. Elegant and fascinating musk.

Fig: blend of fresh figs and sweet-scented citrus and rosewood oil. A refreshing, fruity scent.

Please visit Bows & Arrows to see and smell these wonderful Soaps! You can also visit our Website Here to purchase them online.  

Tokyo Olympics 2021

On July 23rd The Tokyo Olympics will officially begin and to be honest, everyone in Japan is very worried about this. Japanese people fully support the athletes and all the training that they have done for many years to achieve their dreams. However, because of the times we live in, there is a feeling that the International Olympic Committee, the government, and local organizers have ignored widespread opposition to the games from the Japanese public. Depending on how the question is phrased in different polls, roughly 80% of Japanese people oppose holding the Olympics. Japanese rarely have public protests or demonstrations. For the last year these peaceful demonstrations have been taking place.

We have only received the vaccine in recent months, which has become available to everyone only in the last 2 weeks. With 100.000 people working for the Olympics, press, and athletes arriving, it is a bit worry some. Many of the initial staff have quit their jobs for the safety of themselves and their families.

There is talk of a new, “Olympic strain” that might come out of this.  Some participants have already tested positive for Corona despite have already being vaccinated. Please pray for Japan as we are all very worried about this, after all the efforts that have been made to minimize the cases of covid since the start, we remain one of the countries with the lowest cases. We pray it remains that way. Olympic rules will now ban singing and chanting during events, with masks required at almost all times. We hope for the safety of everyone involved in the games.  

We will however try to be cheerful and do our best to stay safe and try to trust that everyone involved will be following the rules stay in place and watch the athletes from the safety of our homes, without being in groups, which will be banned, as well as drinking in bars or restaurants, through August.

The sales of immune booster drinks and fruits and vegetables and food have been very high this month! Recommended foods and drinks include:

Matcha:

Yuzu:

Miso Soup:

Seaweed:

Natto (fermented soybeans):

Umeboshi (pickled plums):

Zakkoku Rice Mix: You can buy a mix that is very popular now containing many types of seeds, grains, millets, beans, or you can make it yourself. You add the mix to your rice to make it more nutritious! It is very subtle and does not really change the taste of the rice.

Everyone involved started arriving over 2 weeks ago. They are taken directly to The Olympic and Paralympic Village that was constructed in the Harumi waterfront district of Tokyo. The residential units used by athletes during the Tokyo 2020 Games, will be renovated for use as general residential apartments after the Games.

The athletes will be driven directly there tested for corona virus and back during the games and other people will not be attending.

If you want to watch the Olympic Torch Relay it can be viewed here:

https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/torch/

To see the torch please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UkFbauCdww&t=14s

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay emblem has been designed to be consistent with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic brand and easily recognizable as part of the brand family.

The three rectangular shapes that make up the Tokyo 2020 Games emblems have been redesigned to resemble the flame of a torch, and to express the dynamic movement of a flame. The design also incorporates the fuki bokashi technique for colour gradation often used in traditional Japanese ukiyoe painting, to further imbue the emblem with a Japanese aesthetic.

Traditional Japanese colours have been used to emphasise the flame of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch. Vermilion is used to depict energy, passion, affection and dynamism, while the use of yellow ochre suggests vast expanses of earth or land, which together create the sense of a Japanese-style festival.

The torch runners transporting the Olympic flame over vast expanses of Japan will create a ‘Path of Hope’, symbolising a continuum to the future.

This was designed by artist and designer Tokujin Yoshioka, born in 1967. 

Active in the fields of design, architecture and contemporary art, he is highly acclaimed globally with works themed in the nature, which also reflect the Japanese idea of beauty. By giving figure to various human senses, using immaterialistic elements such as light, creates expressions that are unique and surpassing the concept of shape. He has won many international awards.

Masterpieces: the glass bench exhibited at Musée d'Orsay called “Water Block,” the crystal prism architecture “Rainbow Church,” the natural crystal chair “VENUS,” and the glass teahouse “KOU-AN” are some of the many masterpieces announced.

About the design of the Olympic Torch:

“In 2015, I visited Fukushima prefecture and did a drawing workshop with children from the disaster affected area as an assistance for reconstruction. The cherry blossoms they drew were all vibrant, as if they’re symbolising the spirit of the people taking steps toward reconstruction, and projecting hopes for the future. That experience inspired me to design this torch.”

Part of the material from which the torch is made is recycled aluminium originally used in the construction of prefabricated housing units in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake which killed over 1.600 people and led to a major environmental nuclear disaster. “The temporary units used to house those affected by the calamity have been transformed into the Olympic torch, and communicate the steps taken toward reconstruction of the disaster affected areas”.

“What I designed is not merely the shape of the torch body, but most importantly, the form of the flame. Five separate flames emerge from flower petals and come together as one at the center of the torch, and it becomes a flame of Sakura as a symbol of peace. As if sakura trees bloom across Japan, the sacred flame traverse across Japan, and I hope this narrative will engage people more and lights our way.”

Comments Tokujin Yoshioka.
Some famous works by Tokujin Yoshioka:

To see or purchase an Original poster from the 1964 Olympics please visit Bows and Arrows or email us your request.