Showa Day, Golden Week, Shigeru Ban Designs Park Bathrooms
Showa no Hi marks the first day of Golden week at the end of April.
It was originally celebrated as the birthday of emperor Hirohito, the reigning emperor from 1926 to 1989. The purpose of the holiday was to reflect on his life, as well as the rebuilding of Japan after WW2.
After his death is was “Greenery Day” and is the first day of Japan’s Golden Week, which is one of the longest holidays for Japanese people. There are 4 national holidays (Beginning with Showa Day, then Constitution Day, Greenery Day and Children’s Day), with the combination of the weekend’s it is a celebrated time to go on Holidays.
In Japan we have less holidays that those that live in western countries so we prepare in advance. Naturally it is one of the busiest time to travel within Japan and overseas. Even for those who do not travel far, it is a time to enjoy the countryside and Spring flowers.
Unfortunately travel will be quite limited this year but we will all find ways to try to enjoy the flowers we find in the park and try to enjoy our environment.
Shigeru Ban Designs See Through Bathrooms in Public Parks:
Japan’s new High-Tech Toilets by Pritzker Prize winner Shigeru Ban are the latest curiosity. Initially designed for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics they are a fun addition to Tokyo parks.
Using “Smart Glass” Technology, these windows are completely clear, but fog up when the door is locked from the inside.
Start your Spring Garden with Banshu Hamono Tools
Since we are all staying at home, it's a good time to get your spring gardening done.
These gardening scissors are best for the maintenance of very thin sprouts and extra fine branches. The handle is long so that you can use it by inserting the cutting edge into the intricate locations of your bonsai.
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.
Care: After use, clean the blade with cotton soaked with camelia oil to prevent it from rusting.
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Bows & Arrows also has Gardening Tote Bags from Matsunoya.
A cotton canvas tote bag for gardening tools. 100% cotton and it is very strong. The Canvas that is woven in Okayama.
It can be used for various purposes such as storing gardening goods such as shovels, sub-bags for lunch boxes and water bottles, and goods necessary for walking dogs.
Excellent storage capacity with 6 pockets on the outside and 2 on the inside. It is paraffin-processed to improve waterproofness.
You may feel the hardness at the beginning of use, but as you use it, it will become softer.
Available in Off White, Khaki Green, Navy Blue
