Matcha is becoming something common and popular outside of Japan and many people learn tea ceremony recently. Chashaku is one of the tool that is used for the ceremony. Let’s have a look at the grand masters tea scoops.

Hokusai was a great painter. He was so good that he had drawn kimono patterns and published them as a book, Shingata Komoncho.

We had an opportunity to experience a hanko carving at Taihodo Seal shop in Tokyo. It was such an unusual and interesting experience. Have a look at our videos.

Sashiko has been used to reinforce parts of clothes or to repair worn places or tears with patches. This running stitch technique the damaged clothes stronger and warmer. Yuko Wakaoka brings out to our modern life. Have a look at these beautiful design.

11th of November in Japan is Origami Day. This traditional paper craft has an old history and it´s something Japanese children learn people around them as they grow. So why it´s Origami Day?

Do you know a Japanese paper craft, Monkiri Asobi? It´s simple but very amusing, which became very popular among common people in Edo period.

Hanko is a must item to have when you live in Japan. It even proves who you are. So it´s good to have one original. But where to make it? Let´s go to Taiho-do.

About two years ago, iromegane talked about the artist who draws a dragon with just one brush stroke. A few weeks ago, somehow this article bloomed and I had quite many inquiries about the shop. Most of them are the admires of this art and who were wondering if they could purchase this from overseas.

The shop, Kousyuuya (晄秋家) is located in Nikko (日光) where is about three hours of train trip from Tokyo station and a perfect day trip spot. Unfortunately their website is only in Japanese at the moment.

 

 

You haven´t seen the dragon? First, you can look at the brilliant brush technique here.

 

Since I received many inquiries, I decided to write to Kousyuuya. Despite of recent incredibly busy days, I had a very polite email back and he was apologising for being trouble. What a humble man he sounded!

In terms of English, they have a little difficulty and it takes time to read and respond since they need to depend on the internet translating system.

Early this year Kousyuuya was picked up in a TV program and since then they received tons of orders which is too much to deal with just one person. And this is why online shop in the site is not working and “メンテナンス (system maintenance)” is shown.

You can still order it but keep it in mind that it will take at least three months to receive. And only the standard size. Please look at the size & price chart. 

Two important things.

One, no credit card payment is accepted. Only international bank transfer. Or if you have a friend in Japan, you could ask them for a help to pay. 

Two, the work will be sent without the frame to overseas. I guess this is understandable. You don´t want to pick up small glass pieces from the beautiful dragon drawing. 

 

Do you want to contact Kousyuuya? Iromegane can help you. Please send us email for more detail.

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More about Japanese art

Drawing dragon with one brush

Zen calligraphy

Shokunin

Ironing

Ryouri Shokunin

Cooking knives

Hakone yosegi zaiku

   

Iromegane is finally ready for sending you news letters. Anyone who subscribe this week has a chance to win a mini-calligraphy!

Hakone´s popular traditional crafts, Hakone Yosegi Zaiku. It looks like just beautiful boxes but they need some trick to open. Can you guess?