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Traditional Nambu Tekki tetsubin kettle     The beginning of the Nambu Tekki was the policy that Nambu domain (today's Iwate Prefecture) had traditionally encouraged to produce the casting. And one of the daimyo who loved tea ceremony invited a kettle maker Koizumi Nizaemon from Kyoto and made him create a new tea kettle. The grandson Nizaemon Ⅲ made the tea kettle smaller and be able to use as a teapot too. It is the appearance of "tetsubin"....

Traditional Nambu Tekki teapotWhen we drink Japanese green tea, we surely use a kyusu to pour the drink into cups. Most of the Japanese kyusu teapot on the market are made of the ceramics. You can indeed treat a ceramic teapot easily because it is light. But you shouldn't overlook the attraction of the Nambu Tekki kyusu. It has superb functionality as well as unique designability. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || ).push({});The name of Nambu comes from the ancient feudal Nam...

Traditional Japanese southern cast iron (Nambu Tekki) company, Oigen <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Oigen Nambu Ironware Sukiyaki &amp; Dumplings Iron Pan Ca-4 26cm Japan Import :972" href="https://www.amazon.com/Oigen-Nambu-Ironware-Sukiyaki-Dumplings/dp/B000IGKOEI?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRKC6WE3NL42JJSQ&amp;tag=hachihachi-20&amp;linkCode=xm2&amp;camp=2025&amp;creative=165953&amp;creativeASIN=B000IGKOEI" target="_bl...

Calm Sounds! Traditional Japanese cast iron furin from Tohoku  Most classic style, temple bell design   A high-quality metal makes comfortable sounds. As there are the good traditional metal crafts in Japan, Nambu Tekki which has more than 900 years history is most famous. 500km (300mile) away from Tokyo to the north, Iwate Prefecture is one of the Tohoku Area. That means the area was so far apart from the ancient central city Kyoto. But the prosperity of Oshu Fujiwar...

 Which kokeshi doll do you like?  The Japanese traditional crafts with a simple face and decoration, Kokeshi. The expression that the craftsmen draw one by one is modest and pretty.   Most popular kokeshi in JapanKokeshi is a traditional craft that all of Japanese know. However, when it comes to question where is the product from, the number of people who are puzzled would increase. It is said that Kokeshi was born in the Tohoku region when ukiyo-e (Japanese...

Peaceful Konjikido (Golden Hall) of Chusonji Temple  Pod hall of Konjiki-dō (Golden Hall) of Chūson-ji temple, photo by Tak1701d In Heian Period, there was a country in the Tohoku Region, which was independent of the central government of Kyoto. The culture of Heian Period That was Hiraizumi ruled under Oshu Fujiwara Clan. Still today, the body of three generation kings who built the prosperity of the country is settled in Konjikido (Golden Hall) of Chusonji Temple, which ...

The summary of “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” Departure of The Narrow Road to the Deep North, by Yosa Buson Summary “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” (奥の細道, Oku-no hosomichi) is a travel writing with haiku poems by Matsuo Basho (1644-1694).Check the famous 10 haiku poems by Matsuo Basho.He departed with the disciple Kawai Sora March 27 in 1689, traveled around Tōhoku region, and reached Ōgaki August 21. The journery fini...

Traditional Japanese tableware Edo-kiriko cut glasses <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Japanese Paired Rocks Glass of Edo-Kiriko (Cut Glass) Shippo-nanako Pattern" href="https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Paired-Edo-Kiriko-Shippo-nanako-Pattern/dp/B008QU166S?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRKC6WE3NL42JJSQ&amp;tag=hachihachi-20&amp;linkCode=xm2&amp;camp=2025&amp;creative=165953&amp;creativeASIN=B008QU166S" target="_blank" rel=&qu...

Traditional Edo-kiriko sake cups of Japanese glass tablewareCold and clear sake water really goes well with a crystal glassware, I think. The traditional Japanese cut glass Edo-kiriko certainly makes your sake more taste good. As the name shows, Edo-kiriko developed in the townsman culture of Edo City (today's Tokyo). They preferred the mind of "iki" (粋).  Edo-kiriko represents the minds perfectly.  With the glass sake cups, you can enjoy drinking and the spirits of ...

Tradtional craft Edo-kiriko vase for sale at Amazon Kagami CrystalKagami Crystal is one of the long-established crystal glass makers in Japan. There was no other factory which had integrated production systems around the country when the company started. The founder Kagami Kozo （1896-1985）who had learned Gravure Cutting Techniques in Germarny pursued the artistic quality of the crystal glass. His ambition bore fruit. He won the silver prize at the Paris World Exposition, the ...

Sacred power place Hakone Shrine and Mt. Hakone Hakone ShrineThe landscape of Ashino-ko Lake and Mt. Fuji. The red torii gate reflects on the surface of the water. This is one of the symbolic landscape of Japan. Hakone Shrine is a long and honorable with more than 1200 years history. Many famous samurai lords believed in and visited the shrine. The shrine is famous for giving good luck for a game and answering to earnest wishes. Mt. Hakone, where Hakone Shrine is located in, is a pa...

Relaxing at the comfortable accommodations with onsen around Mt. HakoneSince it only takes an hour and a half, Hakone is well‐known as a resort for a day trip, where they can enjoy the nature including Mt. Fuji and Ashinoko Lake, museums, and foods. The Edo ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige drew the landscape of the picture of Mt. Hakone and Ashinoko Lake.  But Hakone is also famous for a hot spring district and have many accommodations, like Fujiya Hotel established in 1878. Though there...

Odawara Castle was one of the strongest castle with the donjon Photo by AlvinzOdawara Castle is one of the most famous castle in Japan. Unfortunately, the present donjon of the castle is restored in 1960. But it shows the dignified appearance at that time. Most of the Japanese people call to mind Odawara Castle when they hear the word of "unassailable". The Hojo clan which ruled the whole district of Kanto in the Age of Civil Wars had their base at the castle for 100 years. Sin...

Art museums exhibiting Japanese wood prints in TokyoThere are about 1100 museums in Japan, but not many places to do a permanent exhibition of ukiyo-e. Meanwhile, some individual or public museums in Tokyo constantly exhibit ukiyo-e.  32. Rainstorm Beneath the Summit Ota Memorial Museum of ArtThis museum has about 14,000 ukiyo-e prints such as Katsushika Hokusai, Kitagawa Utamaro, Utagawa Hiroshige, including about 12,000 pieces collected by Ota Kiyohura. This museum exhibits about ...

The gallery of "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo"In 1853, Utagawa(Ando) Hiroshige began to draw the new series of landscape ukiyo-e. He already held the position of pupular ukiyo-e artist by the succuess of "Fifty-Three Stages on the Tokaido". His new work was on the theme of sights in various parts of the Edo.     As its name suggests, "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" consists of more than 100 paintings (and table of contents). And they are divided into four sea...

Wasuian's high-quality Samue and other Japanese wears    Originally Samue is one of the traditional Japanese clothing worn by the Buddhist temple priests when they do daily works.  Related Post However, because it is superior in functionality, the opportunity for ordinary people to wear Samue has increased recently. As more and more people wear it in the room, demand for the more comfortable products is rising. Wasuian responds to such a request. Wasuia...

Luxury traditional Japanese Kutani-yaki ceramic vasesThe Kutani ware vases even have various figures. All kinds of colors, sizes, patterns, and shapes. When you get near to the vase and watch carefully, you would notice that it is more delicate. That is due to the unique way to color the ceramics. Ishikawa Prefecture, the producing area of Kutani ware, flourished as a prosperous cultural region. The crafts of Ishikawa are rich in many colors including gold. But it never loses elegan...

Kutani ceramic kyusu with Cihbu (dot) patternBlue dots and flowers (350ml)When you look for a flowery and colorful Japanese traditional pottery, I recommend three kilns, Arita (Imari) ware, Kiyomizu (Kyoto) ware, and Kutani ware. There are some styles of the old kiln, and they have each brightness. The blue, white or pink dot patterns really go well with gold as well as flowers. All of dot and pattern are drawn by the craftsmen. You would feel admiration for the fine work.Arita ware tea setsK...

Traditional ceramic in Ishikawa for Maneki-neko catThere are many lucky items also in Japan. The people have loved traditional Maneki-neko, waving good luck cat, as an ornament in a store or room. The waving forepaw means that it bring in fortune or money. We can buy figures of a lucky cat made of plastic at a low price, nevertheless ceramic is most popular (it would give more blessing). The traditional craft of Ishikawa Prefecture Kutani ware is a pottery which has more than 340 ye...

Traditional vermilion Japanese teapot of Tokoname-yaki with beautiiful patterns 220cc kyusu teapot with cherry blossoms  There are six oldest kilns in Japan. Seto, Echizen, Shigaraki, Tamba, Bizen, and Tokoname. Each kiln began in the Middle Ages and their potteries are still a part of the people's life. Though various kinds of tableware are on display in a shop today, a product of Tokoname ware has the largest market share in the industry. That is Japanese teapot kyusu. T...

Beautiful bicolor Japanese ceramic teapots of Tokoname ware 320cc kyusu teapot  Tokoname ware which has nearly 900 years of history is the most used Japanese teapot (kyusu) in the country. The vermillion teapot is pristine but simply beautiful. Though there are many kinds of teapots including, pottery, porcelain, stoneware, and cast iron in Japan, we couldn't find the warmful color among them. Tokoname pottery red kyusu teapots with patterns The cray of Tokoname ware ...

Traditional Japanese stoneware Bonsai pots you can buy on Amazon YUKIMONO, Rectangle Bonsai pot (new) Size:7.0 x 5.5 x 2.0 inches  It is said the introduction of the culture to planting a tree in a pot from China in Heian Period (794-1185). Firstly, the aristocratic people enjoyed the new art, and then the monks and samurais too. The samurai warriors especially love Bonsai as their hobby and it spread throughout the town people in Edo Period (1603-1868). The techniques for...

The traditional and creative tin sake cups (guinomi) and vessels (katakuchi) of Nousaku Those who have taste for drinking often are particular about the vessels too. Because they know that the good cups and bottles make the water more delicious. So is Japanese sake cups. Takaoka City in Toyama Prefecture where NOUSAKU CORPORATION locates has a more than 400 years old history. Nousaku inherits the traditional casting technique and creates the new and slick products. Their tin wa...

Traditional Japanese tin drinking ware from Takaoka CityThe products of NOUSAKU CORPORATION are well known for the creative wind chimes and the refined sake cups.  Nousaku wind chimes Nousaku sake cups and lipped bowlBut actually, you can also enjoy the high-quality tinware as a beer cup! Though the product lineup which is available to buy at Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk are fewer than in Japan, I really hope you take it in your hand and drink delicious beer. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygo...

Nousaku's beautiful and unique metal (tin) wind bells for sale on AmazonA quality metal chimes a good sound. The sounds of the tin wind chimes made by Nousaku are lyric but calm.  Sounds good? As you see the silhouettes, it has various shapes. The difference of the shapes makes the different sounds.  Furthermore, the Nousaku wind chimes are suitable for the decoration under the eaves or at the windows, because they have sophisticated or humorous appearances.  Sin...

Japanese Geta clogs of Mizutori About 100km from the east of Mt. Fuji, Aoi-ku is a part of Shizuoka City in Shizuoka Prefecture. Aoi is famous for a hot spring and there are many ryokan hotels with onsen. As is near to the Suruga Bay, a lot of tourists who also expects delicious seafood visit the city. But another, Aoi has a local specialty. That is Suruga Geta. Suruga Geta, made by craftsmen who inherited the technology from the Edo era, developed as a special product of Shizuoka. ...

The temples in the traditional city, Kyoto  Kyoto, one of the most traditional and historical cities in Japan, attracts more than 80 million people in a year. The city had assumed a role of an  administrative function since 794. With the beginning of Heian Period, many people moved from Nara(Heijo-kyo) to Kyoto(Heian-kyo, 平安京） and from that time, they built temples in the new capital. Sponsored Links  Click! Learn more about the temples in Nara Many Buddhism sects and ...

Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto Thousand Torii of Fushimi Inari(Kyoto). But an actual number of the torii is about 800. There are more than 3000 torii in the area. Photo by Jennie KondoFushimi Inari Shrine is located in the south part of Kyoto City where is the sightseeing spot with many historical architectures.  In Kyoto, the Japanese travelers visit the temples of Kinkakuji (Rokuonji) or Kiyomizu-dera rather than Fushimi Taisha. But the shrine is the most popular temple or shrine in Kyo...

Buying Ippodo Matcha powder and tea bags online on Amazon, or at shops?  When you want to drink Matcha or green tea for the tea ceremony or at the home, you would have trouble picking out one because there are too many tea manufacturers and products.   Do you know the types, benefit and drinking way of Japanese green tea? Then why don't you enjoy the high-quality powders or bags of long-established shop at  Kyoto, the home of Matcha in Japan? If you live in Japan or N...

Authentic Kiyomizu ware Japanese tea sets (yunomi and kyusu)Actually, Kyoto is famous for having the area's historic sites including the temples and shrines. World Heritage Site of the temples in Kyoto But the cultural district also has many specialties. One of that is Japanese green tea. A green tea in Kyoto, Uji-cha (宇治茶) has more than 800 years history. The high-class green tea is often used for the tea ceremony. The classic green tea brought forth a beautiful potte...

The town of ancient temples, NaraIn the early history of Japan, Nara prefecture was the center of the politics, the culture and the economy in Yamato Period, Asuka Period and Nara Period. Japanese people just believed their animism, the origine of "Shinto"（神道） until Asuka Period.  It is said that Seong of Baekje, the ancient king of the  country in Korean Peninsula, presented the Buddha statue and the satras for Emperor Kimmei in 552.(learn about Buddha statue) Af...

Nishijin Okamoto's Kinran (gold brocade) bag   Nishijin-ori is a traditional handicraft product produced in the area of Nishijin, Kyoto Prefecture, which is the representative site for silk fabrics in Japan. Nishijin-ori, which is a high-grade silk fabric, has many types and low volume production. First of all, it inherits the Japanese kimono technique since the Heian period. Related Post  The beginning of this fabric is the Tumulus period (250-538), and now...

Hagi ware pottery, born for Matcha chawan cupsIn Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568-1600), the long provincial war in Japan was about to end. The influential daimyos and samurais had to have the social skills for building up the good hierarchical or diplomatic relationships. What most of them could do was the tea ceremony. The tea ceremony had been completed by Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591). Above all, he emphasised to have the mind of quiet simplicity and subdued refinement. That is "Wabi&quo...

Japanese pottery Hagi ware sets of yunomi (tea cups) and kyusu (teapot) Why don't you enjoy drinking Japanese green tea while feeling the mind of "wabi" and "sabi"? They which originated from the tea ceremony express one of the Japanese cultures. The gorgeous ceramic wares Imari (Arita) or Kutani have been popular around the world ever since Momoyama Period (1568-1600).  Imari (Arita) ware Japanese tea sets Kutani ware Japanese tea sets &nbsp...

Famous torii gate in the sea and historic Itsukushima Shrine Photo by KimonBerlinUNESCO designated Itsukushima Shrine as World Heritage Site in 2006. It is at Miyajima Island, Hiroshima Prefecture and the most popular sightseeing spot the Chugoku region in Japan.  The red buildings and torii gate in the calm sea brings about an air of mystery. The shrine with more than 1400 years history has attracted countless people even though it is far away from Kyoto. The architecures, cul...

Japanese vases of the traditional blue and white (Sometsuke) Imari (Arita) ware ceramic Imari (Arita) ware is the oldest porcelain in Japan. Also, the ceramic has the oldest history of the Sometsuke technique in the country. Sometsuke is the way to paint on a white porcelain with zaffer pigment. It was invented in China and introduced to Japan by the Korean potter who created Imari-yaki in the 17th century. Above all, the contrast of the indigo blue and white is the best appeal...

The Imari sets of the teapots and tea cups you can buy at Amazon <p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Imari porcelain saucers with brocade crop instrument assortment 157 281 (japan import)" href="https://www.amazon.com/porcelain-saucers-brocade-instrument-assortment/dp/B00B46I0KG?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRKC6WE3NL42JJSQ&amp;tag=hachihachi-20&amp;linkCode=xm2&amp;camp=2025&amp;creative=165953&amp;creativeASIN=B00B46I0KG" target=&quot...

Kakiemon Style. Beautiful flowers and birds on a white pottery.  Arita-yaki (Imari-yaki) is the oldest porcelain in Japan. After about 60 years ago, Kakiemon Style was established in 1640's.  Colorful birds and plans are on a clear white base. The way of the style which makes use of spaces express one of the Japanese aesthetic sense. The outstanding German kiln Meissen succeeded at the production of a white porcelain all around Europe in 1709. The world-famous kiln ha...

Not sand bath and hot spring (onsen) only. Ibusuki where the Satsuma culture is still alive Photo by 名古屋太郎Ibusuki City (指宿市) is the temperate region at the southern tip of Satsuma Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture. The temperature isn't below 10℃ even in winter.  Before everything, the sand bath of the city is so famous. But that is not all. The city was in the feudal domain of Satsuma (薩摩) until the Edo Period. The domain was really far from Edo (today's Tokyo), even...