Kimono flower brooch and Woodblock print on line shopping

Hi, Spring has come in Brisbane!

Japanese says "SANKAN SHION（三寒四温）", three cold days follows the four warm days and then SPRING has come!

I have been enjoying the flower brooch(technique is the Japanese tradition, but design has been changed by me to "Gold medal style!!!"

I have just told about the Japanese woodblock traditional printer, Mr Nagao's family a couple of times ago.

The followings are "on line shopping sites" of the Japanese traditional woodblock prints. Please explore on line!

www.adachi-hanga.com/en_ukiyo-e/gallery.htm

www.rakuten.co.jp/rokka-an

Tunic with Oshima tsumugi by Takako

Hi, today Takako's new work have arrived in my shop here, Brisbane. She made with Oshima-tsumugi(http://www.amami.or.jp/english/tumugi.html).

Please visit the web. You will know how Oshima-tsumugi is made with traditional tequnique and what's a beautiful and practical traditional textile it is!

Currently 4 different pattern's tunic available at Kazuyo's collection.

Woodblock print master - Mr.Naotaro Nagao

Hi, I have just come back from Japan.
It was hot summer and enjoyed beach, fireworks and Beer & Edamame(steamed beans) very much.

When I am in Tokyo, I like to walk around downtown especially Asakusa-bashi, kuramae to Asakusa, Ueno.

There are still many traditional art&craft whole sellers.

I knew from magazines and news paper about Mr Nagao.
His family started wood block print since Edo period. At Edo period, wood block prints were cheap as same as a noodle. So it was the art for general people.

He reprints Hokusai, Utamaro, Yumeji through his whole life(more than 75 years). He often commented "Japanese should respect our traditional arts. Now his family start to take over his traditional technique.

I personally like his prints "Cat" series which were originally made by Hokusai. I bought a couple of Hokusai, Utamaro, Yumeji's prints. If you have chance to pop in Paddington, Brisbane. Please have a look the original his works at Kazuyo's collection(98 Latrobe tce Paddington)!
Even now the price is unbelievable reasonable too!