Hina Matsuri - Hina doll festival

Hina doll festival is tomorrow, on the 3rd of March in Japan, The festival is also called as "Peace festival". Spring has come! We Japanese decorate hina dolls which depict the Japanese imperial court. The girl's parents hope that the child will have happy life. So the girl's family enjoy eating traditional meals, such as Chirashi-zushi(homemade sushi), Hina-arare(popped rice) and drinking "Shiro-sake"!

My shop, 98 Latrobe tce Paddington will be decorated the hina doll on my window from next Monday. Please have a look!!!

Setsubun

Setsubun 3rd of Feb- The close of winter "Bring happiness of 2010!" with throwing beans

I have not updated my blog yet. Sorry.. I will start to introduce Japanese culture with my words again. Please enjoy the parts of Japan with my funny English!!

"Setsubun" means "Winter has gone" and the day was the end of winter in calender. On the evening of 3rd of Feb, people throw roasted beans inside and outside of their houses with yelling "Oni wa soto(Devils out) Fuku wa uchi(Good luck in)!" Japanese people wanna invite good luck in. The event also customary to eat the beans as same as one's age. it is a kind of "Good health for each family members"

I myself last year was a bit hard, so I did with my family "Oni wa soto! Fukuwa uchi!!!"

Kazuyo

I reopened my shop "Kazuyo's collection at 98 Latrobe Tce paddington. Please come and enjoy a tiny Japanese culture world which There are Japanese art and craft, tea also my favourite kimono, kimono sash there.

The beauty- Kimono sash (Obi)

Hi, Here are the couple of works which made from Vintage Obi(kimono sash).
Especially clutch styles is a new design and coming out at Cherish2008 at Artisan(Craft Queensland), Fortitude Valley on Oct 2008.

Where are you going with my kimono bag?

'Hey! Duck where are you going with my kimono bag? '



'The bag looks like very heavy? Many stuff must be in the bag!'
'Where are you going with my bag? Are you coming back??'

“･･･・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・”

‘Anyway, Enjoy your traveling!!!'

Current work - Vintage kimono bag

Hello! This time, I would like to introduce my current work with vintage kimono Obi(kimono sash).
Just enjoy the pictures!

Left bag- Black Obi for ceremony and Brown-gold Obi which is patterned with Cranes and Pines (Pre 1945).

2nd bag - Black Obi for ceremony with Lady's kimono 'Shibori'
3rd bag - Geisya Obi
4th bag - Black Obi for ceremony and the patched work with Girl's kimono
5th bag - 'Nishijin' Obi which is famous in Kyoto

New sightseeing spots(Museum) in TOKYO

This time, I would like to introduce new sightseeing spots in Tokyo. I visited both museums on Jan. It was fun and amazing place!!!

The Edo Tokyo Museum (see the web)
The Exhibition consists of 3 zones 'Edo''Tokyo''The city and history'. You can see the Edo period to the Modern Japan through the exhibits and shows. I liked "the models of the town" which I slipped back in the time! There is a great gift shop where you can buy the traditional Japanese small gifts, toys.

Miraikan
- The national museum of Emerging science and Innovation (see the web)
www.miraikan.jst.go.jp
Just have a look the web! Just amazing place to see the forefront of technology in all fields.

*Both museums - Volunteer English guide available on the site, ask to receptonists!

Kaz(Kazuyo Kashiwagi)

Japanese Indigo - Kasuri, Shibori

Since I started making the vintage kimono bags in Australia, I know that most people like the bright kimono patterns such as "Geisha" costumes. These patterns generally show us Japanese four seasons with the seasonal plants, insects, animals and garden etc. I will write about these bright textiles later, but if you want to know more about Kimono textiles now, as a first step, please look at "Kimono-Wikipedia".


This time I would like to introduce the two Japanese traditional indigo textiles through my works.

The top of picture; KASURI
(What's KASURI?, See here)

The left picture; KASURI and Plain Indigo Summer Kimono

The bottom of picture; SHIBORI
(What's SHIBORI?, See here)


Kasuri is originally from India.
In Japan, firstly Kasuri and Shibori was made by Silk materials.
After the cotton fabric spread to ordinary people (since Edo period), The people, especially farmers wore Kasuri and Shibori clothes. Now both Kasuri and Shibori is very expensive in Japan(Because HANDMADE!!!)
PS; I am sorry for my funny English, please be patient!
When having time, I will ask my friends to amend my funny English to "REAL ENGLISH"!!!!

My favourite proverb - Calligraphy

When I was depressed, my friend told me "The past is no more, the future not yet". I felt that it's important for me to enjoy my life day by day and then one day, some outcome will come out....

When I stuck, I try to refresh with writing my favourite Japanese proverb. I have a couple of favourite proverbs.
初志貫徹（Shoshi kantetsu) ---carry out the original intention(purpose)
一期一会（Ichigo ichie) --- a once-in-a-lifetime chance(a special occasion).

I like the meaning of "Ichigo ichie". If I do everything as if it were a once-in-a-lifetime chance, I will be able to enjoy every moment and make effort without any pressure.

There are a couple of other proverbs as below.
森羅万象（Shinra Banshou) --- All things in the universe
花鳥風月(Kachou Fugetsu) --- the beauties of Nature
一視同仁(Ittshi Doujin) --- Universal brotherhood
気宇壮大(Kiu Soudai) --- A big hearted person

Calligraphy is pretty easy, just get a brush and black ink and write your favourite words. If you are interested in Kanji,please look at 50 popular Kanji, here.

Enjoy Japanese proverbs and Kanji!!!

Welcome to Kaz's vintage kimono bag world!

Hi! I am Kaz(Kazuyo) making one-off vintage kimono bags and accessories in Brisbane.

My profile is;
Please visit my website here.

I would like to introduce a variety of vintage fabrics through my work and also Japanese culture, healthy foods and so on both traditional and hot stuff!!!.
Anybody who have interest for Japanese stuff, please feel free to contact to me.
Look forward to hearing from you!

Kaz(Kazuyo Kashiwagi)