The Way of the Kiseru
Love this article, probably because I really enjoy Japanese design at the historical and domestic level.
"The New Year in Japan"
You can still see kite flying on the upper riverbanks of the Kamogawa. At least for the first few days of the year…
I did not know karuta was a favorite New Years game. I’m fascinated by the old playing pieces with the beautiful hand calligraphy.
Another great post! Agemashite omedetou gozaimasu!
Off to War
Hi Kjeld-
I came back to this article to tell you I saw a senninbari here in LA at the Japanese American National Museum this past weekend! And thanks to you, I knew what it was! It’s an interesting one that was made in the Japanese concentration camps here for men being sent off to war to fight for the US in WW2. It has a lovely sumie painting depicting a tiger on it as well. Photos will be posted on my blog today. It was really great to see one in person. Hope all is well with you!
Tokyo Station
Thank you for this historical write up and the great picture in the top! I just love this hotel and read / study whatever I can about it and its history. I would love to find some architectural drawings / elevation drawings of this beautiful building.
Matsushima Brothels
As I was looking for some information on Dotonbori I’ve stumbled across this amazing website researching Osaka’s urban history .
I hope it’ll add to your research as well :)
Off to War
Excellent article with some moving photos. Keep up the good work!
another wonderful post. the photographs… the faces. I did not know about senninbari at all but so very interesting. the videos too- i’d love to see that found film… Again- thank you!
Headman, Hunter, Fox
There is also a short description of the game in the book “We Japanese” by Frederic de Garis: Google Books
As always I’m in awe with the amount of research put in every article.
@Tim Shaw: Thank you, Tim. I love how beautiful design is integrated into all aspects of Japanese tobacco culture. Pipes, tobacco pouches and ashtrays may have been introduced from abroad, but the Japanese did something very special with what they were handed. It is amazingly elegant and unique.