Sayaka Motomura's page

Articles

• 

  Get Your Hands on the Traditional Japanese Fortune Calendar: Takashima Koyomi!

  Do you know what kind of day today is? Whether it be weddings, funerals, moving house, or planting crops, Japanese people have long relied on a calendar called "Takashima Koyomi" to guide them through daily life. This article introduces how the Takashima Koyomi has become an integral part of Japanese life.

• 

  The Complete Guide to Bamboo Craft: Discover Artisan Skills!

  The bamboo fence, essential in creating a Japanese garden, and bamboo baskets used for washing rice and vegetables are just a few examples of how bamboo crafts have been a part of daily life for the Japanese people throughout history. In this article, we’ll introduce the charm of bamboo craftsmanship, showcasing its diverse applications—from bamboo fences to items like rings and bottle stands that fit seamlessly into today’s lifestyles!

• 

  Guide to Enjoying Japanese Candles: Soothe Your Soul with Their Flickering Light!

  Light has always been essential to human life. Before electricity and gas became widespread, people relied on candles to illuminate the night. While Western candles are more common globally, Japan has long had its own traditional candles known as "wa-rousoku," which have been closely tied to Japanese daily life. In this guide, we'll explore the history of these Japanese candles, how they have been cherished by the Japanese people, and the craftsmanship of the artisans who make them.

• 

  Guide to Discovering Kabuki and Enjoying Its Performance: Experience Japan’s Traditional Performing Art

  Kabuki is a traditional Japanese performing art. Kabuki, with its various charms, has been a popular form of entertainment in Japan for centuries. Stepping into a Kabuki theater transports you to an extraordinary world. For over 400 years, Kabuki actors, who are the pride of Japan, have preserved and carried on this tradition, dazzling audiences with their vibrant performances and magnificent stages. You can experience a special time, enjoying the brilliance of the costumes, the sounds of traditional Japanese instruments like the shamisen, and the refined beauty of the dances down to the fingertips. This world is traditionally an all-male domain, where both the actors who play male roles (“tachiyaku”) and those who play female roles (“onnagata”) have their own distinct aesthetic styles. Even if you don’t understand the language, as long as you grasp the key points of how to watch, you’ll be fine! When you see a performance, there will surely be something that moves your heart.