Sayaka Motomura 's page

Articles

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  [Complete Guide to Kumihimo] The World of Kumihimo, Filled with Japanese Aesthetics

  In the 2016 anime film "Your Name.", kumihimo was used for the heroine’s hair cord and the protagonist’s bracelet, and was depicted as an important item in the story. Right after the film’s release, kumihimo bracelets became hugely popular across Japan, and production in manufacturing areas could not keep up, turning it into a social phenomenon. Among them, kumihimo developed in a unique way in Japan alongside the culture of each era. Made by braiding threads together, kumihimo has been used not only as a practical item, but also as an expression of Japanese aesthetics. In this article, we introduce the delicate and beautiful world of kumihimo.

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  The Complete Guide to Tatami, a Traditional Flooring Essential to Japanese Life

  Tatami is a traditional flooring used in Japanese-style rooms in homes, as well as in ryokan inns, shrines, temples, and tea rooms. Made from a plant called igusa rush, it is known for its distinctive fragrance and soft texture. Tatami generally consists of three parts: the tatami-omote surface, the tatami-doko core, and the fabric tatami-beri edging that protects the sides.

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  Complete Guide to Akō Dantsū, Japan’s Traditional Handwoven Rugs

  Akō Dantsū rugs feature auspicious motifs associated with good fortune. The craft began with a woman in Akō City, Hyogo Prefecture, more than 150 years ago, and its techniques continue to be passed down within the city today. Together with Nabeshima Dantsū from Saga Prefecture and Sakai Dantsū from Osaka Prefecture, Akō Dantsū is known as one of Japan’s three major dantsū traditions.

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  [Complete Guide to Kaleidoscopes] Step Into the Beautiful World Inside a Kaleidoscope

  Beautiful repeating patterns, yet once a pattern appears, you can never see the exact same one again. That fleeting, delicate beauty is the greatest charm of the kaleidoscope. In this complete guide, we’ll explore how kaleidoscopes were born and their history, introduce the Kyoto Kaleidoscope Museum where you can experience their fascinating world and appeal, and even cover hands-on kaleidoscope-making workshops. Let us take you into the infinite world that opens up when you look inside.

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  Create Your Own One-of-a-Kind Sake! Experience the Depth of Sake Blending at My Sake World

  Have you ever thought, “I’d like to make sake that suits my own taste”? Sake is usually enjoyed as it is, but it can also be blended. This article introduces sake blending and a facility where you can try it. If you’re thinking of tasting sake in Kyoto, be sure to read this before your trip!