The techniques used in gift wrapping eventually gave rise to the sophisticated craft “origami”. Wrapping gifts has been a very common custom in Japan since Kamakura Period (1185 to 1333). When money or goods are handed, they are usually wrapped in paper or put in an envelope. It is etiquette to put money in an envelope when it is personally handed to someone. In case of handing money without wrapping in a paper or putting in an envelope, Japanese people do not forget to add the comments “sorry to be rude” or “sorry that my money is naked (meaning money is not wrapped)” In these days, wrapping has been simplified as it is realised that saving paper is needed. However, for Read More

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “ORIGAMI”? Folded paper cranes? Colourful Washi paper? Origami is the traditional Japanese art of folding a sheet of paper into various shapes such as birds, animals and many other things without using scissors or glue. For centuries, origami has been a favourite leisure activity for people throughout Japan.

Ceremonial origami and entertainment origami

Origami can be categorised into two parts, ceremonial origami which is used in the ritual and the other is entertainment origami. The folding of paper firstly developed as decorations related to religion and ceremonies. In Kamakura Period (1185 to 1333), it becomes a custom to exchange gifts among samurai warriors. These gifts are wrapped with a paper or offered with a Read More

Tea ceremony was developed as a social activity among high-class men. They gathered and discussed various topics with a course of meal and tea. Senrikyu established that gathering as an ceremonial art in 16^th century, having defined the manner and encouraged participants to appreciate the decoration and equipment used during the ceremony. Tea ceremony since 17^th century functioned like salons in France in 18-19^th century where people exchanged cultural and intellectual knowledge.

Today, tea ceremony is regarded one of the most important art in Japan because it is a comprehensive art that forms bases of Japanese art. Many other arts like room decorations, flower arrangements, calligraphy, tea related equipment, kaiseki dishes and sweets were invented or improved as tea ceremony was developed. Read More

You may be surprised to hear that all sakura, cherry trees in Japan are clones grafted from a single tree.

During end of March and beginning of April is the cherry blossom season when tourists and locals rush to enjoy the beautiful but short-lived pale pink flowers. It is the type of sakura called Somei Yoshino that we see almost everywhere in Japan and that Japan Meteorological Agency gives forecast when it fully blooms in major cities. Somei Yoshino blooms at same timing under the same condition as they all have same genes. It is said that Somei Yoshino was first created at Somei village in Tokyo from Edohigan and Oshimazakura breeds in the late 19^th century. By that time, enjoying cherry blossoms Read More

koicha, thick green tea

usucha, thin green tea

Today, Japanese regard tea ceremony as a representative example of traditional Japanese culture. The full ceremony takes around four hours and it is composed with the first greeting, a course meal called kaiseki, sweet, sake (Japanese rice wine), short break to enjoy walking in the garden, thick green tea (koi-cha; three times thicker than normal matcha and its texture reminds us of potage soup), thin green tea (usu-cha; formed matcha green tea that we often see), appreciating decoration and equipment and the last greetung. There are so many rules to follow about behaviors and fashion, which are slightly Read More