たわし — The Japanese Scrubber That Lasts
There was always a tawashi by the sink when I was growing up. It was only when I moved away from Japan that I understood what it actually was...
Wabi Sabi Journal
Why You Need a Tawash Scrubber in Your Life
If you're looking for an effective and eco-friendly cleaning tool for your kitchen, a tawash scrubber is an excellent choice. Made from natural materials and designed to last for a...
Chopsticks Around Asia: Exploring the Differences in Japan, Korea, and China
Have you ever noticed the unique differences in chopsticks when dining in Japanese, Korean, or Chinese restaurants? Despite their similar appearance, chopsticks vary significantly in length, shape, and material across...
生き甲斐 — A Reason to Get Up
生き甲斐, ikigai, has traveled widely enough to acquire a life outside Japan — and in that traveling, it has been somewhat changed. The four-circle Venn diagram you may have...
Discover the Benefits of Authentic Japanese Green Tea
Authentic Japanese green tea is a delicious and healthy beverage packed with antioxidants. It is known for its energizing and calming properties, making it an excellent addition to any self-care...
八十八夜 — The First Tea of the Year
My grandmother had one rule when making green tea: pour every last drop from the teapot. The concentrated last drops, she explained, were the most flavorful part. I follow this...
The Retirement of The Head Craftsman at Shirokiya Denbei Broom
The Head Craftsman at Shirokiya Denbei, recently retired after more than 60 years of dedicated service. The news is a reminder of the importance of preserving traditional artisanal skills, which are...
The Tasty World of Japanese Mushrooms
If you like shiitake mushrooms, you should try these other Japanese mushrooms!
恵方巻き — The Roll You Eat in Silence
On Setsubun, Japanese families eat 恵方巻き whole, uncut, in silence, while facing a specific direction determined by the zodiac. You must not speak. You must not cut it. You must...
日本のデニム — Denim That Gets Better With Use
I grew up wearing Levi's. It was only as an adult that I found Japanese denim — and understood why the people who know it feel so strongly about...
キャラ弁 — The Lunch Box as Love Letter
In Japan, making a child's bento is a daily act. And then there are the parents who go further. Much further. キャラ弁 are lunch boxes that become art.
Snow Monkeys — The Monkeys Who Found the Hot Springs
In a valley in Nagano where the ground vents steam year-round, Japanese macaques sit in hot spring pools in winter — shoulders deep in the water, snow falling on...
書き初め — The First Calligraphy of the Year
Every new year holiday, at some point, my mother would say it was time. Time to stop playing with my cousins, sit down, and write. I did not enjoy it....
Kadomatsu🎍 — Emoji for Japanese New Year
Have you ever encountered the emoji 🎍 and wondered what it represents? It is an illustration of 門松 (Kadomatsu), which is a traditional Japanese ornament that is commonly placed during the...
冬至の柚子湯 — The Yuzu Bath on the Shortest Day
My parents have a yuzu tree in their backyard. Every year on the winter solstice, the fruit goes into the bath — whole, floating in hot water, filling the room...