Category Archives: Japan

Irodori

April 2, 2021 12:03 AM \

We found these handmade brooch on a Japanese lifestyle website and thought it would be a fun project.  They’re called the Chiku Chiku or prickly brooch.  There is no pattern to follow and you are free to use your imagination so that no two patterns will ever be alike.  We discovered that these particular pieces were made by Tamagawa Welfare Workshop a corporation that operates both elderly care and disabled support business.

The brooch are sold under the brand, Irodori, who makes not only sashimi embroidered products but several other products using recycled  materials. Irodori works with elderly and disabled people invigorating and making them actively contribute to the local community. 

You can find more Irodori products on Facebook and on Instagram.

Images:  Courtesy of Irodori.

Posted in: Embroidery, Handcrafted, Japan, Sashiko \ Tagged: , , ,

Pavilio

March 25, 2021 12:03 AM \

We always want to make our gift wrapping extra special and unique so we think these lace tapes from Japanese brand, Pavilio, will do the trick.  The company was born in 2015 as a joint venture developed and planned by a sticker printing company in Sanjo City and a design company in Tokyo. Their lace tape features fine cutting and colorful designs.

All their patterns can be viewed here on their website.  Some designs are available on Etsy, Amazon and a few other companies listed on Google.

Images:  Courtesy of Pavilio.

Posted in: Japan, Paper, Stationery \ Tagged: , ,

Itsuo Kobayashi

March 24, 2021 12:03 AM \

Itsuo Kobayashi was born in 1962 and lives in Saitama prefecture.  Since he was 18 years old he took the time to document each and every meal he ate. Using pen and ink he filled notebook after notebook with delicious-looking paintings. The bento boxes and ramen drawings often included the name, price and ingredients of each meal.  The Japanese outsider artist and professional cook suffers from alcoholic neuritis and has difficulty walking.  Often bed-ridden he still draws from memory relying mostly on food deliveries from restaurants or deliveries from his mother.

Mr. Kobayashi is represent by Kushino Terrace Gallery. There is a great interview with him on the website, Note.

Images:  Courtesy of Itsuo Kobayashi and Kushino Terrace Gallery.

Posted in: Drawings, Illustration, Japan \ Tagged: , ,
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