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The History of Japanese Chopsticks
When you go to any Japanese restaurant or café it is highly likely you will be given a pair of chopsticks as your main eating utensil. Surprisingly, chopsticks originated in China and made their way to Japan via Korea. A Chinese philosopher Confucius believed that sharp utensils such as knives and forks closely represented violence […]
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Geisha in modern Japan
Geisha, also known as Geiko in Kyoto, are professional entertainers that perform traditional Japanese arts such as dancing, singing, poetry and play traditional instruments. Their main purpose is to keep guests entertained not only with performances but also conversation and drinking games during banquets and other occasions. The most prestigious area for Geisha in Japan […]
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The art of wearing a Kimono – Step by step guide
What is a Kimono? The Kimono is one of the most iconic fashion pieces, not only in Japan but all over the world. a Kimono is a traditional Japanese garment that was worn by all up until the mid 19th century when western fashion made its way in. These days the garment is commonly worn […]
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The Obi Sash – Not just a Kimono robe accessory
Firstly, what is an Obi? An Obi is used as a belt worn with traditional Japanese clothing and Japanese martial arts uniforms. They come in many different designs, sizes and materials – Brocade, tapestry and dyed silk are used for formal wear as they are more expensive, opposed to raw silk, cotton or wool which are used for […]
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Japanese fashion: The Haori Jacket
Japan; the popular destination for high fashion to streetwear. When you think of Japanese fashion, most would automatically think of the streets of Harijuku – over the top, bright coloured, avant-garde outfits, but this country offers far more to the world of trend setting than the well-known kawaii Harijuku girl style. The Japanese Haori jacket […]
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‘Noh’ ordinary mask – A look into traditional Japanese theatre mask’s
‘Noh’ derived from the Sino-Japanese word for “skill” or “talent”, is a 14th century Japanese stage drama that is still performed to this day. The musical dance-based performance incorporates masks, costumes and props to perform traditional literature and contemporary events. Noh masks; the masks used by actors during the performance, signify a characters’ gender, age, and social ranking. […]
