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Already 2 years in business – Happy Birthday, FurugiStar!
I realised after setting up the shop that I opened it on 1/11/11. I thought it must be an auspicious date and I think I was right! Thank you to all my customers and supporters so far. Here is a coupon for 20% off, live for 24hours: BDAY20
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Looking for a peaceful retreat from Tokyo I headed to the Izu Peninsular. I found Ks House in Ito. An historical maze of wood, stone and tatami.
Looking out of the balcony of my hotel room over the river I had no idea the very next day I would be sailing down it inside a wooden tub!
I happened to visit on the same weekend as the Matsukawa River Tub Race. A tradition held once a year since the 1950s. Somehow, I was talked into participating.
The race begins with a ceremonial race of the winners of previous years.
But even the winners are not ensured success!
So, I was asked by the hotel staff to help make up an international team. Here we all are lined up ready to go.
The rest of the team quickly takes the lead.
I am left behind trying to catch up with the tiny paddles.
Unfortunately, two members fell in but this meant I came third in my group. At the end of the day, I didn’t win, but I didn’t get wet. I intend to come first next year!
It was discovered that the people of Rieti in Italy have a similar tradition of racing down the Velino river in wine barrels.
The towns now have an agreement of friendship. At the Ito event I could sample a few Italian bites as well as the traditional Japanese foods.
An exciting opportunity and a wonderful day.
For a more detailed account of this event, take a look at this post.
Interested in vintage Japanese items? Take a look at my shop: FurugiStar
Chuo Cinema, Sangenjaya is the perfect place to chill out after a long day. Tucked away behind the main street it is easily missed, but I am so glad I found it.
There are no premieres here I am afraid, usually films that have just been released for rental. Watching the film is only half the fun.
I just love the atmosphere and intimacy of such a tiny, old cinema. The chairs are so springy and loud.
If you look up, you can see the dust falling through the projector light.
It first opened in early Showa period, wartime Japan. In a country where buildings are not intended to last this long and are constantly rebuilt, I am lucky to have found this secret treasure.
Chuo Cinema SangenjayaVintage
I heard rumours that the first films to be shown here were pornographic. Now though, mainstream or independent films draw in ten or fifteen viewers a showing. I hope there are a few more years left for us to hide away from the bright Tokyo lights.
After buying a boro scarf at a Tokyo flea market I wanted to learn more about the scruffy, stylish fabric. I pulled at a loose thread and unraveled an interesting tale going back hundreds of years.
Boro was born of forgotten values of ‘mottainai’ or ‘too good to waste’. An idea dangerously lacking in the modern consumer lifestyle.
The charm of boro is not only the indigo shades and shabby street chic, or even its eco-friendliness. Sewn together over generations, family sagas are woven through the threads. click below to read on…
Click photo to buy this item in FurugiStar on Etsy
Traditional kokeshi ningyo are Japanese dolls with a colourful history and controversial reputation. They have been associated with miscarried babies and infanticide. They were guardians of children and keepers of their souls. Today, the word kokeshi is a sexual innuendo due to the phallic shape.
Kokeshi were originally souvenirs for Japanese tourists and offered entertainment to children but developed into something much more. The dolls are fascinating, shocking, sad or mundane depending on the perspective. click below to read on..
