Blog

2018年2月14日

Kimono Culture in Hanamachi

In my previous article of November 5, 2017, “Enjoy Kimono as You Like“, I wrote that there were two different cultures in Kyoto associated with Kimono (着物). Today, I would like to introduce you the one of them, the Kimono culture in Hanamachi (花街, districts Maiko () and Geiko () reside and work). For Maiko ・・・

2018年2月13日

Jofu, High-Quality Plain-Woven Linen

Jofu (上布) is a type of extremely precious fabric for Japanese summer Kimono (着物), which is exquisitely plain-woven with superfine linen. Echigo Jofu (越後上布) from Niigata (新潟) prefecture, Oumi Jofu (近江上布) from Shiga (滋賀), and Miyako Jofu (宮古上布) from Miyako island of Okinawa (沖縄), are very famous among other types of Jufu produced, and most ・・・

2018年2月13日

Somei no Mizu, Top Three Mineral Water in Kyoto

Nashiki shrine (梨木神社) at the east side of Gosho (御所) Palace enshrines Sanjo Sanetsumu (三條実萬) and Sanjo Sanetomi (三條実美), a father and son from a court noble clan. They both advocated the Ousei Fukko (王政復古, Restoration of Imperial Rule) from the early stage of Meiji Ishin (明治維新, Meiji restoration) and Sanetomi was consecutively appointed to ・・・

2018年2月12日

Yotsugi Jizouson Daisai at Jyotoku-ji Temple

Jotoku-ji (常徳寺) temple, located very close to YUMEYAKATA, is famous for its blessing of conception after visiting the temple. The Yotsugi-Jizou (世継, an heir, 地蔵, stone statue of Bodhisattva) here is said to be responsive to the prayers for having children, and is very popular among Kyoto residents. On February 8th, the temple holds the ・・・

2018年2月9日

Namafu Dengaku, Gluten Cakes with Sweet Miso Sauce

Takizawa Bakin (滝沢馬琴), a popular writer in the Edo (江戸) period, left a lot of criticism on various cultures in Kyoto, especially on fish dishes. However, he also wrote some favorable articles about food in Kyoto such as Fu (麩, wheat gluten cake), Yuba (湯葉, soy curd), potatos, Mizuna (水菜, one breed of Japanese greens), ・・・