Season's Greetings

Every year in Australia, someone always ask me if Japanese celebrate Christmas.

My answer is "Yes" but it's more of an excuse to have a party. For some reasons, we celebrate Christmas eve, not the Christmas day. And Christmas day is NOT public holiday.


I think celebrating Christmas culture started when my parents were little. (They are in their 60s now). But it was for people who could afford to do so. Many people were still very poor after the war.

As for me(born in 80s), I always celebrated Christmas with family and I believed in Santa Clause too.

I think many people still think Japanese are Buddhist therefore we don't celebrate Christmas but in fact, majority of us don't have religion. We celebrate whatever is fun and make money if we are running shops.

Having said that, new year eve and the new year day are very important for us.  Family member gather around, eat traditional new year cuisine, go to a shrine for a new year prayer, etc.

I'm usually back in Japan this time of the year but not this time. As much as I like Australia, I still prefer to be in Japan for new year's eve and the new year.

But I love Christmas spirit here!!  I bought more Christmas decorations this time and also bought many Christmas cookies from a lady I met at Kirribilli market. (Please refer to the photo)

Her business name is All That's Nice. You can find her from her facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/allthatsnicecookies?ref=ts&fref=ts

Thanks so much to all the people who supported Kyo Modern this year.  I wish everyone a bright and delightful holiday seasons!!

Soy Candle Aritist Takako

A friend of mine who will be sharing the stall at Kirribilli market on the 1st of December makes soy candles.


She makes soy candles with and without fragrance. Personally I like the one with fragrance.

Unlike ordinary candles that are made by mainly paraffin, soy candle doesn't have burnt smell. It is softer and has a low melting point.

Her candles comes in various sizes and with different decollations. I purchased stained glass ones before. And I just found out she started making Christmas candles too!

When I share a market stall with friends, I often end up buying their products for myself. I love my friends artworks.

You can find more information of what she does via her facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/reikot#!/CandlemakerTakakoYamamoto

Hope to see you all on Saturday!

New products

Christmas products are available at Beehive gallery、Romantic Notions and Tachi Hair Works

At Beehive galley, there are kokeshi cosmetic pouches, handmade hair accessories including new hair bands made of shibori, Santa on reindeer and cakes which are screen cleaners. There is also Christmas decorations for wall.  Of course, all these products are made of kimono fabric by craftsman in Kyoto, Japan! 

At Romantic Notions, there are kimono teddy bears and cake screen cleaners. I will be adding coin purses and small teddy bears soon. 






 

At Tachi Hair Works, there are new hair accessories and Christmas ornaments.
 





Christmas is only a month away now. I hope Kyo Modern's products will make good Christmas gifts for friends and families. 

Beehive Gallery (Gifts Shop)
Shop1 441-443 King Street
Newtown 2042 NSW 

Romantic Notions (Gifts Shop)
101 Longueville Rd, Lane Cove NSW 2066, Australia

Tachi Hair Works (Hair & Beauty Salon)
Shop 1, 272 Victoria Ave., Chatswood NSW

Coming soon

After 3 weeks in overseas, I am finally back in Australia.

I picked up lots of new products while I was in Kyoto. Now I should add them onto my new website that is launching in this month.

I will announce the official open day of the website soon.  I will be uploading photos of Kyoto on facebook page soon too. 

Getting ready for Christmas

Being busy with setting up a new website. It should open just before I leave for Japan next week.

While I'm away, I won't be able to process the sales so any order come through during that period will be processed in mid November.

I didn't realised it's so close to end of the year. That means Christmas is just around the corner!! 2012 was somewhat very fast for me.

I'm planning to get products for Christmas from Japan.

How about Santa on a reindeer? 

It's actually a screen monitor cleaner.

I can't wait to see more products in Kyoto!!

New products at Tachi Hair Works

I didn't realise the lasts time I updated this blog is more than a month ago.

Oops!

I have received new products and I'm in a process of selling them at shops in Sydney.

So far, a hair salon Tachi Hair Works in Chatswood sells some of the new hair accessories.



I will be dropping off more products at a gift shop Beehive gallery in Newtown and a hair and beauty salon My Hair International in The Rocks sometime this week. And other shops next week.

Apologise for an unclear photo but the products in the photos are a hair tie. This hair tie is made with a ribbon which is made of rayon and acrylic beads. 

It comes in different colours. The one available at Tachi Hair Works is pink. This is almost like wearing kanzashi (traditional Japanese style hair ornament) but it's a hair tie so it's so much easier to wear. Shinning beads definitely makes your hair more stunning.  

The size of the decorations (ribbon & beads) are 11x5cm. The diameter of a elastic band is 9cm. It's handmade by a craftsman in Kyoto.  

More photos of new hair accessories are below:

Garbera hair pin. It comes in blue, pink, red & purple. Handmade with rayon & cotton.

Hair tie with round decorations.  Made of rayon and chirimen,

New products coming soon

I have placed orders of new products from Kyoto, Japan.

This time I'm getting more hair accessories and unusual gifts.  The one in the photo above is actually a PC monitor cleaner! It's made of chirimen (kimono fabric).

I should be receiving the products sometime next week. After that,  I will let you know when and where that will be available to purchase!

Japanese calligraphy

A friend of mine runs a monthly workshop of Japanese calligraphy in ryoan Gojyuan in Balmain, Sydney.

She has ran numbers of workshops in Australia before.

Learning calligraphy was compulsory in any schools in Japan. I wish I took calligraphy lessons more seriously so that I could have had nice hand writing!

If you are interested in learning Japanese calligraphy in Sydney,  please contact Tomoko directly or ryokan Gojyuan.

Tomoko: tomokoworld514@hotmail.com

More details are available on Tomoko's website: https://sites.google.com/site/mojiyafudeart/

also on Gojyuan's website: http://www.ryokangojyuan.com/en/workshops_calligraphy.php

Kamisaka Sekka exhibition at Art Gallery NSW

The exhibition of Kamisaka Sekka is on at Art gallery of NSW in Sydney.

Sekka is a Japanese artist who brought traditional paintings and lacquer ware to more modern designs. 


He was around in 1866 to 1942.

I went there last weekend and I was astonished with the colours he used. He drew lots of plants which looked so real. I wonder how he managed to make such colours.

Most of plants he drew were common ones I used to see in my town in Japan. (ie bush clover, peony, willow tree, etc) It was very nostalgic.

If you like "Japanese fine art", please go to this exhibition. You can also see art works from other artists who were inspired by Kamisaka Sekka.

The exhibition is on until the 26th of August.

More information is available here.

New products

New kimono fabric earrings, a wallet and a card holder are now available at Tachi Hair Works in Chatswood. 

Check out the basket on the counter. 

I have restocked teddy bears, hair clips and　a handmade silk pouch!

Tachi Hair Works

272 Victoria Ave
CHATSWOOD NSW ,2067

Cafe Cre A Sion

I finally made my way to Cafe Cre A Sion today.

This is a small cafe nestled in Sydney CBD. They serve cafe food plus very large variety of macaroons!

The business is Japanese owned so you can find unusual flavoured macaroon like Yuzu (citrus fruit) & Hoji cha (tea).  I was there with a bunch of friends so we tried several flavours. I think I like Yuzu the most!

They also make nice coffees and Japanese tea. I bought Uni Cha (green tea from Kyoto) biscuit and it was probably the best tea flavoured biscuits I had in Sydney! I was meant to eat one before dinner but already ate 3. I better leave the rest for my husband.

The shop space is pretty small. There are tables inside and outside but it can probably accommodate up to 8 people inside and 4 outside.

I saw many regulars getting a cup of coffee. Some of them walked away from cups and came back later to return an empty cup. I wonder if they walked back to their office, finished coffee and came back?

This is one of the must place you should try if you love macaroons!

Check out the reviews and more photos on Urbanspoon.

My food adventure never ends. I love food...especially sweets!

A friend of mine bakes cakes for special occasions. You can see some of her works on her blog or on facebook page.

If you have trouble viewing the page, search Julie's heart bakery.  She is based in Sydney.

I'm thinking of asking her to bake a cake for my wedding anniversary. It will be either something with a love heart or my favourite character Miffy!

What's happening with Kyo Modern...

Just in case people were wondering what's happening with me... I'm still arrive!

I was sick for few weeks. After that, I started preparing for a new website. My current website was done by myself and there was only so many improvements I could make as an amateur.

So I've decided to use a professional to re-do my site! It will be ready in next couple of months time. I will let you know when it's up.

May wasn't so busy but June is somewhat busy season. It's 6 months before Christmas (yes, already!) so that's when wholesalers start stocking up for Christmas sales.

I have started to look around as well. I need new products for Kyo Modern!!

In a mean time, you can still go to online shop on my current website which is up & running. And if you are in NSW, Queensland or Victoria, there are shops where you can visit to purchase Kyo Modern's products.

Fujipan the Japanese bakery

"Pan" means bread in Japanese. Apparently origin of this word is German or something else, I can't remember.

Anyway, Japanese style bread is a very good mix of European style bread with Asian taste. It's bit hard to describe by words. It's much easier if I can take you to a bakery in Japan!

There are so many varieties of bread in a Japanese bakery. As much as I like bakeries in Australia too, I still miss Japanese bakeries.

I only know one decent Japanese style bakery in Sydney and it's called Fuji pan. It's located on:

605 George Street, Shop 1
Corner of  Goulburn Street and George Street in Sydney CBD

It's actually owned by Fujiya restaurant which is located right above this shop.

They have pretty good varieties of bread and also some cakes. My recommendation is "Mochi Mochi" pan. (the one on the right. This particular one was chocolate flavour)

It's so soft and tasty! The shop is open till late but if you go there after 8pm, they normally don't have that much bread left (but often they are on clearance!) so get there early!

Megan Kate Emporium

Some of Kyo Modern's Nishijin silk purses, Chirimen business cardholders and handmade Tomesode glasses cases are now available at Megan Kate Emporium in Willoughby, Sydney,

The owner Megan is very passionate about what she is selling.

She sells good varieties of quilts, baby shoes , hats,  cards, clothing , hair accessories, shawls,  soft toys , stationery  and books.

She also supports local Australian designers.

If you need gifts for kids, adults or a clothes with difference for yourself or friends, this shop a must stop shop!

A friend of mine Aki also sells her products there. She is a Sydney based leather fashion accessory designer. For the photo of her products, please check my previous blog.


Megan Kate Emporium
553 Willoughby Road
WILLOUGHBY NSW
Australia 2068

Opening hours

Monday - Wednesday
9am- 5.30pm

Thursday
9am - 6pm
Friday
9am- 5.30pm
Saturday
9- 4.30pm

Friend of Kyo Modern -Aizuya-

A friend of mine is from Fukushima.

Many people now know Fukushima as the town with nuclear disaster.

But what Fukushima is famous for is its beautiful culture.

It's famous for stunning castle(Tsuruga), beautiful traditional style villages and national parks (Minami Aizu), cute Akabeko doll and Aizu momen.

Momen means cotton.

Aizu momen has distinctive stripe patterns.  It's often dyed with indigo, but does come in different colours. (ie my apron in the photo) The texture of the cotton is tough and also absorbent.

My friend Hiki sells aprons, brooches, bags, beverage coaster and luncheon mat made of Aizu momen.

Her website is currently under the maintenance, but you can still contact her by email or phone.  The contact details are below:

aizuaus@gmail.com
0430 378 438

Some of her products are available in shops in Sydney. Please contact her for more information.


Her and I will be holding a stall at Ryokan Gojyuan in Balmain, Sydney on the 28th of April. It will be on from 10am till around 3 or 4pm.

If you will be in the area on the day, please pop in!

Ryokan Gojyuan

http://www.ryokangojyuan.com/en/index.php

Market this Saturday

As I mentioned in the news section of this blog, I will be at Kirribilli market this Saturday. It's on from 8am to 3pm.

I will be there with 2 of my friends.

One of them will be selling homewares from her town Fukushima. As you might know, Fukushima was one of the area which was badly affected by the earthquake and nuclear power plants.

My friend is trying to support her hometown by selling fashion accessories and homewares made of cotton called Aizu Momen. It is striped designed cotton fabric dyed with indigo, originaited around 1643 in Fukushima.

My other friend will be selling lovely hand woven jewelly  pouches and hats for baby.  I don't have a photo of it but pouches are in a shape of macaroon. It looks so realistic that it looks almost eatable!

We will be on either gravel or green area on the market. Hope it will be a nice sunny day!

Information of the market is available here.

It happened at 14:26pm in Japan time. The earthquake hit northern part of Japan then followed by huge Tsunami.

I can't believe it's been 1 year. I still feel like it happened recently.

This time last year, I discovered the news when my mother rang. She lives in Kyoto so she was safe but she was panicking.  I didn't realise how bad the damage was until I checked news online.

I thought it was some kind of movie scene or some kind of bad joke... I couldn't believe what I was watching.

For 2 weeks, I kept watching Japanese news online. I felt so frustrated and useless. The only thing I could do was donating money and get involved in fund raising events. 

People in northern Japan are still suffering from the affect. If you are in Sydney, there are couple of events you can join to help earthquake victims.

There is a Japanese volunteering group which runs fund raising event. The website is mainly in Japanese but you can still check out the information of up coming events.

http://sites.google.com/site/helpjapansydney/

There is also a market in Manly. It's on every 3rd Saturday of the month.  This is running by Sydney Rainbow Stay. Their website is below:

http://sites.google.com/site/sydneyrainbowstayen/

My hear will go to everyone who was and still is affected by the earthquake.

It's this time of the year again!

Happy Hina Matsuri!


When a baby girl is born, one of family members buy a set of Hina dolls as gift to a baby. The Hina doll set represents a wedding ceremony of loyal family in Heian period. (794~1192)

On this day, we eat Chirashi Zushi(=Sushi), fish and special sweets to celebrate the day, and wish for good health and happiness of the girls in a family.

I have 2 sets which is bit unusual. I have a full set from my father's side grandmother and only the bride and groom from my father's aunt. (the in the picture above)

My grandmother is deceased so Hina dolls became my very valuable asset. It's getting bit old and some of them needs to be repaired. I probably should take them back to Japan with me next time for repair!

It's on a way

New Handmade Tomesode (formal kimono) glasses cases are finally on the way from Japan!

I will be selling them at Beehive gallery in Newtown,  and My Hair International in The Rocks , Romatic Notions in Lane Cove and possibly at other shops.

I will also sell some of them at the next general market at Kirribilli market. This time, I'm sharing a stall with friends who sells homewares from Fukushima, Japan!  I will post more information about it closer to the date.

Arielle’s Organic Cakes

I love cakes in Japan. Our cake is based on French style with bit of Japanese taste.

We like it light and not so sweet.

So to be very honest, when I moved to Australia and discovered quality of cakes here, I was very disappointed.

Of course, there were some very nice cakes in good cafes and restaurants but majority of cakes I came across were too sweet in my mouth, so heavy in my stomach. 

Azuma cafe in Sydney city is one of the very few decent Japanese style cake shop I know but recently, I met a Japanese lady called Natsuno who runs her cake business in Sydney.

She studied French style patisserie in Paris and recently returned to Sydney. What she makes is very unique. She can make cakes and other sweets without any artificial ingredients, preservatives sugar and butter oil!

She does have a web site but currently it's  not in use. So if you would like to view some of her works and prices, it's best to contact her by email or phone. She can then send you photos of cakes with more details!

Arielle's Organic Cakes
www.ariellesorganiccakes.com.au
Email: arielles.cakes@gmail.com
Phone: 0431 577 989 (7 Days 10am to 5pm)

New Colours

I have added purple and white mini hair clips at My Hair International and Beehive Gallery. Please check it out!

I'm in a process of getting more of handmade Tomesode glasses/mobile phone case from Kyoto. A lady who makes this product is getting bit old so she works slowly.

This products went very well last year so I can't wait to get some more! But for now, I have to be patient....!

Still sorting out

It has been just over 2 weeks since I came back from Japan. My body is now adjusted to Australian time and weather.

But there are still many things that needs to be done which were meant to be done before I left for Japan in December...ahhhh!

As I mentioned in the previous blog, I will have more time from next week so please wait for announcement for new products, stock of current products, etc.

So far, I have added purple and white flower mini hair clips at My Hair International in The Rocks, Sydney. Please look for a shelf right next to a counter.  Apart from hair cut, they do massage, facial, manicure and pedicure. They are open from 8am to 8pm during weekdays, 9am to 6pm on Saturday and 9am to 5pm on Sunday.

I'm writing this at 1am on Saturday night. And starting to think of Ramen. I miss having Ramen in Japan. There are many Ramen places in Sydney but only few of them are decent. A photo above is Nagahama style Ramen I ate in Kyoto. There is nothing better than eating nice Ramen in the middle of the night!!

Recovering

I've been back from Kyoto and still recovering from fatigue and also busy with other things...

Things should clear up by this weekend and I will then start uploading what I found in Kyoto and also the new products! Until then, please browse my website for news and availability of current products.

(Photo: Delicious hot pot I had )