Dec 6

JanuaryInJapan 2025: Days At the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

This January, join us for our cosiest JanuaryInJapan Book Club yet! Join us as we gather together online to chat about the heart-warming...

Nov 29

Kokoro by Lafcadio Hearn

This month let's take a look at the writing of Lafcadio Hearn in his essay collection of 1895, called Kokoro . In his essays, we discover...

Sep 8

Machiya Building Returns to Kyoto

…and that ideal vision was that Kyoto would once again be a beautiful wooden city… Steve Beimel of JapanCraft21 in Kyoto is an...

Sep 1

Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess

I first discovered stories about the thunder god, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, when I visited the Gion Matsuri last summer. Susanoo-no-Mikoto is...

Aug 19

An Introduction to Shinto

Have you ever wondered about Japanese Shinto shrines? What is the meaning behind those zigzag shapes of paper that hang from a rope, and...

Aug 9

The Chrysanthemum Festival

Do not think yourself The vanishing dew. Think instead Of the long-blooming Chrysanthemum flower. The Heian Court calendar was peppered...

Jul 23

Japanese Drama Update!

Turn to me Mukai-kun Sincere guy Satoru Mukai (played by Akaso Eiji) had a perplexing break-up ten years ago: one which he never quite...

Jul 1

Kyoto Machiya: Mugen

Machiya are the beautiful, traditional townhouses of Kyoto, made with tremendous craft and skill. In 2016 I stayed at the lovingly...

Jun 16

Spring in Fuji Five Lakes

The peak of Mount Fuji is oblivious to time. What season does it take this to be that the falling snow should dapple it like a fawn? toki...

May 24

Meet Catherine Pawasarat: Author of The Gion Festival: Exploring Its Mysteries

My Japan Journey Interview 8: Catherine Pawasarat: expert and author of The Gion Festival: Exploring Its Mysteries There is no question...

Apr 26

The Miyako Odori: Kyoto's Spring Dance

In preparation for our exciting interview and blog with the Kyoto geisha and maiko photographer John Paul Foster, I began to learn about...

Apr 18

Cherry Blossom Kyoto - a Travel Journal

The best among blossoms is the red plum, whether light or dark in colour. As for the cherry, the blossoms should be on slender branches,...

Apr 12

Meet Natalie Leon: Author of The Japanese Art of Living Seasonally

My Japan Journey Interview 7: Meet Natalie Leon: Author, Japanophile, Forager In our blog today, we celebrate new writer Natalie Leon,...

Mar 12

JanuaryInJapan Book Club 2024 Review: The Wisdom of Tea

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us this year for our online JanuaryInJapan Book Club event! We meet once a year and we're very...

Feb 14

Kasane: Looking at Colour Layering

Murasaki Shikibu wearing juunihitoe. Lady butterfly perfumes her wings by floating over the orchid –Bashō I have long been fascinated by...

Jan 22

Meet John Paul Foster: Kyoto Photographer of the Floating World

Mamefuji © John Paul Foster Meet John Paul Foster: Kyoto Photographer of the Floating World My Japan Journey Interview 6: John Paul...

Sep 17, 2023

Meet Nóra Hamucska, sumi painter

My Japan Journey Interview 4: Nóra: ink painting artist Our friend Nóra is a passionate ink painter. Her foundational skills are in...

Sep 7, 2023

The Wisdom of Tea: Tea Ceremony in Kyoto

So spring fled, summer blazed, and autumn winds began to blow- when, our eyes lifted heavenward toward the meeting of the Stars, we write...

Sep 3, 2023

Cotswold Living Magazine and The Art of Japan

Yukki and I are thrilled to feature in the September 2023 issue of beautiful Cotswold Living magazine! It was wonderful to talk to Sharon...

Jul 23, 2023

Kyoto Travel Journal: Gion Matsuri 2023

Chigo, Yasaka Shrine Influences and Beginnings When I was in my early twenties, and without much experience of travel, I arrived with my...

Jun 9, 2023

J-Drama Catch Up!

I love watching Japanese drama: the stories are gentle and heart-warming; the locations are great; and the stories are interesting! That...

Mar 24, 2023

More Japanese Drama!

I love watching Japanese drama! It's a great way of improving Japanese listening skills while being entertained! My vocabulary has...

Feb 8, 2023

JanuaryInJapan 2023: The Old Capital Bookclub Review!

We had a fantastic time at our online JanuaryInJapan Bookclub this year - thank you so much to everyone who joined us! Our subject for...

Jan 20, 2023

Kyoto and Tokyo Travel Journal, Fall 2022

It was almost three years to the day when we returned to Kyoto in November 2022. In the intervening time, when it was not possible to...

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Registered office address: Zusetsu Ltd., Castle Nurseries, Chipping Campden, Glos., GL55 6JT United Kingdom Company Number: 11806597. VAT Number: GB 315 9298 79. Copyright Zusetsu Ltd., 2024.

Shop
About
Blog
Contact

Registered office address: Zusetsu Ltd., Castle Nurseries, Chipping Campden, Glos., GL55 6JT United Kingdom
Company Number: 11806597. VAT Number: GB 315 9298 79. Copyright Zusetsu Ltd., 2024.