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...
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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 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...
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...
Oct 20, 2023
Meet Rachel, Kyoto's Travel Bug Art
My Japan Journey Interview 5: Rachel: Kyoto travel sketchbook artist I met Rachel for the first time in Kyoto this summer, in a quieter...
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...
Dec 20, 2022
January In Japan Book Club: The Old Capital
Our JanuaryInJapan Bookclub was so good last winter when we came together to talk about the first chapter of The Tale of Genji, that...
Aug 17, 2022
Zusetsu's Japanese Art
Welcome to our new Zusetsu ART store. Today we would love to introduce you to our truly beautiful contemporary and shin-hanga woodblock...
Aug 11, 2022
Zusetsu ART and Masao Ebina
Kobai (Red Plum Blossom) by Masao Ebina. Note the fine gold strings and pattern on the koto. Many of you know that I am an artist with...
Jul 28, 2022
Tea Ceremony and Tanabata with Camellia Kyoto
This year's Tanabata could not have been more special. We visited the Camellia Garden Teahouse in north west Kyoto, live on Instagram,...
Jul 3, 2022
The River of Heaven - Tanabata in Japanese Poetry
Curious this day on which long ago they must have pledged their troth; like the River of Heaven's waves rising - this is sent out. This...
Jun 30, 2022
A Look at Origami Kimono Dolls
Here at Zusetsu, we're fascinated by the popular paper craft of Japan called origami. In this blog, not only do we want to have a try at...
May 12, 2022
Collecting Japanese Kokeshi with Marie
My Japan Journey Interview No 01: Marie and Her 110 Kokeshi Collection We are excited to announce a new blog series on Zusetsu called My...
Feb 16, 2022
A Review of our JanuaryinJapan Online Book Club Event!
We loved looking at this beautiful image of Murasaki Shikibu. What could the significance of the green and red colours in her juunihitoe...
Jan 19, 2022
Looking at Traditional Japanese Patterns!
Our new-in-for-spring 48cm Reversible Furoshiki Bright Pink Cherry Blossom and Blue Wave To celebrate our new spring furoshiki, I'm keen...
Dec 30, 2021
Kuzunoha and the White Fox
Kuzunoha by Yamakawa Shuuhou It’s January – the days are short and dark and the nights are long and cold. It’s a perfect time of year...
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