Koi-Nobori Carp Streamer

May 5th is celebrated as Children's Day in Japan. People display koi-nobori (carp streamers) for their sons. (No, no discrimination...there is a Girls' Day too--celebrated on March 3rd for daughters!) The koi-noboriare like wind socks in carp design. The carp is a symbol of strength, perserverance and achievement.

There is a Chinese legend about a carp who swam up a waterfall and turned into a dragon. We are sure there are many variations to this tale but the carp as symbol of effort and success is constant.

We have our koi-nobori up in the shop as well!  We have some available for sale.  You can use them to decorate your child's room too!

And, we also have "mini" ones!

(All photos by the ikebana shop.  All rights reserved.)

Do You Have The Itch?

​Say good-bye to that hard-to-reach itch on your back!

The Japanese call this very helpful tool "mago no te", which means "grandchild's hand".   Imagine grandpa getting a good scratch on his back.  Nothing is better than when it comes from his grandchild's wee hands!

Made from bamboo.  Available at the shop or by mail order.  $8.50 (CAD) each plus HST where applicable.  

(Photos by the ikebana shop.  All rights reserved.)

Ikebana On Stage

f you attended the Nova Scotia: Our Strengths, Our Future community forum event at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, you would have seen our ikebana arrangement that graced the stage.  We are honoured to play our little part in the success of this event!

"...how beautiful the floral arrangement was on the stage. Very dramatic but not overbearing. Whoever handled that piece of 'set design' gets my bravo."
-- John M., NSCAD
​

(All photos by the ikebana shop.  All rights reserved.)

Shop Log: Taste Testing

Shop's Log.  Halifax NS.  March 23rd, Friday, 15:47.  
Weather: Sunny, 10°C.

One of the perks of being a shopkeeper is being able to test new products.  Today, I had to test some....[drumroll please]...chocolate truffles!  All eleven flavours!  Get ready to salivate: cappuccino, maple, peanut, mint, double dark, hazelnut, raspberry, milk, caramel almond, and orange.

Man.. after all that, I was feeling blissfully bloated.  (^_^)

A hot cup of houjicha (pan roasted Japanese green tea) helped take that sweet edge off the palate.  Test result: Pass with flying colours!  Now, we're putting together some nice packaging ideas.  Give us a few more weeks...might need some more taste testing!  He! He!

(All photos by the ikebana shop.  All rights reserved.)

Special Offer to Members Of Ikebana International Ottawa

Dear Members of Ikebana International Ottawa, if you are planning to make a mail order purchase from our shop, please make sure to tell us that you are an I.I. Ottawa member to avail of our special shipping discounts (offered until end of April, 2012). Pool your orders and save more!

Special offer to members of Ikebana International Ottawa: 
1. Any mail order purchase by members of merchandise with total value (before HST) less than $200, we offer to cover 50% of shipping cost. 
2. Any mail order purchase by members of merchandise with total value (before HST) of $200 or more, we offer free shipping.

Other conditions: 
a. Shipping will be via Canada Post (shipping method will be at our discretion) 
b. Shipping destinations will be limited to Ontario and Quebec. 
c. Orders must mention membership of Ikebana International Ottawa before payment processing. 
d. Members are free to pool their orders to avail of free shipping as long as shipping destination is only to one location. 
e. This offer is not limited to ikebana supplies but includes all other merchandise at the shop. We do reserve the right to refuse sales of certain items which we deem too fragile to ship.

Offer ends on Apr 30th, 2012.

Exhibition--Ikebana: Melody | Canadian Museum Of Nature

Ikebana Exhibition: Melody​
April 19-22, 2012
Canadian Museum Of Nature
240 McLeod Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 1A1 
tel (613) 566-4800
toll-free in Canada and U.S.A. 1 (800)  263-4433 

The ancient art of Japanese floral design comes alive in this annual display of 50 unique and beautiful arrangements.  This exhibition, organized by the Ottawa chapter of Ikebana International, showcases the styles of the Ohara and Sogetsu schools.  See demonstrations by Ikebana artists in the gallery on Saturday and Sunday.

​the ikebana shop is happy to be one of the sponsors for the 2012 ikebana exhibit Melody by the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter No. 120. If you are in Ottawa next month, please be sure to visit!

Calligraphy: A-Un

"A-un" (阿吽）is a Buddhist mantra that represents the beginning and the end of the universe.  It is the Japanese transliteration of the Sanskrit "aum".   Also, the first syllable could be likened to "Truth" and "the Inquiring Mind" whilst the latter syllable, "Wisdom" and "Nirvana".

Calligraphy artist Yukari Haverstock captures a-un in her latest work.

Now displayed at the shop.  Available for sale.

(Photo by the ikebana shop.  All rights reserved.)

Congratulations St. Mary's University!

On March 10th, 2012, the 14th Annual Atlantic Canada Japanese Language Speech Contest was held at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick.  Seventeen students from the St. Mary's University Japanese Language Programme participated in all the category levels.

Out of the nine major awards in the four different categories, St. Mary's won eight of them (including all the top prizes)! 

Two students from the university have been selected to represent the Atlantic region at the National Japanese Speech contest, which will be held in Vancouver on March 31st, 2012.

What a great accomplishment!  Congratulations to you all and good luck to the two students who are on their way to the Nationals!  Gambatte kudasai!

"The students’ speeches were creative, passionate and artistic.  They raised important problems and introduced new places. Some were  like paintings with words. It was a very long day but everyone enjoyed themselves.  Many commented on how polite, thoughtful and supportive of each other our students were. I am happy to see how culture becomes part of their training and every day life."  Dr. Alexandre Avdulov, Programme Coordinator

Photo courtesy of Dr. Alexandre Avdulov.

Drink Sake From Wooden Square Cups

The masu is a square wooden box made from hinoki (Japanese cypress).  Originally, it was used to measure rice.  Nowadays, the masu is used almost exclusively to drink sake.  (But also used to hold beans during the bean-throwing festival of setsubun.)  In Japanese pubs that serve sake in a masu, the masu will be put on a saucer and it will normally be filled to overflowing.   Bonus tip: drink  from the corner! (^-^)

The wood from hinoki has been used for construction in Japan since olden times.  The temple Horyuji in Nara (the one that houses the big Buddha statue), founded in 607 AD and considered one of the oldest existing wooden structures in the world, is made from hinoki.  (Note: The temple was built in 607 but has had reconstructions throughout history.)  Hinoki is well known for its resistance to rot and Japanese people love the fragrance of the wood.

Available at the shop or by mail order.  
Dimensions: L8.5cm x W8.5cm x H5.0cm (3.4" x 3.4" x 2.0")  
Made in Japan.  $14.50 (CAD) each.  Purchase here.

(Photo by the ikebana shop.  All rights reserved.)

Tawashi Scrubbing Brush

Tawashi is the traditional Japanese scrubbing brush.  Its bristles are made from the fiber of hemp palm.  It is strong, durable and will reach debris lodged in tiny grooves or creases.  Unlike it's nylon or polyurethane sponge cousins, it won't fray and it dries quite easily.  Use on heavy pots & pans, the kitchen sink, the bathtub, etc.

BUT...do not use on delicate items!

Available at the shop.  Purchase online here.

(Photo by the ikebana shop.  All rights reserved.)