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Fukusa - Formal Gift Cover

Added on December 6, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

In old Japan, gift-giving was a ritual. A tradition of giving gifts covered with a finely embroidered square silk cloth became widespread during the Edo Period (1615-1867). This cloth is called fukusa. Formal gifts were often presented in a box with the fukusa draped over to conceal it. After being appropriately admired, the fukusa and box were returned to the giver whilst the gift was accepted. The choice of fukusa was important to reflect the formality of the occasion and the status of the gift-giver. Some fukusa have tassels so that they can be handled without touching the fabric.

If you've been to the shop lately, you would have seen a pair of fukusa adorning our walls! These days, they are rarely used (except maybe during weddings) but they can be beautiful additions to your home decor! The ones we have depict cranes and pine trees--auspicious symbols of longevity and good fortune.

Please drop by the shop and have a look!

(Note: The fukusa we describe above is different from the fukusa used in the tea ceremony.)

Walnut Ornaments

Added on November 19, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

So we got a bag of walnuts...

...cracked them open, ate the nuts and hollowed out the shells. We touched up the edges a bit; then found some cute Christmassy fabric and ribbons.

And this is what we came up with!

Something different to hang on your Christmas tree this year!

Hand-made in Nova Scotia, Canada. Available at the shop or online. $1.50 CAD each (plus applicable sales taxes.)

Special Offer: Free Shipping

Added on November 16, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

Special Offer: FREE SHIPPING for orders of "haori" to destinations in Canada and continental USA. 50% off on shipping for other international destinations.

If you order something else with the haori, we will apply the "haori only shipping cost" as a discount to your total shipping estimate!

Offer is good for orders received on or before Dec. 24th, 2012.

Click here to go the haori page.

Hope you find something you like!

Note: Normally, shipping to Canada and U.S.A. will be via Canada Post expedited parcel. For international destinations, shipping will be via Canada Post international parcel. We reserve the right to change shipping methods without prior notice. Of course, we'll let you know what it's going to be before we ship!

2013 Ikebana And Bonsai Diary

Added on September 13, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

Time to plan ahead! The 2013 Ikebana and Bonsai Diary now available. Get a weekly inspiration from beautiful images of ikebana and bonsai in 2013!

Here's a sneak peek of a few of the pages...

Printed in Japan.
Available at the shop or by mail order.

Baa Baa Black Sheep!

Added on September 7, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

Hand-made sheep ornaments!

Yes, they have wool...well, sort of! (^_^)

Do you like them?

Our original product. Made in NS, Canada.
$5.00 ea. (plus HST where applicable.) Available at the shop or by mail order.

Japanese Lanterns For Your Garden

Added on August 31, 2012 by post@theikebanashop.com.

Japanese stone lanterns that could bring a feeling of peace and solitude to your garden.

Surrounded by flowers, enclosed by dried leaves, or covered in snow...they have something to add to your garden through the seasons.

....even good for the interior, if that's what you prefer!

Some models have solar-powered lights on them to give a nice glow at night.

These lanterns are actually made from proprietary blends of high performing concrete with unique weather resistant finishes applied.

So they are lighter (and more affordable!) than traditionally carved rock ones. They are designed and made in BC, Canada.

Available at the shop or by mail order. Please call or email us for more details.

Ohi Tea Bowl

Added on August 29, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

Ohi-yaki style of pottery dates back to 1666, when the 5th Lord of Kaga, Maeda Tsunanori, established the kiln under the guidance of Urasenke teamaster Sen Soshitsu. The Ohi style is related to Raku. In fact, the first Ohi potter, Donyu (who later took on the name Chozaemon), was the son of Raku III and apprenticed with the fourth Raku master, Ichinyu.

Ohi style pottery does not use a potter's wheel. All are shaped by hand and pulled out of the kiln while the glaze is melting. Using pine wood, firing is done at low temperature (1000℃). The pottery is cooled quickly and takes on a deep amber colour.

Ohi pottery is well-known with tea ceremony practitioners.

This Ohi-yaki tea bowl by Ohi Ippei (1920-1993).

Sources:
http://www.e-yakimono.net/guide/html/ohi-yaki.html
http://shofu.pref.ishikawa.jp/shofu/jouka/english/1100/index.html

Cats Bearing Gifts!

Added on August 25, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

New original hand-made greeting cards are out.

They are cats bearing gifts...and the gifts are 3D too!

Each card contains an elegant blank liner inside.

Available at the shop or by mail order. Email us if you want to see the collection!

Hand-made in Nova Scotia, Canada. $5.00 (CAD) ea plus HST where applicable.

Single Stem Flower Dish

Added on July 25, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

The flowers are blooming (and even the weeds in the wild are pretty!) Brighten up your surroundings with this single stem flower dishes!

Just snip a tiny bloom and put in the cylinder. Then fill the dish with water. There is a hole at the bottom of the cylinder to allow the water to reach the stem.

Available in two colours:

Vibrant green-blue (YAMA-1)...

...and the earthier rusty brown (YAMA-2).

Dimensions: L11.0 x W8.5 x H4.5 cm (4.3 x 3.3 x 1.8 in.)
Made in Japan.
$19.95 (CAD) each plus HST where applicable.

Available at the shop or by mail order.

Aburatori-gami Takes Away That Oily Shine!

Added on July 16, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

Is the summer heat getting to you? Well, summers in Kyoto are punishing as well...and here's one little accessory that kabuki actors and geishas use to keep their faces (with all that make-up and before the advent of air-conditioning!) clear of the oily sheen: the abura-tori-gami ("oil blotting paper").

This facial blotting paper has actually been around for about 1000 years now. The paper was originally used to protect gold leaf. The delicate gold was covered with this paper (then known as haku-uchi-gami...literally "foil beating paper") as a craftsman pounded it into a thin leaf. The gold leaf, wrapped in this paper, was brought to the imperial palace in Kyoto. Somewhere along the way, someone discovered the remarkable oil absorbing properties of this paper...and its use as a face blotter spread throughout Kyoto. It also started to be called "abura-tori-gami". Now it is an essential item in many Japanese women's make-up retouch arsenal!

Available at the shop or by mail order. $4.50 CAD (plus HST where applicable) per pack of 50 sheets. Made in Kyoto, Japan. Fragrance-free. Powder-free. Absorbs excess oil without disturbing make-up for petal fresh skin!