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In Kyoto, which is located in the vicinity of high-quality bean-producing areas such as black beans and adzuki beans, and where peas were once actively cultivated, many sweets that are rich in flavor and nutritional value have been made using locally grown beans. Among them, goshiki-mame which has been used in celebrations at the imperial court since the dynastic era, and is colored in five colors: white, red, yellow, green and black (or brown).

Goshiki-mame, which is also popular as a lucky charm, looks very beautiful and has a crunchy texture with the flavor of pea and sweet sugar spreading in your mouth.

Goshiki-mame was invented by the first generation of Mamemasa in 1887. Masakichi Kakuda, the founder of the store, was inspired by the importation of sugar from overseas during the Meiji era, and added four colors of blue, red, yellow, and black to the roasted endo, which was only white at the time, covered with colored sugar. In 1908, the second generation of the family sold them at Kyoto Station, where many customers took them home as souvenirs, and they became known throughout Japan as Kyoto souvenirs.

In addition to the traditional goshiki-mame, Mamemasa now offers "Cream Goshiki-mame," which is a combination of Japanese and Western flavors, including strawberry, milk, green tea, banana, and coffee. The store also offers a special five-tiered box made of Japanese paper with a gorgeous pattern, which can be used as a small accessory case even after eating.

When you come to Kyoto, why not take home some five-colored beans as a souvenir? When you eat them around the table with your family, we recommend that you transfer them to one of our flat plates, such as Appi Urushi Studio's beautiful Flat Bowl. Chanto's Container is made based on the traditional techniques of Hikone Buddhist altar, a traditional craft of Shiga Prefecture, and is useful as a container for sweets, so please try it.

Appi Urushi Studio's Flat Bowl
https://www.shokunin.com/en/appi/bowl.html 
Chanto's Container
https://www.shokunin.com/en/chanto/container.html 

References
https://www.mamemasa.co.jp/history/ 
https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO44008480Q9A420C1AM1000/ 
https://www.okeihan.net/navi/famous/famous56.php

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Chopstick-Rest-8

In Japan, the number "eight" has been passed down from olden times as a number with permanent development and good luck, as it is written in the shape of the character "八" when written with the Chinese character, spreading from the top (present) to the bottom (future).

In fact, there are many things in Japan that have been marked with the number "eight (八)" since ancient times, such as the word "yae (八重)" meaning numerous layers, "Yatagarasu (八咫烏)" the three-legged crow that was said to have guided the gods, "hachiju-hachi-ya (八十八夜)" which refers to the 88th day counting from Risshun, and "happoyoke (八方除け)" meaning to avoid disasters from eight directions. At Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, the corridor is lined with eight boards between the pillars, because the number "eight" is considered to be a good omen.

Thus, the number "eight," which is treated as a "holy number" in Japan, is mysterious and powerful to the Japanese people.

In the world, the number 8 represents ∞ (infinity) when it is placed horizontally, and is also a very powerful number. In Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese philosophy that regulates the flow of energy by the position of "things," the number eight represents the entire universe, and the octagon has a great deal to do with increasing one's luck.

We have a variety of Nousaku chopstick rests with motifs of various themes, including the Arabic numeral eight. The chopstick rests can be bent freely to change their shape depending on what they receive. How about giving these as gifts for wedding, housewarming, or New Year's celebrations?

Nousaku's Chopstick Rest "8"
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nousaku/hashioki.html 

References
https://www.adoria.jp/?mode=f9 
https://spirituabreath.com/8-suuji-imi-21606.html 
https://miya-jima.net/page/71.html

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Uchiwa is one of the traditional arts and crafts that reflect the wisdom of the Japanese people in the past, who tried to live comfortably during the hot summer days.

The original form of uchiwa was called "sashiba," which came from China in the Kofun period (mid-3rd century to 7th century), and was initially used by high-ranking people to hide their faces and enhance their mystique, and as a tool to ward off insects. Later, from the end of the Muromachi period (1336 to 1573), the use of uchiwa made of bamboo and Japanese paper became widespread, and they were used for various purposes such as cooling, cooking, dressing, and fashion.

Since the 1960s, the traditional bamboo fan has been shrinking due to the spread of electronic devices such as fans and air conditioners, and the spread of low-cost plastic fans with high productivity. However, we strongly feel that people are beginning to reevaluate the eco-friendly washi paper that produces a gentle breeze and the bamboo handle that fit comfortably in the hand.

In addition to its function of creating wind, the fan has a history of being popular among many Japanese people as a lucky charm for business prosperity. The wind generated by the fan is said to be a meaning of invoking or strengthening the power of the gods, and is also a recommended item to ward off bad luck by blowing away evil spirits.

We have a variety of sizes and lengths of Kurikawa Shoten's Shibu Uchiwa made of Japanese paper, which are durable and long-lasting, made possible by the persimmon tannin coating. Why not bring an uchiwa with you, not only as something to look up to on a hot day, but also as an amulet to bring good luck?

Kurikawa Shoten's Shibu Uchiwa
https://www.shokunin.com/en/kurikawa/ 

References
https://journal.thebecos.com/kokyu-uchiwa/#index_id0 
http://www.utiwa.com/kaguyahime/knowledge/report.htm