November 2020

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The “Sanbi” area, which consists of Takao, Toganoo, and Makinoo areas, is one of the most popular autumn leaves viewing spots in Kyoto City. The panorama of the mountain villages surrounded by beautiful groves of Kitayama cedar trees and flame-like autumn leaves are simply impressive. The cedar trees are carefully grown by the local craftsmen, who apply advanced techniques to create straight and thin trees.

There reside famous temples and shrines. Jingo-ji Temple, a site strongly related to Kukai, has traditionally been known as one of the best autumn leaves viewing spot in Kyoto, especially the view from the stone steps in front of the main hall, from which you could look over the Kinunkyo gorge and the Kiyotakigawa river, and enjoy the “kawarake-nage (pottery throwing)” to ward off evil. At Saimyo-ji Temple, which was constructed as Jingo-ji Temple’s branch temple, you may enjoy walking through the tunnel of autumn leaves, which you will find after crossing the vermilion-colored, Shigetsukyo Bridge.

Furthermore, Arashiyama-Takao Park Way, which is a 10.7km long driveway from which you could view the beautiful nature surrounding the two areas, offers amusement parks, leisure facilities, flower parks, and observation platforms, as well as large parking lots in case you would like to take a walk.

Once you have pictured the panoramas, you may keep the photos in SyuRo’s container, Kakukan. The beautifully finished handicrafts are simple and fit in any users’ daily lives. You may put a fallen leaf you’ve found at Sanbi and recall the impressive landscape you’ve viewed there.

SyuRo’s Kakukan
https://www.shokunin.com/en/syuro/kakukan.html

References:
https://souda-kyoto.jp/travel/takao/index.html
https://www.kyo-takao.com
https://bit.ly/3kGzgSq
https://bit.ly/3nwYnsG

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Natto, also known as fermented soybeans, varies in characteristics according to the region it is produced in and the techniques that are applied to. There are roughly two types of natto in Japan: itohiki-natto and shiokara-natto.

As its name suggests, “shiokara (salt-spicy) natto” has a salty and miso-like flavor, and so it is often eaten as ochazuke or used as a seasoning. Therefore, when we usually call “natto,” we mean “itohiki natto” which uniquely pulls threads. “Itohiki natto” is divided into three types. One is “marudaizu-natto,” those that are commonly eaten by Japanese people, which is made by boiling whole soybeans and fermenting them with natto bacteria. The second is “hikiwari-natto,” which is made by roasting and roughly grinding soybeans, and removing the skin on the surface before it is boiled. It was made in Aomori, Akita, and Iwate even before the Edo period. The third is “goto-natto,” a dish that has been passed down in the Yonezawa region of Yamagata Prefecture for a long time. It is made by adding koji and salt to hikiwari natto, which is then aged in a barrel. It is now sold under the name of “Yukiwari Natto” with reduced salt content.

Did you ever know that there are so many types of natto? Though different regions preferred different nattos, itohiki natto is the most commonly served natto today.

When you visit Japan, we recommend you taste the various natto and understand the culture behind them. We also recommend Sasayaka’s Never Never Pack that would surely enhance your experience.

Sasayaka’s Never Never Pack
https://www.shokunin.com/en/sasayaka/neverneverpack.html

Reference:
https://kotobank.jp/word/%E7%B4%8D%E8%B1%86-108219

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Kanaya Brush’s Magonoke Brush is a backscratcher that utilizes horse hair instead of the usual rake-like device. The body made of natural wood is slightly curved to fit users’ back and the moderately strong horsehair brush enables users to effortlessly.

Backscratcher is called “magonote” in Japan, which is translated as “grandson’s hand,” but originally meant “Mako’s hand.” Mako is the name of a fairy that appears in the Chinese hagiography, Shenxian Zhuan, who is described to have bird-like nails that are very long. Magonoke Brush makes a pun upon the word, which can be translated to “grandson’s hair.”

You may present the Magonoke Brush to your elderly family members or as mother’s/father’s day gifts.

Kanaya Brush’s Magonoke Brush
https://www.shokunin.com/en/kanaya/mago.html

References:
http://gogen-allguide.com/ma/magonote.html
https://mag.japaaan.com/archives/86542