December 05, 2020

The uncolored and non-coated ballpoint pens that are manually made using a potter’s wheel by the craftsmen at Hirai Mokko express patterns that are all unique to each individual and that beautifully exploit the natural wooden texture.

The uncolored and non-coated ballpoint pens that are manually made using a potter’s wheel by the craftsmen at Hirai Mokko, who applies the traditional techniques to the carefully-selected materials, express patterns that are all unique to each individual and that beautifully exploit the natural wooden texture.  

Users may feel warmth and gentleness using the carefully-made stationery that is specially made for Shokunin.com. As it comes in a stylish wooden box, you may present it to your family and friends as gifts as well. It comes in three different materials, Purple Heart, Indian rosewood, and Quince, which are all flavorful and profound. Please enjoy writing with your favorite ballpoint pen.

Hirai Mokko’s Ballpoint Pen
https://www.shokunin.com/en/hiraimokko/pen.html

December 05, 2020

In contrast to many countries where homes and rooms are thoroughly cleaned typically in spring, an event that is generally called “spring clean,” in Japan, the event is usually undertaken at the end of the year, traditionally on the 13th of December.

One of the biggest events in winter in Japan is the so-called “ōsōji (house cleaning).” In contrast to many countries where homes and rooms are thoroughly cleaned typically in spring, an event that is generally called “spring clean,” in Japan, the event is usually undertaken at the end of the year, traditionally on the 13th of December.

The origin of ōsōji is the “susuharai,” which refers to the act of sweeping soot off all in-house objects and which was undertaken on a yearly basis at the Imperial Court during the Heian period. The event began to take place at temples and shrines in the Kamakura period and spread to general households in the Edo period.

The act was not only conducted to brush the dust off furniture and small articles but to purify the space itself. In other words, “susuharai” was conducted to welcome the “toshigami,” the deity of the incoming year and who visits households in the New Year to provide fortune, happiness, and prosperity. This is the reason why the event used to take place on December 13th, which is also known as the “day of the ghost (kishukunichi),” an extremely auspicious day on the lunar calendar for everything but weddings. However, since many households today are busy on that day, the act is usually conducted at the end of December.

At Shokunin.com, we offer various tools for cleaning and organizing. Scrubbing brushes produced by Takada Kozo Shoten enable users to comfortably clean different vessels and clothes, and are cherished when cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms as well. Okai Mafu Shoten’s Linen Dish Towel can be used as a dust cloth, after it is used as a dishcloth and a tablecloth. The linen cloth is useful as it has excellent water-absorbing power and durability compared to cotton cloth. If you are running out of hangers to organize your clothes, we recommend Tsuruya Shoten’s Rattan Hanger, a stylish and somewhat nostalgic hanger that comes in three types. Since it is unpainted, clothes would hardly slide off.

Takada Kozo Shoten’s Scrubbing Brush
https://www.shokunin.com/en/kozo/tawashi.html
Okai Mafu Shoten’s Linen Dish Towel
https://www.shokunin.com/en/okai/fukin.html
Tsuruya Shoten’s Rattan Hanger
https://www.shokunin.com/en/tsuruya/hanger.html

References:
https://livejapan.com/ja/article-a0000817/
https://allabout.co.jp/gm/gc/435823/

December 05, 2020

Arima Onsen, or Arima Hot Spring, is a famous hot spring town with a history of over one thousand years, that is located in Kobe, Hyogo, and which is counted as one of the “three most famous hot-spring resorts in Japan.”

Hot spring resorts are popular tourist destination in Japan, especially during the cold winter season. Arima Onsen, or Arima Hot Spring, is a famous hot spring town with a history of over one thousand years, that is located in Kobe, Hyogo, and which is counted as one of the “three most famous hot-spring resorts in Japan.” The site is easily accessible as It is about 30 minutes away by train or bus from Kobe, an hour from Osaka, and an hour and a half from Kyoto.

The site offers 2 types of hot spring waters, which are the “Kinsen (gold water)” and the “Ginsen (silver water).” The former, brown-colored hot-spring is said to be good for skin ailments and muscle pain, while the latter, which contains radium and carbonate, is said to cure various muscle and joint ailments. Visitors could enjoy these hot springs at either public bathhouses or ryokan.

The town is home to several temples and shrines as well, including the Nenbutsu-ji Temple and the Zuiho-ji Temple, while Arima Toys & Automata Museum, and The Philatelic Culture Museum are attractive tourist spots as well. The tansan-senbei, Japanese pepper bread, and soy milk donuts are some of the unique snacks offered at Arima. You may visit the souvenir shops in Arima, where body soaps, bathing powders, and many other bath goods that are only available at Arima could be found.

At Shokunin.com, towels, hairbrushes, toothbrushes, and many other bath goods are available, which would surely enhance your experience at Arima Onsen. Maruyama Towel’s Kumogokochi is a high-quality towel made of top-grade cotton that is soft as a cloud and excellent in water-absorbency. Kanaya Brush’s Hairbrush and Toothbrush use natural hair with moderate stiffness that is effective for gum massage and skin massage respectively. Please have a look at our products before your trip.

Maruyama Towel’s Kumogokochi
https://www.shokunin.com/en/maruyama/towel.html
Kanaya Brush’s Hairbrush
https://www.shokunin.com/en/kanaya/hair.html
Kanaya Brush’s Toothbrush
https://www.shokunin.com/en/kanaya/ha.html

References:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3558.html
https://www.hankyu-travel.com/onsen/arima/hotspring.php
http://www.arima-onsen.com/onsen.html

Shokunin.com Blog

December 2020

The uncolored and non-coated ballpoint pens that are manually made using a potter’s wheel by the craftsmen at Hirai Mokko express patterns that are all unique to each individual and that beautifully exploit the natural wooden texture.

In contrast to many countries where homes and rooms are thoroughly cleaned typically in spring, an event that is generally called “spring clean,” in Japan, the event is usually undertaken at the end of the year, traditionally on the 13th of December.

Arima Onsen, or Arima Hot Spring, is a famous hot spring town with a history of over one thousand years, that is located in Kobe, Hyogo, and which is counted as one of the “three most famous hot-spring resorts in Japan.”