March 2021

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Never compromise on bread and never use any additives, because bread is the "bread of life." These are the words of Mr. Phillippe Bigot, who is known as the god of French bread.

Jiro Fujimori, the first disciple of Philippe Bigot, who introduced French bread to Japan, has had his store in the basement of the former Printemps Ginza (now Marronnier Gate) in Ginza since the establishment of Printemps Ginza in 1984.

When the building was being renovated a few years ago, many people must have been worried about Vigo's store. Many people say they can't eat baguettes anywhere else but here, and the other day I saw someone buy 10 loaves of French bread right after the opening. The breads that are made using the same methods as 100 years ago, as well as its sandwiches, galettes, and original butters to go with the bread are all excellent - not to mention its baguettes.

It's only a 10-minute walk from our Ginza showroom, so why not check out why it has been loved in Ginza for over 30 years?

Ginza Showroom (Open from 9:00-18:00 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday)
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/ginza.html

References (Bigot's Store)
https://bigot-tokyo.co.jp/index.aspx
https://www.bigot.co.jp/

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The glasses newly displayed in the Ginza showroom have beautiful patterns in shades of gray that look like ink painting. This is lacquer applied by a technique called Tamamushi-nuri.

Tamamushi-nuri is a lacquerware technique born in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, that was originally developed for export in the early Showa period and was recognized as a patented technology in 1939. Since then, it has been a traditional craft of Miyagi Prefecture and has been highly evaluated both in Japan and abroad for a long time. After the earthquake, it has also been attracting attention as a new type of beauty to be enjoyed in daily life.

The base of Touch Classic's Shuki Set is made of highly transparent Shotoku Glass, known for its "Usuhari" glass. It is decorated in Tamamushi-nuri, a gradation of colors inspired by the ridges of the mountains and the surging sea of Miyagi. When one look at them, one could feel a sense of respect for the beauty of Japanese nature.

Touch Classic's Shuki Set
https://www.shokunin.com/en/touchclassic/shuki.html
Ginza Showroom (Open from 9:00-18:00 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday)
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/ginza.html

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[Japanese Sense of Beauty]

Why do geisha paint their faces white? I was once asked this question by a foreigner. I found out through research that in the Edo period, when there was no electricity, geisha used to serve their customers only by candlelight, so they painted their faces white so that the shades of their expressions could be clearly seen in the light.

In the past, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited embassy officials from various countries to the Asakusa Karyukai in Taito Ward, Tokyo, and recreated the world of Junichiro Tanizaki's In Praise of Shadows using Japanese candles, and the participants were fascinated by the fantastic atmosphere of the geisha performing their art.

Junichiro Tanizaki said, "I believe that beauty does not lie in objects, but in the shadows, light and dark, created by objects and each other.” Why don't you experience the world of Japanese unique beauty through Japanese candles?

Nakamura Rousoku’s Erousoku
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nakamura/erousoku.html
Nakamura Rousoku’s Mokurobogata
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nakamura/mokurobogata.html
Ginza Showroom (Open from 9:00-18:00 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday)
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/ginza.html

References:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/000568041.pdf
https://kostrivia.com/2029.html
https://www.chuko.co.jp/bunko/1995/09/202413.html
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%92%8C%E8%9D%8B%E7%87%AD
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geisha