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One of the characteristics of the Kyoto people's way of life is the spirit of "shimatsu" that has been cultivated over the long history of the city. It is a spirit that has been advocated since ancient times mainly in the Kansai region, meaning to cherish things, not to waste, and to save and economize, which also includes the meaning of "use things while they are usable even if they are a little old" and "use things properly until the end."

Obanzai, recognized as a genre of Kyoto cuisine, refers to side dishes that are eaten daily in Kyoto. Obanzai, which includes side dishes made from dried foods such as kiriboshi-daikon and hijiki, as well as seasonal vegetables, played an important role in Kyoto, where fresh seafood was difficult to obtain, and developed under the influence of Zen Buddhist food culture.

However, is also thought that one of the factors that contributed to the development of obanzai was the spirit of "shimatsu" of the Kyoto people. The character "ban" in "obanzai" means "daily" or "humble," and it is a cuisine that has been nurtured in the annual events and customs of each town and household, along with the modest lifestyle of merchants and apprentices who believed in frugality and thrift.

The spirit of "shimatsu" nurtured by Kyoto's food culture and lifestyle customs has an ethos of Japanese lifestyles that is also applicable to the UN's development goals, the SDGs, for the creation of a sustainable society. Among these, the issue of food loss, which has long been considered a social problem and came to the forefront with the pandemic, can be addressed by finding ways to reduce waste through the use of surplus ingredients and systematic cooking by having the spirit of "shimatsu."

We have a large selection of artifacts that will become more tasteful as they are used over time. Honma Kazuo Shoten's Straw Pot Stand, made by traditional handwork in Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, changes its color over time, into a profound dark brown. Appi Urushi Studio's Nidan Himeju, high-quality lacquerware lunch box made in Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture, produces beautiful gloss and luster through daily use. Please feel the passage of time as you use the tools of daily life.

Ichiyougama's Mortar
https://www.shokunin.com/en/ichiyou/suribachi.html
Honma Kazuo Shoten's Straw Pot Stand
https://www.shokunin.com/en/honma/nabeshiki.html
Appi Urushi Studio's Nidan Himeju
https://www.shokunin.com/en/appi/jubako.html
Sunami Toru Shoten's Ikago
https://www.shokunin.com/en/sunami/ikago.html

References
https://kyotolove.kyoto/I0000203
https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUD222Z70S1A420C2000000/
https://kotobank.jp/word/%E3%81%8A%E3%81%B0%E3%82%93%E3%81%96%E3%81%84-1725769