Congratulations St. Mary's University!

Added on March 14, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

On March 10th, 2012, the 14th Annual Atlantic Canada Japanese Language Speech Contest was held at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Seventeen students from the St. Mary's University Japanese Language Programme participated in all the category levels.

Out of the nine major awards in the four different categories, St. Mary's won eight of them (including all the top prizes)!

Two students from the university have been selected to represent the Atlantic region at the National Japanese Speech contest, which will be held in Vancouver on March 31st, 2012.

What a great accomplishment! Congratulations to you all and good luck to the two students who are on their way to the Nationals! Gambatte kudasai!

"The students’ speeches were creative, passionate and artistic. They raised important problems and introduced new places. Some were like paintings with words. It was a very long day but everyone enjoyed themselves. Many commented on how polite, thoughtful and supportive of each other our students were. I am happy to see how culture becomes part of their training and every day life." Dr. Alexandre Avdulov, Programme Coordinator

Photo courtesy of Dr. Alexandre Avdulov.

Drink Sake From Wooden Square Cups

Added on March 13, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

The masu is a square wooden box made from hinoki (Japanese cypress). Originally, it was used to measure rice. Nowadays, the masu is used almost exclusively to drink sake. (But also used to hold beans during the bean-throwing festival of setsubun.) In Japanese pubs that serve sake in a masu, the masu will be put on a saucer and it will normally be filled to overflowing. Bonus tip: drink from the corner! (^-^)

The wood from hinoki has been used for construction in Japan since olden times. The temple Horyuji in Nara (the one that houses the big Buddha statue), founded in 607 AD and considered one of the oldest existing wooden structures in the world, is made from hinoki. (Note: The temple was built in 607 but has had reconstructions throughout history.) Hinoki is well known for its resistance to rot and Japanese people love the fragrance of the wood.

Available at the shop or by mail order.
Dimensions: L8.5cm x W8.5cm x H5.0cm (3.4" x 3.4" x 2.0")
Made in Japan. $14.50 (CAD) each. Purchase here.

Tawashi Scrubbing Brush

Added on March 12, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

Tawashi is the traditional Japanese scrubbing brush. Its bristles are made from the fiber of hemp palm. It is strong, durable and will reach debris lodged in tiny grooves or creases. Unlike it's nylon or polyurethane sponge cousins, it won't fray and it dries quite easily. Use on heavy pots & pans, the kitchen sink, the bathtub, etc.

BUT...do not use on delicate items!

Available at the shop. Purchase online here.

Hina Dolls -- Praying For Our Daughters' Happiness

Added on February 28, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

The hina matsuri is a festival for girls celebrated on March 3rd. Families pray for the happiness and health of their daughters. Typically, Japanese families display hina dolls. The emperor and empress dolls are in the attire of the Heian period (794-1192).

The dolls in the photographs are available for purchase at the shop or mail order. All made in Japan. Contact us for details!

Chocorigami: The Cube

Added on February 22, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

So, what's in the box? (^-^)

Using unit (or modular) origami, we came up with this box and put a few goodies inside.

Modular origami or unit origami is a paperfolding technique which uses two or more sheets of paper to create a larger and more complex structure than would be possible using single-piece origami techniques. Each individual sheet of paper is folded into a module, or unit, and then modules are assembled into an integrated flat shape or three-dimensional structure by inserting flaps into pockets created by the folding process. These insertions create tension or friction that holds the model together.(from where else but Wikipedia!)

Each cube contains 4 assorted pieces of yummy Belgian chocolate.

We added two "pull open" tabs to make it easier to open, specially for the wee ones. If you don't like having the tabs, you can always tuck them back inside!

Available at the shop or by mail order. $6.50 ea.

Plastic Flower Containers

Added on February 17, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

Plastic ikebana containers? Doesn't sound so nice but please take a second look... Would you believe these are plastic?

These containers are made with thick plastic. They don't look very different from their venerable ceramic counterparts.

Plastic containers are light, stackable and not-so-fragile. They are easy to transport. So for the ikebana practitioner who has to bring her own containers to a demonstration or lesson, these containers could make a big difference in the logistics of the trip!

Available at the shop or by mail order. Purchase online here.

Made in Japan.

How Was Your Valentine 2012?

Added on February 15, 2012 by the ikebana shop.

Hope the lady who received this arrangement had a great 2012 Valentine's Day.

Pink dendrobium orchids and lilies. The lilies are still buds. In a few days, they will bloom and the arrangement will transform into something new again!

This was a custom order arrangement.