knowledge base
In this page, we collect interesting facts, trivia and other bits & pieces of information that we think you may find useful or fascinating.
ikebana
Caring for your ikebana clippers.
Why get an ikebana certificate?
The kanban and the gagoh.
Why use the black kenzan?
Introducing the Sogetsu Textbook 5
The resin kenzan.
How to appreciate ikebana (slideshow).
tea
Getting the best tea.
What makes gyokuro special?
Cold brew green tea. It's easy to make!
Summer treat: Matcha Affogato-Style
Yummy green tea castella recipe.
Recipe: Matcha Squares
incense
pottery
I see cracks in my teacup. Is it damaged? Not always! Those may be kan-nyuu.
This is a matcha tea bowl that is deeper than what we are used to seeing. It is a "tsutsu-gata chawan" (筒形茶碗) ...literally "cylinder-shaped tea bowl". It is a winter tea bowl normally used in Dec~Feb. The deep bowl keeps the matcha warm as it is served to guests.
What are those pale pink spots? Gohonte!
Karako--the little children in pottery.
Japanese Home Cooking Recipes
Ganmodoki.
others
Tutorial: How to make a face mask
The Daruma doll: why does it come with no eyes?
Hariko No Tora: papier-mâché tigers.
Zen saying:『行雲流水』Kou-un Ryuu-sui "Clouds move. Water flows."
What is a sugidama?
What is a fat quarter?
Plum vs Cherry. Which one is which?
How to say “Happy New Year” in Japanese.
Japanese Proverb: "Too much is just the same as too little."
Nagoshi no Harae - The Shinto Summer Purification
The Halifax-Hakodate Friendship azalea.
What is a suikinkutsu (水琴窟)?
Destiny and the 5-Yen Coin
Fukusa: elaborate covers.