One of the most important concepts of Japanse culture "Mitate"

"Mitate" is one of the most important concepts to understand Japanese traditional culture. In short, "Mitate" means to see something to resemble others; is a way of expression which gives freshness and element of surprise, and thus it gives people intriguing experience.



For example, "Ikebana(Japanese flower arrangement)", or "Bonsai" as well, simulates beauty of nature into a snapshot in a vase, or it can be said, of beauty and grace of ladies in beutifully arranged flowers. In a larger scale , it becomes Nihon Teien(Japanese garden) . Like this way, you can find "Mitate" in various fields in Japanese culture.

"Sado(Japanese tea ceremony) is another good example of "Mitate" . Drinking tea itself is just an everyday activity. However, the ancient Sado experts saw it in a different angle and heightened it to the level of art, which also related to the mind of Zen. They even used ordinary tea cups which had been used day-to-day home in Korea at that time. They integrated those cups into the most important part of this form of beauty.



The "Mitate" concept can be said that it comes from people's real creative mind that is in the sprit of no constraints. This is, of course, not a monopoly for Japanese people so you can own "Mitate" in your room using "Byobu", "Andon", "Aritayaki" porcelain, etc. and sophisticate your own "Mitate" talent!

Japanese traditional room

This is a movie of a traditional Japanese room(和室). This movie was taken in a famous temple in Kyoto. As you can see, in general, compared to the modern, old Japanese rooms are much spacious. There are tatami mats(畳) on the floor, and usually, it consists of a table and some square floor cushions. This is a typical style of the Japanese traditional room.

Traditionally in Japan, people have used one large room in many purposes. For example, it can be used for a big family dinning using the table and cushions; in another time, it can be used as bed room, putting the table and cushions away and instead putting futon (Japanese bedding) down on the tatami floor.

Japanese traditional rooms are very useful in many ways as mentioned above. But, sometimes it is inconvenient when you use one room in more than two ways since there are no partitions. So the Japanese folding screen, called “Byobu”, is the solution. With Byobu, you can divide one room in more than two parts like, for example, one part for dinning, and the other for living room.Written by Yabuuchi

How to make "Andon"

 

We introduced "Andon" Japanese handmade lighting before.
Today let me show you how to make Andon.

First of all, artisan cuts wood materials.

He mesures the right size of each parts and cut it with cutting machine. In the final stage of cutting, he uses a chisel to make them right shape as above picture. He also uses a plane to 

make them smooth. It takes much time to make write shapes of each parts by hand working.

After that, he makes frame with all parts. This fine motif is also made by hand working one by one. It takes perseverance to complete it.

Then he sticks handmade paper on the frame. And put the light inside of it.

Andon's sophisticated light is made by every hand work of each artisan. 

It makes people’s hearts warm.

 

Please visit our page to see more lights.

http://jp112496852.trustpass.alibaba.com/



written by Ogita

"don't waste (mottainai)" is Japanese spirit !

In japan we have a traditional thinking " Mottainai" means "don't waste ".
So Japanese traditional artifacts are also made based on "Mottainai"spirit.


Today I will show you the evidence !

This paper was found in a Japanese f
usuma when it would be repaste a new Japanese paper .
This document is an application form for the prefecture written in 1872.
At that time people reused this paper for base.
So the owners have used  this fusuma for almost 130years !
The present owner wanted the artisans to renew Japanese paper on the same old wood frame.
And he will be able to use this fusuma more 100 years!


Like this our traditional thinking is good for the environment.
We respect the nature and the earth.
If you come to Japan you can experience the feel of "Mottainai" !


written by Kihara