kirigami : cutting paper art

At the moment, I have been really into “KIRIGAMI”!
It is a paper motif made up by folding, cutting and then reopening a piece of paper.

Kanako Yaguchi has published several “KIRIGAMI” books, and among them, I love the “OTONA NO KIRIGAMI NO HON”(ISBN 4569692354) most.
The other day, I was making “KIRIGAMIs” with the book like mad , and have ended up loads of them…

There is a website that lets you make a “KIRIGAMI” online, too.

This is for the Japanese style.
“MON” is Japanese traditional patterns often used for “FUROSHIKI” or “wagashi”, and these “MONs” can also be made by “KIRIGAMI”.
How about putting the “MON” you made on a card or a coaster?
Or using a fabric “KIRIGAMI” for an appliqu?, which would be cute, too!

MON

UEKI-cakes (It’s girly bonsai !?)

Arranging a plant ( “Ueki” in Japanese) like a piece of cake, that’s “Ueki Cake”.

These unique miniature plant arrangements are works of Tomoko Mitsuma, artist & display designer.

At her Ueki Cake exhibitions, she shows a lot of fun ideas for plants and sells her Ueki Cakes in the glass showcase used for real cake shops or displaying them with zakka.

She has held her exhibitions not only within Japan, but also in Paris, which was very well received. There are also books showing how to make Ueki Cakes or how you can wrap and present them.

UEKI-cakes Exhibition
UEKI-Yogashiten

Asakusabashi – Shimojima,Kiwa,Mokuba

If I take you to look around Tokyo, I would take you to Asakusabashi.
Well, if around the JR Akihabara station is a “town of OTAKU nerds”, then the next stop Asakusabashi is a “town of handmade”.

You can get beads and accessories materials, ribbons and other hand craft stuff at　wholesale price.

Because Asakusabashi is wholesale-stores area, you can also find many other goods like commercial wrapping papers, display supplies or artificial flowers.
Of course, many stores accept a purchase for retail, so I often visit Asakusabashi for shopping.

I’d recommend “Shimojima”

Come out from the East Exit of JR Asakusabashi, walk to the left along the Edogawa　Street , then next to a bakery there is 8-story shop building. That’s Shimojima’s 5th shop.. This one has the largest variety and number of goods of all Shimojima’s.
As it was close to Halloween, there were full of Halloween goods. (Google Maps)

If you are into beading accessories, then you should not miss visiting “KIWA”!
Come out from the East Exit of JR Asakusabashi, walk to the right along the Edogawa Street, then you see “KIWA” right away.

There are always so many people busy with getting their beads and accessory parts. (Google Maps)

Or if you like ribbons then check “MOKUBA”.

They have so many ravishingly gorgeous ribbons.
You can purchase from one meter. Take a roll you like to the counter and ask them to cut it to your desired length. (Google Maps)

Shimojima
KIWA
Mokuba New York

Ice Cream Diary part3 : nana’s green tea

Green tea Kuromitsu(brown sugar syrup) latte and Warabi Mochi frozen Green tea form the cafe named nana’s green tea. They taste great and rich.

Kuromitsu is one of the most fundamental materials used in making Japanese sweet desserts. It serves well with Kuzu Mochi, fruits, ice cream, pan cakes.

Warabi Mochi is a Japanese dessert sweet. It is not made with rice, as other mochi is, but rather from Warabi starch. Cheaper ones may have other starch mixed in to make them more affordable. They are soft, and slightly sweet.

nana’s green tea

Ice Cream Diary part2 : Hayashiya

Green tea Parfait and Hojicha(roasted green tea) Parfait at Hayashiya-chaen in Seibu department store. They are heaven!!

Hayashiya