Sayaka Motomura's page

Articles

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  Relax with Soothing Scents! A Guide to Japanese Incense

  Incense can make everyday life feel a little richer. A pleasant fragrance instantly helps you relax. In Japan, there is a long-standing culture of enjoying incense as a way to refresh the mind in the midst of busy modern life. Here, we introduce the deep and fascinating world of Japanese incense, which has been part of daily life for centuries.

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  The Complete Guide to Shodo: A Japanese Tradition That Calms the Mind Through Brush and Ink

  One of Japan’s traditional arts is shodo (Japanese calligraphy). Writing characters may seem simple at first, but the time you spend holding a brush, surrounded by the scent of ink, and facing each stroke one by one naturally settles the mind and becomes a moment of quiet self-reflection. In the process of aiming for beautiful characters, you can learn valuable things such as focus, etiquette, and the habit of approaching everything with care. In this article, we’ll introduce shodo in detail-its history, tools, and basic posture-while also sharing what an actual calligraphy experience is like.

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  The Complete Guide to Okonomiyaki, Osaka’s Soul Food

  Okonomiyaki is a traditional Osaka dish made by mixing cabbage with ingredients like squid and pork into a wheat flour batter, grilling it on a hot plate, and finishing it with sauce. Delicious and affordable, it has long been loved by locals in Osaka. In this article, we introduce the roots of okonomiyaki, how it differs from other flour-based dishes, and hands-on classes where you can learn how to make it. If you're planning a trip to Osaka or want to discover this beloved local comfort food, this is a must-read!

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  A Complete Guide to Okashi Museum Tempozan: Get Sweets and Dagashi from All Over Japan!

  Kids and adults alike love sweets. Why are people of every age, gender, and nationality drawn to them? Sweets have always been close to our daily lives, quietly staying with us through every stage. Dagashi we picked out at the corner candy store after school, clutching a few coins. Snacks chosen under the school rule of “up to 300 yen” for field trips. Treats received as souvenirs or small gifts. Every one of them-along with its flavor, aroma, texture, and even packaging-stays in our hearts for a long time.

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  The Ultimate Ukiyo-e Guide: A Uniquely Japanese Art Form Admired by Van Gogh-Step Into the World of Ukiyo-e

  Ukiyo-e, which blossomed as a form of popular culture during Japan’s Edo period, is drawing renewed attention today. Mass-produced and enjoyed as woodblock prints, ukiyo-e vividly captured everyday life, landscapes, and the people of the time-and went on to have a major impact not only on Japanese art, but on art around the world. In this article, we’ll break down its origins and appeal from the basics and introduce places where you can experience ukiyo-e for yourself.

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  Artisan Prestige Traced in Hand-Crafted Wagasa 〜A Comprehensive Guide to Japanese Wagasa Umbrellas〜

  Traditional Japanese umbrellas (wagasa) are craftworks deeply rooted in everyday life, made using natural materials such as washi paper and bamboo through time-honored techniques. Each production region has its own distinct character: Gifu is known for its delicate designs with a playful touch, Kyoto for its understated beauty that embodies wabi-sabi, and Tottori and Toyama for their sturdy construction designed to withstand heavy snow.

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  Kyoto’s Geisha District Complete Culture Guide: Elegance Caught in Time with Geiko and Maiko

  Stroll the streets in Kyoto and you might just happen upon a lady dressed in kimono, noticeable by the white face paint and a hair style that beams with tradition. Known even in English as geiko and maiko, these are the purveyors of Kyoto’s most famed performing art and traditional culture that dates back to the Edo period. Below is a comprehensive look into exclusive world of geiko and maiko, complete with a guide on how to get a front seat to this coveted experience yourself.

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  The Ultimate Guide to Enjoying Noh, the Pinnacle of Japanese Traditional Performing Arts

  Noh is a traditional Japanese musical drama made up of chanting (utai), musical accompaniment (hayashi), and dance (mai). It is a kind of musical theater and is often described as a "traditional Japanese musical". This article introduces the profound appeal of noh.

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  Complete Guide to Shiseido Beauty Park

  Discover how to enjoy Shiseido Beauty Park in Yokohama Minato Mirai-a place where simply wandering can enhance your beauty. In a space where cutting-edge science and art converge, you can become beautiful in both mind and body through a wide range of experiences-from an audiovisual program and cuisine to cosmetics and a Beauty Checkup service. This article highlights each area and offers a detailed half-day model course.

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  Get Your Hands on the Traditional Japanese Fortune Calendar: Takashima Koyomi!

  Do you know what kind of day today is? Whether it be weddings, funerals, moving house, or planting crops, Japanese people have long relied on a calendar called "Takashima Koyomi" to guide them through daily life. This article introduces how the Takashima Koyomi has become an integral part of Japanese life.

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  The Complete Guide to Bamboo Craft: Discover Artisan Skills!

  The bamboo fence, essential in creating a Japanese garden, and bamboo baskets used for washing rice and vegetables are just a few examples of how bamboo crafts have been a part of daily life for the Japanese people throughout history. In this article, we’ll introduce the charm of bamboo craftsmanship, showcasing its diverse applications-from bamboo fences to items like rings and bottle stands that fit seamlessly into today’s lifestyles!

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  Guide to Enjoying Japanese Candles: Soothe Your Soul with Their Flickering Light!

  Light has always been essential to human life. Before electricity and gas became widespread, people relied on candles to illuminate the night. While Western candles are more common globally, Japan has long had its own traditional candles known as "wa-rousoku," which have been closely tied to Japanese daily life. In this guide, we'll explore the history of these Japanese candles, how they have been cherished by the Japanese people, and the craftsmanship of the artisans who make them.

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  Guide to Discovering Kabuki and Enjoying Its Performance: Experience Japan’s Traditional Performing Art

  Kabuki is a traditional Japanese performing art. Kabuki, with its various charms, has been a popular form of entertainment in Japan for centuries. Stepping into a Kabuki theater transports you to an extraordinary world. For over 400 years, Kabuki actors, who are the pride of Japan, have preserved and carried on this tradition, dazzling audiences with their vibrant performances and magnificent stages. You can experience a special time, enjoying the brilliance of the costumes, the sounds of traditional Japanese instruments like the shamisen, and the refined beauty of the dances down to the fingertips. This world is traditionally an all-male domain, where both the actors who play male roles (“tachiyaku”) and those who play female roles (“onnagata”) have their own distinct aesthetic styles. Even if you don’t understand the language, as long as you grasp the key points of how to watch, you’ll be fine! When you see a performance, there will surely be something that moves your heart.