2007/10/19

Daruma in French

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Daruma, a Magazine in French

Daruma n°3. 1998



Author : Natacha Aveline
ISBN : 2877303993

Revue internationale d'études japonaises.
Dossier : Regards croisés sur les formes de la ville japonaise

© www.reseau-asie.com


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L’étrange histoire du Daruma et sa signification

La richesse culturelle du Japon n’est plus à vanter.
Entre mythes et traditions, les amoureux du folklore et les adeptes de porte-bonheurs japonais ont de quoi être satisfaits. Aujourd’hui, nous allons nous intéresser au Daruma, une poupée japonaise bien étrange de par sa forme, mais aussi de par son histoire.
Le Daruma (だるま) est une figurine japonaise en papier mâché. Sa forme ronde et ses grands yeux ouverts sont directement inspirés du moine bouddhiste Bodhidharma. Symbole de persévérance et réussite, le daruma permettrait de réaliser son vœu le plus cher.
Mais quelle est donc son histoire ? Pourquoi cette poupée ne possède ni bras ni jambes ? Comment utiliser le daruma pour réaliser son vœu ?
Tant de questions auxquelles nous allons répondre dans la suite de cet article. C'est parti !
- source : universdujapon.com/blogs -

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..... Books about Daruma だるまの本、大百科など

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2007/10/14

Paperweight (bunchin)

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Paperweight (bunchin 文鎮)

When writing with brush and ink, the writer uses a paperweight to fix the paper on the top of the page. This heavy metal bar prevents paper from moving.

Japanses paper weights come in many shapes and of many materials, some are rather artistic and collector's items. Most are rather long to make sure the paper is kept securely in place.




Here are some of my collection, with three or four Daruma sitting side by side to keep the paper steady.




writing letters in spring -
the heavy weight of
my Daruma



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Look at more bunchin from this store !

Look at more types of paperweights from this store !
© www.santaken.com

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Made from iron, 4,5 cm high. Diameter 4,1 cm.


Photo from my friend Ishino.


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CLICK for more paperweight photos !



. MORE bunchin with Daruma



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夜寒なお文鎮光る武家屋敷
yosamu nao bunchin hikaru buke yashiki

this cold night -
a paperweight still sparkles
in the samurai residence

Kawakami Tokiko 川上登喜子


. Samurai Residence, buke yashiki 武家屋敷  

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keisan ga fukuro ni iru to kan ga deki

the paper weight -
just when it returns to its sheath
warm sake is ready  


Munetake

ーーーーー Makoto Ueda, page 17
source : books.google.co.jp


. senryu, senryū 川柳 Senryu in Edo .  


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2007/10/12

Daruma Park

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Daruma Mountain Park
久米島 だるま山公園


CLICK for original LINK !
This camellia flower 久米紅 comes from Chinese ancestors.

© Okinawa, Kume Island


Kume Island is located 100km away from Naha city.
The island has lots of forests ant water, so the wet-rice cultivation was popular and the island was called "rice’s island". The island was also mentioned by the Chinese historical book and Japanese one. The island played an important role as a way stop during the Ryukyu dynasties. Neolithic remains were discovered and Ohara shell mounds are an example.
Kume Island is called the most beautiful island and was decided to be reserved as Natural Park

CLICK for more park photos !

..... http://www.wonder-okinawa.jp/

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2007/10/11

Takasaki Daruma

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- Jomo Karuta, see below - :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Takasaki Daruma 高崎達磨
and Jomo Karuta, see below.





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Takasaki Temple Shorinzan Darumaji 少林山達磨寺
Book to collect stamps at temples

御朱印帳 - 納経長




The temple where the Daruma Dolls originate!


Homepage of the temple
source : www.daruma.or.jp/


More in the Daruma Museum
- Takasaki, Temple Shorinzan 少林山 -


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Takasaki Town Mascot

The town of Takasaki, famous for the Shorinji-Temple and many Daruma goods, has choosen its new town mascot, Taka Maru Daruma. He wears a blue headband and has lively eyebrows.
His hands take the pose of the "Scissors, Stone and Paper", a popular game in Japan.




「高崎だるま」の地域ブランド認定を記念して、県達磨製造協同組合(中田純一組合長)が公募したマスコットキャラクターの入賞者が決まり、最優秀作品賞に埼玉県本庄市のグラフィックデザイナー、福島進さん(60)の「たか丸」が選ばれた。表彰式は五日、高崎市鼻高町の少林山達磨寺で開かれる「達磨まつり」で行われる。

高崎だるまは昨年十月、特許庁の創設した地域団体商標制度で地域ブランドとして認定された。PRに役立てるため、同組合は今年三月までマスコットキャラクターのデザインと愛称を公募。七歳から七十一歳まで計四十六点の応募があった。

「たか丸」は、青いねじり鉢巻きに、りりしいまゆ毛が特徴。同組合は今後、印刷物やイベントで活用する。市観光課も「たか丸」を市の知名度アップに役立てようと、着ぐるみを作製しており、表彰式で披露する。

表彰式は午後三時半から。午前十時からの 達磨まつり では、同組合員が手掛けるさまざまな表情のだるま五十二体を紹介する大型ポスターを掲示するほか、法要やチャリティーオークション、七弦琴しちげんきん奉納演奏などが行われる。
© www.jomo-news.co.jp

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Takasaki Daruma no Hi - Day of Daruma 9th of August
高崎だるまの日 8月9日



高崎だるまの日 2020

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駅からハイキング「高崎だるま市」
Walking from the Station ... with Daruma San
Spring 2008 Campain




新年の開運ウォーク 
白衣大観音と少林山七草大祭だるま市

© ctec3.blog.so-net.ne.jp


More PHOTOS of the Shorinji Nanakusa Matsuri
Festival of the Seven Herbs of Spring with a Daruma Market


yuubin posuto 郵便ポスト post box, mailbox


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上毛かるた(じょうもうかるた)
Jomo Karuta (Joomoo Karuta)



© 財団法人群馬文化協会

It took our ancestors many ages to establish a nation of kindred race and language, to endeavor to be a morality-loving people, to declare this sun-rising country Japan, and to fly the national flag.

In World War II in which Japan fell victim to the atomic bomb for the first time in the world, burned-out cities were in ruins, war victims and unemployed people overflowed into the streets, many war orphans survived.

The Gunma Relief Association, the predecessor of the present Gunma Cultural Association, was active in supporting war victims, fighting its way in bitter life, with local love and national pride, under the flag of two white pegeons face to face on the background of the green earth.The homegrown "Jomo Karuta cards" was published with two sets of 44 reading and picture cards and accompanying explanations of the Karuta cards, under the slogan "Let the wise provide wisdom, the able ability, and the rich riches", by the cooperation of many people who answered the appeal for contribution.The Jomo Karuta was produced in accordance with the enactment of the Juvenile Welfare Law, and was recommended as a cultural asset under the Law.

Children in those days learned from the reading and picture cards in their little case the existence of noted places, historical spots and heroes unknwn to them, and must have yearned for them.

The card game of old Japanese tradition was used as a substitute for textbooks on history, geography and moral education because they were temporarily curtailed by the Allied occupation forces after the war. Gunma's First Jomo Karuta Game Championship started two months after the publication of the cards.

Read more HERE
© www.jomokaruta.org

More Photos:
© Jomo Karuta


Map of the Cards from Gunma Prefecture

© www.jomokaruta.org

................... え Little Daruma is up here


engi Daruma no Shoorin-Zan ... is the text on the right


© blog.ota-city.net


CLICK for more photos
Click for more KARUTA !

. Karuta from 護国院 Gokoku-In, Kashima .

Moriya Furusato Karuta ... 守谷のふるさとかるた



組み立て式だるま build your own Jomo Daruma !

source : www.jomo-news.co.jp/ns

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 だるまる DARUMARU ... new version 2009  

Takasaki Daruma Lunchbox ... Bentobako
..... Modern Takasaki Daruma Lunchbox .....

Daruko, also Naruko だる子又は鳴子 from Takasaki.


Karuta, Uta Karuta 歌留多 and Haiku

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Photo by Saori Shiraishi, on FB.


高崎 女性被害相談所
Office for female victim counceling in Takasaki



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source : higeraku.blog

Daruma after the Great Tohoku Earthquake

At the station all the shops were closed, even the bento lunchbox shop.


My Diary since March 11, 2011

. Japan after the BIG earthquake


Ganbaro Japan! Ganbaro Nippon! がんばろう日本



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Daruma dolls produced in 5 Olympic colors
- NHK world news - September 12, 2013

Lovers of Japan's traditional red daruma dolls can now buy them in the 5 colors of the Olympic rings.
One Takasaki-based maker has produced the set to commemorate Tokyo's successful bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Takasaki is the city where most daruma dolls are manufactured. And the firm has been producing them in unconventional colors for the past 15 years.

Six craftsmen were busy on Thursday drawing the signature mustache on the dolls and boxing them for shipment.
CEO Sumikazu Nakata said he hopes the product can help enhance expectations for the Olympics.



source : www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/

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. Folk Toys from Gunma .

. Nakasendoo 中山道 The Nakasendo Road .


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- #takasakidaruma #darumatakasaki #jomokaruta #karuta -
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2007/10/07

Kitagawa Utamaro

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Kitagawa Utamaro
喜多川歌麿(1753~1806年)

歌麿の幻の肉筆画「女達磨図」



An original painting of "ukiyo-e" woodblock print artist Kitagawa Utamaro was discovered at a house in the city of Tochigi, an art expert said Friday.

The painting entitled "Onna Daruma Zu" (Picture of Woman Dharma) depicts the upper body of a courtesan, disguising herself as a Buddhist dharma wearing a red robe, on a sheet of Japanese "washi" paper.

The painting, which is about 37 centimeters long and 57 cm wide, was appraised to be genuine by Shugo Asano, head of the cultural section of the Chiba City Museum of Art.

"It will help considerably in learning about the process of change in his drawing style," Asano said, even though the painting has deteriorated severely, referring to the Edo period popular painter.

Asano said he assumes that Utamaro (1753-1806) may have produced the painting when he was in his late 30s, slightly before the height of his career, by the way that the hair and facial structures are drawn.

The work in question is one of only 30 autographed paintings by Utamaro, who is believed to have produced more than 2,000 woodblock prints.

The existence of "Onna Daruma Zu" was noted in an old document, but it had not been proved. Thus, the painting was called "phantom work."

The owner of the painting inherited it from her deceased husband, who bought it for 3,000 yen from a junk dealer about 20-30 years ago.

The painting is now stored at the Tochigi Kuranomachi Museum of Art for protection.
 © www.breitbart.com

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CLICK for more Japanese photos !


Kitagawa Utamaro (喜多川 歌麿)
(ca. 1753 - 1806)
(his name was archaically romanized as Outamaro) was a Japanese printmaker and painter, and is considered one of the greatest artists of woodblock prints (ukiyo-e). He is known especially for his masterfully composed studies of women, known as bijinga. He also produced nature studies, particularly illustrated books of insects.

His work reached Europe in the mid 19th century, where it was very popular, enjoying particular acclaim in France. He influenced the European Impressionists, particularly with his use of partial views, with an emphasis on light and shade.

Various accounts claim that he was born in either Edo (present-day Tokyo), Kyoto, or Osaka (the three main cities of Japan), or a provincial town (no one is sure exactly which one) in around 1753; the exact date is also uncertain. Another long-standing tradition has is that he was born in Yoshiwara, the courtesan district of Edo, the son of a tea-house owner, but there is no evidence of this. His original name was Kitagawa Ichitaro.

It is generally agreed that he became a pupil of the painter Toriyama Sekien while he was still a child, and there are many authorities who believe that Utamaro was his son as well. He lived in Sekien's house while he was growing up, and the relationship continued until Sekien's death in 1788.

Sekien was originally trained in the aristocratic Kanō school of painting, but in middle age he started to lean toward the popular (or ukiyo-e) school. Sekien is known to have had a number of other pupils, none of any distinction.

Utamaro, in common with other Japanese of the time, changed his name as he became mature, and also took the name Ichitaro Yusuke as he became older. He apparently also married, although little is known about his wife, and he apparently had no children.

His first major professional artistic work, at about the age of 22, in 1775, seems to have been the cover for a Kabuki playbook, under the gō of Toyoaki. He then produced a number of actor and warrior prints, along with theatre programmes, and other such material. From the spring of 1781, he switched his gō to Utamaro, and started painting and designing fairly forgettable woodblock prints of women.



At some point in the middle 1780s, probably 1783, he went to live with the young rising publisher Tsutaya Jūzaburō, with whom he apparently lived for about 5 years. He seems to have become a principal artist for the Tsutaya firm. His output of prints for the next few years was sporadic, as he produced mostly illustrations for books of kyoka, literally 'crazy verse', a parody of the classical waka form. He seems to have produced nothing at all that has survived in the period 1790-1792.

In about 1791 Utamaro gave up designing prints for books and concentrated on making half-length single portraits of women, rather than the prints of women in groups favoured by other ukiyo-e artists. In 1793 he achieved recognition as an artist, and his semi-exclusive arrangement with the publisher Tsutaya Jūzaburō was terminated. He then went on to produce a number of very famous series, all featuring women of the Yoshiwara district.

CLICK for more photos !

Over the years, he also occupied himself with a number of volumes of nature studies and shunga, or erotica. In 1797, Tsutaya Jūzaburō died, and Utamaro apparently was very upset by the loss of his long-time friend and supporter. Some commentators feel that his work after this never reached the heights it did before.

In 1804, at the height of his success, he ran into legal trouble by publishing prints related to a banned historical novel. The prints, entitled Hideyoshi and his 5 Concubines, depicted the military ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wife and concubines; Consequently, he was accused of insulting Hideyoshi's dignity. He was sentenced to be handcuffed for 50 days (some accounts say he was briefly imprisoned). According to some sources, the experience crushed him emotionally and ended his career as an artist.

He died two years later, on the 20th day of the 9th month, 1806, aged about fifty-three, in Edo.

© More in the WIKIPEDIA !


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A seller of fan-papers and a young beauty

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. Woman exhaling smoke from a kiseru pipe .
kiseru no kemuri o fuku onna


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Oiran to Daruma 花魁と達磨 
Daruma and the Courtesans (geisha)



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wild carnation -
the fragile features of
this old courtesan



© Gabi Greve: LOOK !


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2007/10/04

Fuda Plate

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Talisman Name Plate, Fuda 札

You can have your name and purpose engraved in it.


Photo from my friend Ishino.

. nookyoochoo 納経帳 Pilgrim's Stamp Book .

. ema 絵馬 votive tablets.

Senja-Fuda, Name Stickers (senjafuda 千社札) with Daruma san

O-Mamori, Amulettes and Talismans お守り

Name plate with Daruma, hyoosatsu 表札
nameplate
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2007/09/12

Belt Buckle (obidome) and ribbon

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kumihimo, see below
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Belt Buckle (obidome 帯留)

Ornaments for Japanese kimono belts.

Sanada himo, see below


Photos from Ishino san !


Detail of the handmade two Daruma figures

Photos from Ishino san !
Photos from my friend Ishino.



Look at more photos of these decorations !


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Obidome, fixed as a pendant

from carvalen, Daruma Forum

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Here is a wooden one from my friend Ishino.
it is about 2,3 cm wide.











size 3.3cm × 3.7cm


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Made from metal
38 x 20 mm







about 3 x 3 cm, singed 利光作


Photos from my friend Ishino


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. Shogun Sanada Daruma  




Sanada himo 真田紐 Sanada-himo ribbon
a flat, braided cotton cord


CLICK for more photos This is a flat small cord, made from silk or cotton or a mix of both. It is very strong and has been used for wrapping wooden boxes for tea ceremony utensils. It was also used to keep ornaments for the samurai weapons and armour or hang heavy things.
It comes in many patterns and colors to fit the situation, many are even made to order for a special event. One roll of the cord is about 5 meters long and takes about a month to weave by hand.

They are said to have been made first by Sanada Masayuki, the famous samurai and his retainers and were sold in the town of Sakai (now Osaka). Sanada no himo 真田の紐.

Others say the word comes from the Tibetan sanaaru サナール and the cord has been introduced during the Heian period via the Silk Road. It was then called "small weaving" sa no hata 「さのはた(狭織)」, later changed to Sanada.

Sanada uchi 真田打ち is another word.
Now it is used for many things, even the bands for Japanese formal sandals and decorations for handbags.



CLICK for more photos

Ladies attending the tea ceremony, who had forgotten to bring a proper obi himo 帯紐belt, used this ribbon, because it was made of the same length than an obi himo.
obijime おびじめ【帯締(め)】 small belt to hold the obi
. . . CLICK here for obi himo ribbon Photos !



CLICK for more photos

kumihimo 組紐 is the round braided ribbon used for the court robes.
. . . CLICK here for kumihimo Photos !

kumiito, kumi-ito 組糸師 craftsman making Kumihimo





真田紐結べば亀の鳴きにけり
Sanada himo musubeba kame no naki ni keri

when I tie up
the Sanada cord, a turtle
starts crying . . .


Yamao Tamamo 山尾玉藻


kame ga naku : KIGO


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. Traditional Crafts of Edo and Tokyo .

- quote -
Tokyo Kumihimo (Braided Cords)



Traditional Technologies and Techniques
Plain dyeing, gradation dyeing and spaced dyeing are all techniques employed to dye the silk threads used in Tokyo Kumihimo (braided cords).
1- 糸染めは、無地染め、ぼかし染め又は段染めによる。
2-
組上げには、四ツ台、丸台、綾竹台(あやたけだい)、重打台(しげうちだい)、高台、内記台又は籠打台を用いる。
①綾竹台又は高台を用いる場合において、打込みにはヘラを用いる。
②重打台又は高台を用いて組模様を組み出す場合には、綾取りによる。
③籠打台を用いる場合において、使用する組糸はより糸とする。

Kumihimo cords are braided using yotsudai (four-bobbin) looms, kakudai (square) looms, marudai (round) looms, ayatakedai (bamboo) looms, shigeuchidai looms, takadai (high) looms, naikidai looms and kagouchi looms.
① With ayatakedai (bamboo) and takadai (high) looms, a beater is used to damp down the braid.
② When using either shigeuchidai or takadai (high) looms to produce braid, the patterns depend on the cat's cradle of threads created within the loom.
③ When using kagouchi looms, twisted yarn is the source of the braided threads used.

■Traditionally Used Raw Materials
Raw silk thread, silk thread, gold or silver thread

■History and Characteristics
The Kumihimo craft is one that enjoys a long history, the products created by it having a range of applications. In that Kumihimo cords secure the modern kimono obi (belt) and the tassels of haori (short coats worn with kimono), they remain invaluable in our everyday lives being used in a variety of ways.

Kumihimo technologies and techniques originally came to Japan by way of China and Korea. Through the ages, they came to be used in a huge variety of products.

Kumihimo cords were used in many roles. When priests sought to spread the tenets of Buddhism, their sutra scrolls and priestly robes were secured with Kumihimo. The aristocracy used Kumihimo when wearing formal dress. With the rise of the warrior class in Japan, Kumihimo were used to secure helmets and armor. A flat-braided cord was also developed to wrap the hilts of samurai swords.

As the wearing of short sleeves became fashionable, in addition to the obi and waist sashes used when wearing kimono, Kumihimo cords became widely used as a means by which to secure obi, etc. Kumihimo cords could also be taken from where they lay over obi. They could then be wrapped and tied as to pull up (shorten) kimono sleeves.

Historically, the samurai practiced the craft of Kumihimo as part of their occupation. It is said that in Japan, this craft was so advanced as to be unusual internationally. However, such skills were not merely refined to just tie or secure items. Rather, braid patterns and the allocation of colors within cords made it possible for individuals to express their fortunes, their gender, and their social positions, etc.

Furthermore, with names such as "Koryouchi Chosen" (literally "Damped Braiding from the Koryo Dynasty in Korea), it can be assumed that various braid patterns came to Japan from mainland Asia and the Korean Peninsula.

Concerning the looms used to create Kumihimo cords, they can be categorized into seven types: kakudai (square) looms, marudai (round) looms, ayatakedai (bamboo) looms, shigeuchidai looms, takadai (high) looms, naikidai looms and kagouchi looms.

The patterns in which threads are combined as well as the sense of "wabi-sabi" conveyed (literally the "simplicity and refinement" projected by the colors used) are felt to be symbolic of Tokyo Kumihimo.

Edo Kumihimo Manufacturing Guild
- source : sangyo-rodo.metro.tokyo.jp/shoko -


kumihimoshi 組紐師 making Kumihimo ribbons


Kawakatsu Kumihimoten 川勝組紐店


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itokumi 糸くみ
Shokunin burui 職人部類 by Tachibana Minkō 橘岷江


. Edo shokunin 江戸の職人 Edo craftsmen .


. Iga Kumihimo 伊賀組みひも Iga string art .

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. Fly-catching ribbon 蠅取リボン(はえとりりぼん)
 kigo for all summer

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sageo 下げ緒 / 下緒 Sangeo cord



an important item for Japanese swords.
It not only makes a sword secure but also decorates it nicely.

quote
a hanging cord made of silk, cotton or leather that is passed through the hole in the kurigata (栗形) of a Japanese sword's saya.
There are a number of different methods for wrapping and tying the sageo on the saya for display purposes.
In some schools of Iaidō, the sageo is tied to the hakama when practicing.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !


Sageo to order
source : www.kumihimo.se


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The word ribbon リボン, or cord, just like that,
is not a kigo but a topic for haiku.





冬ざるるリボンかければ贈り物
fuyu zaruru ribon kakereba okurimono

winter bareness -
when I wrap a ribbon around it,
it becomes a present


Hatano Sooha 波多野爽波 1923−1991 Hatano Soha

The kigo here is
fuyuzare  冬ざれ winter bareness


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..... Kimono, Yukata, Nagajuban 着物、浴衣、長じゅばん


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