The Woes of Mistranslation

this week's most popular posts and other tidbits from around Japan

Japan's ancient calendar of 72 seasons No. 61 The Sky is Cold, Winter Sets In Grey clouds hang low, sealing off the space between the earth and sky, and portending the possibility of snow. Japan has a word for clouds like this (yuki-gumori) and they seem to make all living things - big and small - move slower. They also douse the mountaintops with white powder: the final brushstrokes of the winter landscape. (Do you want more seasonal events, recipes, poems and art in your inbox? Become a member!) the spoon & tamago dispatch The Museum of Mistranslations This week we're checking out this pop-up museum in Tokyo dedicated to mistranslated phrases. While offering us endless chuckles, they're also a reminder of the nuances of language and how difficult it can be to accurately capture true meaning. Read more... The Takahama Cafe Next we move to Tottori, famous for their sand dunes, where a new cafe made from timber offers sweeping views of said dunes. Designed by Kengo Kuma, the 3-story structure resembles a stairway to the sky and is inspired by the natural formations of the sand. Read more... A Snowpal Leather Bag Japanese leather bag-maker Tsuchiya Kaban creates bags for oddly specific purposes. One of them is this bag, designed for carrying a single snow pal. The bag was created by artisan Yuko Matsuzawa, who explains that she was inspired by the season's first snow. Read more... Did you know we have a membership program? For just $5 a month you get all of Japan's 72 microseasons in your inbox, discounts from our shop, other exclusive content all while supporting independent journalism! tidbits from all corners of Japan If you don't mind crowds, the famous 150-year-old wisteria tree at Ashikaga Flower Park is decked out in 300,000 LED lights Did you know that the Sanriku Railway in northern Japan offers kotatsu trains in the winter? Now through February of next year you can ride up north in ultimate coziness. From the Shop Designing Placeholders In the town of Kanzaki in Kyushu, a small woodworking studio creates sustainable wooden products that combine traditional craftsmanship with modern functionality. Their M. Scoop collection was born from a desire to create intentional places for our many possessions. view collection Copyright © 2022 Spoon & Tamago, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website. Our mailing address is: Spoon & Tamago 253 Tompkins Ave Brooklyn, New York 11216 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.