Senko Hanabi 🎆

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

"The Crow-Dipper Sprouts" (Microseason 30) The crow-dipper is a plant that's native to Japan and other parts of Asia. Hange is it's ancient name but today it's also known as karasu-bishaku: karasu means crow and bishaku means dipper (yes, that's where it gets its western name) but refers to the wooden ladles that are often used to scoop water as part of purification ceremonies held around Japan. Heavy rains that sometimes fall towards the end of the rainy season are called hange rains. (Do you want more seasonal events, recipes, poems and art in your inbox? Become a member!) the spoon & tamago dispatch Senko Hanabi Happy 4th of July weekend to all our American friends! Summer fireworks are actually a tradition in Japan too, one that originated over 280 years ago as a means of warding off epidemics! Anyway, fireworks in Japan are not complete without senko hanabi, subtle and ephemeral sparklers that have been transformed into accessories. Read more... Office Space as Museum This week we bring you an exclusive look inside the offices of internet media company GREE. The company worked with art agency TokyoDex to pull off one of the most ambitious office space transformation projects we've ever seen: 22 individual artists created 129 pieces of art spread over six floors. Read more... Hender Scheme Founded in 2010 by Ryo Kashiwazaki, Hender Scheme is an inventive footwear and accessories label created in response to mass-produced clothing. This week we take a look inside their new Osaka flagship, built inside a renovated 60-year old machiya. Read more... Did you know we have a membership program? For just $5 a month, members get access to a bunch of great perks while also helping us continue our mission. tidbits from all corners of Japan This week, artist Cai Guo-Qiang staged one of his explosive artworks in Iwaki. "The Day the Cherry Blossoms Bloom in the Sky" was launched at Yotsukura Beach. The privately owned Choshi Electric Railway in Chiba holds its shareholder meetings inside their cars.   That's CEO Katsunori Takemoto greeting shareholders. From the Shop Ochugen (summer gift giving) Gift giving is ingrained in Japanese culture and there are two major seasons for it. Ochugen, which happens aroung mid-July, is one of them while the other is Oseibo, at the end of the year. Ochugen is derived from the ceremonial day of Taoism on July 15th, a tradition that merged with Buddhism to create what is a show of appreciation to those who helped or supported you during the first half of the year. The beautiful thing is that the emphasis is not on the gift itself, but rather the act of giving. The value of the gift is of less importance than the thoughtfulness in which it is presented. shop summer gift ideas Copyright © 2023 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.