We should not receive a used Hagoita.

Do you know the Hagoita?
The hagoita is a paddle used in a game played at the beginning of the new year.
Japanese people also display specially decorated hagoita for New Year's.
The history of decorative hagoita date back to the beggining of Edo era.

This hagoita depicts Benkei who was a legendary warrior monk in the Kamakura period.
He was a allegiant of Yoshitsune Minamoto.
Speaking of Benkei, there is a very famouse legendary episode.
It is said that he died standing up to protect Yoshitsune from a rain arrows.
Their story was played on Kabuki stage in the Edo period.
Since then, Benkei and Yoshitsune has become very popular persons in Japan.

Back at the Hagoita, Hagoita is a lucky charm against bad luck of the next year.
In other words, it's used as scapegoater to transfer misfortune and disease.
Baically,　Hagoita as a lucky charm is valid for one year.
So the Hagoita fair has held every year in Japan. The fair becomes crowded with hundreds of thousands of people shopping for them, and old Hagoitas are taken to shrines and burned. It's called "Otakiage".
It is extremely unlucky to get old Hagoita so Japanese people never gift or sell it.

But, many old Hagoitas are listed on eBay.........It's scary.

If you want to get a Hagoita, You should buy new one.

The genuine Hagoita made in Japan will be priced from $100 to $500 on the market, depending on size.

http://stores.ebay.com/Katsushika-densankan

Speaking of Japanese Traditional Crafts, Katsushika Ward has a reputation for producing many leading craftsman.

I have lived in Katsushika for more than ten years.
Katsushika ward which is located in eastern Tokyo, it's a old town.
Anybody will may not admire the view of this town but that is people-friendly and comfortable to live in.
But, We can see The Tokyo Sky Tree(634.0m) clearly from here.

It seems that the tower is almost completed.

Some misunderstandings of Shamisen-2

What is the most important thing that influence the sound quality of Shamisen?
Definitely, it's a quality of skin and tension control!
Some persons asked me about Ayasugi-Dou via our eBay store.
Ayasugi is the design pattern that carved inside Shamisen's body.

It is said that Ayasugi will improve the sound quality.
But, there is some debate over whether Ayasugi has that effect.
I think that few if any. Because, too small body, if we talk about a acoustic theory.
Since olden days, Japanese has preferred to design the inside part, the under side of lid, the lining of Kimono and so on.
I think Ayasugi is one of them.
Additionally, we can say that Ayasugi is the evidence of hiquality Shamisen in past days, but now, it can be carved by machine.
So when you choose a Shamisen, you shouldn't attach importance to Ayasugi-Dou.
More important is a skin and it's tension.
In Japan, New Shamisen is usually displayed without a skin in the sincere Shamisen shop.

Because, a taut skin will deteriorate slowly with time, so never stretch a skin on the body until purchase.

Some misunderstandings of Shamisen-1

Recently, Shamisen have become especially popular among people around the world.
I received a flurry of inquiries via our eBay store.
I surprised that there are some persons who are very familiar with Shamisen.
But, it seems that there are not sufficient information of Shamisen on internet.

It may surprise you to learn that Shamisen's tune is not decided. Because Shamisen is an instrument for accompaniment, so it will change to fit vocal quality.

Next, I explain about a part of neck that called "Sao". Sao is usually divided into three.
If you find a not-separated Shamisen anywhere, you think better it's a practice one, it's very cheap.

Look at the joint, all joints has grooves. This is the evidence of high quality.
It prevent a warpage, and improve the quality of the sound.

The reason Why Japanese are poor at asserting themselves is ...

It is said that Japanese are poor at asserting themselves.
Largely or partly, it may be right.
I think it's attribute to Japanese Traditional Culture.
Look at this picture.

Can you see any design or pattern in this Kimono?

Perhaps, you consider it plain cloth, don't you?

Actually, we can see beautiful pattern in closeup.

This dyeing technique are called "Edo-Komon".

Many fine patterns exists.

Even now, Katagami(paper stencil) for Edo-Komon  is cut by hand, like this.
Many craftsmen tried to new cutting method by using computer, but they said that computer can't express  sensitive fluctuation.

There are many dyeing techniques of Kimono in Japan, but Komon is something very special for Japanese.

Don't you think why Japanese prefer Edo-Komon that needs to close to see the design? 

I think that an awareness is the most important thing in Japanese traditional culture.

In other words, it may be an interest for the people around one.

So it may be Japanese doesn't need to insist themselves more than necessary for a long time.

With the progress of globalization, we are urged to change our mind. I'm not sure if we can.

The words "Iki" is one of the most difficult word to explain to non-Japanese.

If I had to say, I wonder  Iki is  smartness.

Anyway, Japanese tend to think that the important things are invisible or less-visible. 

I hope I am getting through to you.... 

Sorry for my bad English.

Do you Know Noh or Nogaku?

In a word, It's a Japanese masque and musical.
Nohgaku has been performed since the 14th century.
Noh,Shikisanban and Kyogen, there are three types of Nohgaku.
So, Noh is one area of Nogaku.
Noh mask is very popular among holidaymakers from abroad.
We can get it on eBay. But, Most of them are made as a souvenir, or some are unrelated to Noh.
This is the genuine article.
Are you scared? I know how you feel It's very real..

This mask made by Hideta Kitazawa.
He is 41years old. He is young  as a master of Noh mask.
But,  he has received a number of awards including the Outstanding Youth Artisan Award for Tokyo 1997 and the Yokohama Noh Drama Hall Director's Prize in 2003. 
His masks are used by Manzou Nomura who is a human national treasure.
Hideta Kitazawa is one of the few  Noh mask masters.


http://stores.ebay.com/Katsushika-densankan

My company is trying to sell Japanese traditional crafts

I live in Katsushika ward, Tokyo.
Katsushika, this area has a reputation for producing many leading traditional master craftsman.
My company is trying to sell their works on eBay. 

For example, Japanese doll, Shamisen,Kimono, Wood Carving, Silverware, Cut Glass and so on.

Well, it started out as a request from Katsushika Ward Office. 

Until then, I didn't have interest in Japanese traditional crafts.


But, every time I met and talked various craftsman, I was gradually attracted their works.


This is the Japanese Oyama doll.

 I got goose bumps when I saw this doll. I never saw such a melancholy eye.
In Japan, it is said that the  facial expression is most important thing for doll.
This item were made by Yukio Kikuchi. 
He has handcrafted various kinds of Japanese doll for over 40 years.
He is a third generation of Sho-Giku. He is a doll master who certified by the Japanese government.


If you want to look more photos, please visit our eBay store.
http://stores.ebay.com/Katsushika-densankan