Thoughts about Japan, Japanese People and our Japanese Products
Filed in Delivery Costs | Japanese Gifts Leave a comment
The Japanese Shop has reduced delivery costs, giving our customers the convenience of spending less on delivery and more on their favourite Japanese gifts!
Our new prices are as follows:
UK standard – £3.60 (£3+VAT)
UK Next Day – £7.20 (£6+VAT)
EU – £8.40 (£7+VAT)
Rest of the World – No change
Free delivery for UK orders over £50
Free delivery for EU orders over £100
Filed in Japanese Gift | Japanese Gift Ideas | Japanese Gifts Leave a comment
Mother’s Day in Japan, which translated is ‘haha no hi’, first began on the 6th of March 1931, when Empress Kojun, mother of Emperor Akihito, celebrated her birthday.
Years later in 1949, after being declared a national day in Japan, it was decided to celebrate the day on the same date as in the US. Just like many other countries around the world, children present their mother’s with gifts on Mothering Sunday. Although sending a card is not common, flowers are, with red carnations being a particular favourite to give on the day, symbolising purity and sweetness.
In Japan, Mother’s Day is also associated with some other interesting and unusual culinary delights in the form of egg-based dishes Tamagoyaki, a rectangular Japanese omelette, and Chawanmushi, a custard egg, usually served together with chicken or shrimp.
If however, you are looking for some more modern day Japanese inspired Mother’s Day Gifts, you can browse through our handpicked selection online. Our range caters for all budgets and includes our FREE Japanese Gift Wrapping service. From Lucky Cats and Kokeshi Dolls to Japanese Prints and Kimono, we have something for every mum out there!
Happy Mother’s Day from The Japanese Shop!
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As you all know, Hiromi is currently in Japan and in addition to enjoying some fabulous Japanese food, she has had some very productive meetings with Japanese companies, which could lead to some completely new products for The Japanese Shop!
One of which is a selection of fabulous Japanese kitchen knives, which will be exclusive to The Japanese Shop and so good that when you have used one you will never use another knife again!
More updates to follow soon!
Filed in Japanese Gifts | Kimono | Kimono Bag | origami Leave a comment
We have just received a top up of stock of Kimono, Daruma, Origami Paper, Calligraphy Items, Coin Purses and Kimono Bags. More Kokeshi due in late January/early Feb so watch this space!
Filed in Japanese Food | Japanese Gifts | Kokeshi Dolls Leave a comment
Kokeshi Dolls
We have just received our first small order of delicious Japanese Food items which will soon be making their debut appearance on our website – so for all of you who enjoy a bit of traditional cuisine – watch this space!
Our next consignment of Kokeshi Dolls will also be leaving Japan in the next few days and they should be with us next week.
Filed in Japanese Gifts | Japanese Kimono | Lucky Cat | origami Leave a comment
Kana Chan Lucky Cat Soft Toy
Just a quick announcement to let you all know that we have just taken delivery of the following ranges:
There’s something for everyone so visit our website to browse through all of our Japanese gifts online now!
Filed in Japanese Gift Ideas | Japanese Gift Offers | Japanese Gifts | Mothers Day Gifts Leave a comment
Although Mothers Day is traditionally celebrated on the second Sunday in May in Japan, it is on Sunday the 18th of March here in England – which is just around the corner. Fortunately The Japanese Shop has put together a superb collection of unique gifts, just for the occasion.
Visit the Mothers Day Gifts section of our website now and browse through our wonderful range of traditional Japanese gifts.
All our items are available for fast FREE delivery in the UK when you spend more than £50. We can also deliver your gift, complete with beautiful FREE Japanese Gift Wrapping straight to your mother’s door.
Filed in Japanese Gift | Japanese Gift Ideas | Japanese Gift Offers | Japanese Gift Wrapping | Japanese Gifts | Kokeshi Dolls | Valentine's Day Gifts Leave a comment
Kokeshi Doll
Many are fascinated by the Japanese way of life, and understandably so with their intriguing culture, cuisine and products. One of their most popular traditional items is Kokeshi Dolls which also happens to make wonderful little Japanese gift for Valentine’s Day.
Although Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Japan, it is done so a little differently. This is because years ago, when the first adverts began appearing in Japan to advertise Valentine’s Day to non-Japanese people, it grabbed the attention of local businesses and advertisers who also wanted to be a part of the more Westernised holiday.
Unfortunately, when the time came to launch Valentine’s Day to the Japanese people, the message got “lost in translation” and described it as a day for women only to express their love to men by giving them chocolate.
There are three official different types of chocolate given on Valentine’s Day by women; Giri-Chocolate or “obligatory chocolate” which is given as a kind gesture, Honmei-Chocolate or “favourite chocolate” which is given for romantic reasons and Tomo-Chocolate or “friend chocolates” which is given to female friends.
And because men therefore don’t generally give gifts on Valentine’s Day, they have their own day a month later called “White Day” when they are expected to return the favour.
Kokeshi Dolls
Put a Japanese spin on your Valentine’s Day this year with a wide range of handmade Kokeshi Dolls as well as a wide range of other gift ideas from The Japanese Shop. Our Kokeshi are made mostly from cherry or mizuki trees using traditional methods, with each doll individually named by the craftsman who made it, giving it its own unique personality.
We have just updated our website with a brand new collection of Kokeshi. Buy any 2 Kokeshi Dolls and receive a FREE Kokeshi Key Ring and a FREE Japanese Greetings Card.
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There are many stories surrounding the exact origin of Kokeshi Dolls. One of the most widely told tales dates back to as early as the 19th century, to the Tohoku region of Northern Japan, where the dolls were first said to have been made by local farmers to give as toys to their children.
Generally bought as Japanese mementos or to use as ornaments, many also believe the dolls to have spiritual significance as well as the power to prevent fire. This suspicion is mainly down to mizuki, a very moist wood that is widely used to make the dolls from.
Kokeshi Dolls
Kokeshi are carefully crafted by skilled craftsmen, who cut them out with a lathe before polishing them to a fine finish. The head and body of Kokeshi are made separately before being attached together by means of a special plug.
Their faces and patterns are then hand painted onto their large round heads and cylindrical limbless shaped bodies, usually to give the impression that they are wearing kimono. Another common belief is that the colours and designs used on each doll to be unique to the specific area where they were made.
Kokeshi Dolls today
Kokeshi are celebrated as one of Japans folk arts. They still embody the simplistic, colourful look that they are so well known for however they can also found in more modern, creative designs.
These contemporary versions were first seen after the Second World War and are mostly found in the towns near Tokyo. And although they still embrace the traditional shape, there is no limit to the types of designs, colours and features that the craftsman choose to use on them.
Kokeshi Dolls - Couples
We have been buying our award-winning Kokeshi from our supplier in Japan for many years and our relationship is now one based on friendship as much as business. We love going to visit them tucked away in the picturesque Japanese countryside, nosing around their massive timber yard, wandering around their vast showroom admiring Kokeshi old and new, before going on to enjoy a delicious Japanese meal together. Widely regarded as some of Japan’s national treasures, these skilled craftsmen have cherished Kokeshi for many years and like us, remain as passionate about these cute little wooden dolls as ever. Jez
At The Japanese Shop our Kokeshi Dolls are handmade from cherry or mizuki trees using traditional methods that mostly feature girls’ faces and gorgeous floral designs. Each doll is individually named by the craftsman who made it to ensure that they all radiate their own unique personality.
Buy any 2 Kokeshi Dolls from The Japanese Shop and receive a FREE Kokeshi Key Ring and a FREE Japanese Greetings Card.
Filed in Christmas Gifts | Japanese Gift | Japanese Gift Ideas | Japanese Gifts Leave a comment
Medium Midori Crackleglaze Plate – Ideal for Someone Who Enjoys Their Japanese Cuisine
Medium Midori Crackleglaze Plate
The Japanese are known for their fine attention to detail, and the way they dine is no different. Each dish is placed on the table for a reason, with different utensils used for different types of food.
It is also believed that the shape, colour and feel of the dishes used help to further enhance the overall eating experience, by making the food more visually appealing.
Serve up a festive feast with the Medium Midori Crackleglaze Plate from The Japanese Shop. The earthenware plate has a stunning green-blue cracked glass glaze and is especially ideal for serving up oriental food like sushi and dipping sauces.
Click here to view all of our Top 12 Christmas Gifts.