Old Journal

Cool and Creative: The Best Guide for Delectable Homemade Kakigori

“Kakigori,” Japanese-style shaved ice, has been a standard summer treat that people will wait for hours in intense heat to enjoy. In Japan, kakigori offers an abundance of options when it comes to ...

The Finest Japanese Crafts Presented at the G7 Hiroshima Summit

At the G7 Hiroshima Summit, which concluded on March 21, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yuko Kishida presented gifts to the heads of state and their partners as part of their hospitality...

Discover the Rich Charm of Shochu: Japan's Unique Spirit

Shochu is a Japanese distilled spirit made from a variety of ingredients, including rice, barley, sweet potatoes, brown sugar, buckwheat, and chestnuts, depending on the region. Kyushu, in particul...

A Step-by-Step Guide for Ikebana Beginners - Part 3

Saving the most challenging for last, in Part-3 of our ikebana lesson blog, we introduce two arrangements using large Kutani ware vases. These vases are beautifully designed and crafted in a stylis...

A Step-by-Step Guide for Ikebana Beginners - Part 2

Even living in Japan, the opportunity to experience ikebana first hand is a special treat. In the first part of our ikebana blog, we introduced how four of us from the office learned the basics of ...

A Step-by-Step Guide to Ikebana Beginners - Part 1

If you are an admirer of Japanese vases, you might have wondered how to truly make them shine by adding a beautiful floral arrangement. At MUSUBI KILN,  we often decorate using vases with seasonal ...

Tips for Upgrading Your Space with Decorative Stands

Have you ever wanted to display your Japanese items, from small plates to lucky charms, from vases to sake cups, in a beautiful way at home? If you put them on a shelf as they are, they may look mo...

Experiencing Kintsugi Gold Repair 

"Kintsugi" is a Japanese art of repairing broken pottery, glass, lacquerware, and other items with a special type of lacquer. It has gained popularity not only for its practical and artistic value,...

Turn Your Furoshiki Wrapping Cloth into a Handy Bag!

Have you ever forgotten to bring a bag when shopping or found yourself in sudden need of one during an outing? Furoshiki wrapping cloths are a multifunctional and compact item that are extremely ha...

The Green Gems of May: Shincha

As summer approaches, so too does a new season of tea. Every year, many people are in anticipation of this special time when they can savor newly harvested Japanese green tea. A seasonal treat that...