Paisley St Claire

Kokeshi Dolls

I adore kokeshi dolls. I was given one (the same as the little brown one on the right) when I was an exchange student in Japan 17 years ago. The little one with the buns is so cute! Its the last one so if you like it, snap it up.

These dolls all come from Tago. Tago is run by a lady in Akita, Japan called Naomi. Naomi used to live in Sydney so the site is in English and prices are in Australian dollars. They also have a lovely selection of bags and accessories made from traditional Japanese fabrics. Click here to visit their website.

Interview: Tokyo Local - Kaori

Have you ever wondered what people on the other side of the world get up to in their everyday lives? I do, and I'm pretty sure a lot of other people do too. Hence the whole popularity of blogs, facebook and myspace. So, I thought I'd be a nosey parker and ask one of my myspace friends a bit about themselves.

Kaori, is a 20-something Web Engineer who took a chance that I wasn't a stalker and graciously agreed to answer my questions.

Q. You live in Tokyo, what do you like about Tokyo?
A. I like Tokyo, because I can meet many artists, interesting people and take part in artistic events. Also, there are many cool shops.

Q. Is there anything you do not like about Tokyo or Japan?
A. It is too busy... people are so tired. It is too fast paced. I hope that Japanese people have own time more.

Q. Can you describe your personal style? (for example, do you like to wear vintage clothes, luxury brands, clothes you make yourself etc)
A. I like to wear Tsumori Chisato, Milkfed, Balibarret, Marc by Marc Jacobs. The accessories I make myself.

Q. What part of Tokyo is your favourite for shopping?
A. I usually go to Harajuku, Daikanyama, Omotesando.

Q. You like to make things in your spare time. What type of things do you make?
A. I like making stuffed animals, puppets, ribbon-motif hair accessories, embroidery, and other accessories such as necklaces and beads.

Q. Where do you sell your creations?
A.  Now I sell them on Myspace. People send me a message, and I sell my stuff. I also sell at cafe in Harajuku. I'll be opening a web-shop soon.

Q. Where do you get the inspiration for the things you make?
A. My pet is a ferret, he inspires me :) . I buy photo books about my favorite animals (bulldog and manatee [like a sea cow or dugong]...etc) and I go to the aquarium or zoo. I also go to shops, handmade-accessory shop, creator's shop, bulldog shop (bulldog cafe), pet shop, baby's things shop, and clothes shop.

Q. Where did you learn to sew?
A. I'm self-educated.

Q. Do your friends like to make things? Are they artists or designers?
A. Yes, I have friends who are artists. My friends do pattern making, make corsages, paint in oil and acrylic and watercolors, photography, music. These are my friends' websites, Yu Ebihara, Akane, Kawasaki, Akiko Isobe, mophONE.

 

Q. Do you think most Japanese women like to make things?
A. No. About 30%, I think. They have no time. Work is so busy in Japan.

Q. Do you look at what artists and craftspeople do in the rest of the world?
A. In New York, I went to a party where many people display own work - abstract paintings, illustrations, photos.

Q. When I was in Japan last year I went to Nippori to buy fabric. Do you have a favourite place or shop to buy your sewing supplies?
A. Oh Nippori, I've not been to there! I usually buy in Shibuya (Marunan), Kichijoji (Yuzawaya, CottonField), Asakusabashi (wholesale store).

Q. What do you like to do (apart from sewing and making things)?
A. Meeting my friends at cafe and talk about many things :) , playing with my ferret, going to friend's exhibition, going to art museums and shopping, cooking and reading comics.

Kaori's handmade toys and accessories can be viewed on her website or MySpace page.

Kaori has also given me a fantastic list of her favourite places:

Shopping: Salone Aoyama, Monoclip, Spiral, Spiral Bank, Cottonfield, Curly Collection, Kiwa, Kiwa Shop.

Night Clubs: Mado Lounge and Super Delux

Kaori's Hairdresser: DaB

Thanks Kaori for telling us about your life!

Shinzi Katoh

I'm going to kick off my Japanese appreciation week with my all-time favourite Japanese artist, Shinzi Katoh.

Luckily for us, Shinzi Katoh's drawings feature on just about everything you can think of. He is considered one of the world's premier zakka artists. Zakka are things that make you feel happy and make your life more beautiful.

You can find Shinzi Katoh pieces in shops all over the world or at their online store. The Japanese site has more products but not quite as easy to order (unless you can read Japanese, of course).

If you are ever in Japan you can visit Shinzi Katoh's shop and museum in the Nagoya area. Details are on his website here.

Next week...

I'm in love with Tokyo. About 17 years ago I went to Japan and was completely awestruck by it. Not that that would have been very difficult, I was a girl from regional Queensland in one of the biggest, most fascinating cities in the world. My feelings for Japan always remained strong and when I took my husband and 2 small children there last year, they fell in love with it too. We can't wait to go back.

Next week will be devoted to all things Japanese. Stay tuned, I've got some cool stuff to show you!