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You may have read our blog on Kousaido Japanese incense, explaining how it has a very long history and has been passed down generations despite the change in society and lifestyle.I’ve always liked the smell of incense, but for me, it used to be something I would only come across at shrines and temples when I visited in the new year.
Today, Japan’s traditional incense culture is being re-evaluated and the younger generation is increasingly interested in incorporating traditional aspects such as kimono, tea ceremony, and incense into their lives, and many incense brands, like Kousaido, offer incense that would be incorporated into our everyday life.
Since ancient times, the scent of incense has been said to have a positive effect on anxiety, anger, tension. There is a wide variety of scent, and you can choose different scents depending on personal preference, time of day, or which room you use it in.
There are different shapes of incense, but the stick form is the most typical and probably a good place to start. Each Kousaido incense takes about 20-30 minutes to burn, but you can snap it shorter if you prefer a shorter burn time. All you have to do is light the incense (I use a lighter), blow the flame out once lit, and place it on the incense holder. We recommend Kousaido Incense Holder as the stick is quite long and you will need something to catch the ashes.
The box comes with a round incense holder that will allow you to stand the incense, but if you opt to use that, make sure you put a big enough plate or a tray underneath so that the ashes won’t fall and smear the surface.
I tend to burn incense in the living room where I spend the longest time, whether it be working, relaxing or reading. Unlike a plug-in room fragrance, the scent is not too strong or chemical, and even after the incense burns out, you can still smell a lingering scent, which is really calming and somehow satisfying. Although you burn the incense, there’s minimal smoke and all you can smell is the lovely scent of the incense.
Below is a chart from Kousaido’s website, showing how they rate each scent.
Sandalwood: Earthy woody scent, but not too heavy. There’s a warmth to the scent as well. Probably what you would think of as the scent of traditional Japanese incense.
Osmanthus: It has a floral, sweet scent, but not in a sickly way. It might be a good entry incense, as to me it has a more western fragrance to it.
Magnolia: Clean, almost soapy scent. Not heavy at all and it gives the room a fresh atmosphere. It’s the first time I tried magnolia incense, and I was pleasantly surprised how refreshing it smelt, and I kept wanting to inhale the scent.
Of the three, my favourite is either magnolia or sandalwood – if you want to immerse yourself in a traditional Japanese scent, I would go for sandalwood, magnolia if you want something fresh and light, and osmanthus if you want a less oriental, more rounded, sweet scent.
I hope my post has sparked an interest in Kousaido’s Japanese incense, and hopefully it will help pick a scent you’d like to give a try.
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Incense culture was introduced and spread to Japan from China as the “fragrance for prayer” along with Buddhism. The “fragrance for prayer” was shifted to be treated as the “fragrance for life and culture,” then later, the “fragrance for elegance and sophistication” during the Heian period (710-1192 A.D.) by the aristocrats. They began to enjoy the scents itself by burning incense to perfume the room or their clothes (Sora-daki), as well as offered the incense to Buddha.
It was not until the Edo period (1600-1868 A.D.) that the culture of fragrance spread to the ordinary people. In those days, the number of people who practiced Koudo, the art of fragrance, was much larger than it is today. Especially, as for feudal lords, possession of famous incense was a status symbol. So, they competed with each other in buying the finest fragrant woods when Dutch trading vessels loaded with rare items arrived at Dejima in Nagasaki.
Kousaido Incense Holder Sakura Red Shell Shaped
As the Meiji Era began in the mid-19th century, the old Japanese way of cherishing the scent had become in a period of extreme decline, along with the abolition of Buddhism and the rapid modernisation. However, even in those difficult times, Koudo has been firmly preserved and handed down by people of taste.
Today, the true value of Koudo, a Japan’s traditional incense culture, is being re-evaluated and the younger generation living in Japan is increasingly interested in the art of Koudo, which is becoming more integrated into daily life as a part of a wide variety of cultures in Japan together with kimonos, traditional Japanese garments and Japanese architecture.
as one of the three major Japanese traditional cultures along with “Sado,” the tea ceremony and “Kado,” the art of flower arrangement.
In the tradition of Koudo, the scent is described as something we “listen to,” rather than we “smell.” Koudo has inherited the Heian aristocrats’ conception of the scent as an elegant lifestyle culture. With being deeply connected with the Japanese sensitivity to the changing seasons, Japanese literature and poetry, Koudo has been smartly systematized and sophisticated to be the one and only art form.
During the Heian period, aristocrats regarded fragrance as the embodiment of elegance and sophistication, and then Koudo has been passed on to the generations and elaborated to be the art of fragrance.
The Kyoto-based incense manufacturer, Kousaido is relatively a new company in the market.
There are several incense makers with a long history in Kyoto. Yet, what makes Kousaido stands out amongst the others is that they have developed a wide range of products that are not only of high quality, but also of modern and lovely scents with the image of the West and the East, which satisfies people living in the information-rich society of today. Moreover, they produce products such as paper soap, room spray, fume fragrance and kneaded perfume, to enjoy the scent in the comfort of everyday life.
Normally, on making incense, tree bark powders such as Tabu (Machilus thunbergia) powder and Shina powder are used as flavouring agents. Kousaido, on the other hand, uses Byakudan (Sandalwood) powder in addition to these, which gives the incense a Japanese flavour and a pleasant, sweet smell.
Kousaido Incense Waboku - a set of 3
Since ancient times, the scent of incense has been said to have a positive effect on anxiety, anger, tension and nervousness in the human mind.
Why not heal yourself with Japanese incense that has been inherited from generation to generation?
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Thermos Vacuum Insulated Soup Jar has a characteristic rounded simple design.
With its large 500ml size is big enough for men to use too. You can put curry or pasta, salad, or fruit, creating a wider range of lunch options. The lid is easy to open thanks to the 'click-open construction', which allows the pressure inside to escape by turning the lid slightly.
It is also easy to wash and clean as it has separate parts for the outer and inner lid. It’s easy to drink from and easy to wash because there is no cover for the rim.
Hours warm:over 63℃ (6 hours)
Hours Cold: under 11℃(6 hours)
Dishwasher safe:yes(lid only)
The best scored criteria in the two tests were airtightness. The contents did not leak even after shaking it up and down, left, and right, 50 times each. When I opened the lid, there was no risk of dripping as water droplets were collected in the gaps between the rubber seal. Although the lid consists of a few parts when you take them apart, the construction is simple so it’s easy to wash and keep clean.
The rim has a nice thickness and is rounded and has a nice feel to the mouth. It has a wide opening making it easy to use a spoon to scoop up the contents. It is designed to make it easy to drink directly from the soup jar or eat with a spoon. The lid is made up of a few parts, but it was easy to assemble/disassemble, and they washed quickly.
Heat / Cold retention is also excellent. Hot water at 95℃ only dropped by 33.3℃ in 6 hours, and cold water at 10.1℃ only increased by 5.2℃.
This product keeps the right temperature for a long time and is easy to use, making it useful for a wide range of menus and making lunch something to look forward to everyday.
I own two Thermos soup flasks, the older version and this new version, and the rounded rim in the new version was one of the subtle but good updates. The thickness is just right and it’s like drinking from a glass instead of drinking directly out of a tin. Heat retention is excellent, and my kids enjoy taking pasta or even rice for lunch instead of cold sandwiches. It really is worth the price!
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Here is our product review for Zojirushi Stailess Mug which is known as the No.1 Insulated Coffee Mug.
Let us find out how it is!
]]>Recently, sustainability is a hot topic and the food industry is trying to reduce disposable straws or plastic bags. Individuals bring personalized travel mugs to work or even to coffee shops. I had tried once and given up after spilling out coffee in my bag. My documents were wet and brown at the bottom, which made me feel like dead. And also, I hate lukewarm coffee. So, even if I had some coffee left in my bottle, I ended up rushing to a coffee shop for a “hot” coffee.
I wanted to save my money and time to get a sip of coffee during work. There are two things I require for the coffee mug to go. It has to be a leakproof travel mug and have a good heat retention. Oh, and one more thing. It shouldn’t be too expensive. I searched the net thoroughly and found Zojirushi travel mugs, which meet all my needs!
Zojirushi travel mugs are lightweight and compact. Speaking of my personal interests, I love their colour range and a lovely elephant mark is printed on the bottle. Besides, there is a clear reason I call it a “best insulated coffee mug.” Zojirushi deserves to be trusted as it has awarded the title of number one in the industry in basic performance tests for stainless steel bottles.
Zojirushi rice cooker or bread maker machines are renowned for its high quality all over the world. However, did you know that it had started as a vacuum bottle company in 1918? Since then, researchers in the company have been researching heat retention technology. I believe their long-time efforts and their history have made Zojirushi No.1 in the industry!
Their bottles have excellent cold and heat retention. It can maintain a temperature of over 70℃ even after six hours, which means coffee made in the morning is still keeping the ideal temperature for drinking in the afternoon. You won’t need to make your coffee or run to the coffee shop every time you want to take a rest at work. You just flip open the lid and sip!
The flip-open lid is tight fitted and it has a safety lock. In addition, a stopper and a packing gasket are in one-piece, which eliminates the risk of water leaks due to forgetting to put the packing on. Forgetting the packing gasket was the reason of my spilling coffee in my bag the other day. With a Zojirushi mug bottle, it won’t happen again!
The wide mouthed bottle is easy to pour into. In the summer time, you can put ice cubes with no problems. The newly designed air vent is on the mouthpiece. It helps you drink smoothly and without spilling. The body of Zojirushi mug is made of high-quality stainless steel, and all parts can be dismantled and washed. You can always keep it clean.
Bring your favorite mug bottle to work and save your time on coffee, as well as money. The lifestyle with a fashionable bottle will make you look “hot and cool” and there is not a single thing wrong with it! In the UK, you can shop Zojirushi mug bottles on Zakzakka website at reasonable prices. The colour variations are Black, Green Apple, Khaki and Pink.
Please come and check the site!
It has a designed see-through pattern in the motif of Edo-Kiriko and traditional Japanese colour, which gives the impression of Japanese umbrella wagasa.
You will want to have this umbrella with you all the time as it creates ‘Wa (Japanese style)’ taste and Miyabi (Classic) atmosphere. Moreover, this umbrella can be used as a rain/sun umbrella allowing you to enjoy both types of weather.
The material is 100% reused plastic water bottles recycled in Japan. This umbrella has environmental sustainability at the heart of its design. It is also of high quality as it blocks more than 90% of UV rays as a sun umbrella. We are confident it will perform outstandingly in sunny/rainy weather.
The scenery on a rainy day looks different when you are surrounded by a see-through pattern that blends in with traditional Japanese colours.
The material is recycled plastic water bottles. It is an environment-conscious umbrella. Because of 12 bones, it offers more extensive coverage than a usual umbrella and is sturdy in the wind. This makes a perfect gift, too.
Rainy days tend to make you feel somewhat damp. In the fast-changing British weather, it is always better to have an umbrella with you.
That's why, if you're going to go to the trouble of carrying one around, you want to choose a favourite that will lift your spirits a little.
MABU folding umbrellas will be there for you.
With your favourite umbrella as your partner, you can look forward to rainy days! It will surely make you feel better.
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Considerate people always use eco bags to eliminate the need for single-use plastic bags. Every time they go out, they pick up their own eco bags or baskets and leave. Is that really so? Don’t you sometimes forget to bring an empty bag in your bag and buy another one? Or, you may have to do the unexpected shopping and buy one more. Then sooner or later, your “only a couple of times used” eco bags collection will be completed in the kitchen.
Shupatto won’t let you do that. It can be folded neatly at once (like a magic!) and becomes smaller than a smart phone. So, you can always leave one in your bag and never miss the chance to use it. See how easy it is to pull and roll Shupatto!
Woosh!
Roll
and Snap
Shupatto, meaning “woosh” in Japanese, has been introduced repeatedly in various media including major Japanese television networks such as TV Asahi, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, and TBS.
The BABYDOT writer Moco goes:
A large capacity bag which can be folded into a palm-size package!
When folded, the bag is palm-sized and very compact. When you open it, it has a large gusset and its capacity is sufficient for everyday shopping. If you put things in the bag, the mouth of the bag is squeezed with the weight of the contents. Of course, the contents can’t be seen through. It’s a great bag not only for shopping but outdoor activities, travels, and so on. ---Shupatto bag is the item you will never regret buying. I can say this because I’m actually using it!
#エコバッグ は中々付属の収納袋に上手く入れられないという方も多いのではないでしょうか?
— あべのロフト (@LOFT_ABENO) October 18, 2019
ショッピングバッグ「Shupatto」は、名前の通りバッグをシュパッと引っ張って巻くだけで持ち運びできる簡単便利な商品です。
サイズも様々!お買い物にオススメ☆
2階 家庭用品売場#Shupatto pic.twitter.com/xb4WyBdyxv
Abeno Loft @LOFT_ABENO
Many of you may find it troublesome to put #eco bag into the attached storage bags.
The #Shupatto shopping bag is an easy and convenient item which, as the name suggests, can be folded by simply pulling and rolling and carried around.
There are varieties in sizes too! Recommended for shopping.
2F Household Goods Sales Floor
#Shupatto
今日ご紹介した、簡単にたためるエコバッグ『シュパット』です!#ただいまテレビ pic.twitter.com/Xt3O4tLUcq
— ただいま!テレビ【テレしず】 (@tadaimatv) June 30, 2020
Tadaima! TV【TV Shizuoka】@tadaimatv
This is Shupatto, an easy-to-fold eco bag which we introduced on the show today!
#Takaima TV
Another good point is that it is machine-washable. Sometimes bags should not be washed in order to maintain their shapes. Made of polyester, it is water repellent and stain resistant. But as long as it is used as a shopping bag, you may want to keep it clean all the time. The official site says: Use a laundry net and wash alone in low water flow. Dry flat.
It’s not a big bag, so I washed by hands and for drying, I hang it in the shade, and it dried perfectly. It was easy!
Not only do Shupatto bags function excellently, but they also look modish. With an essence of Japanese “otona-kawaii”-ness, a matured cuteness, Shupatto has ranges of colours and patterns. This round shaped bag is too stylish to call a shopping bag. Shupatto is a smart eco bag, not compromising on style. Fashion is a form of self-expression. I love fashions, but I’m not keen on high brands. I don’t want to bring a bag with the big brand name on the front unless it is a necessary part of the design. Imagine what we can express with Shupatto. People will no doubt take one with a Shupatto bag as smart, stylish, and ethical. That’s the kind of person I always want to be. To be that kind, I started with carefully choosing what I use every day. Shupatto was my first choice! Anyway, thank you for reading through. I hope I could give you enough information about Shupatto. Try a Shupatto bag and you’ll love it!
Fashionable eco bags are quite fad in Japan. Shupatto leads the trend! To get one at the reasonable price in the UK. go and check ZakZakka!
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Hello. I am Kay from Zakzakka and I live in London. I am fascinated with useful and well designed items. I’m always on the look out for something new.
Here, I picked up an article which I am really interested in; a cool Japanese eco bag. I have never seen this type of eco bag in the UK, yet. I hope you like it too!
Zak Zakka is now collaborated with BABYDOT which introduces the lives of Japan's child-rearing generation! It has 10 million/month page views.
The original content is from BABYDOT.
Hello. This is Masatoi from BABYDOT.
This eco bag is mega popular in Japan. The name of this bag is ’Shupatto’.
Can you believe 700 million of them have been sold in Japan so far? Crazy, right?!
I like trying out new items, so I bought the Medium sized bag this time as I already own the large and small sizes in the older version of the bags.
Name : Shupatto compact bag M
material : polyester
Total weight up to: 5kg
capacity : around 15L
size : Unfold 14×12inch、fold 2×3inch
It comes like this; very flat.
The new material is called ripstop (rip and stop). You can find this material in a lot of outdoor products. It’s lighter and stronger.
Personally I feel the buttons and edges appear stronger than in the previous bags.
In the previous S sized bags, the edges would loosen after using the bag a few times.
It looks like there is nothing to worry about this time.
When you roll it up it can be closed easily with the snap button…
Drumroll…. Ta-da!! It’s so petite.
It’s definitely a plus! A simple pull & roll & button up. It’s easy.
The size of the folded bag is smaller than your hand.
You can pop it in your bag for those ‘spur of the moment’ shopping trips, taking the stress out of unexpected shopping. It’s so light, you will forget you even have it on you.
I told my friend that Shupatto is getting popular so she immediately purchased it. She was so happy as the large size was easy to use. I really want it, too. It fits everything I need, nicely.友達にシュパットが流行っているよと教えてあげたら
— jjsan (@lionain) November 24, 2020
即買いでした^^
Lサイズを買ったんだけど、使い勝手がいいと喜んでいたから自分用にも欲しくなって・・・
品物がいい感じに収まるらしい^^https://t.co/URvO5fvr16#シュパット
I put a 12” cushion ball in
It’s just big enough.
I put the ball in then buttoned it up
Pull the band, then it becomes a bag!
It’s easy to quickly pack your shopping, even when the till is busy.
The previous Shuppato did not have this button which let my shopping fall out. Even when I rode my bike, the shopping would fly about inside the bag and make me lose my balance… But not anymore.
The simple addition of this one button has made a massive change.
I personally love the blue pattern called ‘umi’.
‘umi’means ‘sea’ in Japanese.
There are plenty more colour patterns to choose from, here!
All in all, an eco bag is a good and handy shopping secret. The best part of this bag is it’s hassle-free folding!
I’ll absolutely buy different sizes & colours to have for different occasions.
If you are looking for more colours, there are more available at Zakzakka.
The original content is from BABYDOT Japan
Introducing the Lives of Japanese Parenting Families
Popular Website with 10 million page views/month!
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The shupatto eco bag boasts a smart design, one like I’ve never seen before. Once you’ve emptied your shopping, you simply swiftly pull both ends of the bag to instantly form a band. The pulling motion is strangely satisfying too as it’s a quick motion that gets the job done in one go! After that, you fold it in half then roll it into a compact size that sits comfortably in the palm of your hand. The button fastens to keep your eco bag securely wrapped up until you need it next. You can say “sayonara” to the hassle filled days of crumpling up your eco bag or stuffing it in your bag!
There’s a reason why Marna’s Shupatto has been all over Japanese media; NHK, TBS, Asahi Shinbun to name only a few! They say good things come in small packages… well this is certainly true for the shupatto bag as although it’s compact, it holds up to 14.5L or 5kg!! Measuring up at less than half the size of a regular coke bottle, so you can keep it in even the smallest of bags without it being bulky or heavy. The long, smooth handle allows for it to be worn on your shoulder or if that’s not your scene then it’s easy and comfortable to hold by hand too. As it’s made from polyester it’s easy to clean; just in case you have any accidental shopping spillage conundrums. Join the craze with this smart idea eco bag for life or give someone this perfect gift of convenience; they’ll thank you BIG TIME!
]]>Have you heard of Yuzen dyeing? I hadn’t either until I found this product. It’s a very traditional Japanese technique of printing beautiful patterns with rice paste onto fabric that dates back as far as the Nara era (710-794AD!!). It’s very delicate and intricate but also prevents the dye from running. I can attest to that as I wash them in the washing machine with my usual detergent/softener and they come out looking as good as new. It’s no wonder Yuzen has continued for so many years. These towels are created with that exact technique and the outcome is just magnificent. It truly is a unique item that I’ve only seen from Japan.
Let’s Save The Earth With Recycled FiberAs it’s made of rayon, it’s daintily soft so it’s kind to your hands, and your dishes whilst soaking up all that wetness. Compared to my old cotton tea towels it’s done a much better job at drying, without holding onto that damp stink!
Another plus of rayon… it’s recycled fiber and is made of wood pulp it means it’s biodegradable! It’s a super star product for environmental protection. I’m still yet to finish using my towels (the lifespan of these seems to be rather long!) but once they’ve seen better days I’ll be able to use them as cloths to clean the table or rags for chores around the house. Wouldn’t you agree that’s rather environmentally friendly. I can happily use these cloths whilst feeling like I’m doing my bit to save the world, and you can too!
Not Only For Line Tea Towels: The Usage Is VersatileWhen it comes to how to use these towels, the list is endless! If you can think of it, you can use it. Hand towels, handkerchiefs, Tupperware wraps for your picnics, napkins, tablecloths, place mats for Japanese dishes are just a few that I’ve used mine as. They’re so versatile! I turned my lackluster dining table into a sensational Japanese table, just by decorating it with a cloth under my center-piece. My friends complimented me on the cute, white kitty pattern. Imagine the perfect picnic packed but add that finishing touch by wrapping your Tupperware with these towels. It’s bound to put a smile on yours and your buddy’s faces and not only does it look aesthetically pleasing but it also doubles up as a napkin to wipe greasy fingers and dribble chins. Those sausage rolls have never looked so good! I’ve also used them as place mats when my friends come for dinner and again the chorus of compliments kept flooding in. I hate to mention it, but with COVID 19 still raging about, these cloths also make for a good face mask as they’re wonderfully soft and breathable. How will you use yours?
You could always follow the Japanese style of keeping a hand towel on you too. In Japan, everyone keeps a hand towel on them to use after washing their hands when they’re out and about; it’s genius! You don’t have to stand waiting for your hands to dry under the (usually inept) hand dryer or worry about using paper towels which again saves the environment as you aren’t using electricity or using paper; all whilst using the cutest of Japanese designs. It’s a win win for me!
If you’re one for dabbling in the Japanese lifestyle, you won’t be disappointed with these tea towels! There are many styles to choose from but for now I’ve only focused on three (or you’d be reading until the cows come home). Be sure to get yours whilst stocks last; they’re selling like hot cakes.
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