Official Author

有田 和義（Kazuyoshi Arita）

This video, titled "Japan Handicrafts x Komamura Seimei-do" (ニッポン手仕事図鑑 × 駒村清明堂), was released by "Japan Handicrafts" (ニッポン手仕事図鑑). Amidst the sound of the waterwheel, what is being carefully prepared is a cedar incense stick made by Komamura Seimei-do, which has been made for over 100 years since the Meiji Era. What makes it unique is that Komamura Seimei-do is the only company in Ibaraki Prefecture that makes incense sticks using waterwheels. It takes about 40 hours to slowly grind the dried cedar leaves, which are more than 50 years old, to prevent the fragrance of the cedar from escaping. Spring water from Mt. Tsukuba is the only other ingredient combined with the ground cedar leaves. The incense sticks are 100% additive-free and derived from nature in Ibaraki. Many buyers are fascinated by the elegant fragrance that makes you feel as if you're bathing in a forest and come to experience the work or visit the factory.

This video, titled "#097 Kiryu horizontal embroidery artisan Hiroshi Higa｜Door to Tomorrow by At Home" (#097 桐生横振り刺繍職人 比嘉 寛志　|　明日への扉 by アットホーム), was released by "Door to Tomorrow by At Home" (明日への扉 by アットホーム). This is a unique Japanese embroidery technique called "yokoburi" embroidery, which uses a "yokoburi sewing machine" with a needle that moves horizontally. Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, which developed into one of Japan's leading embroidery production areas after the importation of the yokoburi sewing machine in the Taisho period. This technique is called "Kiryu Yokoburi." The video shows a young man who emigrated from Okinawa Prefecture, impressed by the embroidery on a jacket. His name is Higa Hiroshi. He studied under Kiyomi Osawa, the first recipient of the Medal with a Yellow Ribbon, and learned the delicate world of embroidery. In the video, fashion designer Don Konishi, who highly approves of Mr. Osawa, also makes an appearance. The art he creates on the sewing machine is a must-see!

This video, titled "千葉アーバンモノレール Chiba Monorail 'Urban Flyer' (001)," was released by "Dotaku." This video features Chiba Urban Monorail's flagship train, the Type 0 Urban Flyer, which debuted in 2012. The Type 0 Urban Flyer is based the previous designs, but with minor changes that upgraded its safety and viewability. The seats have a better view due to being low-back seats, and vertical handrails have been added to ensure the safety of the elderly and those with disabilities. The video shows the view from inside the train, so you can enjoy feeling like you're riding the urban flyer!

This video is titled "1000 Year Old Japanese Bonsai Tree Adventure ★ ONLY in JAPAN." It was released by "WAO RYU!ONLY in JAPAN." The video introduces the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture. The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum has more than 1000 bonsai trees on display. At 2:00 in the video, you can see an interview with a staff member of the museum as well. Be sure to check out the beautiful bonsai featured in the video!

This video, titled "Touken Danshi team Bakumatsu with Tomoegata Naginata 'Battle Cry' Full MV," was released by PRIME CAST. In this video, you can see the music video of the 6th single by Touken Danshi team Bakumatsu with Tomoegata Naginata. Touken Danshi is a general term for the characters in the popular smartphone game Touken Ranbu. Touken Ranbu is a game in which players train male characters who personify famous Japanese swords. Due to the popularity of the game, it has been made into musical, and the swordsmen singing in the video are the actors who play the role of the swordsmen in the musical. The musical "Touken Ranbu" has had CDs released by Touken Danshi from related eras. This video features "Battle Cry," which shows swordsmen from the last days of the Tokugawa shogunate.

This video is titled "Noichi Zoological Park PV." It was released by Noichi Zoological Park. The video shows the inside of the popular Noichi Zoological Park. Noichi Zoological Park was ranked number one on TripAdvisor's "Top 10 Zoos in Japan 2019." Noichi Zoological Park in Kochi Prefecture is a zoo full of nature and features exhibits that recreate the animals' natural habitats. There are also events held at the zoo regularly. Monthly events include a tour of the park with the zoo director, where you can enjoy listening to interesting stories about the park. The horse and guinea pig petting area is a popular spot for children. At the otter exhibit, three different species of otters are on display! It's a zoo full of things to see and do!

This video, titled "How to make Kimono - Digest Ver.," was released by Japanese Kimono Online Shop KYOTO. In this video, the process of making a kimono, starting from the hand-drawn sketches, is shown. The skilled artisans hand-draw the designs, which is a sight to behold in itself. The embroidery is also done by hand, resulting in beautiful kimono. Check out the finished kimono in the video!

This video, titled "室華風-MUROKAFU-｜TOKYO KIMONO COLLECTION｜着物メディアKIMONO BIJIN," was released by "KIMONO BIJIN channel ― Kimono Media ―." In this video, you can see a black and white kimono show based on the concept of "monotone." Enjoy the contrast of the chicly colored kimono. Also check out the various designs of the kimono. They're so beautiful it's hard to believe they're just black and white!

This video, tilted "Exhibition - Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk / Curator Tour (1 of 5)," was published by the Victoria and Albert Museum. In the video, you can see the kimono exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in June 2020. It showcases the traditional and creative appeal of the Japanese kimono along with exhibitions. Check out the various kimono on display in the Western-style exhibition hall shown in the video.

This video is titled "#106 Gardener - Creating the garden of tea ceremony "Roji" - Kyosuke Ogawa - Door to Tomorrow by At Home." It was released by "Door to Tomorrow by At Home" (明日への扉 by アットホーム). In this video, you can see Kyoto gardener Kyosuke Ogawa working on the "roji," the garden to the tea ceremony room. Mr. Ogawa is the fifth-generation gardener at Uekuma, a long-established tea garden company in Kyoto. He mainly works on the tea gardens of the Urasenke. Check out the video to see how he creates beautiful roji through trial and error.