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, titled "Railway｜Special Express Sleeper｜Blue Train｜Video Source｜1975" (鉄道 寝台特急 ブルートレイン 映像資料昭和50年代５寝台特急), was released by "That's Travel & Transportation" (That's旅行・交通). This is a video clip of one of Japan's "Blue Trains" in 1975. The Blue Train Hayabusa bound for Nishi-Kagoshima is the focus of this video. The video shows the long journey from Tokyo station to Nishi-Kagoshima, a 1,500 km, 22 hour journey in the autumn twilight. Watching the view from the window and seeing the interior of the train makes you feel like you're traveling on a Blue Train. Japan's Blue Trains stopped operating in 2015 and you can't see them in action anymore, but the video brings back the atmosphere of that time.

This video is titled "[Eng Sub] [Cosplay] How to Go From No Makeup to Hatsune Miku (2018 Version) [Kuromu-Style]" (《Eng sub》【コスプレ】カワハギから初音ミクになる方法(2018改)【黒夢流】). The video was released by Kuromu (くろむ). The video introduces the popular cosplayer Kuromu going from zero makeup to looking just like Hatsune Miku! It shows awesome techniques that many popular cosplayers use as well! Be sure to check it out!

This video is titled "Public Enemy: Gintama through dance｜Gintama real life (36th performance) Chikuzenni vol.11 DANCE SHOWCASE" (パブリックエネミー 銀魂 踊ってみた Gintama real life(36作目) 筑前人 vol.11 DANCE SHOWCASE), was released by "nekomon1." In this video, you can see the performance by the dance team dressed as the characters from the popular anime/manga "Gintama." Odotte-mita is a genre of dancing that involves dressing up as characters from anime that are popular on YouTube and Nico Nico Douga. In this video, the popular dance team "Public Enemy" dances the popular manga Gintama in Odotte-mita style. Not only do they dance, but you can also see how their performance links to the original storyline. Be sure to watch the performance to the very end so you don't miss anything!

This video is titled "Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - Announcement Trailer | PS5." It was released by PlayStation. In this video, you can see a trailer for the latest game in the Ratchet & Clank series for PlayStation 5. Ratchet and Clank is produced by the Japanese company Sony. Check out the video to see the depth and intensity of the game!

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 is video, titled "A Kimono Show Inspired by the Countries of the World," was produced by Jiji Press (時事通信トレンドニュース). In this video, you can see a kimono show inspired by the colors of countries from around the world. The attention to detail is narrated and you can also learn about the design, fabrics, and obis. Check out the amazing kimono shown in the video. They're different from your everyday kimono!