TREASURES

Friday, 18 November 2011

working on...

new jewellery collection coming up.

******

Saturday, 12 November 2011

A while ago I discovered these stunning vintage Japanese wooden sweet molds; I'm at the moment in search for the perfect one to display in my kitchen...and who knows, maybe to learn how to make rakugan, but like macaroons, they seem too beautiful to be eaten...maybe I should offer them to my Butsudan...

My favourite kashigata is the one with the lotus flower.

Often made of sakura (cherry wood) and seasoned for about 3 years before carving, kashigata were used to make dried confectionery made of rice flour and sugar called rakugan. Earliest records show that this practice dates back to the mid-17th century. These confections were used as offerings and snacks for celebratory occasions and even unfortunate events. For example when a person died, it was expensive to give flowers or fresh food so, people made these sweets in the form of flowers, fish etc. These items were then placed on the "butsudan" (family shrine found in the house) for the dead person.
Kashigata were also used in the making of wagashi (nama-gashi or freshly made cake and hi-gashi or dried confectionery) for tea ceremonies.

Common kashigata motifs in the Edo era - chrysanthemums, plum blossoms
Meiji Era - spread of western technology - balloons, planes
World War II - national pride heightened - cherry blossoms, battleships - used as gifts for departing troops, ceremonies and commemorative occasions.

all info and photos via google

Monday, 7 November 2011

Happy Monday, have a dance...

Mina Tindle - To Carry Many Small Things (clip officiel)

Dancing bare feet and wearing beautiful outfits...

a silk blouse and autumn colours.

Happy Monday

Saturday, 5 November 2011

Uchida's home- Japan

I couldn't resist to upload and post all these fantastic pics of Uchida's family home in Japan taken by The Selby. So simple but studied in all the details.

It has a vibe between shabby chic English home and the white elegance of danish houses, but it is in Japan...

Stunning. Full of character. Absolutely in love.

Just wondering how beautiful must be Mr Uchida "J'Antiques Tokyo" antiques shop....