Unique Japan

On March 24th, the Samurai Japan was awarded the championship trophy at the 2009 World Baseball Classic (WBC). The players were beaming with victory smiles so big that even the multi-colored confetti looked a little faded. The news caused a sensation across Japan and turned the players into heroes.

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If you’ve ever had the chance to watch Sakura fall from their lofty perch and flutter down to the roadside, then you know how messy these cherry blossoms can be. Once loose in the air, the petals get carried this way and that, and if you’re lucky they might even land in your hand. People of all ages play the simple game of “Catch the falling blossom”. Perhaps it is this child-like fun of collecting items out of the thin air that has caused Sakura to show up in almost every corner of Japan.

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Usher in spring with a beautiful woodblock print by Hirokazu Fukuda (1944-2004), and save up to 35% until April 6th.

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I have a confession to make. I love children’s stories. The endless imagination and creativity, pure innocence, fun characters, and happy ending always bring a big smile to my face. Thanks to my mom, many of my childhood memories revolve around wonderful children’s stories.

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Of the three flowers pictured, can you tell which one is a Sakura (cherry) blossom, which one is a plum, and which one is a peach flower? They all have pink petals, stamens bunched tightly together, and yes, they all blossom in the spring.

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– How Japanese aesthetics changed over time

Here in Japan, we are about to celebrate Hina-Matsuri (Japanese doll festival or girl’s day) on March 3rd. Families with daughters usually display Ohina-sama at their home to wish for their young girls to grow up healthy.

Since we are celebrating my daughter’s first Hina-Matsuri this year, we decided to check out what kind of Ohina-sama are out on the market.

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We are proud to announce the launch of the ‘We Love Daruma’ brand and complementary website www.welovedaruma.com.

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