The Travel Sage’s Neighborhood

$38.50
This was an amazing find. This is from the "昭和" "showa period" . The "showa" period is from 1926-1989. This is called "型紙" or "katagami".

Katagami are made of multiple layers of thin washi paper which are bonded with a glue extracted from persimmon, which makes a strong flexible brown coloured paper.

This katagami was used for "katazome" which is the method of dyeing fabrics (kimonos) using a stencil and a resist paste. The resist paste was made with rice flour and when dyed, the dye didn't adhere to the areas covered with the paste. It was an inexpensive way to make all-over patterns similar to a woven cloth.

This stencil could be used but it would also be fabulous framed and hung on a wall.

This stencil measures 30 x 25.5 cm.

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Supplies-FromJapanWithLove.etsy.com
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$65.00
This is a very gorgeous set! This is at least 50 years old.It is called a "四段重" or "yondan-kasane" which means "4 layers piled". These kind of sets are very popular in Japan as Japanese like to eat many different dishes at one meal.

This set has "ume" (plum blossom). The colors are stunning. The tree and plum blossoms are hand painted and raised in parts. There is also a piece of mother of pearl in the center of 2 of the plum blossoms. This combination is called "shouchikubai" and is popular for New Year's "osechi lyoli" (traditional Japanese food eaten on New Year's Day)to bring good luck and happiness.

It is in excellent condition. It measures 17 cm wide cm x 17 cm tall.

Do not use in the microwave. Wash by hand.

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Our Etsy Stores:

Supplies- FromJapanWithLove.etsy.com
Deco Sweet Supplies- DecoSweets.etsy.com
Handmade- SouZouCreations.etsy.com
Vintage- VintageFromJapan.etsy.com

We will combine shipping if you buy from any of our stores. http://bit.ly/28ZCQ0

Japanese Cabochons HUGE Set Mix 200 Cute Kawaii (B)

Originally uploaded by FromJapanWithLove Japanese Kawaii Stationery

so cute kawaii cabochons!!

It's been awhile since I posted a recipe on the blog..I think this is due to the fact that my kitchen is still under remodel and I am only reheating food from our temporary kitchen in the garage (i.e. microwave & toaster oven getting lots of action).

To wake me from my food prison, I thought this recipe sounded yummy and perfect for the fall season.  If you have a chance to make it, please let me know how it tastes ;o)

Pumpkin Crumb Cake

Pumpkin Crumb Cakes
from The Kitchn
makes one 13x9 cake or 18 individual cakes

Dry Mix
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder

Cake Batter
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 dry mix

Pumpkin Filling
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup dark brown sugar
2/3 cup milk
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Crumb Topping
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon water
1/2 dry mixture (see above)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Heat the oven to 350°F. Sift together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder for the dry mix.

Beat the butter until whipped and creamy and then beat in the eggs and vanilla. Beat in about half of the dry mix of flour and sugar. Set aside.

Whip together the eggs, pumpkin puree, milk, brown sugar and spices for the pumpkin filling. Set aside.

Mix the rest of the dry mix with a stick of butter, an extra half cup of flour, and the spices. Add a tablespoon of water and mix with fingers until loose and crumbly.

To make a full pan of crumb cake, grease a 9x13 baking pan and pat the dough into the bottom. Pour the pumpkin filling over top and sprinkle the crumb topping over it. To make individual cakes instead, repeat using 4-ounce paper souffle cups. After they are baked, let the individual cups cool for an hour then cut the paper cups away with scissors for individual cakes.

Bake for about 45 minutes or until the filling is set inside. Let cool for at least an hour before slicing.

I might be starting something with this entry but I felt I had to post this in a larger venue. I received a response last night from a plea I wrote last year about educating girls in Afghanistan. You can read that post here.

Here is the response

Anonymous said...

So we should educate them so that they come to have the same western thinking and values we do? literacy is the mark of civilisation. These people have lived for thousands of years without literacy.What then after they have built rows of schools,then rows of malls, then rows of mcmansions?

Here is my reply....

Dear Anonymous,

I don't usually comment on things like this but your response prompted me to reply. Who said anything about Western thinking and values? Maybe if those values mean equal worth of women to men, yes.

Education = good health, tolerance, long life, greater understanding, ability to learn more to help others and yourself.

Afghanistan is ranked number 2 in the mortality of children under 5 years of age. As of 2005, 25% of children in Afghanistan will not reach their 5th birthday. Only Sierra Leone is worse. "Living for thousands of years without literacy" has helped create this situation. Knowledge saves lives.

The life expectancy today in Afghanistan is 44 years. In 1970 it was 35, education and knowledge are responsible for the lowered death rates. Vaccinations started also. Without education, how do programs like this get off the ground?

Only 29% of women in Afghanistan are literate. They are the caregivers and raise the children. They need to be filled with knowledge on how to make their lives and those of their families healthier. 40% of children under 5 are underweight and over half of the children in Afghanistan, 54% suffer from permanent stunted growth!!

As of 2005 the maternal mortality rate is 1 in 8. Out of every 8 pregnancies, one will result in death. Education and knowledge will go a long way to alleviating these statistics.

Broad education can only help, it does not harm.

Do you want to deny these people a chance at an extra 30 years of life? Children their mothers? Mothers their children?

I am sorry, but I disagree with you on the value of educating women and people in general.

I am not a fan of giant malls and mcmansions, I live simply, but I do believe that with knowledge, people are equipped to make better choices and can understand the consequences of those choices. People with literacy know how to find information about the things they are not sure of and can act accordingly. It is a great equalizer.

If people want malls and mcmansions so be it. Who are we to say no? Better malls and mcmansions than poverty, illness, ignorance and death. Creating buildings like these is a choice.

You have a computer, you have internet, you can read, you are educated. Would you prefer sickness, early death and a life with no words? Reading can bring comfort.It doesn't have to mean 'Western", What about the hundreds of Persian authors and the literature they have created over two and a half millennia? Jelaluddin Rumi, one of the greatest poets ever alive was born in Afghanistan.

I believe education is a gift that continues to give long after it has been received.

"All religions are in substance one and the same.
In the adorations and benedictions of righteous men
The praises of all the prophets are kneaded together.
All their praises are mingled into one stream,
All the vessels are emptied into one ewer.
Because He that is praised is, in fact, only One,
In this respect all religions are only one religion.
Because all praises are directed towards God's light,
Their various forms and figures are borrowed from it.
Men never address praises but to One deemed worthy,"

- Jelaluddin Rumi, Masnavi I Ma'navi/Book III, story 12

When Vincent said that his brain is all rusty right now, he's right and he's not just the only one. Me too.

Aux jours pluvieux qui se raccourcissent, aux ruisseaux qui glougloutent dans les prés, aux landes silencieuses dans la bruine que seul le croassement de quelque corbeau vient transpercer, à ces talus couverts de mousses et de feuilles mouillées je dédie ces quelques lignes en échange de ces beaux cèpes qu'elles a offert au cueilleur de champignon solitaire. Il est parti avec Bobby son chien alors que le jour pointait à peine. Derrière lui se dégageait une odeur de cigarette grillée. Il a marché dans la prairie marécageuse, s'est arrêté quelques instants devant l'ancien lavoir en pensant aux heures de son enfance quand les lavandières battaient le linge en racontant les ragots du village. Il s'est rappelé avoir retourné leurs caissons, y avoir trouvé un nid de paille et miracle du bleu de méthylène ainsi que de l'eau de javel. Il s'en souvient encore du bleu qui se répandait dans le lavoir puis empruntait le fil de l'eau qu'il suivait en trottinant. Il se souvient aussi de ce lavoir qui vidé de son eau livrait ses secrets avec des anguilles à plein seau.
Il a aspiré encore une longue goulée, a toussoté, la fumée s'est élevée en volutes se mélangeant aux fines gouttelettes en suspension dans l'air. Bobby assis sur son arrière train attentif observait sont maître. Puis il est reparti, il a franchi le talus derrière lequel le ru aux sables d'or se fraie un chemin incertain allant jusqu'à disparaitre en chemin pour un peu plus loin réapparaître. Il a enjambé cet obstacle ou auparavant il venait jouer avec des moulins confectionnés de ses propres mains. A l'orée du bois, entre landes, châtaigniers et pins maritimes il a redoublé d'attention comme lorsqu'il était enfant  il a longé les talus, écrasé du pied les landes à la recherche du cèpe qui pour lui est le roi des champignons. A cet homme qui vit en communion avec la nature, à cet homme qui est mon frère et qui ma donné une cagette de cèpes.

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Yesterday was our ROM anniversary... Time flies... it has been 2 years since we are legally married... we didn't really have much celebration, cause we are both tired.... it was a working day.... i'm still thinking of whether to post-celebrate this weekend... not an excuse, but I think we both need to really spend time alone without "life" catching up on us....

but with our tight budget, i'm still wondering what we can do...