February 2023：”Risshun” (The Early Spring) Box

The theme of this February box is “Risshun” (Early Spring).
What is “Risshun” of this month’s theme?
“Risshun” is the first of the twenty-four seasons in the Japanese lunar calendar. It means the time to feel the signs of spring. However, it is still cold in the early spring in Japan.
In this early spring season, Japan is preparing for spring.

By the way, in Japan, it is the examination season from January to March.
In this cold season, students all over Japan are studying hard in order to pass the school of their choice. By the way, There is a word unique to Japan that indicates “passing an exam”. It is “Sakura Saku” (cherry blossoms bloom). It is said that this was first used around 1950 in Waseda University’s university entrance examination passing telegram. It’s an expression unique to Japan, which takes exams in the early spring season.

And, March 3 is “Hinamatsuri”.
“Hina-ningyo” (Hina dolls) are indispensable for the Hinamatsuri (doll festival).
It is said that the best time to start decorating the “Hina-ningyo” (Hina dolls) is from “Risshun” (the day after “Setsubun”, around February 4) to mid-February. And there is a habit of “put “Hina-ningyo” (Hina dolls) away immediately after “Hinamatsuri” day (March 3)”. After all, “Risshun” is important.

The Lifestyle Box

1. Arita-yaki “Ume-Yunomi” tea cup (1 item)
This teacup features an early spring motif of “Ume” (plum blossoms). Did you notice the traditional Japanese pattern drawn on the plum background? It’s lovely. It’s cute with a slightly retro look.

＜Arita-yaki＞
Originating from the Arita region in Saga Prefecture, Arita-yaki (Arita ware) is one
of the Japanese popular pottery. Its history is said to date back to 400 years ago.

2.Tatami-style coaster （1 item)
It is a tatami-style coaster. If you use it with your favorite teacup, it will become a Japanese landscape.
This coaster is made from a new material that retains the texture of the rush that makes up the original tatami mats and keeps it clean for a long time.

3. “Ume” flower pattern small plate (1 item)
It is a Japanese-style “Ume”(plum blossom) pattern small dish. It’s a cute and convenient size. It’s a little
deep, so it’s also recommended to put sauce and more.

4.Beautiful “Kan-nyu” Ume square small plate (1 item)
A small plate with a nice plum atmosphere on a dark red square plate. A plate of this size is also good for storing accessories and keys. Depending on your idea, how to use it will spread infinitely.
※”Kan-nyu” is a fine crack pattern that can be made on the glaze part of pottery. It is a kind of decoration, and one of the points when watching.

5. cute strawberry triangular plate (1 item)
A very cute strawberry plate. If you look closely, the strawberry pattern is polka dots. As a small appetizer, side dish, or sauce plate, it is a very useful dish.

6.100% cotton Hinamatsuri Furoshiki (1 item)
It is a cute small furoshiki with the motif of the Hinamatsuri of chirimen work. These 5 bunny dolls lined up one above the other is the most well-known form of general dolls. However, the decorations hanging from the top drawn on this furoshiki are also called “hanging dolls”, and this is also a kind of Hina doll.
*Furoshiki are a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that can be used to wrap gifts, clothes, and actually just about anything!

7. Hana Yuzen letter set (1 set)
This letter set uses high-quality paper called “hoshogami”. “Hoshogami” is a type of traditional Japanese paper. This Japanese paper has a long history, and it is said that it was used for official documents in the Muromachi period (around 1350). E-mail is convenient, but why not write a letter to your loved ones with this letter set?

8. lucky charm eraser (1 item)
A very cute amulet toy. I’m rooting for you all ‼ It is most suitable for a petite gift!

９. “Kitano Tenmangu” Shrine plum grove Postcard (1 item)
“Kitano Tenmangu” Shrine is a shrine in Kyoto. It is a famous shrine that enshrines “Sugawara no Michizane”, the god of learning, and is visited by many students preparing for exams from January to March.