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What is Daruma Doll? The Daruma is a traditional Japanese doll, which in Japan has become a symbol of perseverance and luck. Most households in Japan have a Daruma as a lucky charm or a figure which imitates Bodhidharma. Recently, many young generations hold a Daruma because of its adorableness and unique looking. Features of Daruma Dolls Daruma dolls do not have pupils but they present large white circles where the eyes would be. It is said that it derives from the fact that, in the past, those who wanted the god residing in the doll to help them achieve their goals would vow that they would give Daruma its eyesight if the god helped them succeed in their endeavors. The beard and eyebrows painted on the doll are meant to reproduce　Bodhidharma’s facial features, but they do not serve a merely aesthetic purpose. The eyebrows are shaped to look like cranes and the beard is like turtles. These two animals often represent longevity, in Japanese culture. Crafters started applying these shapes on the Daruma to match the Japanese proverb “The crane lives 1000 years, the turtle 10,000”. There is a Japanese saying, “Fall seven times, stand up eight times”. Meaning, he that falls today may rise tomorrow, or probably similar to “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”, “The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.” The original dolls were designed to be impossible to tip over. Tilting them would always result in the Daruma swinging back into its upright position. The Daruma is a talisman of luck, but more importantly perseverance. One asking for the help of this god acknowledges the importance of sacrifice in the face of adversity. For this reason, the doll serves as a reminder that no matter how many times one could get knocked down, one must always endure and stand back up, to achieve a goal. Colors of Daruma Dolls The reasons behind the choice of the color of the Daruma are interesting, but convoluted, and hard to find consensus on. Nowadays we can find these dolls decorated in all sorts of colors, each one of them signifying a different auspice. The red color Daruma doll is linked to a talisman. Some people believe that a talisman can ward off evil spirits. Red color has the oldest history of Daruma dolls and it is iconic of Daruma generally has known to the world. The red Daruma is the meaning of praying for the health of my beloved and praying for the safety of my family. The white color Daruma doll is for achieving goals. The white Daruma also has old history. People use it for the success of entrance exams or academic achievement. The white is a color reminiscent of innocent and pure white so the white Daruma is an ideal gift for a wedding gift. The Yellow (Gold) color Daruma doll is linked to money and fame. The black color Daruma doll, Black is linked to the black figure of profit, therefore, is meant for the success of the business. In addition, the black Daruma is meant to ward off bad luck because the black color does not stain other colors. The green color Daruma doll symbolizes health and fitness. You will be pleased if you give it to your beloved who wants you to stay healthy. How to use Daruma Dolls Upon purchase, the doll is missing its pupils. What you do is paint one eye in one of the blank white circles while committing to your goal and asking for help from god. You would then paint the second eye, giving the god its eyesight back as a thank you for helping you, once you achieve your goal. Don’t paint both at the beginning. When a Daruma doll brings you good luck or a good result of your achievement, usually we return it to where you originally got it. If you have a new achievement, get a new Daruma doll to have the same experience.

Japanese Calligraphy (Shodo) meets Kakizome.  Each country has a new year event and each family has a way of spending the new year. The Japanese major New Year icons are the pine tree, bamboo, plums, and Kakizome. All of them are symbols of good fortune and longevity. Many Japanese people will gather with their families to ring in the new year, while others will go out to enjoy countdown events or see the year's first sunrise. Kakizome "first writing" is a Japanese term for the first calligraphy (Shodo)  written at the beginning of a year, traditionally on January 2.Jan. 2 was traditionally the first day for farmers, merchants, and others to go back to work, and Kakizome is said to be in line with this. In traditional practice, Kakizome is burned at a dondo yaki, or bonfire, where Kakizome, shimenawa (rice straw ropes), kadomatsu (bamboo and pine decorations), and other items unique to Oshogatsu are burned around Jan. 15. However, writing was not for everybody until the Edo Period (1603-1868) when ordinary people began learning writing, reading, and mathematics. At terakoya (a term for schools in the Edo Period), children first learned calligraphy (Shodo) and thus performed kakizome, and schools in the Meiji Era (1868-1912) and later eras carried on this custom. In earlier years, educated adults used to write ancient Chinese poems with many kanji characters for their kakizome.Nowadays, writing just a few kanji is the common form of kakizome, but not many adults engage in it. However, most Japanese schools, from elementary through high school, still teach calligraphy (Shodo) and kakizome is often homework during the winter break. What tools do you need to write Kakizome or to start Calligraphy (Shodo)? The basic items are:1. Ink-stone (SUZURI) and ink (SUMI) 2. Writing brush (FUDE)3. Underlay (MOUSEN)4. Paperweight (BUNCHING)5. Calligraphy paper (HANSHI) Our Japanese Calligraphy (Shodo) sets include item 1 to item 4 Japanese Calligraphy Set Echizen Lacquer Full set The Japanese Calligraphy (Shodo) sets include items 1 to item 4 and pack all items compactly and easily. . For first-time use, you can start by using a writing brush pen. You don't need to have all the items to get started to do Shodo but just a writing brush pen. Japanese Calligraphy Natural Brush Pen To make it simple and easy to start Calligraphy (Shodo), Akashiya's Calligraphy (Shodo) brush pen is the exact right product. 　 You can find our other calligraphy items below. Japanese Calligraphy (Shodo) Sets and Brushes.  

Our corporate identity is that we want many people to experience Japan’s charms through Japanese products we provide on our shopping page. Since July 2020, we have strived to introduce over 100 Japanese items. We are thankful that over 5,000 people from over 20 countries visited our web page in last 6 months. Many people liked Japanese products and it was worth the price. Thank you so much. On the other hand, some people didn’t think so. The primary reasons are for example, the shipping costs are too high, it was cheap looking, not exactly what they expected etc. We are an online shop and not a brick and mortar shop. We need to face it and start to consider how we can solve these issues and fill the gap. We don’t want them to think negatively about Japan or Japanese products. We have to keep in our mind that Japanese products are kind of a niche product and most people don’t know well about the product. In regards to high shipping cost, due to the pandemic, many postal services has been suspended so that we have used DHL express. The general advantages of using DHL express are fast delivery, trustworthy, Door to Door and wide network over 100 countries. With regard to the shipping cost, yes it is high in comparison with regular post services. Moreover, the regular postal service uses an actual weight while DHL express uses either an actual weight or a dimensional weight which is heavier. So in some cases, a dimensional weight may apply and the shipping cost gets higher. To try to meet customer’s needs, we have been negotiating with DHL express to apply a special price. At the same time we will consider to use a logistics fulfillment if we can foresee a good output for our customers. As for items dissatisfaction, this is very crucial issue and we must take this seriously. We only sell the authentic Japanese products. But people think product A is superb while other think it is not good. We understand that everyone has different tastes. It may be not worth the price they paid, it may be items with no difference from other reasonable items, it may not feel the authenticity etc. Our items are all made in Japan and most items are handmade by Japanese craftsperson. So we are going to use more detailed  explanations, photo images, and customers experience to fill the gap.   Last but not least, people think that the products are not what they expected. It relates to above issue though, we will keep real voices and feedback from customers to improve our services and provide products that makes customers  really smile when they receive it. In addition, we are open for any requests. If you cannot find products on our online shops, let us know. We will try to deal with that product in a reasonable price for you.  The pandemic situation gets better now but there may be suspension of flights to Japan, as well as immigration restrictions and movement restrictions after immigration. So it will take more time for everyone to visit Japan with no restrictions or concerns like before the pandemic. We are looking forward to having you all here in Japan in the near future and no matter how the situations are, we promise to strive to improve our services and provide the best authentic Japanese products.For any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask us at any time.info@omotenashi-square.com Thank you so much for having an interest in Japanese products. Omoetnashi-Square, LLCKoh & Yoshi CEO          

Do you know the Japanese Zodiac? The Japanese Zodiac is the old system used to tell time and directions. It uses 12 animals instead of numbers. Starting from:子：Rat丑：Ox寅：Tiger卯：Rabbit辰：Dragon巳：Snake / Serpent午：Horse未：Ram申：Monkey酉：Rooster戌：Dog亥：Boar Nowadays, we use the same animals to signify the year and The year 2021 is the year of the Ox, The year 2022 Tiger, The year 2023 Rabbit, The year 2024 Dragon and goes on.....In addition each has each meaning.子：Rat cunning / outgoing丑：Ox hard-working / gentle寅：Tiger brave / whim卯：Rabbit honest / quiet辰：Dragon quick-tempered / great pride巳：Snake thoughtful / persistent午：Horse hasty / quick wits未：Ram pacifist / indecisive申：Monkey cheerful / restless酉：Rooster shrewd / methodical戌：Dog obedient / strong sense of justice亥：Boar patient / stubborn We have something new in stock, here is our Japanese products relates to the Japanese Zodiac. A golden cup depicting the Japanese zodiac. It's perfect as a decoration, as a birthday or anniversary gift. A URUSHI-E is drawn on each sake cup made from natural Japanese horse chestnut and finished with vermilion lacquer and gold leaf.  Gold leaf product from Kanazawa. Very desirable item from Hakuichi that is the first company in Kanazawa to make gold leaf craft products. It is interesting to collect one of each from RAT to BOAR.  For more details, check our products page.https://omotenashi-square.com/collections/top-selling/products/japanese-zodiac-sake-cup

Celebrating our first year anniversary!!Thankfully we are able to celebrate our very first anniversary. Introducing our TOP 7 selling products.

We have been thinking how to introduce authentic Japanese products that symbolize Japan and unique one you have not had ever through our online shop. Kimono itself has been known over the world however only a few people have used it since putting on a kimono is difficult and also it is difficult to get an authentic Kimono in abroad.  As a Japanese online-shop under the slogan of  "Omotenashi” which express the Japanese traditional hospitality spirit, we came up with an idea to introduce Kimono's charm by introducing a product using Kimono's fabric, silk. Collaboration with one of a top-notch manufacturer in Osaka, IZ HAORI. They reuse Kimono fabric such as silk fabric and remade into a new design, HAORI, Japanese jacket.  Their HAORI is one-of-a-kind and there will be no more same one ever because they use many different kinds of Kimono fabric together. Haori is a knee-length garment worn over the kimono on formal occasions. It is fastened loosely in front by short braided cords. All products are made from high quality Japanese kimono such as silk fabric and remade into a new design. Highly skilled craftsmen process the materials and take the time to carefully repair them one by one.   Check out below items. Available right now on our online-shop!!   

Sakura, cherry blossoms are known of The signs of spring. Spring is such a good season we can relax and new beginning of many things. Omotenashi-Square has some items which relates to Sakura, Sakura color all hand made by Japanese craftworker.      Sakura wrist watch. The KAORU series marks a new challenge for Japanese watch manufacturer. Memories are made up of more than just landscapes. Memories are the air and the scents from places you’ve been. That’s why our watches have evolved from devices just for telling time, into devices that also deliver fragrances. This is Japanese technology. Sakura pattern Mt. Fuji old glass from Tokyo. This beautiful glass, Mt. Fuji is skillfully embedded by craftsmen into the base of the glass and Sakura Kiriko pattern.  You can enjoy the color of Mt. Fuji changes with your drink and the view of Mt. Fuji changes as well so that you can always see various expressions of Mt. Fuji.  Crafted by skilled craftsmen, each glass is carefully made and has a deep taste and warmth that cannot be found anywhere else. Along with a wooden box. Sakura color Japanese iron Tea Pot from Japanese Nambu Tekki. Japanese Nambu Tekki, the cast iron teapot from Nambu Tekki Japan. The superior quality, beauty and lasting durability of Nanbu Tekki products have earned them the worldwide reputation as the leading manufacturer of authentic Japanese tetsubin. Let us know if you have interest in our Sakura related items!   Email:info@omotenashi-square.com/ Web: https://omotenashi-square.com/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omotenashisquare_official/ Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OmotenashiSquare  

Finally, Sakura season has come and all the cherry blossoms have bloomed. Shukugawa city in Hyogo Prefecture is one of the famous Sakura (Cherry blossoms) area.  Even we are living through the pandemic, we can at least relax and feel the spring with these full bloomed Sakura. There were no people who enjoying Cherry blossom viewing compared with other seasons due to during the lock-down, however people enjoyed the signs of spring. It is very sad that people cannot visit Japan from all over the world and cannot experience the Sakura season, and Cherry blossoms are in full bloom for about a week. We really hope this pandemic will end soon and people will come back to Japan to see and experience Japanese charms. Of course, we want to visit to all over the world as well. At least we can get connected via Internet and we will try to deliver good points of Japan to all of you!!  Be safe and stay healthy.   

Long-awaited show which introduces tons of best Japanese traditional products will be held this week at Kyoto. The show was supposed to hold last year however due to declaration of a state of emergency, the show has been postponed. During the circumstances we have been facing, we understand people are intend to purchase essentials rather than specialty products as such we sell. So that we have enough time to prepare to improve our business by finding new and not yet well known products but products with good quality made by Japanese craftmanship. This show, approx. 400 companies will participate, gives us a great opportunity to find new products and boost our line-up to introduce over the world. Below are product categories the show introduces. Fashion and beauty-related items such as fashion accessories, bags, shoes, and stoles, clothes, and accessories. Food and kitchenware including grocery, beverages, confectionery, local specialties, vegetables, healthy food, supplements, and cooking equipment. Home décor, furniture, arts, potteries, garden décor, camping gear, flower & green, stationery, educational toys, pet supplies etc. And more. We are looking forward to introduce you new products and looking forward to have connection with all of you after the pandemic is over. Don't miss our new line-ups: https://omotenashi-square.com/ Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/omotenashisquare_official/Visit us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/OmotenashiSquare