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Bamboo forest at Arashiyama with woman

Must Have Souvenirs from Japan!

Whenever travelling to a new place, souvenirs are a wonderful keepsake to bring back home to remind us of the places we’ve travelled to. They’re also great to give out as presents to family and friends. Check out some of the best souvenirs from Japan!

Okiagari Koboshi

Okiagari Koboshi

Okiagari Koboshi

Okiagari Koboshi doll are traditional Japanese dolls. They’re usually made from papier- mâché and have a weighted rounded design that will always stand upright when toppled over. The dolls are considered to be good luck charms symbolizing perseverance and resilience.

Ukiyo-e woodblock prints

A remarkable art form in Japan is the ukiyo-e, the woodblock print or painting. The word “ukiyo-e” means “pictures of the floating world.”  This floating world refers to the idea of a place of impermanence where people live for the moment, through forms of entertainment (such as kabuki, noh, bunraku, geisha, and courtesans) that are removed from the ordinary everyday world.

Furoshiki cloth

Furoshiki

Furoshiki

Furoshiki – furoshiki means “bath spread”, is a sheet of cloth that was initially used to carry clothes and bath items to public bath houses. Later on, furoshiki was used to carry groceries and wrap and carry bento boxes as well as market wares. Today, this versatile wrapping cloth is also used for gift-wrapping. Furoshiki cloth designs can vary from traditional Japanese patterns to the contemporary and cute ones.

Kanzashi

Kanzashi are ornamental hairpins that crown the look of traditional Japanese kimonos. The term kanzashi is also synonymous to folded cloth flowers that traditionally adorn tsumami kanzashi as well as the technique used in making the cloth flowers. A kanzashi completes the traditional wardrobe of a geisha. There are special shops that specialize in the unique Japanese hair accessory. You can also find them at kimono shops.

Hanko

Hanko

Hanko stamps

In Japan, seals are referred as inkan (印鑑) or hanko (判子). Hanko or han are commonly used by many Japanese in everyday situations. There are several types of hanko, whether official or non-official. Hanko stamps are often used instead of signatures. You can have your own personalized hanko stamp made at inkan specialty shops in Japan!

 

 

 

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Read all about Japanese immersion learning and studying abroad. Check out our eZasshi archives for more articles!