20% Off Buckwheat Hull Pillows | Free Shipping Orders Over $499

Educate Me!

Sanja Matsuri: The Biggest Annual Festival in Tokyo

Sanja Matsuri: The Biggest Annual Festival in Tokyo

What is Sanja Matsuri? Annually, during the 3rd weekend of May, Tokyo becomes host to one of the largest festivals the Japanese capital city puts o...
History of the Bonsai Tree

History of the Bonsai Tree

The Japanese bonsai tree (盆栽) has become a recognizable image around the world. They conjure up images of finely manicured miniature Zen gardens, a...
Showa Day in Japan: An Observance of Emperor Hirohito's Birthday

Showa Day in Japan: An Observance of Emperor Hirohito's Birthday

Considered the oldest standing monarchy in the world, Japan has had a long line of celebrated emperors that began in approximately 660 BC with the ...
Elements of Traditional Japanese Dining and How to Set a Japanese Table

Elements of Traditional Japanese Dining and How to Set a Japanese Table

The Japanese have long been known for their outstanding attention towards detail in all aspects in their lives and culture. From personal appearanc...
The Modern Day Zen Garden

The Modern Day Zen Garden

The Zen garden (枯山水, karesansui) as we know it today came to be around the 11th century. Also referred to as Japanese dry gardens or Japanese rock ...
Hinamatsuri - Doll's Day

Hinamatsuri - Doll's Day

Hinamatsuri, also called Doll's Day, is a religious holiday in Japan, celebrated on the 3rd of March of each year. Parents pray for the health, gro...
The History of Sake

The History of Sake

Some countries have beer, some have wine, and Japan has sake. Sake is the traditional alcoholic beverage of Japan. It is believed that a distant re...
New Year's in Japan I J-Life International

How New Year's is Celebrated in Japan

In Japanese, New Year's is known as shōgatsu  (正月), and it is the most important holiday of the year in Japan.  Many of the traditional holiday cel...
Rohatsu I J-Life International

Rohatsu (Bodhi Day): The Day of Buddha's Enlightenment

What is Rohatsu? Rohatsu is the celebration of the day the Buddha reached enlightenment according to the Zen Buddhist Tradition.  This day is also ...
Labor Thanksgiving Day I J-Life International

Labor Thanksgiving Day

Labor Thanksgiving Day is a Japanese holiday that celebrates labor, production, and is meant as a time for citizens to give thanks.  It is called K...
Halloween in Japan I J-Life International

Halloween in Japan

Halloween is, somewhat surprisingly, widely celebrated in Japan.  Despite not being a traditional Japanese holiday, it has been broadly accepted an...
Six Elements of Japanese Architecture I J-Life International

Six Elements of Japanese Architecture

1. Wood One of the principal elements of Japanese architecture is the use of wood.  Wood is by far the most common material used.  The use of wood ...