Best of Japan Week: Takumi Japan's Works of Artistry

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At Japan Week last weekend, Takumi Japan was on hand to share some unique products from Japan's small businesses and artisans. The presence of the company at the event showcased the spirit of monozukuri which means to "make things" in Japanese. It was an opportunity for attendees to be exposed to the rich history of Japanese artists to the rest of the world.

Japan Week is an annual event that promotes the country as a premiere travel destination. This year's event was held in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station in New York City from March 6-8. The program offered visitors an opportunity to get a closer look at the culture of the country and hopefully, inspire them to travel to Japan to experience it firsthand. From food to cuisine, the event showcased the best Japan has to offer from the last 100 years to the present.

The crowds took in a 100-year-old Taisho-themed bar, an early 20th-century Japanese cafe, with servers dressed in traditional garb while sampling sake from different regions of the country. There was also a virtual reality theater that provided an immersive experience of Japan's history. It truly was a celebration of the old and the new about a country filled with a rich culture and heritage.

As one of the exhibitors participating in the third annual event, Takumi Japan made sure to bring in some of the most gorgeous pieces that were created with "the finest of technologies and meticulous attention to details."

On display in the Takumi Japan booth were hand-crafted glass, metal and wood, beautiful fabrics, and other works of artistry to introduce Japanese traditions, techniques, designs, flavors, local qualities and other characteristics unique to Japan. The attendees clamored to the booth to get a look at the exquisite items brought to the event.

If you missed the exciting program, you can check out some of the incredible items the company offers on their comprehensive website. From stunning items for kitchen and table decor to rich fashions and textiles, Takumi Japan curates some of the finest artisan pieces for your home and lifestyle.


Disclosure: I was compensated for this post.

Rise Up

Last week, I was really frustrated:  at my neighbor who doesn't focus on the maintenance of his unit, of the delay in my bathroom renovation with the leak, and the time it was wasting out of my day while contractors and plumbers traipsed in and out of my house.  Today, that doesn't matter.  I don't know what a bad day is.  Right now, there are people who don't have a house, who have lost everything, including the most precious thing of all:  loved ones.


So, as I stop and pause, I can see how lucky I am.  It is time for me to help out and remind myself that my bad day is a really good day.  It's time for a call to action to come together as a nation, rise up, and help our fellow brothers and sisters overseas.


Like I said after the Haitian tragedy, "The only thing that matters is treating people with respect and kindness. It needs to be the foundation of our world. I am hopeful because so many have responded to the call for help whether it is with a financial gift or the gift of time. I will sleep soundly knowing that this is true."


My donation went to the American Red Cross.  This organization makes sure that 100% of your donation goes directly to earthquake/tsunami relief.   I hope these contributions lead to a better day to every victim in Japan.  


DONATE.


My City of Ruins
Lyrics By Bruce Springsteen

There is a blood red circle
On the cold dark ground
And the rain is falling down
The church door's thrown open
I can hear the organ's song
But the congregation's gone
My city of ruins
My city of ruins

Now the sweet bells of mercy
Drift through the evening trees
Young men on the corner
Like scattered leaves,
The boarded up windows,
The empty streets
While my brother's down on his knees
My city of ruins
My city of ruins

Come on, rise up! Come on, rise up!
Come on, rise up! Come on, rise up!
Come on, rise up! Come on, rise up!

Now's there's tears on the pillow
Darlin' where we slept
And you took my heart when you left
Without your sweet kiss
My soul is lost, my friend
Tell me how do I begin again?
My city's in ruins
My city's in ruins

Now with these hands,
With these hands,
With these hands,
I pray Lord
With these hands,
With these hands,
I pray for the strength, Lord
With these hands,
With these hands,
I pray for the faith, Lord
We pray for your love, Lord
We pray for the lost, Lord
We pray for this world, Lord
We pray for the strength, Lord
We pray for the strength, Lord

Come on
Come on
Come on, rise up
Come on, rise up
Come on, rise up
Come on, rise up
Come on, rise up
Come on, rise up
Come on, rise up
Come on, rise up
Come on, rise up