Профиль

Kumamoto quake survivors battle intense heat as death toll rises to 36 www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/08... In Kumamoto — still recovering from the earthquake — it's been over 95°F day after day, with 104°F in the forecast. I wish I could send them some of our cool Iwate air.

Kumamoto quake survivors battle intense heat as death toll rises to 36Maximum temperatures are expected to reach 35 degrees Celsius or higher Saturday and into next week, with Monday forecast to hit 40 C.www.japantimes.co.jp

The kanji for urushi (漆) and “knee” (膝) look remarkably similar because both contain the ancient character 桼, pronounced shitsu in Japanese. 桼 was the original character for urushi, depicting its sap dripping from a tree trunk. The modern 漆 was later formed by adding the water radical 氵 to 桼.

The Japanese word for cockroach, gokiburi, comes from the older word goki-kaburi (御器噛り), literally “a creature that nibbles at food bowls.” Goki means a bowl or vessel, often associated with urushiware. Here in Iwate, traditional Joboji urushiware was historically known as Oyama Goki (御山御器).

Japan earthquake: What we know so far bbc.com/news/article...

Japan Kumamoto earthquake: What we know so farJapan is reeling from a major earthquake that hit Kyushu island. Here is what we know so far.bbc.com

Destroyed Aeon mall had just reopened for ‘fresh start’ a decade on from deadly quake www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/07...

Destroyed Aeon mall had just reopened for ‘fresh start’ a decade on from deadly quakeThe Aeon mall destroyed in a post-quake explosion in southern Japan on Tuesday had just reopened last month.www.japantimes.co.jp

I’ve confirmed that a fellow artisan and potter based in Yatsushiro is safe. However, both their studio and home are apparently in a terrible state. They have no running water or electricity, and cell service seems poor too. 😢 The extreme heat must be making an already terrible situation even worse…

Widespread damage from magnitude 7.1 earthquake in south-west Japan bbc.com/news/article...

Japan earthquake: Widespread damage from magnitude 7.1 quakeSome reports say there was an explosion at the Aeon Mall in Kumamoto, following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake.bbc.com

Mall collapses after powerful quake rocks Kumamoto www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/07...

Mall collapses after powerful quake rocks KumamotoThe quake registered up to shindo 7, the highest level on the Japanese seismic intensity scale.www.japantimes.co.jp

The grim reports just keep coming in…

Videos from the Kumamoto earthquake are appearing one after another on social media. In footage said to have been filmed at a Costco warehouse, large shelving units have collapsed, and children can be heard crying. An explosion has also been reported at AEON Mall Kumamoto, with reports of injuries.

An earthquake registering the maximum level of 7 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale has struck Kumamoto—the first since the Noto Peninsula earthquake. Aftershocks are reportedly continuing. I am safe because I live far from the affected area, but I am worried about someone I know who lives there.

Tsunami alert issued after powerful magnitude 7.1 quake strikes Kumamoto www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/07...

Tsunami alert issued after powerful magnitude 7.1 quake strikes KumamotoThe quake registered up to shindo 7, the highest level on the Japanese seismic intensity scale.www.japantimes.co.jp

Extremely Strong Earthquake Hits Kyushu japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/gene...

I only just learned from a newspaper that the entire annual budget of Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs is roughly one-quarter of the construction cost of a single Aegis System Equipped Vessel. It is deeply disheartening.

I first encountered English in my first year of junior high school. The very first sentence in our textbook was, “This is a pen.” I now work with pens, and yet I still have never once used that phrase😅

I hope more people will discover the culture of Hiraizumi in Iwate, which flourished in Tohoku from the late 11th through the 12th century. Hiraizumi, Iwate The Perfect 2-Hour Guide www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...

Hiraizumi, Iwate - The Perfect 2-Hour Guide | NHK WORLD-JAPANHiraizumi is home to many fabulous sites, including Chusonji Temple and its Konjikido. We'll show you the ultimate way to experience its history, scenery, and cultural heritage in two hours.www3.nhk.or.jp

I am exploring new subjects for maki-e. I would love to bring some of Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s many works to life through this traditional art form.

Today, I visited Akiu Shrine in Sendai and received a goshuin—a special shrine seal with calligraphy. I always carry my urushi-lacquered goshuin book with me 😊 Akiu Shrine is known for enshrining a deity associated with victory and success.

Urushi Motif T-Shirt

We created this mother-of-pearl inlay badge featuring the emblem of Yokote High School, one of Akita Prefecture’s most prestigious schools. Its beautiful cloud-inspired emblem is known as “Aokumo.” This was a custom commission from an alumnus and is not an official badge worn by current students.