Gotochi: Japanese Prefecture Postcards

As I've been so fortunate to live in Japan for the past few years,

and stumbled across the Gotochi series. 

Each prefecture (which is sort of like a county or district) 

has high quality, shaped, over-sized postcards with 

images that are symbolic of their prefecture.

As I live in Okinawa the southern most prefecture I'll start by showing you those cards.

This is the card from 2009. It shows a shisha or lion dog. You'll see these in pairs at many entries to homes and businesses. I was taught the open mouth of the pair is the male which keeps away negative spirits or energies while the closed mouth or female keeps in good spirits.

(You may see a tiny version in the top corner of the photo. If you buy 5 they give you a mini at my post office. )

This is the 2010 card which shows a goya. It is a very bumpy wonder vegetable that is often mentioned when people talk of the renowned longevity of the Okinawan people and their diet. 

The 2011 card show a Ryukyu dancer. Before Okinawa was governed by Japan it was the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429-1879). This is traditional dress for that time. The lotus hat and bingata textile dyeing technique I could go on and on about, but I'll save that detour for a future post. I will say that back then that yellow of the kimono was special to Okinawa because it was made from the bark of tree that only grew here.

The card of 2012 card is a sanshin and hibiscus. I honestly know next to nothing about this 3 string instrument other than I've been very fortunate to hear it at sunset a few rare times on my walks by the sea. A single local men sitting on a very large rock by the water plays the most serine melodies. It's also common in local summer festivals as well. The hibiscus of course is the flower of Okinawa as it blooms here all year long. (Yes, this gardener LOVES living here!)

The 2013 card shows eisa dancers. I've been fortunate to see this style of performance as a feature of festivals, but also as a side street treat. When walking one night we heard this thunderous, rhythmic sound and followed it a few blocks off the main streets to stumble across a group of eisa dancers. The chanting and drumming is contagiously uplifting. There is also an annual 10,000 eisa festival, but I prefer smaller events to giant crowds.

I do hope the 2014 card is released before we leave the island this summer. I'm excited to see what it will be. In the mean time here are a few I've collected by trading Okinawa Gotochi for those from other prefectures.

click an image to enlarge

 

 

One day I hope to go through all the lovely notes and add for you the information I've received about some of these cards. Until then hope you enjoyed another peek into my world. Oh and sorry facebook friends for the repeat.

The collector in me will sure miss this place.

Yeah, they have seasonal postcards shaped like the old post boxes as well.

Just Keep Creating

I often find myself in creative slumps that can last up to half a year. 

When that feeling sneaks up on me again I've been switching media. 

It has really helped.

My house looks like a craft supply edition of Hoarders, but I'm happy.

So these are far from my greatest achievements, but 

they all taught me something.

first attempts with my kanzashi template

handmade eco craft basket pin cushion

pot of gold treats for son's class

I have to say the St. Patty's treats were inspired by a pin.

I however used $1 gold sprinkles instead of $7 sprinkles and 

chocolate chips instead of chocolate candy melts. 

The kids didn't seem to mind.

I even got a thanks from the teacher. That's never happened before.

So just keep creating...it doesn't have to be perfect.

Hunger Games District 2 Challenge

I will never deny having an obsessive personality.

Sticking with things till I overcome them,

spending way way too long focused on a task &

constantly seeking to do or learn more about what I'm focused on

are all traits that have brought way more good to my life than bad.

So when I recently read the entire Twilight trilogy in a week then 

read the Hunger Games in half that it was not a new experience for me.

This time the second Hunger Games movie was available when I finished so I thought why not.

It's always fun to compare my imagination to that of the movie makers.

Then I get online and run across a blog challenge for Hunger Games.

So of course I'm in.

Here's the inspiration Charlie provided for District 2:

Maybe I was suppose to make jewelry, but 

here's what I made.

Living in Japan I have access to eco-craft tape 

which comes in rolls of 12-14 tiny stands of rolled recycled paper 

adhered together into long strips.

Most people use it for basket making though this one was designed to be a purse.

Sadly my son loved it, and stole it before I ever got to use it though.

Even though it's paper it's surprisingly strong and durable.

If anyone knows of a US supplier PLEASE let me know.

I love this stuff, but know that no matter how much I take back with me I'll want more.

I thought I remembered reading that District 2 mined gemstones, but I was probably mistaken. 

Anyway, catching up on Game of Thrones with my husband led to the addition of the sapphire blue.  Anyone remember the whole bit about the Sapphire Isles?

It's surprising how easily my designs adapt to what's going on around me.

Alrighty, if you want to join the fun next month for District 3 visit the source of this clever challenge.

Thanks Charlie!

It Feels Like Spring!

Since it's been unseasonably cold for many of you I thought I'd share

some flower photos from my trip last weekend to the Ocean Expo Park.

Hibiscus are the official flower of Okinawa.

See my fat finger there? This bloom was massive. 

It probably could have been used as a child's hat.

  

I read about these in the paper. 

They are genetically engineered "blue" orchids. 

They still look purple to me.

 There were massive orchid displays 

as part of the international orchid show 

that was being held there at the time.

 This is a full view of the display 

with the "blue" orchids mentioned above.

 

My favorite display of the orchid show each year.

In the background is the symbol of the tropical dream center.

The midground shows the Wonderland maze display for the orchid show.

 It rained all day, but it started to rain too hard to have my camera out.

So we headed for lunch.

 This window shows the banyan tree, a Kijimuna or Okinawan fairy 

& Okinawa's endangered bird the Yanbaru Kuina or Okinawan Rail.

It was created by this artist. She came to one of the base libraries a few years back. My son had the opportunity to meet her, and participate in a class where she taught them to make animal art with recycled materials.

Have a Great Day!

Pop Rocks Valentines

In years past I have gone above and beyond with holiday gifts for my son's class.

I am by no means consistent, but I've been that Pinterest mom that pisses off the other moms.

I'm a bit proud of that actually. If I am willing to put forth the time and effort to create these things no one gets to take my pride in that away.

As a fifth grader my son really doesn't care as much any more so 

I'm keeping it simple, but still doing my thing.

For lacrosse half time snacks last weekend I just took a sharpie and wrote "Go Middies!", "Keep up the Great Work", "You're Awesome", etc. on the Ziplocs which I filled with both green and purple seedless grapes. Thank goodness I sampled the grapes. I had bought 3 colors, but the red ones had seeds. Ooops!

So Valentines I asked my son which one he'd like. He says, "Pop Rocks," and walks away. That's not always something you can find here on island so I ordered some, and they've been sitting in my craft table for about 2 weeks. 

Since Valentine's Day is Friday I thought today, Tuesday, would be a good day to begin.

Yeah cutting it a little too close for my liking, but life's been getting in the way around here.

Anyway, here's a copy of the little Valentine I've spent most of the morning making. Maybe it will be of use to someone else who's running a bit behind this year.

  Click HERE

Thanks!

Have a Beautiful Day!

Okinawa Sea Postcards

Just thought I'd share a bit of my postcard collection. 

For those of you who don't know I am currently active on postcrossing.com. 

I love postcards! 

I was fortunate enough to inherit my grandmother's collection 

as well as continue it with my own travels and those of my friends.

Here are a few of my sea views collected while on the Okinawan islands.

sea1

sea2

sea3

sea4

sea5

sea6

sea7

sea8

sea9

sea10

sea11

sea12

sea 13