The business cards have jsut arrived!

More kimono corsage

I have updated more kimono corsage on my Etsy shop.

Most fabrics used for these are vintage kimono meisen silk.

I love meisen!



Miyako odori in Kyoto

April is glorious month in Kyoto. (I guess not so much this year...)

On top of the beautiful cherry blosooms, dance performances by maiko and geiko are held in the same month. The performance I saw was called Miyako odori, which was wonderful, actually a lot better than I thought. 

If you buy 4500Y seat, you can watch geiko's tea ceremony performance and get a complimentary cute plate. Well worth the money! 

Mirei Shigemori residence

Mirei Shigemori residence is one of my favourite places in Kyoto (Actually I have too many favourites)

Shigemori Mirei is very well known modern Japanese landscape architect and historian of Japanese gardens.
This place used to be his house. What a wonderful house to live!

This museum is appointment only and no English guide.

Kimono corsage

I updated my new works on Etsy.
Vintage kimono corsage will look good on your clothes, bags, and hair.

My Etsy shop has opened now!

I finally managed to start my Etsy shop "binca japanese design"

I am going to add more items soon.

Today, I introduce kimono fabric necklaces.

Kimono fabric I used for these necklaces are called Meisen.

Meisen fabric is generally around 60-90 years old.

Meisen is my favourite kimono fabric because of its vibrant colour, dynamic pattern, and lustre.

These necklaces will be great with simple dresses or tops.

Tokyo story

The selection of DVDs at a local library is quite limited, but I occasionally find good documentaries, international films and some classics.

This time I found "Tokyo story" by director Ozu (Yasujiro Ozu).

There is no dramatic action, no samurai or geisha. Just describing everyday life of ordinary people in a quiet mannaer.

I like the way old couple stay calm, talk gently and still positive about their life even though they are feeling disappointed from their children's selfish behavior. A sorrowful yet heart warming great film.

The age of feminine drawing- gorgeous book!

I happened to find an awesome book at a local library.

Although this book was published in Hong Kong, more than half of artists feautured here were Japanese.

I love Japanese graphic books, but this one is soooo good.

Using different size and textures of papers, very cute graphic design goods, plenty of illustration in different styles and even photos of artists' workshops.

There is no new stock at Amazon Japan, but there are second hand ones.

I am wondering I should buy... I love to buy

Cherry blossom time in Japan

Unfortunately, it's not the mood for cherry blossom viewing this year in Japna, but I thought it would be nice to share some photos of cherry blossoms taken at Heian Shrine, Kyoto, Japan.

This shrine is one of the most beautiful place for cherry blossom viewing.

Introduction to my blog

Welcome to binca japanese design blog.

I am Japanese, lives in Brisbane, Australia.
I love wearing kimono as well as creating kimono fabric accessories.

I have an online shopping site on Etsy.

In this blog, I would like to update my new works, mostly Japanse or vintage inspired, sometime introducing kimono fabric or vintage items.

I have lots of Japanese books and magazine which give me inspiration, so I would like to pick up some from there. Of course some photo images, taken in Japan will be shared. Maybe snap shots of kimono, too.