We had a super busy day today. I found another workshop that Kim, her mom, and the girls really enjoyed. But it meant a kind of early start to get the train from Nara to Kyoto. Dropped our luggage off and went straight to a neat traditional Japanese house where a husband and wife make crafts to sell in their small store, but also offer classes. Kim, her mom, and the girls all made bamboo hairpins. The hairpins were made with 300-400 year old bamboo. The owner of the shop says he fosters relationships with construction companies, and when old homes are being renovated or demolished, he buys as much of the bamboo as he can, but he says it’s getting very hard to find and becoming very expensive because the old bamboo is prized for craftsmen.

Everyone enjoyed making the hairpins and they were really cute and I think they will be a good souvenir.

Hazel and Margot then made origami crane earrings. They picked the paper, cut it to size, folded it, and then brushed it with fingernail topcoat to protect it. Then a pin and earring loops were added. They turned out super cute and both girls were really happy with them. (Part 1 of Kyoto day 1)

We’ve really enjoyed doing these workshops. On this trip we’ve done 7 different ones. Some better than others, but really fun and a good chance to interact with people from here beyond just hotel and restaurant workers. The owner today was really nice, and although much if it was via Google translate, we learned about him and he about us. He liked how well the girls listened and how careful they were, he asked if they wanted to come learn to be Japanese craftsmen.

This is the place we did it. Highly recommend. Taikenkobowaraku

earrings and hairpins · Sunday, Jun 29 📸