#kingyosukui

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Autumn

Seasonality: Early Autumn/ August

Japanese Name: Furin/ Kingyo/ Kingyo-sukui

English Name: Windbell/ Goldfish/ Goldfish Scooping

     Furin (風鈴, wind bell) can be often seen during Japan’s humid summers.  Furin were originally a fortune-telling tool in China. The Chinese hung a bell in the bamboo forest and made predictions based on the wind’s direction and its sound. However, since they arrived in Japan through Buddhism, Chinese wind-bells have been used to expel any lurking evil spirits. Japanese people believed that nothing unfortunate would happen to those who lived within earshot of a wind bell. In the 18th century, Dutch glass making techniques were introduced to Nagasaki, one of only four seaports kept open for trade during Japan’s seclusion period. People were instantly attracted to the beauty of glass, which prompted them to learn glass making for themselves. In the 19th century, someone in Edo came up with an idea for glass wind chimes with the glass painting done from the inside in order to protect the colors from fading. It’s believed that the sound of a wind bell tricks the brain into lowering body temperature. 

     Kingyo (金魚, goldfish) were introduced into Japan via China in the 16th century where they were popular and kept only by the aristocracy and samurai. The Japanese set up breeding programs and eventually developed their unique strains of goldfish to be appreciated from the top view. Thereafter, kingyo-sukui (金魚すくい, goldfish scooping) became popular during the Edo period, leading to the sale of goldfish in towns. Goldfish are a particularly beloved summer feature in Japan that will make you feel “coolness” and “healing” with the way it elegantly swims in water on a hot summer’s day. 

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Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Autumn

Seasonality: Early Autumn/ August

Japanese Name: Furin/ Kingyo/ Kingyo-sukui

English Name: Windbell/ Goldfish/ Goldfish Scooping 

     Furin (風鈴, wind bell) can be often seen during Japan’s humid summers.  Furin were originally a fortune-telling tool in China. The Chinese hung a bell in the bamboo forest and made predictions based on the wind’s direction and its sound. However, since they arrived in Japan through Buddhism, Chinese wind-bells have been used to expel any lurking evil spirits. Japanese people believed that nothing unfortunate would happen to those who lived within earshot of a wind bell. In the 18th century, Dutch glass making techniques were introduced to Nagasaki, one of only four seaports kept open for trade during Japan’s seclusion period. People were instantly attracted to the beauty of glass, which prompted them to learn glass making for themselves. In the 19th century, someone in Edo came up with an idea for glass wind chimes with the glass painting done from the inside in order to protect the colors from fading. It’s believed that the sound of a wind bell tricks the brain into lowering body temperature. 

     Kingyo (金魚, goldfish) were introduced into Japan via China in the 16th century where they were popular and kept only by the aristocracy and samurai. The Japanese set up breeding programs and eventually developed their unique strains of goldfish to be appreciated from the top view. Thereafter, kingyo-sukui (金魚すくい, goldfish scooping) became popular during the Edo period, leading to the sale of goldfish in towns. Goldfish are a particularly beloved summer feature in Japan that will make you feel “coolness” and “healing” with the way it elegantly swims in water on a hot summer’s day. 

(Text Source 1)(Text Source 2)(Text Source 3)

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Autumn

Seasonality: Early Autumn/ August

Japanese Name: Furin/ Kingyo/ Kingyo-sukui

English Name: Windbell/ Goldfish/ Goldfish Scooping

     Furin (風鈴, wind bell) can be often seen during Japan’s humid summers.  Furin were originally a fortune-telling tool in China. The Chinese hung a bell in the bamboo forest and made predictions based on the wind’s direction and its sound. However, since they arrived in Japan through Buddhism, Chinese wind-bells have been used to expel any lurking evil spirits. Japanese people believed that nothing unfortunate would happen to those who lived within earshot of a wind bell. In the 18th century, Dutch glass making techniques were introduced to Nagasaki, one of only four seaports kept open for trade during Japan’s seclusion period. People were instantly attracted to the beauty of glass, which prompted them to learn glass making for themselves. In the 19th century, someone in Edo came up with an idea for glass wind chimes with the glass painting done from the inside in order to protect the colors from fading. It’s believed that the sound of a wind bell tricks the brain into lowering body temperature. 

     Kingyo (金魚, goldfish) were introduced into Japan via China in the 16th century where they were popular and kept only by the aristocracy and samurai. The Japanese set up breeding programs and eventually developed their unique strains of goldfish to be appreciated from the top view. Thereafter, kingyo-sukui (金魚すくい, goldfish scooping) became popular during the Edo period, leading to the sale of goldfish in towns. Goldfish are a particularly beloved summer feature in Japan that will make you feel “coolness” and “healing” with the way it elegantly swims in water on a hot summer’s day. 

(Text Source 1)(Text Source 2)(Text Source 3)

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Autumn

Seasonality: Early Autumn/ August

Japanese Name: Furin/ Kayariki/ Katori Senko/ Kayariki-buta/ Kingyo/ Kingyo-sukui

English Name: Windbell/ Mosquito-killing Incense-holder/ Mosquito-killing Incense/ Mosquito-killing Pig-shaped Incense-holder/ Goldfish/ Goldfish-scooping

     Furin (風鈴, wind bell) can be often seen during Japan’s humid summers.  Furin were originally a fortune-telling tool in China. The Chinese hung a bell in the bamboo forest and made predictions based on the wind’s direction and its sound. However, since they arrived in Japan through Buddhism, Chinese wind-bells have been used to expel any lurking evil spirits. Japanese people believed that nothing unfortunate would happen to those who lived within earshot of a wind bell. In the 18th century, Dutch glass making techniques were introduced to Nagasaki, one of only four seaports kept open for trade during Japan’s seclusion period. People were instantly attracted to the beauty of glass, which prompted them to learn glass making for themselves. In the 19th century, someone in Edo came up with an idea for glass wind chimes with the glass painting done from the inside in order to protect the colors from fading. It’s believed that the sound of a wind bell tricks the brain into lowering body temperature. 

     Kayariki (蚊遣器, mosquito-killing incense holder) are special incense holders made to hold the green spiral shaped katori senko. Due to the unique shape of katori senko, most come with a simple y-shaped incense holder. Consumers place the tip of the Y-shaped holder into the cut in the center of thekatori senko, make sure it's stable, and put it on a non-flammable saucer. A ceramic or metallic saucer is needed to catch the hot ashes fall from a burning katori senko. Additional kayariki designs were made to better stabilize katori senko, make dealing with the ashes easier, and to better the appearance. The most popular and nostalgic shape of kayariki are kayariki-buta (蚊遣器豚, mosquito-killing pig-shaped incense holder). Other designs include a glass stick inside a semicircular cup, or heavy iron containers with a lid with cut patterns to let the smoke out. 

     Kingyo (金魚, goldfish) were introduced into Japan via China in the 16th century where they were popular and kept only by the aristocracy and samurai. The Japanese set up breeding programs and eventually developed their unique strains of goldfish to be appreciated from the top view. Thereafter, kingyo-sukui (金魚すくい, goldfish scooping) became popular during the Edo period, leading to the sale of goldfish in towns. Goldfish are a particularly beloved summer feature in Japan that will make you feel “coolness” and “healing” with the way it elegantly swims in water on a hot summer’s day. 

(Text Source 1)(Text Source 2)(Text Source 3)(Text Source 4)(Text Source 5)

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Autumn

Seasonality: Early Autumn/ August

Japanese Name: Kingyo/ Kingyo-sukui

English Name: Goldfish/ Goldfish Scooping

     Kingyo (金魚, goldfish) were introduced into Japan via China in the 16th century where they were popular and kept only by the aristocracy and samurai. The Japanese set up breeding programs and eventually developed their unique strains of goldfish to be appreciated from the top view. Thereafter, kingyo-sukui (金魚すくい, goldfish scooping) became popular during the Edo period, leading to the sale of goldfish in towns. Goldfish are a particularly beloved summer feature in Japan that will make you feel “coolness” and “healing” with the way it elegantly swims in water on a hot summer’s day. 

(Text Source 1)(Text Source 2)

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Autumn

Seasonality: Early Autumn/ August

Japanese Name: Takegaki/ Asagao/ Kingyo/ Kingyo-sukui

English Name: Bamboo fence/ Morning Glory/ Goldfish/ Goldfish scooping

     Takegaki (竹垣, bamboo fence) are fences that have been used extensively in Japanese gardens during the Kamakura period and developed much later than walls. That is surprising – considering the availability and versatility of the materials used. Their functions are manifold: They block views and separate sceneries, are erected as boundaries around the garden, work as windbreaks or screens or emphasize a special element in a garden. 

     Asagao (朝顔, morning glories) is one of the most popular summer plants in Japan, very often depicted in yukata and other summer wafuku items. Their Japanese name translates directly as “beauty in the morning.” The pattern is also known as kengoshi, which usually means the medicinal asagao seeds but can refer to the plant itself. Asagao symbolizes summer, especially during the Edo period. It was a favorite flower among commoners and was extremely popular in the Bunka era (1804-1818 CE). Asagao blooms splendidly, everywhere at once, but only for a short while. 

     Kingyo (金魚, goldfish) were introduced into Japan via China in the 16th century where they were popular and kept only by the aristocracy and samurai. The Japanese set up breeding programs and eventually developed their unique strains of goldfish to be appreciated from the top view. Thereafter, kingyo-sukui (金魚すくい, goldfish scooping) became popular during the Edo period, leading to the sale of goldfish in towns. Goldfish are a particularly beloved summer feature in Japan that will make you feel “coolness” and “healing” with the way it elegantly swims in water on a hot summer’s day. 

(Text Source 1)(Text Source 2)(Text Source 3)(Text Source 4)(Text Source 5)

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Autumn

Seasonality: Early Autumn/ August

Japanese Name: Kingyo

English Name: Goldfish

     Kingyo (金魚, goldfish) were introduced into Japan via China in the 16th century where they were popular and kept only by the aristocracy and samurai. The Japanese set up breeding programs and eventually developed their unique strains of goldfish to be appreciated from the top view. Thereafter, kingyo-sukui (金魚すくい, goldfish scooping) became popular during the Edo period, leading to the sale of goldfish in towns. Goldfish are a particularly beloved summer feature in Japan that will make you feel “coolness” and “healing” with the way it elegantly swims in water on a hot summer’s day. 

(Text Source 1)(Text Source 2)