wagashi late spring 6

This is Wabi from Moroeya.  This is the best and the most famous Rakugan of Japan. 

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These are the 5 colour crest Rakugan from Kameyamutsu.  Founded in 1421, Matsukaze is the representative wagashi.  It specialized in wagashi for temple worship and items to put in front of the alter.

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Gensui near Nijo of Kyoto is a traditional wagashi house.  I visited the place to buy the famous Tokiwagi which is a kind of kohaku with red beans inside.  I brought back to Vancouver, and my parents and I tried it and we all agree that it is far superior to any other kohaku we have ever tasted, surpassing even Eirakuya's Yuzu kohaku.  Gensui's interior is decorated with many Kogeigashi which is the craft of using candy to craft realistic representation of flowers and birds as exhibition pieces.  There are eagles and pines, peony flowers etc.  Back to Tokiwagi, it is an representation of the texture and appearance of pine tree trunk. 

To celebrate Iris

Iris season is now.  I bought this beautiful incense pouch which looks like a mirror or a fan with Iris design.  Yurino is a small house in the rolls of old Kyoto machiya near my hotel.  The owner is a nice gentleman, very talkative, and introduces his handmade items.  There are many nice pouches that shaped like beautiful flowers or animals.  I like something small to go inside my kimono.

Obi

I finished this Obi in Kyoto.  My teacher steamed it for me and sent it to my friends in Tokyo.  I now received it from my friends.  Thank you so much.

My Mom is helping me to sow it together and I will soon update to show how it looks on me.

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Iris is starting to flower here.  The Japanese Iris on my blog cover is growing near the water.  Here in Vancouver, people love to grow the German Iris which is well on dry ground and in sunny location.  I have only a few of the German ones in pots as the ground is too moist and wet and shady.
The candy is from my favourite wagashi house Tsuruya Yoshinobu.  Hoshikingyoku tastes a little bit more firm and crunchy than kohaku.  The iris in purple and white is complimented by the suhama in yellow iris and green leave.

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Kamehiroyasu's higashi, another view on a black background.  They are little works of art!  I want to keep them forever!