Isetan Shinjuku is hosting "JAPAN Museum for Kids," an event to develop children's senses through Japanese culture and traditional techniques, from March 12th. The event will be held at the event hall on the 6th floor of the main building and will run until the 17th (ending at 6:00 PM on the 14th and 17th).

The theme of this event is "Learn, Know, and Experience Japan." The aim is to expose children, who will be the future leaders of Japan, to authentic products and to give them a correct understanding of their country's culture.

A highlight at the venue is the "Disney Series," which combines traditional Japanese craftsmanship with Disney. Birudan Washi, a paper maker in Asahi Town, Toyama Prefecture, which is one of the Etchu Washi papers selected as a national traditional craft, has produced a letter set (1,575 yen) with a "Winnie the Pooh" motif. Birudan Washi is made by Kawahara Takakuni, the only craftsman in Japan who continues to use the same methods as 400 years ago, from growing the raw material, kozo, and the adhesive, to making the paper. This time, in reference to Winnie the Pooh, they have proposed a modern design for washi paper, accompanied by a honey-scented kozo stick.

MERI, created by a knitting factory and cloth sandal craftsmen, is selling a parent-child pair of room slippers (16,590 yen) with a Mickey and Minnie motif. The knitwear, which is said to be knitted using the wisdom of Japanese grandmothers, has a texture that can only be achieved through handcrafting, making it an item suitable for any season. Other items on display include a Winnie the Pooh-themed brass wind chime (7,245 yen) from Nousaku, a casting manufacturer in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture; an aluminum ice cream spoon (6,090 yen) from Takata Lemnos; and a pencil case (3,675 yen) from Inden no Yamamoto, a traditional craftsman from Koshu. "aeru," a traditional brand for children aged 0 to 6, created by entrepreneur Rika Yajima, will be introducing Tsugaru lacquerware cups (starting at 13,230 yen). Made from Aomori horse chestnut wood and using traditional Kara-nuri and Nanako-nuri lacquering techniques, these cups take more than two months to craft, and are perfectly sized for small children's hands. A workshop will be held on the 12th and 13th (11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM each day) where you can experience the polishing process of Tsugaru lacquerware (participation fee: 3,240 yen, duration: 15 to 20 minutes). Also featured will be the kendama, a traditional Japanese game that has been gaining attention from around the world since ancient times. The lineup includes the highly-designed "Terra Kendama" (3,150 yen), developed by a Canadian kendama player, and the legendary "Mugen Musou" kendama (7,560 yen), made by Iwata Woodworks in Hiroshima Prefecture. On the 15th (3:00 PM and 5:00 PM), the internationally popular group "Zumadanke" will perform a kendama performance (approximately 30 minutes each). Other exhibits include the "Art of Life"-themed painted bean plates (1,365 yen) by Shu Murakami's "amabro," and uniquely shaped balloons by Marusa Balloon, Japan's only handmade balloon manufacturer, showcasing a variety of products that combine traditional techniques with contemporary design.

During the event, there will be a "Baby Food Bar" showcasing baby food developed by a registered dietitian using additive-free, domestically produced ingredients, as well as an eat-in corner for Daikanyama mom's cafe "chano-mama" and "VEGETERIA," a juice brand developed by "Rockfield," which offers healthy, safe, and secure prepared foods, as well as a number of events and workshops.

(c)Disney (c)Disney Based on the "Winnie the Pooh" works by A.A.Milne and E.H.Shepard.

編集部