"Yokai Wappen" (ghost patches), proposed by Kyoto embroidery studio "Kyototo," is quietly becoming a summer tradition.

The gallery floor on the first basement floor of URBAN RESEARCH KYOTO is currently hosting Kyoto's exhibition "Yaparai 2013 - Glowing Yokai Wappen" (until August 11th). This event, which was well-received last year, has been upgraded this year. 50 new yokai patches made with glow-in-the-dark and fluorescent threads have been added, bringing the total to 100. Other items on offer include "Umbrella Bake" tabi socks, featuring the popular "Umbrella Bake," and a strap featuring a cute "Hitotsume Kozo" (a type of Japanese lantern-shaped demon) designed as a rain-wearing doll, available for pre-order. As a special event during this period, "Nika," a popular Kyoto-based creative wagashi unit, will be serving up slightly spooky, summer-perfect "Yokai Wagashi" sweets on the cafe menu until August 4th. Additionally, an event where you can experience making your own yokai wagashi will be held on August 1st (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM / 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, limited to eight people per session, participation fee: ¥2,500). Also, starting July 31st, a "Yokai Event" by Kyototo will begin on the 7th floor Kimono section of Isetan Shinjuku. Items on offer include a Hyakki Yakou yokai wappen (Japanese parade of one hundred demons), as well as Kyoto fans and hand towels featuring Rakuchu Rakugaizu (paintings of the capital and surrounding areas). Kyototo is an embroidery brand that explores new forms of cultural heritage and the possibilities of embroidery, with the concept "Japan, from Kyoto, via Tokyo - to the world." The brand name combines Kyoto, representing Japan's traditions, with Tokyo, representing Japan's present. Kyototo's embroidered items come in a variety of series, including the "Kachin Dye Series," which depicts Japan's four seasons using the Kyoto Yuzen technique of "Kachin (ink) dyeing," the "Lucky Charms Series," embroidered with designs representing Japanese celebrations and auspicious occasions, and the "100 Japanese Pieces: Rakuchu Rakugaizu Series," which uses blue Yuzen dye and the same process as Yuzen dyeing to create a motif based on the "Rakuchu Rakugaizu" folding screen painting, which depicts a distant bird's-eye view of Kyoto's cityscape and suburbs. In February 2013, the company opened its first street-level store along the approach to Yasaka Pagoda in Kyoto's Higashiyama district. Incidentally, the Mitsui Memorial Museum of Art (2-1-1 Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) is currently hosting the "Great Yokai Exhibition: Oni, Yokai, and Gegege" (until September 1st).