Preserving those Evergreen Memories

If you are like me, you have countless pictures of Christmas trees, Christmas presents and beautiful smiles of kids opening present, with the occasional picture of a sleepy Santa. I love looking at these pictures. They are some of the best pictures of the year. For some, they are the only pictures you consistently take each year!

    Instead of putting your pictures into a box this year, start putting together your scrap book and make a bunch of new friends while doing it! Come mingle with other scrap-bookers as you preserve your memories. One group of scrap bookers meet every other Friday night from 6:00-midnight on base. It's simple, just bring your pictures, your scrap booking supplies or whatever other paper craft project you are working on and get ready for a relaxing evening.

    You can purchase scrap booking supplies on base, at Green Note, some of the 100 Yen stores or other craft stores if you don’t already have the perfect embellishments for your project. Of course you can bring your dinner with you or snacks for the evening.

     “It’s nice to get away and everyone is always so great. Scraping night is always a good excuse to get out of the house and have some “me” time… It’s a great place for scrap-lifting.” (Scrap-lifting is not shop-lifting which was my original thought, rather getting ideas from other people and copying their ideas).

     Even if you aren’t a scrapbooker you can come and enjoy yourself. I loved watching Teri put together her Christmas cards. And Kim spent the evening helping Dee organize her scrapbooking stuff. “It’s comfortable, relaxing, and convenient and you get to met other scrapbookers.”

This group will be meeting again on January 8, 2010. I know there are plenty of other groups. Where do you met to do your scrapbooking? Where do you shop for your scrapbooking supplies? Leave your group’s information in the comments. I know there are plenty of others who would love to join you. A special thanks to Dee, Teri and Kim for dishing out the details for this post.

Hand Craft Shop

Attention crafters!  There's a shop near Gate 2 Street to supply your creative needs.   
Yarn, beads, fabric and notions of all kinds, the Hand Craft Shop is a great resource whatever your hobby may be.

For the knitter or crocheter, the store is stocked with quite a variety of yarn, including alpaca, cashmere, lame, wool, and cotton at good prices, plus needles and hooks of all sizes.  I purchased a five-skein pack of 40g wool/acrylic yarn for only 600 yen. 
For the sewer or quilter, you'll discover a selection of fabrics in solids, patterns and holiday prints in cotton and cotton blends. 

Bins of thread fill a section of wall with several brands including the American Coat's brand.  I was recently told that Japanese thread breaks more easily than American brands - I haven't tested it with my sewing machine, but I was thrilled with the color selection carried here. 
The Hand Craft Shop also carries floral arrangement supplies, beads, clay, styrofoam, and embroidery products.  In terms of price, I thought the yarn and thread were excellent prices, and while the buttons I purchased were a bit pricey, the selection was great.

Location:On Chuo Park Ave (B.C. Street). From Kadena Gate 2, turn left at light onto 330, then left at the first street at "HideAway".  Store is approximately four blocks on right, across the street from La Cucina soap shop and next door an embroidery shop.

Hours: 1000 - 1900 Daily, closed sporadically according to the owner

Telephone: 098-938-8239

Ryukyu Tribes

Last week on a drive up north to "see what we could see", my friend and I spotted Ryukyu Tribes – with this artistically refined pig:  
I am no longer fazed at seeing pigs in Okinawa: from the Puma sneaker brand styled Shisa shirts to the real skinned pig’s face (snout included) for sale in the refrigerated section at the Pineapple Park, it is clear – Okinawans seem mildly obsessed with swine.  Fortunately, the pig painted on the side of Ryukyu Tribes is cute and a sign of only pleasant things to see inside.  
When we asked owner and designer Akihiro Kambayashi what was his inspiration for the shop which opened one year ago, he chuckled and said “No idea”.  One thing is clear; however, his printed shirts, sweats and jackets are uniquely Okinawan.   
Akihiro also designed the building.  While the exterior is sharp-lined and modern, the plank floors and spiral staircase inside give it a rustic, cabin-like feel.   
Beyond clothing, there are bags, gift “sushi” sets, handmade jewelry and key chains created by other artists.  Prices on gift items started around 300 yen, while t-shirts were 1500 yen and up.  Sizes for children, men and women.

Location: Highway 58 in Onna Village – between Seragaki and Miyuki Beaches
Telephone: 098-966-1665
Website: ryukyutribes.com (Japanese)
Hours: Daily 1100 – 2000
Directions: From Kadena, head north on Highway 58 towards Onna Village. Continue past Manzamo and Manza beaches.  Watch for the light and signs for Seragaki Beach and follow this road around a long curve.  Ryukyu Tribes is the first building on the left around the curve.  Coming from the south, the building looks like the picture below. There is a realty office just past Ryukyu Tribes.  If you see a large red Torii gate on the left (it's a restaurant), you've gone too far.

Kyoko Art Gallery

Next time you head to Shuri Castle, why not take a short detour and drop in Kyoko Art Gallery?

Kyoko Nakamoto is an Okinawan artist who has featured her work locally, in mainland Japan, and internationally in such places as New York City and Los Angeles. Her tiny gallery in the Shuri castle vicinity displays some of her paintings, drawings, and prints. 

I was first introduced to her work last year at a Marine Spouse function when a friend won a print from one of Kyoko's collections as a door prize. Curious about the artist and interested in seeing more for myself, I sought out her art gallery in Naha, and I have since purchased of few of her pieces for myself. 

You also may have seen her distinctive art around Okinawa. She creates extremely detailed depictions of children (or rather small people) enjoying themselves, participating in Okinawan past times. Scenes include cherry blossom viewing, watching dragon boat races, Eisa dancing, attending fireworks festivals, and many others. I love how her art reflects all the things we see around us every day that we live here.

On the occasion that I visited her small gallery, I was lucky enough to meet her and chat with her about her inspirations as well as some of her favorite creations. After telling me about the cultural sentiments behind several of them, I chose a print that shows an Okinawan soba shop in all its glory, noodle slurping and small chili peppers and all. Kyoko explained the significance of soba to locals and even pointed out some of the details in the painting that I hadn't even noticed for myself. Overall, it was so enjoyable meeting her and she even signed my print. 

If you are an avid art collector or just someone looking to browse, I recommend visiting her gallery and taking a look. You just might recognize one of your Okinawan island experiences reflected in her art. Her fine art prints range in price from 3,000 to 6,000 yen. Of course her actual paintings are quite expensive, so I did not even price those. She also sells ceramic plates and mugs featuring her scenes. You can view other examples of Kyoko's art on her website here.

The gallery is open Tues through Sunday from 11:00 to 7:00 om, though she does close every fourth Sat and Sunday of the month. It is located in Naha down a narrow side road near Shuri Castle. Directions and a map are provided on her English website. Parking is also available in front of her gallery.  

If you don't want to make a day outing to the Shuri Castle area, you're in luck. Just in time for for the holidays, Kyoko is presenting her work at the Marine Gift Shop on Nov 12, 13, and 14.     

Asia Ichiba

Despite the warm breeze still calling me to the beach, the holiday season is once again approaching.  If you aren’t set on giving a gift uniquely Okinawan, consider Asia Ichiba.   
Ichiba means marketplace in Japanese, and Asia Ichiba carries a variety of imports from India, Thailand, and the Philippines.  I have often driven past this shop and wonder what it held, the bright yellow roof catching my eye.  The ground floor is a skate board clothing and accessory store, so head up the stairs to the second floor.    
Textiles, pillows, candles and holders, lamps, hand-beaded bags, jewelry, wood-carved animal figurines in sizes from miniature to life-sized, handbags, glassware, tea sets, ceramics, tiled mirrors and stationary fill the space and most of these items are truly unique and interesting.   
Spanning the back of the store are clothes - part used American sports jerseys and clothing, and part newly crafted and imported (primarily) from India.  I spotted these cute mother-daughter matching dresses, although depending on sizes it might be older sister-younger sister dresses.   
Nestled in front of the clothing is the large Second’s section where gifts, fabrics and household accessories are reduced to pretty phenomenal prices. 

Stairways on both edges of the store lead to a loft packed with solid wood furniture.  Compared to what I’ve seen at the base concessionaires and a few off-base markets, the furniture is very well priced.  
Asia Ichiba is an ideal shop to pick up some décor inspiration, find a housewarming gift or the perfect gift for your closest friend. 

Hours: Daily 1100 – 2000
Phone: 098-936-8100
Directions: Across 58 from Camp Foster, approximately 1.1 km north from Foster Gate 5 (Commissary gate). Ample parking in front and behind store. 
Payment: Yen and credit cards accepted.

Kokeshi, Sayonara Dolls and so much more!

In the Schilling Community Center you will find a hidden treasure of Kokeshi and sayonara dolls.  As you begin to appreciate the local culture and decide to start collecting items that will bring back fond memories of your time spent in Okinawa, the Kokeshi dolls should make it to the top of your list.  I did not embrace this idea the last time we were here and I regreted it.  So, as I was reminded recently, while saying goodbye to several of our Okinawa Hai editors, a sayonara doll is great to have early in your tour.  A sayonara doll is a Kokeshi doll with a scroll of paper used for sharing parting thoughts when you get ready to leave.  It's a very unique memory to take back to the states and one you will not regret!  Whether you buy one for yourself or wait to get one as a gift, having this little treasure early on allows you to have everyone who leaves before you sign it. 

   

I love the idea of giving these as a  Welcome-To-The-Island gift or a Just-Because-I-Like-You gift.  Sayonara dolls are mostly a western tradition created for foreigners as a momento to remind them of their island experience in the form of a traditional Japanese folk art.

The Okinawan Gift Ware Shop, located inside the Schilling Community Center, has an incredibly large selection of Kokeshi dolls.  This is not the only place to purchase these wooden memoirs but it seems to be the most comprehensive selection of them.  You will find a variety of sizes and colors ranging from $10. for a smaller doll and as high up as $220. for larger dolls made by a National Living Treasure. 

These dolls were first made in the northeastern province of Japan about 150 years ago.  It was a simple wooden toy for the children who belonged to the farming households in that area and became much more than that as the countryside developed culturally.

This store also carries a varity of obis, washi eggs, wedding kimonos, washi paper and kits.  When you purchase an obi in the store the cost, anywhere from $45.-$500., includes the tying fee.  But, if you already own an obi and need a place to have it tied, their tying fee runs between $20 and $25.  Plan on about 1 week for this service.

This shop is a great place to purchase washi paper for scrapbooking, cardmaking or to make your own washi paper items.  They sell washi paper kits that allow you to make a Gata shoe box, washi eggs or a picture frame.

  

My collection of Kokeshi dolls is growing rapidly thanks to the help of my gift-giving friends.  I also received my most recent Kokeshi doll when I won "Most Bunkos" at a wives' function.  I loved that our hostess created her bunko theme around this popular object of folk art that has continued until the present day.  I have received one Sayonara doll and 3 Kokeshis as gifts.  How many are in your collection and which one is your favorite?  My favorite is the doll I received at a luncheon with the USMC emblem on it - a great reminder that "Home is where the Marine Corps sends you!"

 

In the Shogun Inn there is a small, satellite store that mostly carries Kokeshi dolls and Shi Shi dogs.  They are open earlier than the Schilling store and they stay open later, for your convenience.  They are open Monday-Saturday from 8am until 8 pm and on Sunday they are open from 8am until 3pm.

Special Note:  This store takes Credit Cards, Yen and American dollars.  Your credit card will be charge in Yen.  Their telephone number is 098-959-1307.

Location:  Schilling Community Center on Kadena Air Base, near the Keystone Movie Theater.

Hours:  Monday-Saturday 10am to 7pm and on Sundays and holidays they are open from Noon until 6pm.

Another Note:  If you want to purchase a Kokeshi doll and contribute to charity, check out our military  gift shops here.

Groovy Glass

When I want to give an Okinawan gift to arts'n'crafts loving friends and family, there are two places that I always try to hit up: 

A) the pottery cooperative on highway 58 for what I think is the best selection of pottery on the island, and B) the open-air glass stand on highway 6 in Yomitan. The first place has already been written about, so let me share a bit about my fave glass place.

Well, here's the main reason I like it: The colors. Most of the here pieces are crafted in really soft and beautiful hues.   To me, it looks like the browns and blues and greens of sea glass.  They are just lovely.  I love that the shop is open-air, so that you can examine the pieces in the sunlight.

I also like that it's run by the glass blowers themselves.  My lack of Japanese kept me from asking the millions of questions I would have liked to have posed to the man who ran the shop, but from what I understood, their studio is up the hill near Zakimi Castle.  I did try to find out if I could get a custom made pitcher.  I think I am supposed to go to the studio to find the answer to that one.

Finally, I like that prices are reasonable. You can find several pretty plates and bowls for around 2000 yen. Although I don't drink anything that requires a swizzle stick, I really love these ones in the picture below.  About 1300 yen.  And although I don't need an ice bucket, I do covet the one at the top of the page.  Must find another use for it!

DIRECTIONS:

Head north on 58.  Pass Kadena Circle.  Pass the intersection for Rte 6 (Cape Zanpa).  At the intersection for Rte 12 (this is the same road you take to get to Yomitan Pottery Village), make a left.  Continue on 12 past the pottery village turnoff.  A little ways down on the right hand side you will see a bunch of tables outside covered with glass, with a tent over it.  Just pull in there.  (If you get to the Zakimi Castle turnoff, you've gone too far.)

Closed when it's raining.

Father's Day Shopping

  

This Marine is now retired and raised his own Marine who is now 21 and stationed at Camp Pendleton.

"A father is a guy who has snapshots in his wallet where his money used to be."  -Unknown

With Father's Day fast approaching I was thinking it would be fun to share ideas of what to buy or what to do for this year's upcoming celebration of the men in our lives.  Whether they raised you or father your children, this is a great time to give a gift that speaks of your love for them.  I've included some ideas I received from several of my friends and I'd love to hear what you have done in the past or what your plans are this year!

If you love to make gifts, then creating a family album is right up your alley.  My friend Kim is one of the most talented scrap bookers I know and makes fun and creative gifts for her family and friends.  With some planning, and the purchase of a few supplies, you can make this personalized gift for your spouse or father.  Kim started with a pre-made, chip-board album cut out to spell the word family.  These can be purchased on-line or at your favorite, local scrap booking store.  She decorated each "page/letter" with different papers, embellishments and photos.  She added fun word stickers to some of the pages to tell her story and created a great memory for her mom to enjoy for many years to come. 

Check out these sites to purchase your own family chipboard book:

http://www.chipboardalbums.com/servlet/StoreFront

http://www.shoptilyoucrop.com/servlet/the-CHIPBOARD-ALBUMS/Categories

http://creatingtreasures.blogspot.com/2008/11/working-with-chipboard-albums.html A blog that is somewhat of a tutorial, not a place to purchase.

http://www.croppinparadise.com/bunny-bunny-word-chipboard-albums-c-1846_1993.html

If you have little ones in your family who want to be involved in the gift-giving process then here is a family-oriented idea that won't cost you more than the price of paper, an envelope and a stamp. If you are not "crafty" and don't have the special scissors or paper that the family album requires you can still encourage your kids to make home-made cards for dad.  My sister-in-law has taken her kids art and folded it down to card size, written her child's name, age and the date on the "artsy" side of the card and wrote a greeting on the inside and mailed it to us.  I love getting hand-made items in the mail and this type of "gift" always makes it to the refrigerator gallery!

For some of us, the convenience of on-line purchasing makes shopping for Father's Day more enjoyable.  We want to accomplish the mission while still finding something fun to give.  I have always thought it would be great to purchse personalized postage stamps for myself and I have a friend who decided to do this for her mother for Mother's Day.  Check it out at:

http://www.usps.com/postagesolutions/customizedpostage.htm

Other on-line options:

www.snapfish.com for personalized photo gifts.  Great for displaying on their desks at work.

www.amazon.com for the book, music or movie-goers in your family.  One idea would be to purchase your father's favorite sitcom, old or new, on DVD.  Amazon has great prices on a lot of different items and you can apply for free prime shipping.

www.brookstone.com for digital photo frames or a pocket digital photo album.  I love this idea for the techno-savvy men in our lives or those who travel a lot.  My friend, Lacey, did the research on this one for me and found that Amazon carries the pocket digital photo album and it's at least $20 cheaper. 

If none of those ideas work for you my husband, Bill, has some great and very extravagant ideas for the hard-to-buy-for dad.  If money is no object or you have the means to purchase large, pricey items he would recommend a flat-screen TV, a new set of golf clubs or a Garmin. 

No matter what shopping route you take, have fun making or purchasing something that dad will enjoy for many years to come!  And remember, time is a precious gift and is never wasted on the ones you love!

 

Sachi's Japanese Antiques

Do you like to venture away from your base?  Is looking for something unique fun for you?  Then this gem of a shop, that sits up on a hill in Nago, is your kind of place.

Since this is my second tour here with my Marine, I have had the pleasure of watching this shop grow into a Japanese treasure that American's love to visit.  What's fun about Sachi's is you never know what you'll find - a new pottery piece that costs less than $20; a beautiful kimono for $100; a new pack of puppies running around the yard and possibly a new building. 

Several of the buildings on the property didn't even exist 8 years ago but they are a welcomed addition.There are at least 6 different buildings on the property and you are able to look into and shop from most of them.

There is even a small basement type area near the main building where you can find some bargains.  Their property is a great place to wander around, play with the puppies, find fun stuff to buy and take great photos!

 

My understanding is that all of Sachi's pieces, kimonos, obis, etc. come from mainland Japan and new additions are arriving often.  Sachi even leaves her little haven in the sky to bring her wares directly to us at Island Treasures - the Marine Gift Shop on Foster.  Though it's not as adventurous to drive to Foster, it is more convenient and the proceeds of the sales of all of our gift shops go to local charities. 

One of the newest additions to this favored shopping spot is the ability to make your own shisa.  You pay Y3,000 per person for a 2 hr. session or, if you have a group of 4 or more you only pay Y2,500 per person.  You do need to call ahead to make reservations.

Not only is this a great place to find something no one else has, it's also a really fun place to go with girlfriends on a day out.  I have also taken visiting relatives and it's always a hit.  It use to be our tradition to drive to Sachi's and then have lunch or dinner at Pizza In The Sky - also a hit with visitors from the states.  Nago has a lot to explore so bring your camera, lots of yen and your appetite for shopping!

Special Note:  This store takes Yen.

Location: Nago

Hours:  Monday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.  Hours may vary, so please call ahead.  Sachi can be reached at 098-5473-5557.

Directions:  Take the expressway North towards Nago until it ends - exit 10.  Follow 58 until you reach 84 and make a left.  You will pass the Pineapple Park and keeping driving for at least 10 minutes.  Make a right onto route 115 and follow as it winds up the hill.  You will eventually see a small sign for Sachi's - follow until you have arrived at the bottom of their property.  Their driveway is awkward and slightly sttep but very doable.  Take the driveway to the top and park in the dirt parking area.  Allow yourself at least an hour from exit 5.    

Green Tea Shop & Cafe

A few weeks back the fam went up to the Aquarium for the day. Unfortunately, that day was a Tuesday which meant that my craving for Pizza in the Sky was doomed to failure (raise your hand if you've ever driven up there and THEN realized it's closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays).  So, I went with plan B and tried another Nago-area restaurant recommended here on Oki Hai. Closed.  And then another.  Couldn't find.  By this point the natives (meaning ME) were getting restless and frustrated (again, ME).  I hate it when "the plan" doesn't come together (name that 80s show!).

So out of frustration, I pulled into the closest thing that looked interesting and happened to say something out front about pizza -- it's called Green Tea.  You may have spotted it, or its big corner sign, just after passing the Pineapple Park on your way over to the Aquarium.  

Our entourage walked in (grandmother, teenager, 2 toddlers, mom & dad) and their first gold star came when they didn't cringe!  Because it turns out that the ground floor of Green Tea is actually a DELIGHTFUL shop filled with the most marvelous goodies.  One of those places that you could browse and just be tickled with the options, or you could spend millions of yen.  It struck me as the perfect place for gift buying.  But possibly not the greatest place for two toddlers to wander freely!

There are lots of handmade fabric items:  purses, book covers, wallets, etc. Lots of beautiful fabric for gift wrapping (furoshiki).  And then a bunch of handmade jewelry, as well as jars and jars full of all the beads and clasps and doo-dads needed to make your own jewelry (see pix on website).  There seemed to be other cool items tucked into every corner and available table space -- many quirky, one-of-a-kind sort of things.  But I couldn't wander for long, because the natives (ME) were hungry!

So we went up the stairs to the cafe.  There was no English menu, but the pictures of the pizza looked great so we pointed and smiled.  There were some children's books for my kids to page through and some really fun wooden puzzles for them to play with or throw onto the floor as the spirit moved. There weren't any high chairs, but I really appreciated the toys to keep them busy while we waited.  

The pizza arrived and it was AWESOME.  A thin, thin, crispy crust -- topped with broccoli, potato, green pepper, tomato, eggplant, egg, ham, basil and a yummy cheese.  Now granted, the natives were famished, but it was good.  

There were also a number of yummy cakes on display, including one that he called "pumpkin" (I later asked if it was kabocha and he said yes).  YUM.  On the counter sat large jars of various teas and there were a lot of coffee drinks on the menu as well.  

So, if you're up north and hungry or in need of cute shopping, I'd highly recommend stopping by Green Tea and checking out their goodies!

Hours:  Closed Mondays.  Shop - 11am-7pm, Cafe 11am-5:30pm.

Website:  http://greentea.pupu.jp/

Directions:  Head up to Nago, turn left on the 84 like going to the aquarium. At the 4th light (across from Lawson's and past the Pineapple park) turn left and it's there immediately on your right.