Japanese stationery trend reports - wedding stationery

The myth of "June bride" also has a magic power here in Japan.
Many brides want to have their weddings in June.
(The most popular wedding season is autumn, but spring is still popular.)

In our store area, Omotesando, there are some famous places for weddings, so we could see
many people (guests) for the weddings on the main street in June.

Now, many customers visit our Tokyo store to look for their wedding stationery for autumn weddings.
This time, let me introduce a little bit about the trends of wedding stationery in Japan.

As I wrote about the culture of "kamon" last time, every Japanese has their own family crest.
Recently, many couples use their family crests in their wedding stationery.

These are images of "kamon" wedding stationery.


(front -wedding invitation, back - reception program)

As you can see, there are two types of kamons on the cover, usually the right side is
groom's and left side is bride's.

One of the most popular printing/processing methods is letterpress (right one of the picture below) as well as Western trends. Also, foil stamping (center) and blind embossing (left) are popular.




Although most brides wear wedding dresses, almost of them also wear Japanese kimono.
I'm glad most Japanese women still love the beauty of traditional Japanese kimono. (I am crazy about the culture!)

I will write more about kimono next time.

Have a nice weekend!

Rumi, from Tokyo

Japanese family crest, "kamon"

Hi everyone!
Although it's a rainy season here in Japan, it's a sunny day today. (Yes!)

Have you ever heard of Japanese family crest?
It is called, "kamon" in Japanese. ("ka" means family, and "mon" means crest)
Every Japanese family has their own kamon, and it is said that there are more than 5,000 kamons in Japan.
The most popular kamon motifs depict plants, animals, insects, and tools.
Since I am not a kamon expert, if you are interested in its story and history,
please check Wiki!

Of course, I have one! My family's kamon is "tachibana," it's a kind of flower.
At first, I thoutht my ancestors were farmers or something?? haha!
In fact, my kamon is very common, and its origin is coming from a famous clan of samurai class,Tachibana family.

Many samurai class people had plants related kamons.
For example, the famous Shogun family, Tokugawa clan has a flower crest, called “aoi,” which is a holly hock flower.
Since we love the elegant design, we produced aoi card in our series 510.
Yes, we were inspired by the Shogun family kamon.




By the way, it was a coincidence that my colleague Maki’s and my kamons were the same, "tachibana". Amazing!

Our kamons are not so bad, right? :)
We made seals with the tachibana crest.



Rumi from Tokyo

Workshop in Osaka

Konnichiwa, world. It's Maki from Osaka, Japan.

Our store display in Osaka has changed. I love it!
I hope you love it, too.



Now, it’s a rainy season here in Japan.
Since we have humid and gloomy weather recently, it may be better to chill out at home.
Well, I guess it’s a lovely season to write a letter to someone, though. (That's a good idea!)

We will have a workshop on June 28th at Osaka store.
The theme is “personalized envelope.”
Participants can choose the paper type, ink color and the motif from our wide variety of design selections.
After that, I (as a product developer :) will coordinate and finish the designs for each envelope.
We print the patterns, and die cut into the envelope shape, which we call "diamond shape" as shown in the picture.

There are two ways to make your special envelope more creative. It looks different when you fold the motif pattern's side into inside or to outside. (like the image of the photo below)
Both ways look so fabulous.



By the way, the shape of the envelope without folding looks like a unique flat fish, "ray".
Don't you think so?
As I like its lovely shape, I decollated the "ray" envelopes at my room.

I look forward to the workshop.
Does anyone live in Osaka City??

Maki

National Stationery Show in NYC

It was so exciting to see a lot of adorable cards at the show.
I love the 2009 version of the show logo. It's an envelope shape!



It was very interesting that most (well, let's say over 90%) of greeting cards were letter pressed.
Letter press is a very popular printing method in the US.

At the show, I personally felt that the key words of the trends in the US market are "green", "nature" and "fun".

I could find so many creative words in the company concepts using "Eco" such as "Eco-luxu", "Eco-chic"as well as "Eco-friendly" which is now one of very famous green words.
Yes, I agree with their thoughts.
We need "Eco" plus something fun or creative!

As for designs, I thought there were many nature related designs with pretty colors.
I could find some stylish but so funny message cards, which make me laugh!
Because of recession? American people need some fun jokes. Hmm...same as Japan.

By the way, the Exhibition center, Javits Center is located on the corner of West 34th street and 11th Avenue, and it is not so convenient from the main areas in Manhattan.
I bet most foreign visitors feel so.
Especially, when you go back to your hotel by taxi, I do recommend not to wait at the taxi stand,
or, you have to wait for a loooooong time. It is better to walk a few blocks to the downtown area,
and you can find a taxi.




Anyway, I look forward to visiting NYC again!

Rumi, from Tokyo