SHOGATSU Rules?

SHOGATSU is New Years day.
It is a big holiday in Japan, and we usually spend time with our family at home, or visit shrines for HATSUMODE.
There are many unspoken rules, or traditions related to SHOGATSU.

The ones I like are the OTOSO and OSECHI.

OTOSO is Sake spiced with herbs that we only drink for New Years day.

There are three cups with different size, and we pass it around the family members. Usually, Japanese customs tell us to respect the elders, but in case of OTOSO, the younger one gets to drink first. This is so that the older people can regain youth by drinking after the young ones.

OSECHI is a Bento prepared especially for New Years.

We usually have a similar set of menu each with a meaning, like shrimp (for a long life) and sweet black beans (to be diligent). Of course details vary according to region and family. We are supposed to eat OSECHI for three days. This is to let housewives rest after the busy cleaning and preparing for New Years.

The URUSHI dishes and bento boxes are beautiful, and many families pass it on for generations. These customs reminds us of how we are "kept alive" by many other species and nature. Partying is nice too, but try out this Japanese-style New Years too!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu.
(Meaning "Happy new year" in Japanese)

Wishing that 2009 will be a fabulous year for all of us.

Made from Leftover Leather

This company is making really cute stationary goods with left-over or sample leather. I bought this tissue case at Eco-Products Exhibition. Cheep and fashionable, and what I like most is the fact that there are only a few same products out in the market. All products are designed in a

【Biz Seed】CLIONE Adjuster Hook

SOKEN Inc.
A Small Curtain Hook, Your Big Hero for Temperature Adjustment



The mood and temperature of your room will both change dramatically according to the length of your curtain. This curtain hook allows you to change your curtain length easily between seasons from the following three aspects.

1.Energy Conservation with Curtains
The windows are a major surface where heat income and outcome, and curtains will play a big role in heat insulation. CLIONE Adjuster Hook enables you to adjust the curtain length according to season and temperature. Keeping the curtain at a proper length will lead to energy conservation.

2.Small Techniques to Keep Beautiful Shape
Curtains are important factors of interior. The small head of CLIONE Adjuster Hook is a secret technique to maintain the volume of curtain drapes. As is a small device, it will have a big effect on your interior as shown in the picture.

3.Small is Beautiful
Curtains play a significant role not only as an interior factor but to intercept heat, light and noise, bringing comfort to your indoor environment. By using this small resource-saving and functional curtain hook, get along with –as we say instead of “utilize” in Japanese”- your curtains.



【Seeking】
1. Foreign entrepreneurs interested in marketing CLIONE Adjuster Hooks in their home own country 2. Interior shop owners looking for new product lineups
In spring 2009, product will be placed in market in Japan. Expect foreign purchasers to start import CLIONE at same timing to their home market. Business terms and conditions shall be discussed. Contact Ecotwaza for inquiry in English.


TEL 03-3667-7431
FAX 03-3667-3814
URL http://www.marutaka-kk.co.jp/
Email headoffi ce@marutaka-kk.co.jp

【Biz Seed】UMEZUMI Crepe Paper

Sanyo Paper Co., Ltd.
Paper that Acts as Natural Deodorant and Humidity Regulator




Charcoal is known for its high effect on deodorizing and humidity conditioning. A paper company utilized local industrial waste for charcoal material and implemented the superior quality into the form of crepe paper from the following three aspects.


1.“Waste for Food” Charcoal Ingredients
UMEZUMI crepe paper is made entirely from pulp, water and charcoal. In order to obtain the charcoal, seeds of Japanese apricots grown in Wakayama Prefecture, previously disposed as industrial waste, undergo the process of carbonization in traditional Bincho charcoal production furnaces. Charcoal attains many favorable traits, which ultimately becomes UMEZUMI crepe paper’s unique characteristics.

2.High Quality Crepe Paper
The above diagram is a comparison of fractional concentration between containers with and without UMEZUMI.UMEZUMI crepe paper has distinctive performance whether in absorbing harmful substances, deodorizing, or controlling humidity. Moreover, being both formidably shock-absorbent and ready to cut like ordinary paper, UMEZUMI crepe paper can act as either deodorant, shoebox lining, food package and even as back fabric for curtains.

3.Concentrating the Technology of Sanyo Paper
Unlike mainstream paper manufacturing using starch or resin to stabilize the paper’s composition, Sanyo Paper employs a new technology that relies on virtually neither of them. This results in relatively higher residual rate of the raw materials according to the comparison conducted by Sanyo Paper, and enables production of paper maximizing the virtue of raw material.


【Seeking】
1. Overseas sales agent and marketing planner 2. Shops, companies and conferences interested in using UMEZUMI products as promoting goods or gift goods. Business terms and conditions to be discussed.

TEL 06-6357-7209
FAX 06-6357-7749
URL http://www.sanyo-paper.co.jp
Email crepe@sanyo-paper.co.jp

【Biz Seed】Eco-friendly Plaster Wall Material SUISHI

Paper Works Inc.
Soft Colored Plaster Wall Material, Born from Recycled Milk Cartons



SUISHI is made of recycled milk carton in partnership with people with disabilities. Reserve the forest and help disabilities be independent using this beautiful wall material from the following three aspects.

1.A Traditional Soft Color Variation
Developed by a former professional potter Mr. Matsuzaki, the coloring of SUISHI is done using natural ingredients such as traditional Bengara (red oxide) and soil. You can enjoy a full lineup of 14 color variations, with soft texture apparently different from synthetic pigment. Dark and light coloring can be selected (100kg, 5 boxes~).

2.No VOC, Strong Staying Power
SUISHI is 100% made of natural ingredients, containing no volatile organic compound which is the cause of sick house syndrome. It has high effect on moisture absorption and deodorization, creating a comfortable indoor atmosphere. Using methylcellulose as binder it is easy to apply, and using earth for coloring it has high durability against sunburn.

3.Reserve Forests by Using Recycled Pulp
SUISHI is using 100% recycled pulp taken from milk cartons by hand as ingredients, contributing to the reservation of forests and will ultimately prevent further environmental destruction. SUISHI wall plaster material will be strong to stay with minimum cracks due to the rich fiber of pulp.


【Seeking】
1. Entrepreneurs interested in starting up a similar social business model in own overseas community 2. Entrepreneurs interested in marketing SUISHI in your own country 　3. Architects who want to use SUISHI for buildings Business terms and conditions to be discussed, including a possibility for franchising. Contact Ecotwaza for inquiry in English.


TEL 0944-54-5446
FAX 0944-54-5446
URL http://www.e-paperworks.com/
Email paper-works@krb.biglobe.ne.jp

【Biz Seed】KEISO-KUN

One Will Co., ltd.
Create a Comfortable Indoor Environment with Breathing Walls



This diatom earth-based wall material will control humidity, absorb and discompose harmful substances in your room from the following three aspects.

1.A Breathing Wall
Diatom earth, the main component of KEISOKUN, is a traditional Japanese material very suitable for humidity and hazard absorption through its sponge-like holes. Instead of ordinary synthetic resin, lime paste is successfully used as starch without interrupting its spongy nature. Implementing diatom earth’s unique qualities, KEISO-KUN creates a wall that actually respires, acts as an air conditioner, and contributes to energy conservation.

2.Humidity Control Experiment
The above diagram shows humidity absorption and desorption rates of a wall furnished with KEISO-KUN and one with different wall paint. The experiment compares the two walls by repeating dry and humid conditions. You can see how KEISO-KUN absorbs approximately twice as much as others on market, and also desorb when atmosphere is dry. More effective humidity conditioning means better protection from condensation, mould and ticks.

3.Anti Sick House Syndrome
It would be pointless to let the hazards once absorbed be re-emitted. Thus, KEISO-KUN utilizes amide-imides, developed in cooperation with Kanagawa Industrial Technology Center, to decompose such particles as formaldehyde, which causes undesirable smell and sick house syndrome. This is why KEISO-KUN is widely adopted in private residence, hotels and medical and welfare institutions.


【Seeking】
1.　Foreign entrepreneurs interested in marketing KEISO-KUN in their home country 2. Construction and environment consultants who want to utilize KEISOKUN ʼs super power function in their design proposal Humidity control experiment data is available through inquiry. Business terms and conditions shall be discussed. Contact Ecotwaza for inquiry in English.

TEL 0467-43-1415
FAX 0467-48-5621
URL http://www.onewill.co.jp/
Email info@onewill.co.jp