Takuo Matsuzawa

October

October

Morioka

A Beautiful Morning in Morioka

This is also a wonderful place where you can truly feel the history of Hiraizumi!

Yes, in fact many place names have fascinating origins in local folktales and legends.
There is even a place called Onishigai, which literally means “the corpse of an ogre.”
Please do come and visit Iwate😊

It’s true, these rocks are not widely known😅

Mitsuishi and the Demon's Hand Prints

That such a piece of folklore became the origin of a place name is quite characteristic of this region, where many folktales and legends have been passed down.

The giant rocks

The giant rocks that gave rise to the place name Iwate (“iwa” meaning rock, “te” meaning hand).
In the past, it bore an indentation said to resemble an ogre’s handprint, but it can no longer be seen today.

iPhone case

iPhone case

iPhone case

We sell iPhone cases in our online shop that are actually flat but designed to look uneven, like real maki-e work.
matsuzawaurushi.stores.jp/items/6646f7...

Makie Fountain pen

Makie Fountain pen

I think the Preppy is an excellent fountain pen—easy to write with and wonderfully accessible!

a maki-e fountain pen

a maki-e fountain pen

We are currently working on a maki-e fountain pen.
It is about 70% complete at this stage, but the final colors will be different from what you see now.

I only noticed the feather after I posted it😅

The “Yellow Feather” in Japan is a small feather badge given to people who contribute to traffic safety or crime-prevention fundraising. Wearing it shows support for community safety activities.

The head of the Iwate Prefectural Police wore an urushi lacquered nameplate made at our workshop

The head of the Iwate Prefectural Police wore an urushi lacquered nameplate made at our workshop

The head of the Iwate Prefectural Police wore an urushi lacquered nameplate made at our workshop during a press conference. I’m delighted😊
www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/moriok...

Makie Fountain pen

Makie Fountain pen

A red and white Staedtler mechanical pencil

A red and white Staedtler mechanical pencil

A red and white Staedtler mechanical pencil

A red and white Staedtler mechanical pencil. The white one is beautiful too.

Sometimes these expressions carry a nuance of leaving the possibility of revival open.

Japanese music artists often use unique expressions when they suspend or end their activities. This time, Perfume chose the term “cold sleep.” My favorite YMO used the word “sankai” (literally, “dispersal”). The term “frozen” (tōketsu) is also frequently used.

Mt. Iwate from the Iwate Museum of Art

Mt. Iwate from the Iwate Museum of Art

Perfume Exhibition

Perfume Exhibition

Perfume Exhibition

There’s an exhibition of Perfume’s stage costumes at the Iwate Museum of Art, and today’s the last day. The YMO-inspired outfits really stood out. Since the group announced they’ll be pausing activities by the end of the year, the venue was packed.
#Perfume

Hermès Mug with Kintsugi

Hermès Mug with Kintsugi

Hermès Mug with Kintsugi

A red and white Staedtler mechanical pencil

A red and white Staedtler mechanical pencil

A red and white Staedtler mechanical pencil

A red and white Staedtler mechanical pencil. The white one is beautiful too.

We use many other colors besides gold. Silver tones such as silver and tin are also common.
It is also possible to finish with colored urushi.

Hermès Mug with Kintsugi

Hermès Mug with Kintsugi

Hermès Mug with Kintsugi

Kokuho

Hit Kabuki film 'Kokuho' nears Japanese live-action record | The Asahi Shimbun Asia & Japan Watch www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...

YouTube video by Samuel Naldi What’s better: Porcelain or Maki-e?

A maki-e fountain pen crafted by our workshop was featured on YouTube.
youtu.be/mlfxX6JmuR0?...

Onigiri are still evolving. Convenience stores are competing with new fillings, tastier rice, and even premium high-priced specialty onigiri. It’s wonderful that Japanese snacks have become so easy to enjoy!

I think it’s fine that sushi comes in many different forms since food culture can’t really be stopped from spreading. But I do hope that Japan’s traditional sushi will continue to be preserved😊

Sushi Is Bigger Than Ever in America. There’s One Main Reason.

When I went to the US, I was shocked by how many kinds of sushi I saw that you’d never find in Japan. It feels like sushi has become its own thing there🙂

Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/d...

A special fountain pen originally created in the 1930s, featuring designs inspired by the “Chōjū-giga” caricature scrolls and traditional tanka poetry, faithfully revived.

Chōjū-giga

A special fountain pen originally created in the 1930s, featuring designs inspired by the “Chōjū-giga” caricature scrolls and traditional tanka poetry, faithfully revived.