From Japan, to your heart

Ichinose Imoco, Washi Takaya
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From Japan, I share small and quiet cultural stories often missed in guidebooks. Washi paper, handwritten letters, and the subtle emotions hidden inside Japanese culture. This podcast is not only about information. It is about atmosphere, texture, and human connection. Through simple English and personal stories, I hope to create a small doorway into Japan. I also introduce cultural places and experiences that overseas visitors can enjoy in Japan. [Etsy Shop] https://letterwriterfmjapan.etsy.com [Instagram] https://www.instagram.com/washi_takaya/ [note] https://note.com/washi_takaya

Episodes

  1. Sep 18

    Episode4-3 Collaborating with artists to create something new

    This story continues from the previous episode.Ayumi-san realized that theater could express the emotions and feelings of people involved in making washi. One particular comment made her see this possibility. Through research with artists, she began to feel something very strongly herself. And as she continued working with artists year after year, new directions for their activities began to emerge. In this episode, we explore how collaborating with artists has helped Washi+ expand its activities. -------------------------- 【In my Etsy shop, I sell cards featuring traces of plants.】 ⁠⁠⁠https://letterwriterfmjapan.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠ 【Instagram】 ⁠⁠⁠https://share.google/8UYioezvZdLJrPr6a⁠⁠⁠ -------------------------- Free BGM track '優しく、揺れる…'by Sachiko Kamaboko / DOVA-SYNDROME

  2. Sep 17

    Episode4-2　How theater and washi came together?

    This story continues from the previous episode. On the Peace Boat, Ayumi-san explored different ways to communicate the horrors of war. Through that experience, she discovered how a particular form of expression could reach people’s hearts. And she came to see the possibilities of expressing even washi through theater. In this episode, we hear about an experience that became one of the roots of Ayumi-san’s approach to expression. -------------------------- 【In my Etsy shop, I sell cards featuring traces of plants.】 ⁠⁠https://letterwriterfmjapan.etsy.com⁠⁠ 【Instagram】 ⁠⁠https://share.google/8UYioezvZdLJrPr6a⁠⁠ -------------------------- Free BGM track ‘Shiney seaside’ and '優しく、揺れる…'by Sachiko Kamaboko / DOVA-SYNDROME

  3. Sep 9

    Episode4-1　Washi+ — Why Create Theater Around Traditional Japanese Paper?

    This episode introduces Hamada Ayumi-san , one of the people behind Washi+. Why did she start creating theater around washi? Growing up in Kochi, Ayumi-san saw changes taking place in the community where she was born and raised. I asked her what she felt, and what inspired her to continue her work. -------------------------- 【In my Etsy shop, I sell cards featuring traces of plants.】 ⁠https://letterwriterfmjapan.etsy.com⁠ 【Instagram】 ⁠https://share.google/8UYioezvZdLJrPr6a⁠ -------------------------- Free BGM track ‘Shiney seaside’ and '優しく、揺れる…'by Sachiko Kamaboko / DOVA-SYNDROME

  4. Sep 4

    Episode3 ― A love letter from the past

    A letter can hold more than just words. In this episode, I talk about a letter I received as a child, and why I still keep almost every letter and little note I’ve received over the years. Sometimes, a letter brings back not only the words, but the memories and feelings surrounding them. What memories do your letters hold? -------------------------- 【In my Etsy shop, I sell cards featuring traces of plants.】 https://letterwriterfmjapan.etsy.com 【Instagram】 https://share.google/8UYioezvZdLJrPr6a -------------------------- Free BGM track ‘Dark blue night’ by Sachiko Kamaboko / DOVA-SYNDROME

  5. Jul 14

    Episode 2-Part 3 The Meaning I Found Years Later

    Sometimes, we don't fully understand a gift until many years later. In this final part, I share how one quiet moment in Washington became part of my journey with washi. -------------------------- 【Esty】 https://letterwriterfmjapan.etsy.com 【Instagram】 https://share.google/8UYioezvZdLJrPr6a -------------------------- Free BGM track ‘Dark blue night’ by Sachiko Kamaboko / DOVA-SYNDROME

  6. Jul 8

    Episode2-Part2　A Gift of Washi from an elderly conservator

    On my last day in Washington, D.C., I received an unexpected gift from an elderly conservator. It was a traditional washi letter set. As he placed it in my hands, he quietly explained why he gives it to the people he meets. At the time, I didn't think much about his words. But they stayed with me for many years. In this episode,I share the story of how I first encountered washi, in three small parts. -------------------------- 【Esty】 https://letterwriterfmjapan.etsy.com 【Instagram】 https://share.google/8UYioezvZdLJrPr6a -------------------------- Free BGM track ‘Dark blue night’ by Sachiko Kamaboko / DOVA-SYNDROME

  7. Jun 26

    Episode2-Part1 　How I First Encountered Washi

    Sometimes,a single encounter stays with usfor many years. When I was a graduate student,I met a cultural heritage conservatorwho gave me a small giftand words I would only understand much later. In this episode,I share the story of how I first encountered washi,in three small parts. -------------------------- 【Esty】 https://letterwriterfmjapan.etsy.com 【Instagram】 https://share.google/8UYioezvZdLJrPr6a -------------------------- Free BGM track ‘Dark blue night’ by Sachiko Kamaboko / DOVA-SYNDROME

  8. Jun 11

    Episode1 -part3　Why I Still Write Letters in Japan

    The things I hold dear in my life. My intuition, and the quiet habit of writing letters. The reason I write letters. It stems from the warm memories I share with my grandfather. In this episode, I talk about why these things matter to me in three small parts. -------------------------- 【Esty】 https://letterwriterfmjapan.etsy.com 【Instagram】 https://share.google/8UYioezvZdLJrPr6a -------------------------- Free BGM track ‘Dark blue night’ by Sachiko Kamaboko / DOVA-SYNDROME

  9. May 29

    Episode1 -part2　Why I Still Write Letters in Japan

    The things I hold dear in my life. My intuition, and the quiet habit of writing letters. The reason I write letters. It stems from the warm memories I share with my grandfather. In this episode, I talk about why these things matter to me in three small parts. -------------------------- Free BGM track ‘Dark blue night’ by Sachiko Kamaboko / DOVA-SYNDROME

  10. May 26

    Episode1 -part1　Why I Still Write Letters in Japan

    The things I hold dear in my life. My intuition, and the quiet habit of writing letters. In this episode, I talk about why these things matter to me in three small parts. -------------------------- Free BGM track ‘Dark blue night’ by Sachiko Kamaboko / DOVA-SYNDROME

  • 10 Episodes

About

From Japan, I share small and quiet cultural stories often missed in guidebooks. Washi paper, handwritten letters, and the subtle emotions hidden inside Japanese culture. This podcast is not only about information. It is about atmosphere, texture, and human connection. Through simple English and personal stories, I hope to create a small doorway into Japan. I also introduce cultural places and experiences that overseas visitors can enjoy in Japan. [Etsy Shop] https://letterwriterfmjapan.etsy.com [Instagram] https://www.instagram.com/washi_takaya/ [note] https://note.com/washi_takaya

Information

  • Creator
    Ichinose Imoco, Washi Takaya
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ichinose Imoco, Washi Takaya
  • Show Website
    From Japan, to your heart