I am one of those people who often used to write letters or postcards to acquaintances, but I switched to digital a long time ago.
But Kyukyodo inspired me to write year-end postcards again.
I recently studied in Kyoto and now visit Kyoto from time to time, so I rarely buy souvenirs like new-comers to Japan do. Still, I remember entering some place in Ginza, Tokyo and buying cards, postcards, pens which looked special when I was 20 years old. I didn’t even know the name of the store then. And from then on I visit there from time to time when I am in Tokyo and have fun browsing through the stationery products, especially cards postcards stationary papers, on display in the building which looks as tall as having a height of ten stories.
And a spacious stationery store, Kyukyodo, met my eye in Kyoto and I started going there too. The first Kyukyodo I went was in Tokyo, and I later found out that Kyukyodo in Kyoto, which opened in 1663, was the head store. There are a lot of historical stores or companies that have their head stores are in Kyoto, the old capital, and their branch stores in Tokyo. It’s because Kyoto was the capital of Japan for 1100 years and Tokyo became its capital only 150 years ago.
After hearing that Kyukyodo’s core principle is ‘protecting and nurturing the Japanese traditional culture,’ I see them as a valuable place which tries to pass down its 350 year tradition to future generations.
Kyukyodo is right in front of Honnouji, a famous temple on Teramachi street in Kyoto. I take a step inside Kyukyodo and it smells like paper and ink. Newly published calendars postcards of new designs every season are all classy. As is the case with Japanese products, some look Japanese at a glance, others look western (as the Japanese have studied Western civilization from 150 years ago), yet most of the products have their own unique taste.
They have a variety of brushes, and inkstones, ink sticks, ink-water stones, incense, calligraphy kit, ink-and-wash paintings all come in different patterns and unique designs.
In the fall, they sell postcards of year end designs, and postcards with pictures of next year’s ganzhi animal. I often buy those postcards and letter papers and send a letter with a line from a short poem. I feel satisfied whenever I leave the store with prettily wrapped purchase.
I remember having a look at Christmas cards on display in Gwanghwamun Gate Street on my way home when I was very young. The cards were being advertised as made in the USA. Now, the year-end and New Year’s cards that are sent to me are all dry with just company seals without even a word of affectionate greeting. Is it because they don’t have pretty designs anymore or is it just to save cost? I guess personal things and designs now belong to the Internet. It’s a dry life.
Yet in Japan where many parts of tradition are preserved, Kyukyodo with its long history is packed with people even though hand written letters have gone out of fad nowadays.
It’s impossible not to buy anything even though no one pressures me to buy and those who did buy things will think of the loved ones and send postcards with affectionate words.
Kyukyodo with its 350 year history would make the world a less dry place.
