Crafting in Japanese

First off, I do not speak Japanese. However, that has not prevented me from acquiring a growing Japanese craft book collection. To keep this addiction in check I try to limit myself to two trips a year to Kinokuniya a Japanese book store on 6th Avenue and 40th Street. Descend into their basement level and you will find an extensive collection of craft books for all kinds of disciplines. Interested in sewing a smart little chapeau? There's a book for that. Want to needle felt a zoo of critters? There's a book for that, as well as shelves of sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, jewelry and paper craft books. These are some of my recent finds:

I had to get this embroidery book because of a serious fascination with the creepy crawly.

ISBN 978-4-86191-352-5

 And how can you resist all these pretty flowers?

ISBN 978-4-391-13164-2

So far, I've found that most books have very detailed diagrams making it possible to figure out how to make something without having to read the instructions. In addition, there are several resources to help you along.

Finding the Books

Craftlog has a detailed list of online sources for Japanese books and a list of books by ISBN number. Sweet Sassafras also provided a post on how to buy books. Especially helpful is her link to the Inspiring Images From Craft Books Flickr Pool allowing you to virtually browse the books and identify them by ISBN number.

Language

Sometimes a picture is not worth a thousand words. For those instances when you really need a translation, Felt Cafe Japan has assembled a glossary of Japanese sewing, knitting, crocheting, and beading terms.

Now that I've shared my craft book affliction, what kind of craft books do you like and where do you find them?

Simone
groundsel.etsy.com

Happy New Year: Japanese-American Potato Salad Recipe

All over Asia, New Year's is the family holiday of the year, and Japan is no exception. Back in the old country, people sit around on New Year's Day reading their enormous stacks of New Year's cards and eating Osechi, but we've gotten a little more casual this side of the pond. (A friend of mine calls it the "hang-over party.") The main traditions we've saved at my household are spending a whole day eating delicious food enjoying the company of family and close friends.

Try this Japanese-American twist on good old potato salad!




Japanese-American Potato Salad
(serves a crowd)

5lbs of Russet Potatoes, peeled and in large dice
8 hard boiled eggs, shelled and in large dice
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 carrot, roughly grated
2 Tbsp. dried baby shrimp
2 cups mayonnaise (more or less depending on your taste)
Salt and Pepper

Boil potatoes in lightly salted water until tender, but firm. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, eggs, peas, and carrot. If necessary, mince baby shrimp finely (you shouldn't be able to see them once incorporated into the salad), sprinkle over salad and combine. Add mayonnaise until it reaches the consistency you like, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. This salad tastes best if left in the refrigerator overnight to let flavors combine.

You might tuck this recipe away until the Lunar New Year, it's never failed on Chinese New Year's either!

~Kari
http://ikyoto.etsy.com