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2007: dec.06 /nov.22/oct.31/oct.15/aug.24/jun.07/apr.08/feb.17/ 2006/ 2005/ 2004
we usually send out newsletter (shown below) monthly. If you are interested in it, please press the below button to get in our mailing list.
If you are not familiar with her beautiful work, please click here. Even though this fair shows her second hand and rejected pieces but they are still beautiful enough to attract you. Don't miss it!
*Please note that in case of rain we will postpond the fair. Call us if you are not sure. 310.314.8448
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Tsurukichi Indigo Exhibition at Hare Gallery is until Sunday, December 2nd! Come enjoy the beautiful world of blue created by authentic organic indigo from Japan.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! Yes, it is that time of the year, and Tortoise is ready for you!
If you haven't yet, stop by the store to see our holiday items and change of displays.
For those of you who do not live nearby, allow us another week and we will upload our new items as much as possible on our online store. Please be patient and keep an eye on our website...! (please visit NEW to see the additional items. -updated on 12.01.07)
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This authentic indigo label, Tsurukichi, is a new collaboration with a four generation family legacy since 1837. The collection of apparel, accessories and fabrics range from the traditional to the contemporary in vibrant and rich variety of blue.
Please join us for a special evening at the hare gallery.
Reception : November 1st (thurs) 6pm - 10pm
Exhibition : November 2nd (fri) - December 2nd (sun)
For the reception night only, Tsurukichi will feature their full line of products such as scarves, bags, dress, as well as artist collaboration work. If you live close by, be sure to stop by!
First Fridays
This month's "First Fridays" event is on November 2nd. Most of the stores on Abbot Kinney will open until late! Tortoise + Hare Gallery will stay open until 10pm!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::holiday store hours::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Here is our store hours for November!
Open : Tuesdays - Sundays, 11:00am - 6pm or by appointment
Closed : Mondays, Nov.22. (Thanksgiving), Dec.25 (Christmas)
We are scheduled to receive a huge shipment from Japan (by boat!) around mid November. Come and check out some new items, and start your holiday shopping early!
For appointments, please call 310-314-8448.
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Sneak preview....
For our next exhibition starting November, we will introduce stunning INDIGO dyed fabric and products from Japan! More details to follow in a few weeks...!
Many of you might have eyed our new line of jewelry by Yasuki Hiramatsu. Now 81 years old and a professor emeritus at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts, Hiramatsu is a pioneer of contemporary jewelry in Japan.
Silver rings (silver 950) $275 - 375, gold rings (20-23 CT) $485 - $900.
Please visit our store or call with your size to place orders. It usually takes 5-7 weeks for the rings to complete.
Yo Takimoto, the wood carving master is back in town!
He has brought back numerous wood from Japan, and from US where he travelled and collected along the way. Each has different history, touch, scent, and character. Pick out your favorite one and start carving!
class schedule in Venice. *updated on Dec.8.07
12/15 Sat 1-4pm @Ananda (1354 abbot kinney)
12/16 Sun 1-4pm @Tortoise
12/23 Sun 1-4pm @Elizabeth Page Smith Gallery (1423 Abbot Kinney)
01/13 Sun 1-4pm @Tortoise
01/20 Sat 1-4pm @Ananda (1354 abbot kinney)
Only 10 people per class are available so call in to make a reservation @ 310-314-8448! ($20 per class)
Yuri Kinoshita's "MOON SHINE" will end at the end of the month! Come and enjoy the warm light created by Yuri's woven lightings made with Japanese washi paper and bamboo paper.
Every year we carry Serizawa's desk top calendars. We are expected to receive them in the next few weeks. Since we have been receiving inquiries for the 2008 calendar, we are now taking pre-orders!
A plastic stand comes in the package.
size: W4-1/8" H5-1/2"
$18 (discounts for orders over 10)
The 1st Friday of every month, the shops on Abbot Kinney are open late from 6 to 10pm! If you have not checked out our new products and store layout, come and check it out!
Next 1st Friday : September 7th, 6-10pm
Yuri Kinoshita is an artist from Kyoto that uses Japanese paper to create astonishing lightings. She will use our store space and Hare Gallery (back space of Tortoise) to create a full moon, so come and celebrate the otsuki-mi with us in advance!
Opening Reception : Friday, August 31 6pm-9pm
Exhibition : Aug 31 - Sep 30
*artist will be at exhibition during our business hours from Aug 31- Sep 5
Rabbit! As we call our gallery Hare, it is used as a symbol as step-up and good fortune. DId you know that it also symbolizes autumn because there is a myth in Japan that inside the full moon, there is a rabbit pounding sticky rice, Mochi (look up "moon rabbit" in Wikipedia)?
This rabbit is made by Gelchop, a designer unit from Tokyo consists of Ryota Morikawa with Tetsuya Ozawa. Gelchop has created bold and realistic products using FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) for stage props and furniture for elementary schools. Each piece is made one by one, by their own hands, after they receive an order.
Seven autumnal flowers, pacific saury (aka Sanma in Japanese, it is the most famous seasonal fish in the fall!), ginko leaves, persimmons are just few of the new fall patterns for our tenugui.
The main title of this magazine Esquire (09 Vol.21, Japan Edition) is "Architecture in LA leading the world". As you might know, UCLA recently welcomed an Japanese architect, Hitoshi Abe, as the chairman. In this magazine he navigates the frontiers of architecture in LA. Michael Webb also intorduces the BEST 10 of modernism architecture. Unfortunately we do not sell this magazine, but we did receive a lot of new titles on architecture so come visit to see our expanded book section!
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While June is the beginning of the wet rainy season in Japan and people are feeling somewhat gloomy, it is starting to get very warm in Venice, CA. Feeling the summer just around the corner, we would like to introduce some things that remind us of summer in Japan, as well as our new products of the season.
At the local matsuri (japanese festivals), mikoshi (miniature shrine) and yatai (mobile food stand) may be the highlights for the adults, but for the kids, it is usually the kingyo sukui (goldfish scoop) game that they get to play.
Kids are given a scooper made with rice paper, and are allowed to take home as many goldfish as they can scoop until the rice paper is ripped.
For most japanese kids, goldfish is their first pet. Parents buy a mouthblown glass container (left) for the goldfish, which is an authentic piece of art by the craftsmen made in Downtown Tokyo.
We see it often as a design motif on craft objects, textiles, and everyday household items, and it brings back childhood memories of the summer.
<<<updated tenugui cloths online store>>>
As you already know, we go back and forth to Japan every 2-3 months to explore more items. We wish we could introduce these items on our online store, but because a lot of them are handmade, we cannot maintain a sufficient inventory.
So for our subscribers only, we created a special page so that you have a chance to order these items through this newsletter (not all items will be standard items sold at our online store).
To see the page, please click the images on the newsletter. You will automatically jump to the page.
Opening Party : June 8th (FRI) 6:00 - 9:00pm
"WOODCARVINGS" : June 8th (FRI) - 10th (SUN) 12:00 - 6:00pm
@ Tortoise / Hare Gallery (back of Tortoise)
NY chair by Takeshi Nii was designed in 1958, and became a permanent collection of MOMA in 1970. Nii named this "NY chair" after his name, and also after Danish word meaning new or fresh. Nii's policy is to produce "functional and reasonably priced chairs that can be used for daily use." He wanted to design a chair where one can just sit in and relax after eating a nice meal.
If you haven't yet, come visit the store to test out this chair; you will be surprised at how comfortable it is!
For people who've already tried out the chairs, we are scheduled to soon have a rocking chair and an ottoman for this series (estimated arrival time mid July).
NY chair $430 - charcoal (grey), brick (orange)
Tortoise has been carrying variety of AKARI paper lanterns by Isamu Noguchi. All of Noguchi's paper lanterns are manufactured in Gifu, famous for producing washi paper lanterns used at summer festivals.
This beautiful standing AKARI with light blue colors, was designed in 1951. Dimensions: 18" x 27" $275
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apr.08.07
We have seasonal items such as uchiwa fans, straw rugs, summer pattern Japanese traditional clothes and so on. This is our 4th year in business but it is always nice to find something new whenever we go back to Japan. We are really happy to share them with you here in US. Hope you enjoy this newsletter and can keep in touch!
In April and May many Japanese families with boys fly Koi (carp) streamers
outdoors because the Koi is a symbol of a successful career. This culture is based on a Chinese myth that a Koi won the victory when many kinds of fish climbed the waterfall.
Literally nobori is to climb in Japanese.
These Kois are made of hand made Japanese paper and also hand painted. Although the paper is tough and hard, please note this is only for indoor use. $68/ea (3 colors available, 14"x34")
rattan chairs are produced by a furniture design company, IDEE, in Tokyo. As you might recognize, Wicker Chair 1990 on the left was designed by Marc Newson in 1990 with his another style in felt. This rattan one was soon discontinued but reproduced in 1999. POD on the right was designed by an in-house designer at the time, Kaname Okajima in 2000. Comfortably sit on it with legs crossed and possibly keep magazines and newspapers underneath!
Wicker Chair 1990 $2750 / POD $600
He is back to LA now. Here is his class schedule:
May 13(sun) 2pm-5pm @Tortoise (1208 Abbot Kinney Blvd.)
May 27(sun) 2pm-5pm @Ananda (1354 Abbot Kinney Blvd.)
June 03(sun) 2pm-5pm @Goddess (1507 Abbot Kinney Blvd.)
The class is only $20 and he provides everything!
RSVP to 310-314-8448 or info@tortoiselife.com to sign up!
Hurry, limit is 10 people per class.
Due to our assistant, Sumi's wedding in Hawaii, we will close our store on May.4th and 5th.
Actually on the 5th, there is an anual event, Venice Garden & Home Tour. Sorry for the inconvenience
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feb.17.07
Don't miss it!
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