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Zen
and the art of Christmas shopping
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In
the year Japan dedicated to Italian culture, we
take a look at some Japanese-inspired ideas for
stocking-fillers and presents this Christmas
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 As
the count-down to Christmas begins here are a selection
of Japanese-inspired gifts to suit every pocket.
(The sites indicated are all in Italian but should
be accessible even to the most linguistically challenged.)
We start off with some ideas for those of you on
even the tightest budgets with this selection of
traditional Japanese flip-flops,
which were seen on beaches all over Italy last summer.
You can pay from as little as 12 Euros for
these Zori
(rubber-soled sandals with straw insoles) to around
60 Euros for these elegant velvet and wood
Geta.
Part of the sandals and socks brigade? Worry not
- you can buy a pair (or two) of split-toed
socks to go with your flip-flops.
For good value yet guaranteed-to-please pressies
you can't beat these elegant
candlesticks and candles. Choose from in-your-face
Japanese with these ideogram
candles (5 Euros each) or go for a more
sophisticated boxed set of cool black
candles (around 15 Euros). For more ideas
browse through the oggettistica
(ornaments and other paraphernalia) section. If
you prefer to see what you are buying then you visit
one of the Cinius
stores in Milan, Bologna or Rome.
If you can go at least 20 Euros then have
at look around the comfy world of Cuscini&co,
where you can choose from traditional Zabuton
meditation cushions to neck-rolls
used for massage and Zafu cushions which
make excellent poufs
and foot stools.
If you can afford to spend a bit more, and you live
in or around Milan, then you may like a browse around
Edojapan
(Edo is the old name for Tokyo). The shop
has a wide selection of gifts including porcelain
tea sets, kakejiku - silk hanging scrolls
as well as good range of kimonos and other
traditional clothes. Unfortunately the site is not
yet equipped for online sales.
If you want to treat yourselves, or someone special,
to some time-honoured Japanese furniture then our
suggestion is a futon
- not a bed, as is commonly believed, but a thick
cotton quilt - and tatami,
the sturdy yet flexible straw mats which the Japanese
use as flooring. You can order both online at Linn-sui,
as well as choosing from a selection of plain and
patterned oriental duvets,
duvet covers and bed
linen.
We can't talk about Japanese-inspired gifts without
mentioned one of Japan's best-loved exports - bonsai
trees. Before you start on the hunt for that
perfect bonsai prepare to part with a sizeable amount
of your hard-earned cash. Then head for Crespi
Bonsai, just outside Milan, where you'll find
just the bonsai for you. There's even a Bonsai
Museum with a vast collection of plants - some
of which are more than 100 years old - books and
plant pots all from the Far East. You can also order
bonsai from Crespi Bonsai online thanks to Artefiori.
You can also delight your family and friends with
a suiseki
- an ancient stone chosen specially for its shape
and colour and the ideal room-mate for your bonsai.
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by ELENA
GUARNERI |
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Dec
7th, 2001
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THE SURVIVOR'S 
