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Local Specialties and Products |
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| Washi Paper |
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Meticulously hand crafted one by one, Shiroishi Washi paper is made of
long fibers which give it strength and durability. With paper placed on
a block, a design is impressed on it and then dyed naturally. Final products
include name card holders, wallets and purses.
Since the Heian period (794 - 1180), paper made in the north-eastern part
of Japan has been praised as "soft, pure, and graceful". Lord
Date encouraged its manufacture. The Shiroishi and Katta districts have
been able to produce a particularly high-quality paper because of the quality
of the materials, and water in the region.
Even today, washi paper is made in the traditional way and at present,
there are more than 200 variations of this paper. Some contain patterns
printed by a printing block, some are dyed with natural dyes (such as persimmon
or walnuts) and others contain pressed flowers.
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| Local Food Specilties |
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Shiroishi Umen is a type of noodle that has been produced in Shiroishi
for over 380 years. The numerous water wheels powered by the rivers and
streams that flow throughout the city were thought to be an important part
of noodle manufacturing in the Edo Period. Today, Shiroishi Umen is produced
using modern methods and sold in several areas throughout Japan.
Shiroishi Umen is popular not only as a tasty local dish, but also an ideal nutritious meal for those healthy-minded people.
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| Kokeshi Dolls |
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Kokeshi are Japanese dolls, originally from northern Japan. They are handmade
from wood, have a simple trunk and a larger head with a few thin, painted
lines to define the face. One characteristic of Kokeshi dolls is their
lack of arms or legs. The bottom is marked with the signature of the artist.
Kokeshi was first produced by in Togatta/Miyagi Prefecture from where Kokeshi
making techniques spread to other spa areas in the Tohoku Region. It is
said that these dolls were originally made to be sold to people who were
visiting the hot springs in the north-east of the country from the middle
of the Edo period (1600-1868).
Shrioishi hosts the annual National Kokeshi Contest held in 'Golden Week'
at the beginning of May. Kokeshi Dolls decorated by primary students from
our Australian sister city, Hurstville are also proudly displayed.
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| Shop |
Products |
Telephone |
| Matsuda Mengyo |
Umen Production and Sales |
0224-26-2621
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| Katakenaka Seimen |
Umen Production and Sales |
0224-25-0111
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| Kichimi Seimen |
Umen Production and Sales |
0224-26-2484
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| Sato Seiji Seimen |
Umen Production and Sales |
0224-26-2659
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| Kikubun |
Kokeshi, Washi, Umen Production |
0224-26-2600
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| Shiroishi Kosan |
Umen Production and Sales |
0224-25-3101
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| Oushu Shiroishi Umen |
Umen Production and Sales |
0224-25-0124
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| Matsuda Seifunsho |
Umen Production and Sales |
0224-25-5121
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