Iokei - It now has a purpose.
Fundraising for a trip to Ishinomaki!
I want to go again…
040 days
Well I have started saving now to spend a whole 2 weeks with It’s Not Just Mud.
I need to raise £1000 and I am starting next weekend by selling off parts of my kimono collection at Kitacon. I hope to raise £200!
I do ask quite a lot if events with a Japanese theme (and fundraising for charity) want me to detail my experiences as a volunteer but it does seem that people have FORGOTTEN.
I have not, and I still help out with the It’s Not Just Mud website when I have time and try to make sure that I still raise awareness for the cause even so far away.
Fight on!
Japan Day Sheffield University 29th April 2012
040 days
by
in Fundraising
These guys are giving all the profits to itsnotjustmud 
Facebook Event (I am going)
Welcome to Japan Day 2012, hosted at the University of Sheffield.
“Looking towards a Rising Sun”
Japan Day is a showcase of the wonders of Japan. We bring to you our concept of MODERN vs. TRADITIONAL. Set in a traditional fishermans village we bring to you both features of typical Japan and features outside the stereotype. Additionally, take a journey to our modern Japan highstreet setting- complete with karaoke, obake yashiki (haunted house) and a maid/butler café.
If someone says “Japan”, you might think of Samurai, Geisha, innovative technology, wacky fashion trends and pop culture. We aim to create awareness of these features as well as awareness of the ongoing struggle with recovery in Japan after the Tsunami.Therefore all profits from this event will be going to our chosen charity: ‘It’s Not Just Mud’. More information here:http://itsnotjustmud.com/
Additionally, inkeeping with the Japanese belief that if you make 1000 Origami Cranes, a wish for health or recovery will be granted, we intend to make 1000 origami cranes before and during the event itself as a token of goodwill.
We are pleased to announce that the MAIN STAGE will showcase:
~ Martial Arts performance
~ Taiko Drumming by the brilliant Joji Hirota!
~ Koto Performance
~ A sword demonstration
~ University of Sheffield Soran Bushi group
~ Nihon Buyo, performed by Amie MinYoung Kim.In addition to the main stage events, our other stalls will include;
TRADITIONAL JAPAN;
-Origami, Go and Shogi, Matsuri,Kimono dressing, and our very own take on a Japanese shrine to name but a few!MODERN JAPAN;
-Karaoke booth, Anime and Manga exhibition, Obake Yashiki (Haunted house!), Maid and Butler Cafe (cake and all!) with more to come!TICKETS:
ADVANCE: £4
ON THE DAY: £5
Concessions (under 12′s): FREE
Volunteering…all ready to go!
0193 days
by
in Volunteering
Well I had my tetanus jab today and have all my safety gear ready to rock Ishinomaki 
The group I am volunteering with has been featured on Channel 4′s Tsunami Revisited by Alex Thompson:
It’s not just mud:
Hi-viz jackets, hard-hats, gloves and overalls – the international brigade’s ready to deploy again in Ishiomaki, for another day’s cleaning up.A huddle of rucksacks and plastic bottles of cold Japanese tea; the packed lunches, left on the cracked doorstep of a ruined pagoda-style house.
This bit:
Even as we drive down this morning from Minamisanriku to the north, a twitter follower was referencing @jamie_elbanna:
“I’m joining the relief effort in a few weeks. There’s a guy giving up his life to help, go and interview HIM.”
was me
Jamie and his crew still need donations and man power to keep the work alive, please donate here: http://itsnotjustmud.com/?page_id=1451
Flights booked! Volunteering from 28th Nov – 2nd Dec
0230 days
by
in Fundraising
It is all planned!
I shall be volunteering for 5 days in Miyagi with http://itsnotjustmud.com/
Just need to get all my equipment, insurance and save a bit more money!
I aim to reduce the cost of this experience and manage 5 days in Tokyo (fun) and 5 days volunteering for under £1000. This means that anyone with time to spare can have a fun time in Japan and add on a good chunk of volunteering!
I have had the donation of of spare room for my time in Tokyo which keeps my costs lower however I found many hotels in Tokyo for around £30 a night.
Thank you to those who donated to my cause!
Change of plan :)
0287 days
Plans always change. I have changed who I am going to look at for volunteering. This will make the process shorter for me and ultimately cheaper.
International Disaster Relief Organisation.
http://www.idrojapan.org/
This means I can have two weekends in Tokyo and use a full working week for volunteering. Less hotel and food costs makes the trip more affordable, and it means that I will be taking around 2 weeks out of my life and not 3.
I have already had a weeks holiday this year so this will be the rest of my holiday time
A compelling tale here: http://kimonomagic.blogspot.com/2011/08/disaster-relief-with-international.html
FANTABULOUS! Kimono Competition to raise money for the cause!
1308 days
by
in Fundraising
Well don’t I have fabulous friends! Lyuba over at Strawberry Kimono is helping me with my cause and organised two wonderful kimono sets, for a competition. Entry is only $10!
Tea Ceremony Inspired Set
Sorry, cats are not included ;P But they approved of this kimono
You’ve always been interested in Japanese kimono but didn’t know where to start. Or maybe you decided that you wanted to take the Tea Ceremony lessons, but didn’t have a kimono to wear there. Or maybe you just want a kimono, but never got around to getting yourself one. If you answered yes to any of the above, this very traditional ensemble is for you. The ensemble consist of a gorgeous apricot orange synthetic iromuji (still has basting stitches on!), toned down by light gold vintage silk nagoya obi. Exquisite brown silk haori completes the ensemble for those colder days. You will also get the obiage and obijime you see in the photos, and a white silk haneri. All you have to do is get a juban, zori and tabi and you are all set for the Tea Ceremony. Or just have a complete traditional outfit, appropriate for a wide range of occasions.
Funky Lyuba Style Kimono Set
But what if you don’t like traditional kimono style? Then the next ensemble will be perfect for you! Featuring my signature style of stripes and hats, you will be ready to be funky and modern in no time. With this ensemble you will get a blue striped wool kimono, with a vintage reversible checkered/striped silk nagoya obi, complete with a matching cloche hat and a scarf. Obiage, obijime and haneri are also included, and all you have to do is get yourself a juban and zori and tabi. Or you can simply wear this outfit with western boots for a complete modern feel!
You can see haneri very well here.
Here you can see the other side of nagoya obi pretty well.
You can read more about Lyuba’s style on her Kimono Blog, and she also has a beauty blog.
So what do you think? Fancy getting one of these sets for only $10?
RULES:
1. Open worldwide.
2. Each raffle ticket costs $10, and you can enter as many times as you like (remember, all of the money raised will go towards volunteering).
3. Use the Paypal button to submit your payment.
4. In the Special Instructions to Seller, please list your ADDRESS and EMAIL by which we can contact you.
5. The last day to enter will be July 31, 2011! Winner will be announced shortly after and contacted by email.
6. Winner will be picked using Random.org.
7. If the winner doesn’t respond within 48 hours, we will have to pick another winner.
8. Another person will also get picked to get a surprise runner up gift.
9. Packages will be mailed out within 2 business days after we get the confirmation from the winning person.
How to enter? Well just use the paypal button below and select an option from the dropdown!
PLEASE WRITE YOUR ADDRESS IN THE SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS! – We need to be able to post it to you. If not make sure your email address is current so we can then request your shipping address if you win!
Closing date is 31st July 2011. In August AND September we will hold more competitions that are kimono related!
Japan’s tsunami recovery stalls – the people take action…
0318 days
A pressing article here: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2011/0707/Japan-s-tsunami-recovery-stalls
Rigid bureaucracy, the scope of devastation, and a lack of financing are hindering Japan’s comeback from the March earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Some citizens are taking recovery into their own hands.
It is still so desperate and people/volunteers are very much needed.
Please help me volunteer in Ishinomaki where recovery has been given a 1 out of 10 by donating:
or taking part in our ‘win a kimono’ competition!
Fundraising – Kimono Competition and Yukata Blog Auction!
1325 days
OK, fundraising hat on again after a busy few weeks.
I was pointed to this article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/11/japanese-tsunami-survivors-search-for-mementos
Officials have distributed plans of the homes, which will at last give refugees some privacy. Outside Kamaishi, workers have laid foundations, erected walls and installed pipes. Prime minister Naoto Kan has promised that all 125,000 evacuees will have a temporary home – which will be free for three years – by August’s O-Bon holiday. “We have a good chance in the lottery. They are giving priority to the elderly,” says 85-year-old geisha Chikano Fujima, who plays a tune on a shamisen -three-stringed instrument – donated by a geisha from Kyoto, earning applause from other refugees.
These kinds of articles re-enforce my reasons to go and add my own push to the spin of their world. They have lost their world.
So two things up and coming:
Yukata Blog Auction!
This is a 164cm NEW cotton yukata and a blog auction will be set up soon!
‘Win a Furisode’ – competition.
Entry will be £5 (you can enter as many times as you want as ALL money goes to the fundraising pot) and it will be for a silk furisode and I am just organising 2nd and maybe 3rd prizes too from my collection. I need a good sort out this weekend.
I will announce of facebook when these start – however if you are donating ANYWAY you can of course ask to be included in the competition before it starts
Japan IS recovering, but there is still lots of work to do…
0343 days
by
in Japan Tsunami News
This is a decent visual article about the clean up in Japan:
Now, three months on, these images show the Japanese people remain undaunted by the havoc nature has wreaked on their homeland as step by step they rebuild their nation.
However, there is an unimaginable amount of work still to be done in the most affected areas and continuing support from worldwide communities is not wasted on Japan!
New Blog for the cause – Volunteering in Japan
0343 days
by
in Fundraising
Well, I have finally done it. A way to chart my fundraising progress, blog about the trip and thank everyone who donates. Sometimes you wonder what happens to money you donate to disaster relief funds, I know I do. However , this is a rare opportunity to directly donate money so I, a human who can individually chart the experience can volunteer to help with the mass clean up needed in Japan.
The trip will cost roughly £1300 and I am fundraising 50% of this cost and fronting the other 50% myself. Any extra donated to the cause will be used to directly benefit the people in evacuation centres that I meet and help on this trip.
Yes, Japan is a major power in the world but this disaster was more powerful. It will take years and volunteers are declining as time goes on. The media has forgotten the plight of the people in affected areas as it so often does when other news takes over.
So please help me on my journey and make a difference to real people in this very real situation. Maybe you are thinking of doing this yourself? Please let me know.
I plan to go to Japan late November, in the quiet period at work. I am using my own holiday leave for this trip, if your stuck for a trip away how about joining me?