Shitakiri Suzume or The Tongue-Cut Sparrow

Welcome to a month of Fairy Tales! This month, Moon's Creations will be creating one unique design throughout the month of May. Enjoy this fun series!

Shitakiri Suzume, or The Tongue-Cut Sparrow, is a Japanese fairy tale about the rewards of kindness and moderation. In the story, an elderly man rescues a sparrow. His cruel wife cuts the sparrow's tongue with a pair of scissors for eating her food and the sparrow flies away. When the elderly man goes in search for his friend, the sparrow offers him the choice of one large basket or one small basket to take home with him.  The elderly man chooses the smaller basket, as he thinks it will be easier to carry, and upon arriving home discovers it's full of treasure.  His greedy wife goes in search of the sparrow and chooses the large basket, which was filled with monsters.  Read more about this tale here.

Available at Moon's Creations!

O-Jizou-sama

Welcome to a month of Fairy Tales! This month, Moon's Creations will be creating one unique design throughout the month of May. Enjoy this fun series! 

O-Jizou-sama, is one of the most loved of all Japanese divinities. His statues are a common sight, especially by roadsides and in graveyards. Traditionally, he is seen as the guardian of children, and in particular, children who died before their parents. 

In Kasajizou, a Japanese fairy tale, Jizou rewards an elderly man and his wife for their kindness, when the man places hats and his own head wrapping on the O-Jizou-sama statues along the road.
  Read more about this tale here.
  Read more about O-Jizou-sama here.

Available at Moon's Creations!

(I will likely make a few additional O-Jizou-sama dolls for the shop in the future. As you may or may not know, I suffered much with my fertility and we lost many children over the years. It felt good to make this doll and I hope similar ones will offer comfort for others who have likewise suffered.)

The End of the Vacation

Moon's favorite author is Akutagawa Ryunosuke, so she insisted we visit his grave in Sugamo, Tokyo at the Jigan-ji Temple. She left a little friend to keep him company.

At the Meiji Jingu, a very lovely shrine in the center of Tokyo.

Shibuya is a very busy shopping district. Moons was just able to get a photo taken at a very busy intersection.

Moon's was also able to make a visit to the National Diet Library.

Now the trip is done. Moon's is stil trying to sleep of a bad case of jet lag and get back into work mode. The shop will be opening again soon and new designs will be appearing very soon.

What do Moon Buns do in Japan?

They party!
Whooo!
Moons and San-San decided to start their trip to Japan right with beer and fishy snacks.

In the morning they went to see Fushimi Inari Taisha, where they have thousands of brightly colored tori. Can you see Moons and San-San posing by the Kistune?

Then they decided to go to Nijo Castle. Moons was surprised to discover that nightingale floors weren't just squeaky floorboards, but they actually sang and chirped like birds.

The gardens around Nijo castle are very beautiful. Moons was sad that it was winter and there were no flowers blooming.

There was also a moat filled with giant carp. Moons was naughty and teased the fish. They came to the surface and made gwaping faces at her and then she felt bad.

This photo was taken from the wall surrounding Nijo castle. If you look into the distance, you can see the Kyoto. It was a very beautiful day.

The next stop was Kiyomizu-dera. It's said that if you drink the water from this temple, you will gain wisdom, health, and longevity. Moons couldn't help but take a sip.

At Okunoin, on top of Mt. Koya, we got to see many famous graves. Unfortunately it was so snowy, it was hard to know who's grave we were looking at.

But all that walking in the snow made us sick. Luckily they have lots of lemon drinks in the vending machines and we bought the cutest box of kitty tissues.

Because we were so sick, Moons and I had to stay inside and miss some sights, but who wouldn't enjoy staying in this tatami room with the sniffles?

But soon we were feeling better and on the road again.
Moons loves Mt. Fuji!

Welcome to Japan

Hello Mina-san! I've just taken off on my flight to Japan. Look at all those clouds and sun. Beautiful. But such a long flight!

On All Nippon Airlines, they give you delicious snacks and beverages during the flight. Yummy!

San-san decided to start a journal of our adventures on her fancy electronic dictionary!

Figuring out Japanese money was really hard at the beginning.

My first morning in Japan! I wonder what I'll see?

Announcements: Holiday Schedules

It's that time of year, when we begin to think of holiday gifts, reindeer and hot cocoa.
The moon buns are very excited about this year and are working feverishly on several exciting new costumes.

They also wanted to let you know the Moon's Creations Holiday Schedule:

♥ Holiday Commissions ♥
Any commissions intended for Holiday gifts must be placed by November 26 at the latest. Commissions will still be accepted after this date, however they will not be completed in time for December 25th delivery.


♥ Holiday Shipping Schedule ♥
♥ Domestic Holiday Ship-By Dates
Orders must be placed by December 18th for delivery by December 25th.

♥ International Holiday Ship-By Dates
Countries where orders must be placed by December 3rd for delivery by December 25th:
* Africa
* Central America
* South America

Countries where orders must be placed by December 10th for delivery by December 25th:
* Asia
* Australia
* Canada
* Caribbean
* Europe
* Mexico
* Middle East
* New Zealand
* Pacific Rim

I also wanted to take this time to announce
Moon's Creations will be closing between
January 4th - January 26

The Moon Buns and I will be making a trip around Japan. If all goes to plan, we will be posting here often with pictures and tales of adventure!