Needlework &/or Supplies for Japan Host Family?

Greetings All -

My DD is going to Japan in the next couple of months, and I was wondering if
sending along fibers would be of any worth to a host family. Not knowing
much in advance of what anyone does, I thought maybe some of the Kreinik
metallics or Rainbow Gallery fuzzies would be fun. If needlework weren't
apparent from the household or in conversation, they would take little space
coming home.

However, I am going to make some small ornies to send. If nothing else, she
could leave them on her bed pillow when she leaves with her thank you note.

Thanks for any input!

Eva in Extremely Wet Kent, WA, US

(Remove no spam from addy to reply)

When Tia Mary gets back on line, I am sure she can help. IIRC her DH
travelled to Japan quite a bit, and the topic came up a few years back. It
might take a little patience though, trying to tear her away from the
grandbaby!!

Gillian
"Threaded" wrote in message
s.com...
Greetings All -

My DD is going to Japan in the next couple of months, and I was wondering
if
sending along fibers would be of any worth to a host family. Not knowing
much in advance of what anyone does, I thought maybe some of the Kreinik
metallics or Rainbow Gallery fuzzies would be fun. If needlework weren't
apparent from the household or in conversation, they would take little
space
coming home.

However, I am going to make some small ornies to send. If nothing else,
she
could leave them on her bed pillow when she leaves with her thank you
note.

Thanks for any input!

Eva in Extremely Wet Kent, WA, US

(Remove no spam from addy to reply)

Look around online to find out a few things about their culture first.
I know colors have different meanings so you wouldn't want to make
something in an inappropriate color. Ornaments of geometric design
would probably be just fine but avoid anything religious unless you know
for certain that the family would understand and be receptive. Just
thinking about the very strange college-days experience of taking my
Japanese roommate along to my friends' *very* eccentric wedding. Masako
had never been inside a Christian church before and thought that wedding
must be representative of all things Christian!

Threaded wrote:
My DD is going to Japan in the next couple of months, and I was wondering if
sending along fibers would be of any worth to a host family. Not knowing
much in advance of what anyone does, I thought maybe some of the Kreinik
metallics or Rainbow Gallery fuzzies would be fun. If needlework weren't
apparent from the household or in conversation, they would take little space
coming home.

However, I am going to make some small ornies to send. If nothing else, she
could leave them on her bed pillow when she leaves with her thank you note.

--
Brenda
"Sometimes I'd sit and gaze for days through sleepless dreams all alone
and trapped in time." Tommy Shaw

Eva,

I just called my brother in Japan and he said that omiyagi (gifts) are
most appropriate for your DD to give to her host family. If you know that
the host family enjoys needlearts, I don't see a problem with some specialty
threads wrapped up. Another friend in Japan is a stitcher and she can only
find DMC and Aida cloth (she live in Chiba, just outside of Tokyo).
Stitching supplies are fairly expensive in Japan, so even if the host family
wouldn't use them, perhaps she can take some to give to someone else who
does stitch.

The ornaments you talk about would make lovely omiyagi. Generally
speaking, omiyagi are small items, not necessarily of high dollar value, but
something that thought was put into for the recipient - items representative
of your home country/city would also be appropriate. White is the colour of
mourning in Japan, so you may want to steer clear of that. If you have any
other questions, I'll try my best to help (or call DB and DSIL again).

Mellissa in pastoral Chilliwack, BC, Canada
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~
The naked earth is warm with Spring, and with green grass and bursting trees
Leans to the sun's kiss glorying, and quivers in the sunny breeze. ~Julian
Grenfell
My home on the Web: http://www.zillwood.com/muddles
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www.jennyjune.com has a couple of traditional Japanese "kogin"
needlework kits - one is a sampler and the other is a scissors case
and needlebook (if I recall correctly.

SewingSusan

When Tia Mary gets back on line, I am sure she can help. IIRC her DH
travelled to Japan quite a bit, and the topic came up a few years back. It
might take a little patience though, trying to tear her away from the
grandbaby!!

($(*$(@($^ SMDGD is cutting teeth -- need I say more?!?!?
OK -- omiyagi are *almost* expected. Now, IIRC, Kreinik fibers come from
Japan so that's not the type you would want to send. Same with silks and
metallics -- lots of those come from japan. If you choose to send fibers, the
different fuzzies that Rainbow Gallery makes would be a good choice. A small
gift for each memeber of the Host Family would be best. When DH and I hosted
Japanese students, they ALWAYS brought something for EACH member of my family
-- even my sister and my mother neither of whom lived with us!
First off -- DO NOT send something that has a label saying it was made in
some other country -- very bad manners!!! For Host Mom, a nice dish towel, a
pretty apron or a picture frame would perfectly acceptable gifts. A necktie or
box of candy for Host Father would be good too. Liquor would be better but I
doubt if your DD would be expected to bring something like that -- LOL. When
DH and I went to Japan and visited our Host Daughter's family, we took a
business card case for the father -- the type with a spot for engraving.
If there are kids in the family, things that are made in America are best.
For our Host Daughter's sister, we ordered pencils in a box that were made on
one of the native Americsan reservations. They LOVE Native American stuff so
that's another idea.
They don't expect big, expensive gifts. If you send something too costly or
elaborate, etc. then the Host Family will feel the need to reciprocate in kind!
Different types of pre-packaged foods are a staple for omiyagi. Also, a
pretty hand towel is a traditional welcome gift that is given to women so if
you can find one that is of good quality and NOT made in China you'll be safe
with that :-)!
If there is something that is "typical" for your area, then send that along.
One Host daughter got her father a bola tie with a scorpion in plastic as the
center, decorative part. Things like paper weights with pictures of local
things would be good as would a map of your locale! I just now remembered the
maps and the families LOVED the maps!!!
So -- that should give you some ideas. I am off to the cabin this afternoon
so won't be able to get online until I return to DD's in a week. Good Luck &
CiaoMeow ^;;^
..
PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ Queen of Kitties
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!