Now here’s a bracelet with a story to tell. Post-tsunami, a group of women from hard-hit Sanriku went to work on some donated fishing nets. Following a pattern created specifically for the project, they started making misanga bracelets to provide themselves with some income during the recovery period, when there was plenty of clean-up work aimed at men, but few opportunities for women.
This video gives the background for the project.
The first batch sold out the same day sales opened. And starting late last week, the second batch went on sale. You can pick up the bracelets, if there are any left, at the SHIPS store in Shibuya or Ginza. Check out the project website for more shops and other information (Japanese only).
Do you know of any other good products that support the Tohoku recovery efforts? Be sure to leave a comment and let me know.
Via: Gadget Tsushin
Looks like Kyushu is the closest sales location to me. Gotta bookmark so I remember to stop by stores that sell this when I make my way over to Fukuoka eventually. I wish I could order it online! I’d order one the second I get my Japanese address next week.
They’ll probably keep making them for as long as there’s demand, and there seems to be plenty of that! So probably just keep an eye on the website!
[...] to make braided “misanga,” or friendship bracelets, according to the gadget website Tokyo Bounce: Following a pattern created specifically for the project, they started making misanga bracelets to [...]
Japan has always been a place of wonder to me. Even as a young child I thought and dreamt of its culture and history . I have yet to visit and one day I hope I can. I wish there was some way I could get ahole of some of the misanga’s for my family and I. My heart is with Japan and its people. sending much love and prayers from the coast of British Columbia Canada