Zen and Japanese Home and Garden

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Winter is waning and spring is around the corner. With the longer days, we begin to enjoy our favorite outdoor activities; gardening, picnics, heading to the beach or the park. Our wide selection of sun hats will help protect you against the sun’s harmful UV rays. These hats are rated UPF 50+, blocking 97.5% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) shows how well a fabric protects your skin from ultraviolet solar radiation. If you’ve never tried wearing an SPF or sun protective hat, you might consider them to be more about function than form, but the best new sun hats are both comfortable and stylish.

Sun hats are more popular and better looking than ever. Whether you prefer to wear a classic straw or safari style hat, you can sport a fashionable look any time of the year. In fact, sun hats make the perfect gift for hikers, gardeners, nature lovers and children.

Here is just a sampling of our spring collection available now at Chopa.com:

Wallaroo Jasper Men’s Sun Hat – This men’s versatile lightweight hat is available in beige or brown check. Designed with the outdoorsman in mind, the 3” brim makes it ideal for hiking, golf, fishing or mowing the lawn. The adjustable chin strap keeps it secure, even on a windy day. This practical style allows the face and neck to remain in perpetual shade.

Wallaroo Reversible Resort Sun Hat – This women’s fully reversible hat provides twice the wardrobe options. One side features a solid color with a contrasting band and the reverse is a fully solid color. The Velcro adjustment on the back wraps around a ponytail or long hair, and makes the hat size adjustable. The brim can be turned up or down for maximum sun protection. This is available in taupe/black or chocolate/pink.

Children’s Sun Hats – Say “Hello” to playtime with our colorful, children’s surf hat. Available in solids or a pink floral pattern, they offer great sun protection at the pool, beach or playground. This hat can be worn in the water and the specially designed microfiber fabric will be dry in no time. The all-around 3″ brim offers protection for the face and neck. The petite Nantucket is sized for smaller heads. Brightly colored ribbons are sewn together to create the soft pastel stripes. For the creative children, we offer a paint-your-own hat. This art kit features a plain white hat and the coloring paints to make your own design. This is a great activity for a rainy day or a play date with friends. It encourages creativity and helps develop fine motor skills. All of our children’s hats are UPF 50+ rated.

California Hat Company Capri Sun Hat – This 5” wide brim sun hat provides maximum sun protection for your face and neck. Fashioned with cool shades of blue, green and brown, it will compliment any outfit. Accented with a bow tie, it is soft, lightweight and perfect for travel. UPF 50+ rated.

California Hat Company Monterrey and Pacifica - These hats offer a dressy or casual appeal with the wood and earth tone colored bead trim. The 4” brim offers superior protection from the sun to keep you cool. UPF 50+ rated.

Before you plan your next escape to a sunny destination, make sure the whole family is equipped with a practical and stylish sun hat. They make the perfect gift for someone who enjoys the great outdoors. Visit our website to see our entire collection of men’s, women’s and children’s sun hats that offer superior protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

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When one pictures a Japanese kimono or yukata, the image that comes to mind is usually a traditional robe worn by a Japanese woman; but this is no longer the case.  While the kimono robe was always known as a hallmark of Japanese society, the trend has expanded to include men’s “Happi” coats and lightweight cotton yukatas.  The shape and pattern of these simple Japanese robes hasn’t changed much over the years, but they are worn in more casual settings.

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Summer may be long gone, but you must still use caution and take steps to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays.  Even in the wintertime when you don’t feel the sun’s heat, ultraviolet rays can still take a toll on your skin.  Sun hats are making a comeback, and they’re better looking than ever.  Whether you prefer to wear a straw hat or safari style hat, you can sport this fashionable “outdoorsy” look any time of the year.  In fact, sun hats make the perfect gift for hikers, gardeners, nature lovers and children.

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When the Halloween candy displays start popping up at your local supermarket, you know that Halloween is just around the corner.  Remember when Halloween was just for kids?  Not anymore.  Adults are looking for costumes too, and theirs are not always so easy to find.

While it seems like more Halloween superstores open up each year, the trend for adults is to find that singular, unique idea that is both imaginative and easy to pull together.  Every year there seems to be one costume that is brand new on the scene.  Some costume-shoppers get their ideas from popular movies, TV shows or political campaigns, but the best costumes are those that are both recognizable and fun to wear.

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When most people picture kimono robes for women, they remember the elaborate silk creations they’ve seen on Japanese women, many of which would be displayed at museums and galleries.  While these collectors’ editions still enjoy quite a following, the average woman cannot picture herself wearing one.  The modern kimono robes of today are just as attractive as those traditional ones on display, but they are much less expensive and easier to care for. In fact, nearly all of the Japanese kimono robes for women have the same appearance and quality as those that were created so long ago.

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Doesn’t it seem like the Japanese know how to do everything better?  Whether it’s through meditation, Feng Shui design, healthy eating or Ikebana gardening, all aspects of life are well thought out and designed to enhance the quality of life.  They even know how to relax better, with sumptuous silk kimono dresses.  Ever since Westerners started to immerse themselves in Japanese culture, kimono dresses have played an influential role in American fashion.

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The Happi coat originated during the Edo period (1603 to 1867) in Japan. They were primarily worn by the wealthy and working class and originally designed for men. Women soon began wearing them as a protective jacket over the kimono to guard against the elements.

House servants wore Happi coats that were embroidered with the Mon, or family crest they served. Later, shop keepers took up the Happi coat and stamped the name of their business on the back. Fire fighters wore the coats as protective jackets, emblazoned with their crest for visual identification of the firehouse they worked with.

Laborers adopted the Happi coat and used them as protective working jackets. The wealthy wore distinct Happi coats at celebrations and funerals for their servants to be able to identify them quickly when needed.

The long history of the Happi coat still exists today in modern Japan. Many social groups and religious organizations wear the coats marked with their group’s logo for festivals and public gatherings or to identify their membership to a particular religious shrine.

The coats have changed over the centuries going from a solid brown or indigo blue to today’s vibrant colors and varied patterns that signify symbolic cultural references such as the sakura blossom, the crane or dragon.

In the past decade, the Happi has gained popularity as a bathrobe, lounging robe, or as a cover up at the beach or pool. “Happi” today often denotes a mid-length or knee length robe, comfortable and care-free, ideal for modern day living.

Chopa Zen Home & Gift offers a wide selection of men’s and women’s Happi coats in a variety of colors and traditional patterns. They are soft, comfortable and made from 100% cotton for easy care. Our Happi Coats are made in Japan and come with a matching belt.

During the month of January, we are offering free shipping on all Happi coats! (within the continental US only).

If you have a picture in your mind about the Japanese lifestyle, reality may not live up to your expectations.  Contrary to popular belief, it’s rare to see many women wearing kimono dresses on the streets of Tokyo.  In fact, this international city may look a lot more “Western” than many American towns.  But this doesn’t meant that kimono dresses, or yukatas, have not influenced Japanese fashions.  The Kimono is more likely to be worn in a traditional ceremony or celebratory setting, with kimono dresses a more popular item with older Japanese women. 

Wearing a kimono in the traditional Japanese way would require one to purchase an elaborate “obi” or sash to wrap around the waist.  In today’s more casual culture, it’s more common to wear colorful silk kimonos as loungewear or as a robe at a resort area.  When shopping for kimono dresses, most women find that a lightweight cotton yukata is a better choice. 

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As the summer vacation season kicks into high gear, people are picking up something special at Chopa.com.  Now, in addition to all of their Zen accessories and Japanese furnishings, Chopa has a vase selection of Japanese kimonos for sale.  The kimonos featured this year seem to focus on a single color family, mainly blue, including rich turquoise hues and deep sapphire blue.  A lighter weight version of the kimono, known as a yukata, is also available. 

For men and women who want a comfortable and lightweight robe to wear by the pool, a yukata is the ideal choice, but a silky kimono can be worn all year round.  Whether they are worn after a shower, lounging around the house or while enjoying a sunny morning on the deck, yukatas and kimonos make the ideal addition to any summer wardrobe. 

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