Posts Tagged ‘yukatas’

Supporting Knowledge and Charity

Monday, November 21st, 2022

Did you know that Chopa – Your Kimono Source, donates to charities throughout the year?

We just donated to Wikipedia and we’re feeling really good about it! We believe that knowledge is power and everyone deserves access to accurate information. Chopa is on a mission to help others!

Our donation to Wikipedia marks its 20th anniversary. Will you join us in our journey of helping others? Chopa is committed to making donations throughout the year to charities that help others. It’s our way of giving back to those who could benefit. So far, we’ve donated to causes like Wikipedia, education, and animal rescue and welfare. From now through the end of the year, we will make additional donations to a plethora of causes.

But it doesn’t stop there. Beginning in January, we make donations throughout the year to charities that help others. We seek out causes that we believe give the most to those who will benefit. Sometimes it is a local group, sometimes nationwide. It isn’t about the geography as much as the greater will and ability to help and make a difference. It isn’t just about Christmas time but all the time.

We believe Wikipedia is one of those groups. Wikipedia was founded 20 years ago. Since then, their beloved encyclopedia has grown a lot, through good times and hardships, and today, more than ever, it is serving its true purpose. It helps millions of people study, discover, explore, and research. Each day, Wikipedia gives readers a new chance to acquire the knowledge that is so rightfully theirs, no matter what their circumstances might be.

Wikipedia doesn’t accept ads so donations to this non-profit group are vital to its existence.  Financial support allows edits to be made, and articles to reach new readers; it gives their non-profit the means to stay true to its mission, even as Wikipedia has become one of the most visited websites in the world. Nearly a day goes by when we hear someone mention something they saw or found on Wikipedia. We, as an organization have used it for research. It is a truly valuable resource and one of the few remaining that is free…to everyone.

If you have the resources and feel charitable, now is a great time to look around your own community to find a worthy cause. Because we are nearing the end of year, many charities are running thin on resources and it becomes a great time to help. It also makes you feel good knowing you diod something to help someone else, whether it is an individual, a group or our furry friends.

If you want to go one step further, check with your own office or employer. Many employers will generously match employee contributions: please check with your employer to see if they have a corporate matching gift program.

You can be a part of our mission by simply shopping with us. Every purchase you make helps us give back to those in need. Shop now and feel good knowing that you’re helping make the world a better place! Our online Kimono Shop is open 24 hours a day. Shop our large selection of authentic Japanese Kimonos, yukatas and short-length Happi Coats.

Happy Holidays!  Happy Giving!!

 

Chopa gives to charity.

 

 

Retail Theft Comes In Many Forms

Sunday, July 17th, 2022

Retail theft is a common problem across the United States. Shoplifters often think of it as a victimless crime. The truth is that retailers lose millions of dollars every year due to theft. It’s easy to understand why someone might steal a physical object, like a piece of jewelry or a pair of shoes. But it’s not always so clear why someone might steal something that can’t be seen.

This doesn’t mean that the motives aren’t just as complex and interesting. Retail theft comes in many different forms, with motivations that range from financial need to psychological compulsion. Understanding these motivations is key to preventing theft.  It can also help those who may have committed it in the past.

So what are some of the most common types of retail theft?  In a physical retail environment, it can range from stealing merchandise, changing price tags, passing bad checks, using a stolen credit card, or counterfeit money. Not only do you have to watch customers, but also employees. Employee theft is a major obstacle for store owners.

Internet and Web stores that only sell online have different kinds of problems. Financial security is a major consideration when accepting credit cards online. The use of stolen credit cards to purchase goods is prevalent. Online stores must take added precautions on web purchases. Some of the safeguards include only accepting valid billing addresses, security codes, and a host of other proprietary technological tools used behind the scenes.

Another theft that occurs in brick and mortar stores and web stores is Intellectual Property. This includes stealing product descriptions and plagiarizing store information. Thefts include informative articles, blogs, advertising, and commonly your copyrighted and trademarked photos and images. Internet thieves in need of photos for their website will steal yours. This is piracy. They use them for personal financial gain rather than going through the expense of creating their own.

Producing images of products and services doesn’t usually come cheap. Depending on the quality and depth of your image needs, you may hire a photographer, build and outfit your studio or rent someone else’s. You might hire models who can add make-up, hair, and clothing costs. They say copying your work or stealing images from your site is the sincerest form of flattery but it goes beyond that.

A good photo is worth many times its acquisition cost because images drive sales. If a customer sees a beautiful kimono in an image, it allows them to make a reasonable decision to purchase that product. Since kimonos and yukatas are so unique, photos can take into account many hours of creative thinking, and intellect. It also uses the time of others when using models, photographers, set designers, editors, and more.

We have caught dozens of “so-called” competitors stealing our images over the years. We usually resolve this by sending a Cease and Desist Notice. In most cases, the thieves complied and removed the pictures. Others ignored us until we had our attorneys write a demand letter. Two companies didn’t think it was a big deal until we filed suit in court and won. Neither of these two is in business any longer.

Overseas dealers regularly use our product descriptions, sizing information, and ideas on their websites.  We chalk this up to being one of the Internet’s Leading Providers of Authentic Japanese Kimonos and Yukatas. We have been online since 1994 and other businesses look up to us. They feel stealing from us may help their success too. It comes down to ethics and morals. If you steal others’ work, you don’t have ethics, therefore you will steal and cheat your customers as well.

We have various methods to check for copyright theft. These include the use of digital watermarks, scheduled web surfing, customer reports, and other dealers word of mouth. A recent theft incident arose on a website that deals in Kimonos, Japanese knickknacks, and tourist trade trinkets. This site dared to steal and use over two dozen images that belonged to us. The couple who own this business never asked for permission. They feel stealing others property in the darkness of their home is easier. Can you imagine how they might lie and cheat their  customers?

Ironically this theft was discovered by a staff member processing an order they submitted. Since they are so familiar with our website they thought to take advantage of a clearance sale we have for some kid’s kimonos and outfits. Priced below cost, they were savvy to recognize the deal. But they are so arrogant, they didn’t think that using their business name on the order might lead to someone surfing their site simply out of curiosity. We don’t discourage competitors from taking advantage of our sales, but we frown on thieves stealing our copyrighted images.

Management wrote them a cease and desist notice and they complied and removed the images. Not only did they steal images outright, but they also modified some to use for alternate products. The real irony was the reply letter one owner sent us. He tried to come off as the victim, alluding that we were overzealous in our demand. This owner relayed how knowledgeable he was on the laws of image theft and placed blame on some rogue employees that come and go.  He proceeded to explain how reputable he is and how many friends he has and works with within the industry.

We say with friends like this, watch your backs or at a minimum watch the images on your website. Unfortunately, these situations will happen again. It is part of being in business.  Our issue besides stealing from us is the time consumption involved with calling the thieves out. We would rather spend our time providing our customers with quality service, value, and the fast shipping they receive, rather than banter back and forth with crooks.  You can shop online 24 hours a day in our online Kimono Shop. Our Shop is safe, secure and honest.

Piracy Image Thieves

2022 Obon Festivals in the USA

Saturday, June 25th, 2022

What is an Obon Festival?

The Obon Festival is a time for celebration in Japan. It’s also an opportunity to get together with friends and family members.

The tradition entails music, dance, and crafts as well as martial arts. It honors ancestral spirits from your past who have watched over you throughout life.  The lighting of candles represents wishes fathered by these same energies during happier times gone by.

Entertainment will be offered with groups playing drums including taiko drumming groups.

Plenty of groups and cities participate in this cultural experience in the USA.  Find an Obon Festival near you.

Downtown Denver – Cherry Blossom Festival – June 25 and 26.

Venice, CA Japanese Community Center – June 25.

Salt Lake City, UT – Salt Lake Buddhist Temple – July 9.

Fairfax, VA  Ekoji Buddhist Temple – July 9.

Seabrook, NJ – Seabrook Buddhist Temple – July 16.

Pasadena, CA Buddhist Church – July 16.

Long Beach, CA. Cultural Center – July 30.

Portland, Oregon – Oregon Buddhist Temple – August 6.

Kingston, NY – Kingston Point Beach – August 6.

Palo Alto, CA Buddhist Temple – Aug. 7

Lahaina Hongwanji Mission – Lahaina, HI – Aug 12 and 13.

Gardena Buddhist Church – August 13.

Charlotte, NC – Wells Fargo Atrium Plaza – August – Dates TBA.

San Diego, CA – Japanese Friendship Garden – August – Dates TBA.

Las Vegas, NV – Location TBA, August – Date TBA

St. Paul MN – Como Park – August 21.

St. Louis, MO – Missouri Botanical Garden – Sept 3-5.

Atlanta, GA – Gas South Convention Center (Duluth) – September 17 and 18.

Dress for the occasion. Kimonos and Yukatas are very popular to wear to these festivals. The yukata is lighter weight and will help keep you cooler on those warmer days. Check out our wide selection of robes and headbands for your celebration. Shipping is always fast. Shop our ONLINE STORE now.

Search the web for more dates and cities near you. Buddhist temples and Japanese clubs and gardens may have more information in your local area.

 

mens shodo yukata in 100% cotton

The Shodo Yukata is available at       www.chopa.com