In Japan, when the season of autumn arrives, the people have a custom to read books since early times with a phrase “Autumn for reading books”.
It is said that autumn would be the best season for reading books due to the comfortable and suitable weather for it.
And in Japan, many stories still exist since ancient times.

Those stories are for Bees, Princess Kaguya (the Moon Princess), Tale of Genji, Demon’s Island and more …

The stories that both children and adults can enjoy often become story models for various movies and tell us so many interest things although it is hard to imagine that those stories were written a long time ago.
During this season, how about reading books?

At AOI, we also offer items that are related to the Japanese ancient stories.

30- 32 Red Cape Lane . QV . Melbourne . Victoria 3000
Japanese T-Shirts Aoi
　
　

Tatami mats are a traditional floor covering that remain as popular as ever in Japan.
They have a belt-like brocade edging called heri used both to bind the surface layers with the core material and also as a decoration.
The heri is a vital part of tatami, the colors and patterns of which can change the ambience of our rooms.
We have created a belt from heri, inspired by its belt-like shape, the unique design,
and the durability that has been proved by its use as a component of flooring material.
This belt is made of the same authentic brocade actually used for tatami-making.
You will surely be delighted with the traditional Japanese design.

　
30- 32 Red Cape Lane . QV . Melbourne . Victoria 3000
Japanese T-Shirts Aoi
　
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Thanks to your kindness, our charity T-shirts for the Great East Japan Earthquake are sold out.
Via the Red Cross, we donated all the precious money from you.
Thank you very much for your generous cooperation.
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We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences and consolation to everyone for the Great Earthquake of East Japan took place on March 11th.
We also hope to recover the devastated area as soon as possible.
Now, we have prepared our T-shirt (Limited number of 50) as we attempt to understand the state of mind for everyone in the devastated area.
To everyone in the devastated area, please don’t be discouraged because we will continue supporting you all.

Don’t give up, Japan（Ganbare Nippon!）

We will pray from the bottom of our hearts that this message will get across all over the place and more people will have sympathy.
And we would like to say to the people in the devastated area “Don’t give up!” and we will support for you as a single spirit.

All of the sales by selling this T-shirt will be donated as the relief money through Red Cross.

30- 32 Red Cape Lane . QV . Melbourne . Victoria 3000
Japanese T-Shirts Aoi
　
　

We extend our deepest condolences to the people who have suffered from Tohoku Kanto Earthquake.
We really want to share the feeling with the people in damaged areas.
Every one shares the pain of the damaged people; we hope this will be the footing of our next necessary move.
Pics　QV fashion show
On the occasion of this earthquake, we urgently decided to give the priority to sending our message on T-shirt.

30- 32 Red Cape Lane . QV . Melbourne . Victoria 3000
Japanese T-Shirts Aoi
　
　

This year is for Rabbit in Japan, the fourth animal for the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
It is said that rich vegetation would naturally cover and grow all over the earth in Year of the Rabbit.

Rabbit has been used for Kimono design and attracting many people as a popular mascot since the ancient time.
The lovely figure as being covered with soft fur and appealing round eyes and long ears will be a common in the world.
Furthermore, Rabbit is used as a character and appears in cartoon all over the world.

For the footnotes, it is said that a pattern or appearance of the moon can be seen differently by people on the earth.
In Japan, the scene as a Rabbit pounds rice cakes in the full moon will be appeared in the Japanese minds.
Such scene certainly has been calming or healing the Japanese minds since early times.

2011/1999/1987/1975/1963/1951/1939/1927/1915/1903

Hopefully, it will be a rewarding year for those who were born in Year of the Rabbit.

30- 32 Red Cape Lane . QV . Melbourne . Victoria 3000
Japanese T-Shirts Aoi
　
　

HAPPY NEW YEAR ! Thank you support us last year!

Do you know more than 2,000 winds are named in Japan?

Such as:
“Soyokaze”, comfortable and freshening wind;
“Kogarashi”, cold wind blowing down leaves in autumn and winter;
“Shiokaze”, salty wind by the sea; and
“Taifuu”, hazardous strong wind.

Wind is heavily involved in people’s life and it can be said that Japanese have lived with the wind.
For example,
heat moves when the wind blows and pollen of plants is flown by the power of the wind.
It is the power like the providence of the earth and I feel like the earth where we live still now lives with the wind.

At present, while global warming is acknowledged as a problem, I think we can see a different future by just being aware of the wind by a few people.
At AOI, we prepared an item related to the wind under the theme of feeling “Power Wind”, natural wind, and prevention of global warming.

Also, we give away paper fans free to customers.
Please feel your own wind taking this opportunity.

By the way, my favorite wind is “Soyokaze”.
When I open the window and see a curtain fluttering, I feel refreshed and comfortable.

30- 32 Red Cape Lane . QV . Melbourne . Victoria 3000
Japanese T-Shirts Aoi
　
　
　

The year 2010 is coming to an end.
Now, everybody must want to greet the year 2011 with a fresh mind.

On January 1st, many Japanese set off in the middle of the night to see the sun rise on a brand new year.
The very first sunrise is called Hatsu Hinode, to which they offer a prayer, because it is the symbol of good luck and regarded as very auspicious.
That is a very important moment for the Japanese.

It is not only used as the motif of the national flag of Japan but is also the origin of the country’s name, Nippon (Japan), the place where the sun rises.
It can represent the sun worship practiced by the Japanese since ancient times.

At Aoi, we have prepared items inspired by the sun and Hatsu Hinode for the coming New Year, 2011.

We have also prepared many other wonderful, delightful and cool designs to brighten your life at the start of a new year.
We hope you enjoy wearing them as much as we did making them!

　
・Click here for the catalog

・Click here for the videos

30- 32 Red Cape Lane . QV . Melbourne . Victoria 3000
Japanese T-Shirts Aoi
　

Oseibo is an old Japanese custom handed down from generation to generation, which continues to the present day.
Each December, Japanese people send gifts to the people around them to show appreciation for their kindness.

This tradition and the gift are called Oseibo.

In your daily life, you might often feel just “Thank you” is not enough to express your gratitude to people who are important to you.
It is sometimes unexpectedly difficult to do, especially verbally.
When people receive a gift from you, they will recognize your feelings of gratitude toward them.
And you will also feel happy to see or imagine their smiles when they receive it.
It is simple, but AOI cherishes such heart-warming human relationships among people.

Did you take a look inside the AOI cataloge yet?

We have selected Oseibo culture as the motif for the front cover of the cataloge, and have put together a year-end,
affordable gift collection not only for those who are very important in your life, but also for yourself, as a reward for the efforts you made during the past twelve months.

If you haven’t seen it yet, please take a look..

　
・Click here for the catalog

・Click here for the videos

　
We hope you can spend a comfy and
happy summer in our quality cotton T-shirts.

30- 32 Red Cape Lane . QV . Melbourne . Victoria 3000
Japanese T-Shirts Aoi
　
　

Did you know we now have some special tees made from bamboo fibers?


Bamboo is widely used in Japan. From clothing to eating utensils, furniture and architecture,
bamboo has been used since ancient times and is considered an essential material for many Japanese.

When used in clothing, bamboo is known for its:
* unique antibacterial effectiveness
* superior quick-drying and breathability
* resistant to static electricity and as soft as they come 
* environmental friendliness because of its quick growth and plentiful crops. 

Our bamboo tees have been blended with 30% organic cotton without losing the soft texture of the bamboo 
and we’re pleased to introduce the tees in “indigo” Japan blue, a traditional Japanese colour, and a unique colour to us, at AOI. 

p.s We’re often asked for pictures of our range and while we can’t show you all the designs (there are now over 100 of them!), we have created a new catalogue – take a look for yourself:

http://www.aoi-t.com/catalog2010/

　
30- 32 Red Cape Lane . QV . Melbourne . Victoria 3000
Japanese T-Shirts Aoi
　
　

Ukiyo-e is a form of genre picture that depicted everyday life of common people, and is made with layers of different colored woodblock prints.
It was originated in around 17th century. With style so free and expressive of people’s dairy lives, bright colors and dynamic composition,
Ukiyo-e was used for posters for Kabuki actors, fashion advertisement and other entertainment purposes and became a media so popular in old Japanese lifestyle.
You have probably heard of famous Ukiyo-e artists such as Hokusai, Sharaku, or Utakawa Hiroshige.
Ukiyo-e amazed the whole world in 19th century when it was introduced in Paris, France.
As the world was obsessed with Japan
Ukiyo-e was highlighted as an art form that could open up the new possibility for drawing, and such artists as Gogh, Monet, Renoir
and Lautrec are also said to have been greatly influenced by Ukiyo-e.
We hope you appreciate the very charm of Ukiyo-e that expanded the horizon of art and never ceases to attract us today.

30- 32 Red Cape Lane . QV . Melbourne . Victoria 3000
Japanese T-Shirts Aoi