Egoyomi: Japanese Picture Calendars

Here at Commune, we're ecstatic that our owner Aki is expecting a baby girl next month in March!

As her maternity leave begins next Sunday, we have been very busy accommodating her clients' appointments before she goes on her break. Her weekend schedule is often fully booked a week before with a number of requests to be on the waiting list. Despite the frenzy, we are looking forward to her due date and counting down the days.

Did you know during the Edo period in Japan, people referred to image based calendars to understand what month it was? These rather creative calendars were called Egoyomi ("picture-calendar") and designed for those who were illiterate with "hidden" element. During this period, each month was either 29 or 30 days and distinguished as "small months" (Sho no tsuki) or "large months" (Dai no tsuki). Every 2 or 3 years, a thirteenth month called Uru-zuki was included to incorporate leap year.

Can you believe that this late Edo Ee ja nai ka parade theme picture is actually a calendar? The "large months" are represented as men and "small months" as women with a child as the leap year month. The clothes also distinguished its respective month. Can you guess which one is January?

How about this one Momotaro-themed one? The character pertains to the Year of the Dog and again has the hidden element to represent the months. Can you identify where?

Tada! Here the large months (大 - dai) are concealed on his shoulder. Very clever.

  

Not all calendars however were so tricky. Take this one from 1840, the Year of the Rat. This one lays out each month with two rat characters as a story narrative for the year.

We can only imagine how real people used these calendars long ago in Japan, it would certainly be difficult to schedule appointments this way! Although these are absolutely fascinating, we prefer sticking to the good 'ol numerical calendars. See more of these Egoyomi calendars here!

A Happy Anniversary

Last Sunday we had the pleasure to celebrate one more time our many years (9 to be precise!) in business. 

It is really because of the support and the great community of friends and loyal customers that we are still going strong and we want to thank again every participating soul in this great adventure of a business that is Commune Salon & Gift! We love our community.

As usual, the party was a blast.  The kids are growing and families expanding and we couldn't feel happier to see everyone gather around good music and good food.

With Love,

~ Commune ~

Classic Japanese Actresses

What makes a hairstyle iconic? Here at Commune, we love reflecting back and being inspired by classic looks. Though we admire styles like Audrey Hepburn's fringe or Anna Karina's shoulder-length bob, we asked ourselves what Japanese actresses have influenced the hairstyles of their time.  After researching a few actresses from the 1950s and 1960s, however, we became more enamored by the actress herself. Here are a few profiles of iconic women in Japanese cinema.

 Kyoko Anzai

While her film career lasted under a decade, Kyoko Anzai's presence onscreen showed a young and high-spirited actress who clearly stood out despite not having many lead roles. Her most famous role in the sci-fi flick Battle in Outer Space (1959) was a huge leap from her debut as a fresh face in Seishun Jazz Musume (1953). Married to star actor Tatsuya Mihashi, Anzai passed away in 2002. 

Seishun Jazz Musume (1953)
   

Ruriko Asaoka

Emerging from the golden age of Nikkatsu Productions, Ruriko Asaoka was its most prominent actress. The cultural boom of the 1960's was a pivotal time for youth-oriented films and art house cinema. From film noir classics to jidaigeki dramas to contemporary pieces, Asaoka's range of performances and dynamic beauty propelled her into stardom. 

I Hate but Love (1962)

Red Handkerchief (1964)

Junko Fuji

When Junko Fuji wields a sword, it's unfathomable how she can combine strong fierocity with delicate grace. As one of the biggest stars of the yakuza film genre, Fuji's success as a notorious gambler earned her many reprisals of her role in the Red Peony series. Having starred opposite of big stars like Ken Takakura and Koji Tsuruta, Fuji clearly carried enigmatic charisma. At the young age of 26, she left the film industry to marry kabuki actor Onoe Kikugoro; but not after making name for herself and setting a standard for strong female lead roles. 

 

Setsuko Hara

Widely considered as Ozu's muse, Setsuko Hara's name is unanimous to the famous director's film work, but also stands on her own as one of the most recognizable Japanese actresses of her time. Her style and charming disposition displayed a great feminine beauty onscreen. After retiring from acting, Hara stepped out of the spotlight almost completely, leaving her smiling character an everlasting image in Japanese cinema.

Late Spring (1949)

Tokyo Story (1953)

Mariko Kaga

Mariko Kaga's career spans four decades in Japanese film and television, but her debut during the 1960's New Wave era made it evident that she was more than just a pretty face. Taking on bold characters in films like Masahiro Shinoda's Pale Flower (1964) and Ko Nakahira's Only on Mondays (1964), Kaga showed her depth as a mysterious femme fatale as well as a flirtatious call girl. Kaga's cute-sexy look has influenced many contemporary Japanese films today.

Pale Flower (1964)

Only on Mondays (1964)

Rifle Paper Co.

We're huge fans of one of our biggest sellers, Rifle Paper Co. and always enjoy looking at their new and cute stationary. We adore their unique calendars and thought we'd share! You might see these at on sale at our store soon!

Summer Saviors: Leave-in Treatments

 Last week's long heat wave has finally broken!

While many of us are rejoicing, all the UV exposure and mugginess during these summer months might have taken its toll on our hair with damaged, dry strands and unruly texture.
Fear not, that's where these products come in handy!

Here's a complete list of our salon's leave-in treatment products:

Moroccan Oil Leave-in Treatment - $16.00 (0.85oz)  - $44.00 (3.4oz)

A versatile and multitasking product, it is an essential foundation for hairstyling that can be used as a conditioning, styling and finishing tool. It even speeds up drying time and helps restore and revive hair damaged from chemicals found in shampoos, color processes and perms, as well as environmental factors. Infused with antioxidant-rich argan oil, strengthening proteins and shine-boosting vitamins. A completely transformative treatment that leaves the hair healthy, shiny and more manageable.









 
Elujuda 2-1 Leave-in Treatment/Styling Product - $34.00

Elujuda is a 2 in 1 Leave-in Treatment and Styling Product. Elujuda isn't a conventional leave-in treatment. It acts as a styling foundation because it immediately restores hair to its most ideal condition for blow outs. And the finishing is amazingly light! Extracted from the oils of the baobob tree, Elujuda leaves hair unbelievably soft, supple and smooth. Available in two formulas, one for fine hair and one for coarse hair.


Milbon Straight Liscio Crystal - $28.00
 

  
Liscio Crystal contains moisture and shine in hair by blocking out unwanted humidity absorbtion. The result is sleek, smooth hair without the unwanted frizz. The sandalwood, bark, and barley extract leaves a pleasant and light scent. A wonderful serum for achieving healthy looking blow-outs!













 




Largo Calot Hair Cream - $14.00 (3.5 oz) - $18.00 (5.29 oz)

      

Largo Calot gives light finish, smoothness, and luster to hair. Lightweight, leave-in treatment ideal for those who spend time in the sun. Makes hair look healthy. Reduces frizz and provides some hold. Protect your hair from split ends and the color from fading from the exposure to the ultraviolet rays that come the sun.

ID Care Heat Silk Lotion - $17.00

Meros ID Care Heat Silk Lotion Protein molecules polymerize with blow-drying or ironing heat and create large protein chains, preventing loss through cuticle breaks. Vegetable ceramide and wheat proteins coat and smooth down broken, lifted cuticles for great manageability. NMF maximizes moisture retention and silk proteins seal cracked cuticles to lock in the NMF molecules. Silk PPT polymerize with heat and form a silk film to coat each strand and lock in vital emollients and nutrients.








ID Care Hi Poffy - $16.00

 
Leave-in treatment with natural Hippophae vegetable oil restores lost matrix components to damaged hair and maintains manageability of chemically straightened hair. 
Hair is moisturized with healthy luster and natural bounce.

• Hippophae grows high in the mountains of Mongolia and Tibet.  It is renowned for its vitality and hardiness.
• Amino Acid is easily and rapidly absorbed by hair to restore damaged protein compounds for greater protection and strength.
• Lean Fat fills and seals porous internal structure of hair weakened by repeated coloring.
• Vitamin E infuses hair with moisture to create glossy luster.