TGS BLOG

Obake - Our Friendly Neighborhood Ghosts, Monsters and Creatures of the Night - tortoise general store

Obake - Our Friendly Neighborhood Ghosts, Monsters and Creatures of the Night

Obakes are a class of supernatural creatures often featured in Japanese folklore.  Originally taken from the word bakeru, which literally translates into 'thing that changes', they're often known as shapeshifters. ...

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Kokeshi Craft - A Look into Japan's Expression of Girl Power - tortoise general store

Kokeshi Craft - A Look into Japan's Expression of Girl Power

The earliest evidence of Kokeshi dolls dates back to 1804 - 1829, the height of Japan's Edo Period.  The craft first took root amongst rural farmers in Tohoku -...

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Let's Celebrate Dads all Month Long! Staff Picks for Father's Day Gifts (06.18.2020) - tortoise general store

Let's Celebrate Dads all Month Long! Staff Picks for Father's Day Gifts (06.18.2020)

  We're especially grateful for Dads this year.  During uncertain times, Dads have stepped up to support their families, taking on extra duties and wearing new...

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Two New Styles of Hasami Porcelain Bowls Debuts Exclusively at Tortoise! - tortoise general store

Two New Styles of Hasami Porcelain Bowls Debuts Exclusively at Tortoise!

The satisfying texture, the surprisingly lightweight feeling, the varying shades of clay that sing when they're stacked: Hasami Porcelain is unmistakable.  Since its founding in...

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Tortoise Staff Picks: New Products for your Home and Life - tortoise general store

Tortoise Staff Picks: New Products for your Home and Life

Glass Teapot with Wood Handle This glass teapot is a clean and cool option for your daily tea set-up at home that makes watching your tea brew...

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Check-In with Tomoro Pottery's Tomoko Morisaki During Safer at Home - tortoise general store

Check-In with Tomoro Pottery's Tomoko Morisaki During Safer at Home

Tomoko Morisaki works quietly inside a converted garage in Torrance California, her hands coated in slip (clay liquid) as she gently raises a bowl on...

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Spring is Here - Let's Enjoy Flower Arrangement at Home! - tortoise general store

Spring is Here - Let's Enjoy Flower Arrangement at Home!

Our gardens are in bloom, so now's the time to take advantage and enjoy them with some simple arrangements. Tortoise owner, Keiko, shows us how she is arranging...

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The Magic of Making Tenugui - Plus, our Seasonal Summer Patterns Explained! - tortoise general store

The Magic of Making Tenugui - Plus, our Seasonal Summer Patterns Explained!

Tenuguis have been part of Japanese life since the Heian Period.  For non-historians, that's a golden age long ago when Kyoto was the nation's capital and...

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Staff Check In: Tortoise Pets Tell us their Favorite Tortoise Things! - tortoise general store

Staff Check In: Tortoise Pets Tell us their Favorite Tortoise Things!

Mavis (Age 12), Co-worker to Emma, GM:  "We rescued Mavis 2 years ago from an amazing organization called Maeday Rescue.  Mavis is enjoying many walks and nearly 24/7 companionship...

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