Monday 22 June 2009

よーじや Aloe あぶらとり紙 (Oil-blotting paper)


日本の伝統コスメ会社よーじやの東京都内にある販売店とカフェの一つは、羽田空港の第1ターミナルにあります。そこでは天然のアロエを原材料に使用したアロエあぶらとり紙(以前は国外販売のみでした)を購入することが出来ます。よーじやの全てのあぶらとり紙と同じように、アロエも肌を刺激したり乾燥させたりすることなく、あぶらを取ってくれます。それでも、限定販売されたアロエよりも少しスムーズな柚子のあぶらとり紙の方が好きですが、アロエのあぶらとり紙は柚子の代わりとして、またちょっとしたお土産にも良いです。

Traditional Japanese cosmetics company Yojiya's one boutique and café in the Tokyo-area is located in Terminal 1 of the Haneda Airport. There, you can purchase their (previously overseas-only) Aloe oil-blotting paper made of natural aloe ingredients. Like all of Yojiya's blotting papers, the Aloe paper does an excellent job of absorbing oil without irritating or drying out your skin. Although, I still prefer their limited edition Yuzu paper, which is a hint smoother, the Aloe blotting paper is a nice substitute and makes a great little gift.


他のよーじやのあぶらとり紙と違い、羽田空港で売っているあぶらとり紙には「あぶらとり紙」の誕生に関する短い英語の説明がついています。これは空港でよーじやの商品を購入して海外の友人に日本のお土産として渡そうと考えている人々のことを考えた、素晴らしいアイデアだと思います。でも、英語の説明にはいくつか問題点・間違いがあります。例えば、「バイキンを取り除く」という説明が「“宝石”を取り除く」と間違えて書かれていたり、「舞妓」という言葉の意味や彼女達がどのような女性であるかを説明することなく使用したりしているところです。多くの外国人が「芸者」という言葉を耳にしたことはあると思いますが、ほとんどの人は「舞妓」という言葉を知らないと思います。ですので、「舞妓、芸者の見習い」や「修行中の芸者」という簡単な説明をつけると非常に分かりやすくなると思います。西洋の国々において芸者は人々を強く魅了する物のひとつであり、より多くの外国人女性がよーじやの商品に芸者が使われていると知ったら、よーじやは海外でより人気が高まると思います。

Unlike other Yojiya blotting papers, the blotting sheets sold at Haneda airport contain a short explanation of the origin of the aburatorigami in English. This is a wonderful idea as many people who purchase Yojiya's products at the airport plan to give them to their overseas friends as Japanese souvenirs. However, there are some problems with English text. Instead of eliminating germs, the aloe extract in their blotting paper apparently eliminates "gems." They keep referring to the "maiko women" of Japan without any explanation as to who these "maiko" women are. While most have heard of the geisha, few outside Japan are aware of the maiko. Something as simple as "maiko, geisha apprentices," or "geisha-in-training" would be helpful. There is a growing fascination with the geisha in the West and if more women found out that the geisha use/used Yojiya's products, I think the company's popularity would increase overseas.


とはいうものの、よーじやの英語による説明の大部分は分かりやすいものになっていますし、あぶらとり紙は非常に高品質な商品です。もし、京都もしくは羽田/成田/関西空港に立ち寄る機会がありましたら、よーじやのお店に立ち寄ることを強くお勧めします。海外配送を行っているかどうかは分かりませんが、よーじやにはオンラインショップもあります。

For the most part, however, Yojiya's English is understandable and their oil-blotting products are excellent. If you ever happen to find yourself in Kyoto or Haneda/Narita/Kansai airport, you should most definitely check their stores out. They also have an online store, although I am not sure if they are still shipping overseas at the moment.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this review on the Yojiya Blotting Paper. I had no idea that Geisha apprentices used to use these specific blotting papers :) I giggled when I read "gems." So cute. Aloe vera does eliminate -some- germs though, which is nice. I want to try the original version since it's rated the top in Cosme.net (I'm so addicted to this website). I found a webstore (mohikofamily.com) that carries the original version and they're located in the US (yay). Not sure I can find the limited-edition Yuzu version, sadly.

En said...

Yojiya used to have an online US store but it disappeared maybe a year ago. It's great that Mihoko carries their blotting paper. I think the Yuzu paper is (was) only available at their Kyoto stores. I never saw it on their online store or at their shop in Haneda airport. But hopefully they'll release it again next winter. =)

Anonymous said...

Konbanwa, its Utoshi!
Oh I love this brand!!! Its call Dependense, right? And I understand why ^ ^ I wish to have something from this brand too! But I didn`t know what products they have T.T

En said...

Utoshi,

It's so good to see you back on Poupee! I haven't heard of Dependense but maybe they sell the blotting papers. The company is called Yojiya and it has been around for over a hundred years. They only have shops in airports and in Kyoto, which is very far away, but soon they will open a store in Tokyo. =)

Anonymous said...

Oh I need to live near Kioto airport! XD I`m crazy abour style of this cosmetic treatments! Thank you to tell me ^ 3^
Utoshi

En said...

Utoshi,

No problem. Thank you for visit the blog. =)

Anonymous said...

You can also find these stores in Gion in Kyoto and on the way to the silver temple.

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