(The following is the English translation of the e-mail sent to our Japanese customers.)

This is Kanako Yoshida from YOUYOUANG.
I hope you have been well.

We are concerned about the effects of the approaching typhoon. Here in Maebashi, there is no strong wind today, but it has been raining continuously since last night. Just two days ago, the temperature reached 34°C (93°F), making it feel as though summer had already arrived.
Even the nemophila flowers in my garden seemed exhausted by the unexpected heat—I felt a little sorry for them.

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At last, our new product is ready.
Beginning June 20, we will launch ZEN SEASONS, a new incense series that blends traditional fragrant woods with floral, fruity, and musk notes.
The seasons change quietly, without fanfare.
Inspired by that gentle transition, we created four agrances that softly accompany each season of the year.

From left to right:

Spring
A blend of sandalwood with a fruity sweetness, expressing “the subtle presence of blossoms unfolding in gentle sunlight.”

Summer
A combination of agarwood and refreshing lavender, inspired by “a cool and tranquil moment shimmering upon the water.”

Autumn
Agarwood paired with the delicate sweetness of osmanthus, evoking “the understated elegance drifting through the evening air.”

Winter
Sandalwood blended with soft musk, expressing “the warmth embraced by quietly falling snow.”　　　

Although it may be difficult to see in the photograph, each illustration is framed with gold foil.
The design was inspired by the view of seasonal landscapes seen through the round window of a Zen temple.
The paulownia wood box measures 120 × 85 × 20 mm and contains 40 sticks of 9 cm incense, together with an incense holder.
Suggested retail price: JPY 1,650 (tax included).

To help convey the character of each scent, we even printed a haiku on the front of the package! (laugh)
Scent samples are available, so please feel free to contact us. We believe these scents turned out beautifully.

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There was no May edition of the YOUYOUANG Newsletter.
I had many things I wanted to report, including my participation in the Suzu Ultra Marathon, but circumstances intervened…

On May 16, while returning from trail-running practice on Mt. Haruna, I slipped on a gravel path near the summit. This photograph was taken at the top of the mountain. The azaleas had just begun to bloom, and the mountain scenery was absolutely beautiful—but this was taken only moments before my accident.

The instant I fell, I felt a sharp pain in my right hand. Using an inner shirt and a towel as a makeshift sling, I somehow managed to descend the mountain.

However, after visiting an orthopedic clinic, I learned that I had a hairline fractur my wrist.
A cast was applied immediately.

Since my wrist has been immobilized, I have been living almost entirely with my left hand.
Whenever I accidentally try to use my right hand, it still hurts.

As a result, I have been keeping emails, smartphone use, and computer work to a minimum.
Typing is especially slow these days…

In fact, I am writing this newsletter with my left hand.
It is still slow, but perhaps I am finally getting used to it.

Even with the cast, I have continued work that is less affected by the injury—business trips, meetings, accounting tasks, and placing orders by phone.

I resumed running the following week. Because my arm is fixed in place, my running companions even commented that my running form has improved!

Perhaps this is a case of “a blessing in disguise.”

I expect to spend another week or two in the cast.
Until then, I plan to continue running on flat roads and make the most of the opportunity to improve my running form.

As for trail running, I may take the rest of this year off from it.

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The weather has been as unpredictable as the beginning of the rainy season.

Please take good care of yourselves and stay healthy.

(The following is the English translation of the e-mail sent to our Japanese customers.)

This is Kanako Yoshida from YOUYOUANG.
I hope you have been well.

It is such a splendid season, when the flowers that brighten gardens and small paths seem to change week by week. Here, the cherry blossoms have completely finished, and now the tulips are taking center stage.

About two weeks ago, I went on a business trip to Tohoku (Morioka, Hanamaki, and Genbikei Gorge). Although it was for work, meeting the people who always support us and having time to talk with them is one of my great pleasures. I also enjoy driving around in a rental car and following the navigation system along unfamiliar roads. It feels like a little journey and always gives me a sense of excitement. My free time comes in the morning. In the clear morning air, I jogged to Chuson-ji Temple’s Konjikido Hall in Hiraizumi. The cherry blossoms there were in full bloom, and I felt as if I had received an unexpected gift. Within the temple grounds, wrapped in the silence of the morning, the flow of a thousand years seemed to continue as naturally as if it had only begun yesterday.

I felt the same atmosphere when I visited before, but Tohoku seems to possess an unwavering flow of time. There is something here unlike anywhere else, as if traces of the Fujiwara clan still linger in the air. Though they disappeared from the stage of history, perhaps they never truly vanished from this land, but continue to dwell quietly in the mountains, rivers, and temples. At least, that is how I imagine it. Unlike cities that continue to change in dazzling ways, Tohoku felt like a place where memories from a thousand years ago are still naturally alive today.

I hope to visit again in autumn, before the snow begins to fall.

Now then, the day before yesterday, I took part in the Suzu Ultramarathon.

The full course is normally 102 km, but because the effects of the earthquake and heavy rain still remain severe, with many roads not yet reopened, the course was shortened this year to 55 km.

Participation was also reduced to only 230 runners, and it was such a popular race that all places were filled just over an hour after registration opened.

The course is famous for its elevation gain, and once again it did not disappoint: 830 meters of climbing!

There were several extremely steep hills with gradients of around 11%, so I walked many of the uphill sections. Even so, it was quite tough. (laugh)

Somehow, I managed to finish the race. At the finish line, I received a commemorative medal drawn by children from local preschool. Even though many local residents are still facing very difficult circumstances, some of them cheered for us from temporary housing. There were moments when I had to hold back tears while running.

I also visited Suzu and Noto last autumn for the Nakanoto Trail Journey (a mountain trail-running race), and once again I felt that it is a place of calmness, quietness, and deep dignity.

What Suzu and Tohoku seem to share is this:

When a land has accumulated time, it gains the power to quietly embrace human life while nurturing a dignity found nowhere else.

This April taught me that true richness is not glamour, but something quietly cultivated over a long span of time.

Ah, dear heavens, may this lesson somehow take root within me…

(The following is the English translation of the e-mail sent to our Japanese customers.)

This is Kanako Yoshida from YOUYOUANG.
I hope you have been well. After several days of rain, the weather has finally cleared, and here in the foothills of Mt. Akagi, the cherry blossoms have begun to bloom all at once.
Magnolias bloomed a little earlier, and daffodils are still at their peak, gently bringing us news of spring.

As the weather warms, one of our most popular items is our “Natural Insect Repellent Incense Stick.”
With warmer days, insects start to appear too—though not everyone welcomes them. This incense stick is about 4 mm thick and has a fresh, clean scent similar to lemongrass. Its refreshing scent helps reduce the activity of mosquitoes and small flies. It is made primarily from neem, which is said to be safe for humans and animals even with repeated use, and contains no fragrance additives, chemicals, or colorants.

Last year, we had to suspend sales of our “Insect Repellent Incense Coil” due to various circumstances, but we are pleased to announce that it will be available again this year.
Each spiral burns for about two and a half hours, making it perfect for relaxing on a balcony or deck.
Due to increased material costs, the price will be raised slightly: JPY 1,300 → JPY 1,400 (excluding tax). We sincerely apologize for this adjustment. There will be no changes to the packaging or specifications. Thank you for your understanding.

Since March, as part of our company initiative to create a more “fragrant” Instagram presence, we have started adding short traditional-style poems (tanka) to our posts.

I write them by referring to classics such as the Manyoshu, (Japan’s oldest anthology of poetry, compiled in the 8th century) learning as we go (the poem in the above photo is a good example!).
Recently, I feel I’ve finally gotten a bit used to it, and I’m able to express my own feelings more naturally.
It seems I’ve found myself with yet another hobby—or task! (laugh)

Now, a notice regarding our schedule for Golden Week starting from the end of April:
(Golden Week is a series of national holidays in Japan, typically from late April to early May, when many businesses close and people travel.)

We will be closed on April 29 (national holiday), and open on Saturday, May 2.
The final shipment before the holiday will be on May 2, and we kindly ask that orders be placed by Friday, May 1.
We will then be closed for the following week and resume normal operations from May 11.

The new fiscal year has begun before we know it.
We wish you all happiness in the months ahead.
And if you have the chance, please enjoy the cherry blossoms while they are in full bloom.

(The following is the English translation of the e-mail sent to our Japanese customers.)

This is Kanako Yoshida from YOUYOUANG.
I hope you are doing well and enjoying the early days of spring.

March 8 was International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate the right of women around the world to live freely, healthily, and as themselves.

When I look at the world today, I sometimes feel a tightness in my stomach when I see the news. The world situation feels frighteningly unstable, and hearing about bombings in the news is very distressing.

Even under such a harsh sky, and amid so many disappointments, I hope we can keep a small candle lit in our hearts — gently caring for ourselves and letting only love and beauty filter through into our lives.

By coincidence, I read a striking line this morning from the Japanese writer Aiko Sato, which I would like to share with you:

Even when something so sad happens that it feels as if your heart will break,
“Do not cry — in life, it is enough to remember only the beautiful things.”

Such noble and strong words. I hope I can live by them as well.

Now, on a lighter note—

Early in the morning on the day before International Women’s Day, I opened the door to answer the breakfast demands of our neighborhood cats. Unfortunately, the deck outside had frozen, and I slipped and fell quite spectacularly!

My ankle swelled up so much that I suspected a fracture, but when I went to the hospital the next day, the doctor said, “You don’t usually break a bone just by twisting your ankle. What you should watch out for is stress fractures from too much practice — they don’t always show up on X-rays.”

Don’t worry — I’m not practicing that hard at my age! (laugh)

At my usual sports shop, a familiar staff member recommended an ankle supporter. It’s only about 20 cm long and cost over 10,000 yen, but when I wear it the pain disappears completely! Now I feel fearless again, and from this morning I have been able to resume my practice little by little.

The two cats in this photo are the ones who called me outside that morning. Every day our deck is covered with their little paw prints.

I apologize if this information was not clearly communicated in our previous email. Although we discussed it in individual emails and at the exhibition, I would like to inform you again of the following.

Our popular short-size incense series currently includes:

Morning Incense – Short: “Coffee,” “Tea,” and “Gyokuro”

“Incense for Healing – Short”

“Incense of Natural Fragrant Wood– Sandalwood / Agarwood – Short”

Until now, both the inner box and the outer package were wrapped in OPP plastic bags. However, we have received feedback that the outer OPP bag makes the products slippery and difficult to stack. Therefore, starting this spring, we will gradually begin shipping them without the outer OPP bag.

For customers such as florists who prefer the outer OPP bag as a protective cover, we will of course continue to provide it upon request. Please feel free to let us know if you would like them included.

The paper used for the packaging is coated (the same as our slim-type series), making it resistant to dirt.

The Girls’ Festival (Hinamatsuri is a traditional Japanese celebration held on March 3 to wish for the health and happiness of girls.) has already passed in the blink of an eye.
The cedar trees are turning yellow and the air is becoming hazy by pollen — the pollen season has arrived.

Please take good care of yourselves and don’t forget your hay fever precautions!

(The following is the English translation of the e-mail sent to our Japanese customers.)

This is Kanako Yoshida from YOUYOUANG.
I hope this message finds you well.

Last weekend, snowfall covered much of the Kanto region. Traveling in such unfamiliar conditions must have felt a little unsettling for many of you. Fortunately, the spring Gift Show concluded successfully before the snowy weather arrived.
It was truly a pleasure to reconnect and speak with so many people whom we do not often have the chance to meet.

Although we are still feeling the effects of the cold wave, according to the traditional Japanese calendar, it is already spring.

Today, I would like to reintroduce one of our long-selling favorites: the “Cherry Blossom Incense / Paulownia Box.”

Many of you may already be familiar with this item, but we would be delighted to present it once again. It was also featured in the “Fragrance Products Fair” section of this year’s Tokyo Gift Show invitation flyer.

This is a spring incense, wrapped in traditional washi paper and presented in a paulownia wood box.
We have captured the fleeting beauty of the cherry blossom season in incense form.

• Someiyoshino: soft, gentle, and delicately sweet
• Hazakura (Cherry Tree in Leaf): a subtle, leafy aroma reminiscent of sakura-mochi (a traditional Japanese spring sweet made with rice cake wrapped in salted cherry leaves)
• Yae-zakura (Double Cherry Blossom): elegant yet light and graceful

Each variety has its own distinctive character.

The packaging itself is also full of individuality. Natural cherry branches harvested by the end of the year are carefully dried, cut to size one by one, and then attached to each paulownia box by hand.

There are many more creations we would love to introduce, and we hope to take more time to share them with you on another occasion.

The cold will soon ease—let us welcome a healthy and vibrant spring together.

It will be held at Tokyo Ariake Big Sight.

We will exhibit at “Tokyo Gift Show Spring 2023” to be held at Tokyo Big Sight on February 15, 16 and 17.

The frame is East 5 Hall, “East 5-T47-08” near the entrance.

*This is an exhibition that can only be visited by companies.

We have new products, so please come and visit us.

Thank you for visiting our website.

We are pleased to inform you that YOUYOUANG has launched Japanese and English versions websites.

We will continue to make every effort to make our website helpful and look forward to your continued support.

From the latter half of February, we have been popping up at “Tsunaguya” on the 5th floor of Shibuya Hikarie.
It is a very easy-to-understand place right in front of you when you get off the escalator.
It was planned to be held for one month, but it was well received and it was held for one month.
Thankfully, it has been extended until Mother’s Day in May.
Of course, this new product is also on display.
Please drop in when you come to Shibuya.

And for the four days from April 22nd (Friday) to 25th (Monday),
Pop-up at the event space on the first basement floor of “GRANSTA Tokyo” in Tokyo Station
We will participate in the “Recommend Market”.
Again, new products and best-selling prayer and healing series,
We are planning to develop incense gift sets in bottles that are perfect for gifts.
I would like you to pick it up and enjoy the scent.
I will be at the store on the 22nd and 25th, so please feel free to ask me about incense.
Spring is the season when new things begin. Exciting to everyone
I hope there are many.