JAPAN VLOG Foreigner Life in Japan: Slow Home Life Weekend, Language Learning, House Projects
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- čas přidán 12. 10. 2023
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I did a budget DIY renovation on the kitchen of my akiya vacant house in the Japanese countryside. I restored an antique tansu, painted and cleaned. All in, I only spent about $185 USD.
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I moved into a vacant house ( akiya ) in the inaka countryside mountains of Shikoku, Japan. We are renovating a 100-year old kominka traditional Japanese house into a guest house and we live in a newer house next door. I'm a former career interior designer (American certification/license). Now I'm a foreigner living in Japan, and recently married the Tokyo-born Mr. Nakamura.
#traditionaljapanesehouse #akiya #japanesecountryside
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omg, italki is the only website i found that has any lithuanian teachers on it, tysm bitsii!!!
Hi, I have commented before--I'm the American kid who grew up in Tosayamada until 1976 (I am 65 now). I enjoyed your video very much and have watched most of what you put on your channel--they always pop up in my feed and I am filled with nostalgia whenever I watch, from the bugs and bird calls in the background to whatever is on the screen.
And congratulations on finding a life partner. There is so much joy to be found in that, and I am happy for you both.
It is fun to see your approach to reusing things. When I was young, my post-War Japanese neighbors were into everything new, and there were often things we considered repurposable or useful still that were being thrown away. There was a sense that used things were inherently soiled or too beaten up to sell or give to anyoone, so they got thrown out instead. I didn't mind, so I personally always rode the best maintained bicycle in the neighborhood, not in good looks but in always having a good wheel or chain or mud guard on hand, because I could scrounge them for next to nothing from bicycles being thrown out. And radios and TVs were always easy to come by for the same reason.
A comment or two on your chest: The original finish was probably laquer (nisu), which was pretty much all they had in 1920. The black was most likely lampblack, but I am not sure. It could have been actually burned wood (syou sugi ban), but i think it would have shown up as powdered ash when you scrubbed it if it was. Incidentally, you should be able to laquer over the linseed oil after a few months if you ever need to, but it is much more fragile than the easily renewable linseed oil. The iron hardware is fantastic, and what a great job of cleaning it up!!!! Both pieces resemble a style called a sea captain's chest, but slightly less rugged. They usually had a locked compartment for storing cash, and on occasion a hidden secret drawer as well. I saw many like yours in small mom and pop stores as a kid used as their "safe" for overnight storage of the cash till and important documents.
BTW if you like fish at all, the best in the world is fresh mackerel (saba) less than 6 hours from the sea, dredged in flour and salt and fried hot. Just sayin'.
Again, thanks!
Joe from Rockaway, New Jersey
I really enjoyed reading your comment. Thank you for sharing!
@@kell475 me too🥰
And me too ! 😊
A tip for anyone if they need/want to get yellowed plastic like those light switches white again without painting it. Submerge it in hydrogen peroxide (preferably in a see-through container) and leave them out in the sun for a day or so. The UV light will turn the plastic white again. :)
Love that. Thanks!
@@bitsii My pleasure! A lesson I learned while restoring my childhood computer that had become more or less yellow. 😁
It depends a bit on the plastic, but often it's the flame retardant that reacts with the plastic over time and causes it to turn yellowish.
Ive done that to old nintendos it works
@@bitsii there's a process called Retro-Brite (my son is a gamer and loves vintage systems and cartridges, they're often yellowed by age) which is basically what the above commenter mentioned.
Although I do like your solution of priming and painting the items too!
Yellowing in ABS plastic occurs when it is exposed to UV light or excessive heat, which causes photo-oxidation of polymers that breaks polymer chains and causes the plastic to yellow and become brittle
Retrobrighting requires two ingredients: hydrogen peroxide and a source of UV light or heat energy.
This method requires placing a small amount of specialized food grade volatile liquid hydrogen peroxide (12%) into a sealed container (must be air tight) with the plastic piece that you want to treat. Placing the container in direct sunlight will help expedite the chemical reaction to de-yellow the plastic. However, this process can also be done indoors with the container next to a window getting indirect sunlight.
Some of the pros of using this method is that it requires much less hydrogen peroxide liquid since you are not required to completely submerge the plastic piece you want to treat. Additionally, it produces a very even and constant result!
the kitchen is already looking incredible!! I can't wait to see how an updated backsplash will change the room further.
This was an all in one video treat: walk in the forest with shiitake farm, blue tea turning purple, such lovely neighbor gifts and then the kitchen refresh! WOW
Good luck with all the paperwork related to your move,... + congratulations on your marriage 🥰
Bravo, what a gorgeous transformation! Fantastic that you used the old cabinetry that was in storage, can't wait to see what you do next!
That's Good, Keep Going! Reminder: Just keep being who you are, living from the inside out! The best gift to give.
I would keep the backsplash tiles and regrout. The color is lovely.
Everyone compliments you on the lovely renovation, as they should, but I believe you should be complimented for one more thing: being able to eat natto!
😍Impressed by your sense of esthetics. Thank you for letting us experience with you this beautiful transformation. Lila .
Thank you for your videos watching your work is so calming
Wow, what an amazing transformation. I was hard to even tell it was the same room. Those side by side shots at the end was so neat
Glad you liked it!
@@bitsii Merci ! 🥰
Stunning! You did a great job. Thank you for the inspiration. And frankly amazed at the turnaround.
Inspiring video, thank you! At 11:46 note that the date is 1980, not 1955 (the date on the newspaper is the 55th year of the Showa era 昭和55年)
What a lovely video. I am sure your home is happy to be loved and appreciated again.
That turned out really well! Especially the old drawers look stunning 😍
Beautiful transformation of the kitchen. Love that you repurposed things.
My girlfriend played your video during our luncheon visit... I want to see/hear u again, (breast cancer survivor) happy 83% cancer gone, but so is left breast, your gentle voice, cute creative content
If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then you have made an excellent start. It all looks amazing! The storage furniture looks so good, and I totally understand putting in new drawer hardware. Thanks for showing us some of the local area as well. The mushroom farm is really cool.
I love seeing you using the old furniture and throwing away the particleboard stuff! My daughter lives in China; a few years ago she moved to a bigger place and needed furniture, so she went to a used furniture market. She deliberately chose old, solid wood pieces. It was budget friendly and worked great for her!
Damn, those dark cabinets and table look amazing! I don't know why it works with that blue tile, but it does...like salty peanuts in ice cream. It looks so inviting. 👌👍
Haha! That's a great analogy.
Bitsii!!! : D Thank you for sharing your journey. The entire feeling of the space changed, as you moved the energy. As someone who is planning to move to Wakayama prefecture and buying an akiya, I'm inspired to use what is left and honor the life the house has given.
Rub some bee/parafin wax on the tracks for smooth movement of the sliding doors. works for wooden drawers, paper sliding doors, etc. too.
Right what I need after a week holiday to stay in a relaxed mood
Thank you for making this video, it was a joy to watch and it was lovely to see a beautiful realistic inexpensive makeover.
Impressive kitchen makeover by repurposing the existing resources. Keep it up and continue to be inspirational ! Cheers.
What a makeover, even though most of the stuff was already there. Love it!
thank you--we are enjoying your restoration-improvement-adventure---aloha always from Bali
Wow. Those kitchen cabinets came out so nice. That was quite an effort you put in.
i really enjoyed the background noises and the nature around you as you worked! Thank you for having those little details
The food looked amazing. I’m so happy for you. Thank you for sharing. From a fellow interior designer.
I love your channel! Please keep them coming.!
Wow what a great transformation! If it were me, I would round the corners of the island, otherwise I would constantly poke and bruise myself walking around it. But you guys aren't clumsy like me!
Wow, what an amazing job you’ve done. Congrats, looks incredible!!! Love your vlog, hugs from Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina! 🇦🇷🇦🇷
wow your kitchen came together amazingly! Cant wait to see how your other home projects turn out if you choose to share~
Healthy tip. Your honey should never come in contact with metal. Use a honey or wooden spoon. Keep up the great work!
This was SO SOOTHING! Thank you for sharing this also YES LINSEED OIL!!! It's my favorite and go-to especially for creating a patina in projects.
The re-purposing is so inspiring! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it!
This kitchen transformation is amazing !👏
Wow. Only Wow. The transformation ist amazing!
Perfect. Soothing. Arigato!
Love the music you use in your videos !
Wooww! 😮 What a transformation. You have a good aesthetic eye Bitsii. I love current backsplash tho but I’m sure you’ll make something more Beautiful.
Ty for the videos....Mad use of your design skills as usual. ( I really like the flower on your old house. ) Mr. Nakamura is lucky to have married a real pip! ( pip.... : one extraordinary of its kind) My hope is you feel the same for him. Good luck to both of you!!!!!!
I love it looks so good I really like the re-do 🦘❤️🐨
So happy to see you posted so soon after the last video! So impressed with your kitchen refresh and how well you were able to integrate that great old cabinet into your kitchen. Can’t wait to see more videos and get to know more about your new life with Mr Nakamura.
Bitsii, its magical what you did to that kitchen!!! Wowowow! I so enjoyed your video of restoring the old chests, doors and resourcing them into kitchen cabinets. You are hitting your stride, in your element, your home. BTW add some whimsey to those enameled vintage cabinets with paint.
Mushrooms, butterflies, bees, foxes, baskets, fruits.
Wow! What an amazing transformation! I love your videos! So relaxing and inspiring! 日本語のべんきようがんばってね！
Wow, looking so much better!
I just signed up for my first lesson with the code. Doumo arigatou gozaimasu!
Love your videos! Thank you 😊
I love watching your videos! Their so relaxing especially after a long day of work ☺
your talent is on another level !! Thumbs up !
Thank you for the beautiful video❤✨
Adansonhaetori-san was quick to sample the honey on your toast.
Yay!!! I was waiting patiently for a video from you.😊
Thank you for your patience. 🙏 I hope you like it!
Wow wow wow!! Amazing transformation!!❤ You are skillful and super talented!
I can watch your work for an hour or more, so relaxing to watch.❤❤❤
great Job, Thank you for being such an inspiration in our lives
There is just something so peaceful about your vlogs. I always get excited when I see one of your videos pop up!
Looks superb, I only wish I lived nearby so I could have offered some handmade stools. They're not ethically problematic to me at all, but it's amazing how much the one or two brand new things stand out when set against genuine aged pieces.
Also, did you get rid of the long metal wall-hung rack? I'd have that in a heartbeat :D - again wish I lived round the corner.
I am loving the new renovations! What beautiful work you do❤
Very well done, love these videos and godspeed
I have restored several tansus over the years. I really like what you did. Not really the right way, but your way really came
out nice. Don't forget to apply some wax to the drawers and doors. That will make them really opperate smoothly
Wow, what an improvement! 😊
Looks terrific, well done.
So much character and beauty when reusing materials that just needed a little love! I like the point you made about another tutorial beating up wood to make it look older. No matter how many new things humans come up with, there is something about authentic personality we always crave
Great job!
WOW 😍 you did a great job.
You have created such a warm, inviting & creative space. Japanese aesthetics based ftom nature are so beautiful!
I'm so happy to see a young person cherish the antique furniture. You are doing a beautiful job. And I appreciate the respect you give to your new home. I hope to retire to Japan where I'm from but will definitely need a turn key akiya close to a city.
Thanks for sharing.
That tansu island is gorgeous. Well done!
Lets goooo, I love these!
So gorgeous!!!!
That looks so nice and cozy omg x3
Beautiful, Bitsii. I am quite inspired by what you have done. I made a garden tool rack using old screen doors and old boards, and paint that was left in the basement when we bought the house. Quite satisfying.
amazing work it looks so good!
Nice job Bitsii
I like a result❤
Great video and great kitchen ! So inspiring ! Waiting for the next video here in France !
BTW do you have work to do on the eletricity system , for sécurité ? Must be very old !
wow great job!
Great video!
very nice job!
Wonderful renovation, Bitsi!
wouah you did a great job, so inspiring !!
I have seen tat tea before it looked to good to be true online but nw tat I have seen u drink I wanna try it ❤
頂きます 🙏
Hope you are being very careful using the linseed oil in the heat of summer, as linseed oil-soaked rags are prone to spontaneous combustion! (This isn't a joke, recommend googling if you hadn't heard this!)
great work
I learned hiragana but stopped learning katakana as I dont see myself going over there
what motivated you to learn Japanese as you were in US ?
You just got your own playlist!
What does that mean?
@@bitsiiI’m saving your videos in a playlist folder in my CZcams library…so I can easily access and rewatch the at will. This is a good thing…a compliment
@@bitsii It means that I really enjoy your videos so I can easily rewatch them if I wish!
Oh, hah! Thanks!
🤩
ビッツィーさん、今年は木の実が不作らしくて最近くまが人里に出るニュース多いから念のため気をつけてね～
I just watched a video about shogi pieces and my grey cells got to working... when my brother was in school one of the projects he did in Industrial Arts was to make a coffee table with an inlaid chess board surface. If you decide to repurpose some of the square tiles they may be suitable for a shogi board inlaid tabletop?
🍁🍂🧡🍂🍁
I think you may have a career as the new Venetia Stanley.
The new kitchen is lovely and that old cupboard is gorgeous. I'm so glad you didn't go down the route of painting it. It shows it's age and that's OK. Also, as someone from the older generation I can say that I was brought up to re-use where possible, so I'm all for your kind of decorating.
Very impressive! How long did it take you to do al of that work?
Thank you! I was lucky enough to be able to dedicate some full days, so it only took about two weeks.
That toast looked so good. I'm glad you move the jumping spider away. The tea looks lovely, what did you put into it that made it turn purple?
You did a great job transforming tha tansu!
You lunch looked lovely, except I'm not sure I can do natto.
I have to ask, why doesn't your husband/partner help out?
Overall a very good job.
As far as the drawers go, rather than go for slow close hinges, they some beeswax of furniture wax. It will ease the friction.
Where you're living, do you have a hardline broadband signal or is it shared with your phone??
The butterfly pea flower makes it blue, then the honey made it purple. Sometimes we do projects together, but I like to claim interior projects for myself. I don't remember where he was, maybe gardening? We have fiber internet. Thanks for watching!
Wait so are you still living in the free house in Japan
We moved to a different house, but yes, it’s in Japan and the rent is zero.
This looks like the most peaceful life ever arrghhh I wish I’ll get to experience something similar one day 🥲🥲
I would love to know how long each project took you too! Love your videos!
I was uncharacteristically quick on the kitchen. Painting/cleaning took a few days and the cabinets/island took the weekend!