TIP-OFF
Wabi-Sabi shop to celebrate musubi month

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Staff Writer

July will be "Musubi Kichigai" ("Musubi Crazy") month at Wabi-Sabi, a shop in Kaimuki that will celebrate the joy and essence of the beloved musubi, the triangular Japanese rice-ball staple.

A musubi-decorating contest on July 13 will highlight the month. Adult and children divisions are open, with entries accepted from 9 to 10 a.m. July 13, followed by judging from 10 to 11 a.m. The store can provide entry details; the public may view the entries from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day.

Musubi-themed festivities will prevail at the shop, located at 1223 Koko Head Ave., No. 4.

The festivities include:

• A musubi-counting contest, July 2-31. The object is to correctly count the number of ume (pickled plum) and Spam musubi cutouts along the shelves and hidden among the goodies in the store.
• An ume-tasting, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13.
• A book-signing by Joan Namkoong, author of "Go Home, Cook Rice," from 10 a.m. to noon July 20.

The store will be stocked with a variety of musubi items — rubber stamps, dish towels, T-shirts, pillows, magnets, lunch bags and more — suitable for collecting or gift-giving.

The shop hours are from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays.

Information: 734-3693.