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Toshiko store founder shares beauty of Japanese art

By Christopher Smart

The Salt Lake TribuneSalt Lake Tribune

At Toshiko, you can buy an authentic Japanese doll - or learn how to make one.

It's all part of putting forth the Japanese culture for recent immigrants, their sons and daughters - and anyone else interested in the beauty and richness of all things Nipponese, said Jeanne Toshiko Marse.

"My store is about Japanese culture," she explained. "I want people - especially Japanese young people - to know the Japanese culture."

The small shop, which bears her maiden name, is tucked away at 1769 W. 4160 South. It is adorned with beautiful dolls, hand-painted fans and lanterns, traditional Japanese tea sets and sake glasses, decorated jewelry boxes and breath-taking kimonos, among other things.

Located in Carriage Square in Taylorsville for the past year, Marse originally opened the shop's doors in 1984. For many years she was located in downtown Salt Lake City's Crossroads Mall.

She was born in Fukuoka, Japan. In 1956, she married an American and immigrated to the United States. Marse moved to Utah in 1971. The store was an outgrowth of her desire to make the dolls that occupy an important place in traditional Japanese culture. In 1978, after reading about it in a Japanese magazine, she began teaching herself the ancient art.

She wrote to doll makers in her home country, seeking advice on techniques and materials. Eventually, Marse mastered the intricate craft.

You can see her works on display at Toshiko, along with dolls of other makers that include geisha girls, dancing dolls and Kabuki performers.

Customers can buy her dolls or sign up for her doll-making class.

"Doll making is difficult," she explained. "Some people have a knack for it. But some say, 'I just can't do it.' "

Marse is a good resource and active member of the Japanese-American community in the Salt Lake area, said Marie Matsukawa, of the Japanese Church of Christ.

"She shares a lot with us about how things should really look," Matsukawa noted. "Like how to put on a kimono."

The annual Japanese fall festival, Aki Matsuri, takes place Sept. 16 on 100 South between 200 and 300 West - the historic part of Salt Lake City once known as "Japan Town." And Toshiko always has been helpful putting it on, Matsukawa said.

"She is so interested in making the culture available. She's worked very hard all these years."

Festival-goers can enjoy food and crafts, as well as martial arts, dance and music- and get a feel for Japanese culture.

For those who cannot celebrate Japanese culture at the festival, Toshiko is open six days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For shoppers with time, Marse will show and explain many of the finer points of the fascinating culture.

For example, she sells special lanterns for the annual Obon celebration each August where past souls revisit this world from the one they have passed on to. The lanterns guide their way.

"The souls come back and visit," she explained. "So we celebrate."

csmart@sltrib.com

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posted by Cheryl Levesque @ 3:21 PM