“A beautiful piece of the universe.”
words & photography
KARMAN TSE
Stardust looks like it materialised right out of a Cereal magazine spread. This four-year-old café serves lovingly-made vegan food and raw sweets. Who knew a seemingly simple lunch of rice and vegetables could invoke such a deep sense of joy and gratitude? I also haven’t been able to put the scones, accompanied by tomato jam and tofu cream, out of my mind.
In front, a cosy retail space with a thoughtful curation of jewellery, pottery, teas, apparel and crystals greet you on entering the shop. The owner, a soft-spoken Kana-san, calls them “beautiful things”. And they are, truly. All who walk through the unassuming door speak in hushed voices — in reverence, although I am not sure what of. But there is no doubt a sort of unspoken consensus — an unwillingness to disturb the wonderfully zen energy in this “beautiful piece of the universe”.
As Kana-san wraps up my purchase — a crystal I thought resembles an angel — she says in pretty fluent English: “This is Stilbite. It’s a very special piece.” Then, before she artfully and meticulously wraps it up in washi paper and a delicate string, she says and waves goodbye to the white-and-dusty-blue healing stone. It shall in a few days embark on a new journey — from Kyoto for Singapore — with me. “She is happy,” Kana concludes, and walks me to the door, bows and thanks me. Arigato gozaimasu.
