tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65108252024-02-24T11:01:18.689+09:00Goods From Japan | Japan ShopGoodsFromJapan.com - gifts from Japan delivered to your home or businessUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger324125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-41997379254948878622024-01-08T09:06:00.004+09:002024-01-08T09:08:13.336+09:00Tokyo Outdoors 45 Walks Hikes and Cycling Routes<h2>Japan Book Review: Tokyo Outdoors</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1919631550/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">Tokyo Outdoors: 45 Walks, Hikes and Cycling Routes to Explore the City Like a Local</a></p>
<p>by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Matthew+Baxter&mode=books" rel="nofollow">Matthew Baxter</a></p>
<p>ISBN: 978-1-919-63155-4<br />
108pp; paperback</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LRkLvNoYqi5D5uM6sEsyYyeG4N3J9hi7iC4fBN3V01WX3_RrACXR-WTJrlLpYZ_-vKR5tc0iJAbSEmdA9MpHcAo6VmvLeE6-o-y1VbrpuVIN6nqcVsUHBg5tYqPJIMZGfqVhcyKvixY9onnsAnjXXZuAozuu3icAfmuNSBONRiGtVEWYYq0Y/s1600/tokyo-outdoors.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Tokyo Outdoors: 45 Walks, Hikes and Cycling Routes to Explore the City Like a Local." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="559" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LRkLvNoYqi5D5uM6sEsyYyeG4N3J9hi7iC4fBN3V01WX3_RrACXR-WTJrlLpYZ_-vKR5tc0iJAbSEmdA9MpHcAo6VmvLeE6-o-y1VbrpuVIN6nqcVsUHBg5tYqPJIMZGfqVhcyKvixY9onnsAnjXXZuAozuu3icAfmuNSBONRiGtVEWYYq0Y/s1600/tokyo-outdoors.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>If you have a free day and don't feel like spending Tokyo money, and are in fact just looking for interesting walking, hiking or cycling routes in Tokyo, then this could be the book for you.</p>
<p>Most of the suggested 45 itineraries consist of two pages, with five or six places of interest to see on each route, a recommended café, a recommended meal spot, and finally helpful QR codes which lead to maps (usually written in Japanese) corresponding to each trip. All of the maps can be downloaded at once by using the QR code on page 4.</p>
<p>The book is the fourth in a series written by Matthew Baxter, following his <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B07PP45792/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">Super Cheap Hokkaido</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/191963150X/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">Super Cheap Japan</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1913114058/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">Super Cheap New Zealand</a> versions. Each book is similar in size, length and style. </p>
<p>Before getting into the hikes and bikes, Baxter presents three pages of details about things like transportation to and from Tokyo's two international airports, how to use Tokyo trains (both public and private lines) and how and where to rent bicycles for those who want to cycle. While anybody living in Japan will already know much of this information, it is handy for foreign tourists.<br />
The routes are mostly in Tokyo, but on occasion stretch to Nikko to the north and Yokohama to the south.</p>
<p>At the end of the book is a helpful three-page section highlighting the top three (sometimes five) hikes for cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, shopping, art and museums, history and culture, day hikes and long cycling rides. The Tamagawa River ride, one of the suggested cycling courses, is 45 kilometers (28 miles) in length, although "train lines run along much of the river, with dozens of stations to pick up or drop off your rental bicycles."</p>
<p>There is also a two-page "festival and events calendar," with a couple of suggestions for each month.</p>
<p>A few small downsides of the book would include that the photos, all black-and-white, are small not especially helpful, and that a few facts are omitted or open to question. For example, it is not mentioned that Odawara Castle is actually a 1960 rebuild of the original castle which was torn down by the Meiji government in 1872.</p>
<p>Ignore a few oversites, and you have a book with useful suggestions about how to spend some enjoyable free days in Tokyo and its surrounding areas, without splashing out much cash.</p>
<p>Review by <b>Marshall Hughes</b>.</p>
<p><b>Buy this book from Amazon</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1919631550/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">USA</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1919631550/soccerphileco-21" rel="nofollow">UK</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/1919631550/soccerphile0b-22" rel="nofollow">Japan</a></p>
<p>Looking to buy <b>Japanese things</b> directly from Japan? <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/">GoodsFromJapan</a> is here to help.</p>
<h3>More Japan Book Reviews</h3>
<p><a href="/2022/10/all-about-japan-stories-songs-crafts.html">All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids</a></p>
<p><a href="/2023/04/exposure-review.html">Exposure: From President to Whistleblower at Olympus</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-kokeshi-dolls-book-review-manami-okazaki.html">Japanese Kokeshi Dolls: The Woodcraft and Culture of Japan's Iconic Wooden Dolls</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-dolls-world-of-ningyo.html">Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo</a></p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-83741269978556674102023-12-09T12:26:00.006+09:002023-12-22T17:05:04.612+09:00Aizuwakamatsu Hand Painted Candles<h2>Aizuwakamatsu Hand Painted Candles 会津若松 絵ろうそく</h2>
<div style="float: none; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="#1">Japanese Candles</a> | <a href="#2">The Wick</a> | <a href="#3">Hoshiban Candle Store</a> | <a href="#4">Buy Hoshiban Aizuwakamatsu Candles</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1HdcTT-C1i06CL8l7BykyCjHSwLlol-KKnECzMBqgJhjpg-NsynJ03naWA68V9dltOVF3sea-8zI4kbcakgB5O90EW7BKTPOxCRCnzhps2TqG0pRydTHcic8NNuqKtE9I1giLbkpejM1_YjW2M_45pGG6I4j0oyde-7M2XoMXXnl7vYRqMBG/s1600/rosoku-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Aizwakamatsu e - rousoku." border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1HdcTT-C1i06CL8l7BykyCjHSwLlol-KKnECzMBqgJhjpg-NsynJ03naWA68V9dltOVF3sea-8zI4kbcakgB5O90EW7BKTPOxCRCnzhps2TqG0pRydTHcic8NNuqKtE9I1giLbkpejM1_YjW2M_45pGG6I4j0oyde-7M2XoMXXnl7vYRqMBG/s16000/rosoku-1.jpg" title="e - rousoku candles." /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aizwakamatsu e - rousoku</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Japan's Tensho Period (1573-1592) was, like most of the 16th century in the country, a period of wars. Oda Nobunaga just started out to unify the country, bloodily battling scores of local rulers.</p>
<p>At the same time, the late 16th century was a period of cultural refinement. Not only at the Imperial Court but across the country. Local daimyo (feudal rulers) competed in the arts as much as on the battlefield. It was the time when the Tea Ceremony became codified, the time when the finer points of <em>ikebana</em> (flower arrangement) became strictly regimented, the time when <em>kodo</em> (the <a href="/2023/10/ibaraki-suisha-senkou-incense.html">Way of Incense</a>) became an art.</p>
<p>Gamo Ujisato (1556-1595) was a clan chief and warrior fighting for Oda Nobunaga and his successor Toyotomi Hideyoshi. For his exploits on the battlefields, Hideyoshi appointed him as the ruler of the Aizu domain, in the west of today's Fukushima Prefecture.</p>
<p>Newly residing in Tsuruga Castle in the center of the regional capital Aizuwakamatsu, Gamo finally found time to concentrate on the arts. Gamo had already been one of Japan's most celebrated masters of the Tea Ceremony but it was his decree demanding the production of hand-painted candles that still makes him a popular figure in Aizuwakamatsu today.</p>
<p>Supported by the daimyo succeeding Gamo, the tradition of producing hand-painted candles has been flourishing in Aizuwakatsu since the time of Gamo's decree.</p>
<p>Gamo ordered the production of candles with artfully designed floral motifs. The floral motifs developed as response to Gamo's order are still the motifs on Aizuwakamatsu painted candles today. They are the perhaps most popular souvenirs bought in the city by visitors in the know.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VLdrblLsJh5y9jX7IusPFR7BHmQmh8BzLfnc0r6V4mJAk-SStX35O6NAUgTmTG8Tf5yDOd-VvG6EVNSCS9jcpklquS24Nnz4LDqDsnkckhRcQWTZqS42PcQNCxgLAbs8unea-ZLN386fDQ1pZ_LBqCsjfm4ioTG4idwhSlHcOePQxC5cBVtT/s1600/rosoku-2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Tsuruga Castle, Aizuwakamatsu." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VLdrblLsJh5y9jX7IusPFR7BHmQmh8BzLfnc0r6V4mJAk-SStX35O6NAUgTmTG8Tf5yDOd-VvG6EVNSCS9jcpklquS24Nnz4LDqDsnkckhRcQWTZqS42PcQNCxgLAbs8unea-ZLN386fDQ1pZ_LBqCsjfm4ioTG4idwhSlHcOePQxC5cBVtT/s1600/rosoku-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tsuruga Castle, Aizuwakamatsu, Japan</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="1">Japanese Candles</h3>
<p>Regardless of the elaborate paintings adorning them, even a cursory look at the candles themselves makes clear that they are very different from Western candles. Those are <em>Wa-Rousoku</em>, Japanese candles.</p>
<p>Japanese candles predate Gamo's order by centuries. They served as the main source of light at night even in poor households.</p>
<p>Western candles in the middle ages and beyond were typically made of tallow, hardened beef fat, a byproduct of the Western meat-eating culture.</p>
<p>In Japan, strict interpretations of Buddhist teachings prohibited the consumption of four-legged animals from the 700s on until the early 1870s.</p>
<p>That meant that tallow was unavailable.</p>
<p>Beekeeping was also not a popular feature in old Japan, thus bee wax candles were unknown.</p>
<p>Instead, the ever useful and very versatile lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum) was employed. While the sap of the tree could be used to create beautiful lacquerware, the oil-rich fruits could be cooked and pressed, resulting in a hard, waxy residue known as <em>mokuro</em> (Japan Wax).</p>
<p>That <em>mokuro</em> wax is what traditional Japanese candles are made of.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E1prlwuvh6zWIAp_aZu6utbjIWzfhTYjUrzMMRl5ABAQAhx9pZAcyt_q3VoZ0hbC-Cn8XxdFJCxXtpL6QmmrjOMh1ounGsObo50mI24BqNvaudS6CgvKN3E3h5n8z1fbXjbboYhLqjpUoV0VY5K30FWWIVSLZwRvOhsDZVPFvMQbqAGLFcBN/s1600/rosoku-5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Aizuwakamatsu hand-painted candles." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1E1prlwuvh6zWIAp_aZu6utbjIWzfhTYjUrzMMRl5ABAQAhx9pZAcyt_q3VoZ0hbC-Cn8XxdFJCxXtpL6QmmrjOMh1ounGsObo50mI24BqNvaudS6CgvKN3E3h5n8z1fbXjbboYhLqjpUoV0VY5K30FWWIVSLZwRvOhsDZVPFvMQbqAGLFcBN/s16000/rosoku-5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aizuwakamatsu hand-painted candles</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="2">The Wick</h3>
<p>The wicks of Western candles were commonly made of flax, later it became cotton.</p>
<p>Traditional Japanese wicks are a bit more complicated. They are made of washi paper infused with the pith of rushes (Juncaceae), a common plant in Japan. The wick is stabilized by silk floss.</p>
<p>Typically, the lower part of a Japanese candle is hollowed out, making it easy to place the candle on a nail or the thorn of a traditional candle holder.</p>
<p>It was those <em>wa-rousoku</em> candles Gamo Ujisato had in mind when he ordered candles to be painted.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7fzslewLA_Z50GI-18ZZTQbVlCORaMHVgTCgv-rKqDoiBiz4t2GWEB6TVZywXmPDMZ6T9qnz2G6BsbHS5V8Yw0gFJOxNKyUL-dRO-ybXF47gTT8KuZlMZr1sSLycu6pbhsciPkUpegFTeydyDr_PsZY0p5bXh-b592WUGiBhyphenhyphen97EOuEDXaMB/s1600/rosoku-3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Hoshiban candle store in Aizuwakamatsu." border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7fzslewLA_Z50GI-18ZZTQbVlCORaMHVgTCgv-rKqDoiBiz4t2GWEB6TVZywXmPDMZ6T9qnz2G6BsbHS5V8Yw0gFJOxNKyUL-dRO-ybXF47gTT8KuZlMZr1sSLycu6pbhsciPkUpegFTeydyDr_PsZY0p5bXh-b592WUGiBhyphenhyphen97EOuEDXaMB/s1600/rosoku-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoshiban candle store in Aizuwakamatsu</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="3">Hoshiban Candle Store</h3>
<p>The historic Aizuwakatmatsu neighborhood of Nanukamachi, a short bus ride northwest of (reconstructed) Tsuruga Castle is still a center for the production of hand-painted (<em>e-rousoku</em>) candles.</p>
<p>The perhaps most famous of the candle stores located there, is the Hoshiban. It's situated in a historic building though the building is most likely not as old as the business itself.</p>
<p>The Hoshiban started out in 1772 as a direct supplier to the daimyo at Tsuruga Castle. Run continuously since then by the same family over many generations, the Hoshiban is the perhaps most authentic of all the candle shops in Aizuwakamatsu today.</p>
<p>Enter the store and take a look. There are the shelves with the traditional hand-painted candles. Intricately painted candles in many sizes ranging from very large beauties only the richest of Buddhist temples might want to use for special ceremonies to small candles intended for the purchase by the curious visitor.</p>
<p>Other shelves feature fantastically shaped creations, barely passing for a candle if there wouldn't stick a small wick out of them.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUV_0mC648XHGgONBi-eALsyktZDimp3DEaxfWy7Fu59pPVlvK51fE2__GAo18l9NBn0h4EhgioEB6xxYYnKSOk65zHSfWndlxTvKUbVYUSZAXoP6wXM52SpZoqOg3Xd-nJVKfCv7iP12dp1iBW1ls1o5mqFKMkMXEWyrkarGoTR3z73eDKEIL/s1600/rosoku-7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Aizuwakamatsu hand-painted candles." border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUV_0mC648XHGgONBi-eALsyktZDimp3DEaxfWy7Fu59pPVlvK51fE2__GAo18l9NBn0h4EhgioEB6xxYYnKSOk65zHSfWndlxTvKUbVYUSZAXoP6wXM52SpZoqOg3Xd-nJVKfCv7iP12dp1iBW1ls1o5mqFKMkMXEWyrkarGoTR3z73eDKEIL/s16000/rosoku-7.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand painted candles from Aizuwakamatsu</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Those are made of paraffin, the sales lady quickly points out. Paraffin being the oil / coal based substance almost all modern candles are made of. Cheap stuff, invented in Germany in 1830 and put to industrial use in England in the 1850s. Paraffin is easy to work with, hence those strange creations on display.</p>
<p>But main and center are the e-rousoku, the hand-painted traditional wa-rousoku candles.</p>
<p>Take your time choosing. While you are at the store, the master of candle painting might just sit down close to the street view window, the place with the brightest light, and start painting candle by candle by hand.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoM-9EEWyxn8VmJpSXmuODV6_gqOWkmUNhxSCW8nsGCaItx4OST8n_hWU8TCkeoInSRMXLPvU1SdXmHciT042B-KxD8PLye95ACHUj7p44kzekhdGn4zHeR3FOqNqeCgY_4UfrJPFG67fF9b6zWaLoi4iTys3Mb1b_IJKAyxHjy94X3WRj_ul6/s1600/rosoku-4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Window of the Hoshiban candle store, Aizuwakamatsu. The master is busy painting candles right behind the window." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoM-9EEWyxn8VmJpSXmuODV6_gqOWkmUNhxSCW8nsGCaItx4OST8n_hWU8TCkeoInSRMXLPvU1SdXmHciT042B-KxD8PLye95ACHUj7p44kzekhdGn4zHeR3FOqNqeCgY_4UfrJPFG67fF9b6zWaLoi4iTys3Mb1b_IJKAyxHjy94X3WRj_ul6/s1600/rosoku-4.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window of the Hoshiban candle store, Aizuwakamatsu. The master is busy painting candles right behind the window</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="4">Buying Hoshiban Aizuwakamatsu Candles</h3>
<p>Aizu, the area around Mount Bandai and Inawashiro Lake offers quite some stunning landscape. Aizuwakamatsu adds plenty of historical city settings.</p>
<p>Higashiyama Onsen, a 30-minute bus ride from central Aizuwakamatsu, is one of the most beautiful hot spring resorts in northern Japan.</p>
<p>While there, make sure to visit the Hoshiban candle shop!</p>
<p>Alternatively, you can of course buy original Hoshiban hand-painted candles right at your finger tip here at Goods from Japan.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/collections/japanese-rozoku-hand-painted-candles">Purchase Japanese candles from GoodsFromJapan</a>.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTc8jJSkerLsCuZYdZzdRd2Z-rVW0Obdg32XJeZB5OFadbzYDd5OaIh2_nIBX8CSfHRkBw6JVDRomYcZM7Auguv9Zy49THIEC1-aqBAT1vZ2smcIyn7dLltJL3X0UrNqCRLlr0iZUmK_4z4l5e1Rl1obfFn52rlgcrIT5dogK_Fk4TtHnxqeVv/s1600/rosoku-6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Aizuwakamatsu hand-painted candles." border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTc8jJSkerLsCuZYdZzdRd2Z-rVW0Obdg32XJeZB5OFadbzYDd5OaIh2_nIBX8CSfHRkBw6JVDRomYcZM7Auguv9Zy49THIEC1-aqBAT1vZ2smcIyn7dLltJL3X0UrNqCRLlr0iZUmK_4z4l5e1Rl1obfFn52rlgcrIT5dogK_Fk4TtHnxqeVv/s1600/rosoku-6.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aizuwakamatsu e-rousoku in a butsudan (Buddhist house altar)</td></tr></tbody></table>
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<p><a href="/2022/04/yatsushiro-and-tatami.html">Yatsuhiro & Tatami</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/02/yuzukosho-spice-of-kyushu.html">Yuzu Kosho Spice from Kyushu</a></p><p><b>by Johannes Schonherr</b></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbBNWKk1Bc3C7glGgvggbdfIdlp5mMESQ48A1AVDjgh4FcsAjF2p_9q_KFOUNfimxm7fICJEBC5LNzKmzpxGfm4_EBx35kXZbCsXMVysfO11Lhbg5k6hb13QS1Tg382N6RM49L83QJn6811dW29GpNe-qtzQ48lhoH0-xfON7qd4_NW6R57ue/s1600/rosoku-8.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Sign outside the Hoshiban candle store, Aizuwakamatsu." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbBNWKk1Bc3C7glGgvggbdfIdlp5mMESQ48A1AVDjgh4FcsAjF2p_9q_KFOUNfimxm7fICJEBC5LNzKmzpxGfm4_EBx35kXZbCsXMVysfO11Lhbg5k6hb13QS1Tg382N6RM49L83QJn6811dW29GpNe-qtzQ48lhoH0-xfON7qd4_NW6R57ue/s1600/rosoku-8.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign outside the Hoshiban candle store, Aizuwakamatsu</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>© GoodsFromJapan.com</p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-84468713661118658772023-12-01T11:22:00.007+09:002024-01-08T09:11:14.227+09:00Into Japan A Starter Kit for Understanding Japanese Society<h2>Japan Book Review: Into Japan: A Starter Kit for Understanding Japanese Society</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0CJLDMBRR/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">Into Japan: A Starter Kit for Understanding Japanese Society</a></p>
<p>by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Tim+Odagiri&mode=books" rel="nofollow">Tim Odagiri</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Owani+Press&mode=blended" rel="nofollow">Owani Press</a> (2023)</p>
<p>ISBN: 978-1-529-11481-2<br />
176pp; paperback</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie59KFLK7DK5eN7QrMLITk-aAWwT1JZJLAN86FEAuQZq8izIFQHAyULVIz0A4YkHISxxl_qEW0NOy0t5mEtg8SvXQfGkF3Oxho9T-RWo2qc_aGRLMEALjzCogqpDOXTo_aD89-ufwlOVCNpRoRvVVFPYvENh73ZYfhFY8l1w57nl-dZ-QMbU48/s1600/into-japan.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Into Japan A Starter Kit for Understanding Japanese Society." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="589" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie59KFLK7DK5eN7QrMLITk-aAWwT1JZJLAN86FEAuQZq8izIFQHAyULVIz0A4YkHISxxl_qEW0NOy0t5mEtg8SvXQfGkF3Oxho9T-RWo2qc_aGRLMEALjzCogqpDOXTo_aD89-ufwlOVCNpRoRvVVFPYvENh73ZYfhFY8l1w57nl-dZ-QMbU48/s16000/into-japan.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>You've lived in Japan a few years now and you think you'll stick around for a while. You want to be a good citizen (OK, resident) of your new country, but you're not sure how Japan works and what you need to know. What to do, what to do?</p>
<p>In his introduction to Into Japan, author Tim Odagiri writes that his objective in writing this book was, "to provide tools that foreign residents need to better participate in Japanese society. A common frame of reference is essential for a functioning democracy."</p>
<p>His tome is broken down into five chapters, with an appendix consisting exclusively of the surprising easy-to-read Japanese constitution in its entirety. No worries, it's all in English.</p>
<p>The first chapter is a deep dig into Japan's history, going back 30,000 years. That's a lot of history to cover in 31 pages. Even longtime Japanophiles will learn a few new things. This chapter reveals how Japan's keen sense of nationalism came into being.
The ensuing chapter discusses Japan's modern constitution, in case you don't want to scrutinize the whole thing. Included is the much-discussed Article Nine, which states in part, "The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes," and Article 27 which states, "All people shall have the right and the obligation to work." Some American friends of mine would like to see the "obligation to work" part inserted into the U.S. constitution.</p>
<p>The easiest chapter to digest is the third chapter concerning the state symbols of Japan, which incorporates discussions of the emperor, the imperial seal, the flag, imperial regalia and more.</p>
<p>The final two chapters address the workings of Japan's government (including a good explanation of the court system) and the Japanese economy.</p>
<p>Probably few people have read their own country's entire constitution, but reading Japan's constitution doesn't take much time. Some of the 103 articles are very short; the shortest being Article 23 which reads, in full, "Academic freedom is guaranteed." The preamble is a flowery work of art.</p>
<p>Although written in a humorous style at a not-burdensome length of 176 pages, Odagiri's writings are not exactly…jejune. He had me tapping into my online dictionary a few times. The concepts discussed by the author are most appropriate for long-time Japan expats wanting to contribute to their new land, and not your two-years-and-gone eikaiwa types.</p>
<p>In addition to learning how to be a responsible Japanese resident, readers will also come away with numerous interesting tidbits of trivia to stump their fellow expats. For example:
*Kimigayo, Japan's somber national anthem, is, at just 32 words, the world's shortest national anthem.</p>
<p>*Among the signees of Japan's 1946 constitution (written by Douglas MacArthur and his associates), was the Minister of State, Baron Shidehara Kijūrō. Who knew there were barons in Japan? </p>
<p>*Between 1976 and 2016, every single lower house was dissolved by the prime minister before serving its complete term.</p>
<p>Whether you want to become a more informed resident to fit into Japan better, or just hope to peruse some interesting history and culture, reading Into Japan is a good expenditure of your time.</p>
<p>Review by <b>Marshall Hughes</b>.</p>
<p><b>Buy this book from Amazon</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0CJLDMBRR/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">USA</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0CJLDMBRR/soccerphileco-21" rel="nofollow">UK</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0CJLDMBRR/soccerphile0b-22" rel="nofollow">Japan</a></p>
<p>Looking to buy <b>Japanese things</b> directly from Japan? <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/">GoodsFromJapan</a> is here to help.</p>
<h3>More Japan Book Reviews</h3>
<p><a href="/2022/10/all-about-japan-stories-songs-crafts.html">All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids</a></p>
<p><a href="/2023/04/exposure-review.html">Exposure: From President to Whistleblower at Olympus</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-kokeshi-dolls-book-review-manami-okazaki.html">Japanese Kokeshi Dolls: The Woodcraft and Culture of Japan's Iconic Wooden Dolls</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-dolls-world-of-ningyo.html">Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo</a></p><p><a href="/2024/01/tokyo-outdoors-45-walks-hikes.html">Tokyo Outdoors: 45 Walks Hikes & Cycling Routes</a></p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-14308263616166738822023-11-17T10:51:00.006+09:002023-12-01T13:54:28.832+09:00Dairy Of A Void<h2>Japan Book Review: Diary of a Void</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0143136887/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">Diary of a Void</a></p>
<p>by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Emi+Yagi&mode=books" rel="nofollow">Emi Yagi</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Penguin+Random+House&mode=blended" rel="nofollow">Penguin Random House UK</a> (2022)</p>
<p>ISBN: 978-1-529-11481-2<br />
213pp; paperback; translated by David Boyd and Lucy North</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT9Xcku0_eWrzyRerD6bzgLM1URzWr_OmztBjrs0SxnXT0EARNlmpWe3Gjp2U4OkLCFE467RfAJuJ4FHFHTk5J_qCL6xNPyVESrBHmJhnuCB_erwd8OTs6lUGXlpWd41opGAgwo0xLRS4O6fORRMi5ZRgHti1l3H7igs1kgB0_3P2s_uK8kUQ/s1600/diary-of-a-void.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Dairy Of A Void by Emi Yagi." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="547" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT9Xcku0_eWrzyRerD6bzgLM1URzWr_OmztBjrs0SxnXT0EARNlmpWe3Gjp2U4OkLCFE467RfAJuJ4FHFHTk5J_qCL6xNPyVESrBHmJhnuCB_erwd8OTs6lUGXlpWd41opGAgwo0xLRS4O6fORRMi5ZRgHti1l3H7igs1kgB0_3P2s_uK8kUQ/s16000/diary-of-a-void.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Thirty-year-old Shibata is fed up at work. In addition to her regular duties at the paper core manufacturing company, she is expected to make the instant coffee for meetings, answer phone calls and change the toner cartridges etc.
One day, after another pointless meeting which ended in her being expected to throw away the empty coffee cups with the cigarette butts still in them, she rebels. She tells her co-workers, "I'm pregnant, the smell of coffee, it triggers my morning sickness."
"And that's how I became pregnant."</p>
<p>She's not any more pregnant than any of her male co-workers are, and in fact isn't married, doesn't have a boyfriend and, seemingly, hasn't had a date in years.
Her ruse has some major benefits. She doesn't have to clean up anything anymore, she can go home at five o'clock and binge watch movies, people give up their seat to her on public transportation and some of her co-workers show newfound concern for her, especially Higashinakano, the guy in the desk next to her that she doesn't respect much.</p>
<p>Her ploy requires some planning, for example stuffing increasing amounts of material under her clothes to make her stomach bulge. She neglects to tell her parents, friends or anybody else what she is doing. As time goes on, she keeps track of her supposed pregnancy on a baby ap, eats healthier food "for the baby" and joins a prenatal aerobics class.</p>
<p>At this point, things veer away from the expected. Shibata (her given name is never revealed), goes to an obstetrician who tells her that her baby is doing well. She feels her baby kicking. Is she hallucinating or is she really pregnant? Who could the father possibly be?</p>
<p>One night, on a deserted Tokyo street, she has a talk with the Virgin Mary, with Shibata asking Mary about her hobbies and favorite singer and saying, "I'm sure you were totally freaked out when they told you that you were pregnant, but at least your baby's birth is celebrated all over the world."</p>
<p>The author, editor of a women's magazine, clearly leans left in her philosophy, managing to work in things like climate change, which is a bit of a non sequitur.</p>
<p>In an interview with the <em>Japan Times</em>, she stated, "I wanted to write a story showing that it's important for women not to feel like they are tied to certain roles, like office worker, wife and mother."</p>
<p>Shibata seems to hate not only working for "the man" but also working with men, although she says she learned in her job interview that she would be the only woman in the company.</p>
<p>There is not one male figure in the book she respects, seemingly including her father who she cares little about.</p>
<p>Overall, the book is a social commentary airing grievances at Japanese society, specifically its traditional work culture. It's quirky, original and, perhaps, thought provoking.</p>
<p>Review by <b>Marshall Hughes</b>.</p>
<p><b>Buy this book from Amazon</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0143136887/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">USA</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1529114810/soccerphileco-21" rel="nofollow">UK</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/0143136887/soccerphile0b-22" rel="nofollow">Japan</a></p>
<p>Looking to buy <b>Japanese things</b> directly from Japan? <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/">GoodsFromJapan</a> is here to help.</p>
<h3>More Japan Book Reviews</h3>
<p><a href="/2022/10/all-about-japan-stories-songs-crafts.html">All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids</a></p>
<p><a href="/2023/04/exposure-review.html">Exposure: From President to Whistleblower at Olympus</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/12/into-japan-starter-kit-for.html">Into Japan A Starter Kit</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-kokeshi-dolls-book-review-manami-okazaki.html">Japanese Kokeshi Dolls: The Woodcraft and Culture of Japan's Iconic Wooden Dolls</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-dolls-world-of-ningyo.html">Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo</a></p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-88634528364213098322023-10-20T16:06:00.005+09:002023-12-09T12:49:46.041+09:00Ibaraki Suisha Senkou Incense<h2>Ibaraki Suisha Senkou Incense 水車線香</h2>
<div style="float: none; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="#1">Kodo</a> | <a href="#2">Incense Today</a> | <a href="#3">Suisha Senkou</a> | <a href="#4">Incense Variety</a> | <a href="#6">Buy Incense From Japan</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRnm0JCJScbCVATH-Ir5JxbL-FoZGZ_ISGW7SXZWEHrAwD0OYQpY9v1wnuuF-Cm8SCZ0kgRJW08cxcHT3qBJwK3AKuhaGyoaIoHvlxYfijZqGsE2ErT2mvd2gH4JplWBOAIqCxIh6tcuosgFklh64-0J4ubtqK5M9pNldQ7HtZRI_9fk1oFNA/s1600/ishioka-incense-2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Ibaraki Suisha Senkou Incense" border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRnm0JCJScbCVATH-Ir5JxbL-FoZGZ_ISGW7SXZWEHrAwD0OYQpY9v1wnuuF-Cm8SCZ0kgRJW08cxcHT3qBJwK3AKuhaGyoaIoHvlxYfijZqGsE2ErT2mvd2gH4JplWBOAIqCxIh6tcuosgFklh64-0J4ubtqK5M9pNldQ7HtZRI_9fk1oFNA/s1600/ishioka-incense-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buy incense from Ibaraki Prefecture</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Incense has a long history in Japan. Ritually smoldered for its fragrance in India and China since the most ancient of times, incense was introduced to Japan in the 6th century, along with Buddhism. Incense quickly caught on at the Japanese Imperial Court. By the time of the Heian Period (794 - 1185), incense had become a vital part of life at the court. People celebrated its fragrance, people wrote poems about the beauty of the aroma. Ancient woodprint images show people gathering in the gardens of the court, enjoying the pleasure of the smells while holding poetic parties.</p>
<p>Samurai culture adopted incense. Warriors purified their minds and bodies with incense before heading into battle.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3RJEAZAFZzPObVzaFbwUsaoE_3ijWp9REYARBhRnSGvXDwNNgpcGjxU200WWqtq9-nX7pERtT0Qa75rThzEJ1-P4FhNhbTZvwW4QURNkSKmojo3Cj_c9jPJ4Dr-M0GuH1l89qEK1Gvlk14K9LyZz3FsfRfJXXPEU9SG9FC1UxIBak9uvnGHV/s1600/ishioka-incense-3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Waterwheel at Komamura Seimeido." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3RJEAZAFZzPObVzaFbwUsaoE_3ijWp9REYARBhRnSGvXDwNNgpcGjxU200WWqtq9-nX7pERtT0Qa75rThzEJ1-P4FhNhbTZvwW4QURNkSKmojo3Cj_c9jPJ4Dr-M0GuH1l89qEK1Gvlk14K9LyZz3FsfRfJXXPEU9SG9FC1UxIBak9uvnGHV/s1600/ishioka-incense-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterwheel at Komamura Seimeido</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="1">Kodo 香道</h3>
<p>In the 16th century, a century of much turmoil and many wars, a ceremony known as <em>kodo</em> (the <em>Way of Incense</em>) developed, alongside other by now classical Japanese ceremonies like the Tea Ceremony and Ikebana (flower arrangement).</p>
<p>Kodo was (and is) as strictly regimented as the Tea Ceremony with its very own set of tools and rules.</p>
<p>However, Kodo never caught on with the public the way the Tea Ceremony and Ikebana did.</p>
<p>For a very simple reason: the incense used at the Imperial Court and by the upper samurai had always been made from agarwood and / or sandalwood. Those fragrant woods had to be imported from South-East Asia or even India via China and Korea. They were incredibly expensive and only the Imperial Court, the richest of the temples and the richest of the samurai could afford real <em>kotoboku</em>, the most precious high-grade incense.</p>
<p>Buddhism had however spread all over the country, Buddhist ceremonies had become a part of daily life. All those many temples needed incense for their regular ceremonies - and they were in no position to acquire the agarwood the Imperial Court used. Thus, they turned to local sources. Cedar, lavender and other home-grown fragrant leaves and plants became the base of their incense.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9-0VgtqbSXXC0Ety4_zXSUAPhwcZXYYYE0DaExo1DDs5sLRjk_IJ2wy9R5ZS8v1wvHqqmSM8OM75V7EOqVZrsw0PCxLuabX6eZHYa7PbriD6hKmwzD_OqDKMnor5semWaT8NPAFDJXJBpVAidbLHCMeFoqrj-v2Z_pCHX4L7Sb5ACuH_PqIA/s1600/ishioka-incense-4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Mt Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9-0VgtqbSXXC0Ety4_zXSUAPhwcZXYYYE0DaExo1DDs5sLRjk_IJ2wy9R5ZS8v1wvHqqmSM8OM75V7EOqVZrsw0PCxLuabX6eZHYa7PbriD6hKmwzD_OqDKMnor5semWaT8NPAFDJXJBpVAidbLHCMeFoqrj-v2Z_pCHX4L7Sb5ACuH_PqIA/s1600/ishioka-incense-4.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="2">Incense Today</h3>
<p>Today, incense is still an integral part of any Buddhist ceremony. But more and more frequently, people use incense without any religious connotation.</p>
<p>They use incense sticks to clean their homes from other smells, they use them to enjoy the fragrance, or perhaps to enhance the olfactory environs when being with a partner in a romantic night. The latter being quite in accordance with the use of the fragrance in Heian times.</p>
<p>Walking into any Japanese supermarket or drug store presents you with a variety of incense made by major manufacturers.</p>
<p>But as always, there are the mass-produced products and there are the ones that have their own distinct fragrance, that have their own history, their own story.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeFYEtW3XDAZOKKS3NLDq7Yw4W1tdspHNJqS9lgXwmYRsagrPccOqLBkZFofptGeJnPKjoUd92tMCjRGlMM1qAkN9cE72eemMFGQb8E5HbdOzEtHB0EQjp-m77aIFVB9BaCsy-i60WQA-JV9aO6sDtE3PD9B50GfJeIvKNS9mHrkqahBufR2B/s1600/ishioka-incense-9.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="The traditional waterwheel at Komamura Seimeido." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeFYEtW3XDAZOKKS3NLDq7Yw4W1tdspHNJqS9lgXwmYRsagrPccOqLBkZFofptGeJnPKjoUd92tMCjRGlMM1qAkN9cE72eemMFGQb8E5HbdOzEtHB0EQjp-m77aIFVB9BaCsy-i60WQA-JV9aO6sDtE3PD9B50GfJeIvKNS9mHrkqahBufR2B/s1600/ishioka-incense-9.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The traditional waterwheel at Komamura Seimeido</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="3">Suisha Senkou 水車線香</h3>
<p>Suisha Senkou is the brand name of the incense made at the small family-run Komamura Seimeido factory deep in the countryside outside of Ishioka, Ibaraki Prefecture. Cedar leaf incense is the main product of the facility though other types of incense are manufactured as well.</p>
<p>Suisha Senkou translates to "waterwheel incense" and indeed, an ancient watermill plays an important part in the production process.</p>
<p>Located at the foot of Mount Tsukuba, the Komamura Seimeido is surrounded by forests and rice paddies. A very quiet area in central Ibaraki. Not really that remote from Tokyo (you can easily go there on a day trip from the city), but far away enough to be able to stroll through the rice paddies and seeing nothing but an open sky above the landscape. No high-voltage powerlines in view at all.</p>
<p>Right behind the small Komamura Seimeido family farm house compound, a clear little mountain stream flows by. Coming down from Mount Tsukuba, the stream flows at a pretty good speed.</p>
<p>That mountain stream powers an ancient waterwheel which in turn powers the mill that slowly but steadily pounds the cedar leaves used as the base of the incense sticks. The slow, water-driven pounding process brings out the full aroma of the leaves.</p>
<p>The Komamura Seimeido uses the ancient watermill for exactly this reason. It has been doing so for more than 100 years by now.</p>
<p>All ingredients, most importantly the cedar leaves are local, no chemical agents, no glue is added at all.</p>
<p>One small building houses the processing factory. The machines there look pretty vintage as well but are clearly from the later part of the 20th century, running on electricity.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oLgu1B-WlARTqdomHWHfte35FOkkIAI3xsXLs5NCfk4Wpa5erttD2q1Ltlm2rITFdtQFJXkV2nOtrQS8UB0jnQUHeYapbLiVGqaevtRZwXTboZztxvGDc-mNU3KoA_zYMi2giuFM6WC_MiwqOQti5-5YFAX8H3U05rdc4niV-5q7jDhSz3rk/s1600/ishioka-incense-6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="The water-powered mill." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oLgu1B-WlARTqdomHWHfte35FOkkIAI3xsXLs5NCfk4Wpa5erttD2q1Ltlm2rITFdtQFJXkV2nOtrQS8UB0jnQUHeYapbLiVGqaevtRZwXTboZztxvGDc-mNU3KoA_zYMi2giuFM6WC_MiwqOQti5-5YFAX8H3U05rdc4niV-5q7jDhSz3rk/s16000/ishioka-incense-6.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water-powered mill</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>There, the cedar powder is turned into a hot mash which then gets pressed into thin sheets. Those sheets are immediately mechanically cut the size of incense sticks.</p>
<p>After a period of drying, they are wrapped up into packages ready for sale.</p>
<p>If you make an appointment, the master of the house will show you all the details of production himself, he will answer all your questions, and you will be able to burn a few incense sticks of various kinds to make an educated choice of what to purchase.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLssqMPkgBOY8REuUfxjZBkpBSL5IVrKtMTqHsc9dtVRP16PzLRUjnxDZpGaC6ZJOIJ6U5U5FVjx0-KwcuQVhEGoRnblsjuyWZhKLS87igdyVzYlW0gnGmSg3NYoYRkFZmf67lGm4qIwOIOzcjEDASE6yutftLdkblxI5ZyulN5Pvm6dTRCcho/s1600/ishioka-incense-5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Cedar leaves ready for processing." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLssqMPkgBOY8REuUfxjZBkpBSL5IVrKtMTqHsc9dtVRP16PzLRUjnxDZpGaC6ZJOIJ6U5U5FVjx0-KwcuQVhEGoRnblsjuyWZhKLS87igdyVzYlW0gnGmSg3NYoYRkFZmf67lGm4qIwOIOzcjEDASE6yutftLdkblxI5ZyulN5Pvm6dTRCcho/s16000/ishioka-incense-5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar leaves ready for processing</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="4">Incense Variety</h3>
<p>While cedar leaf incense is the main product, locally grown Tsukuba lavender, <em>mikan</em> (mandarin orange) peel and chrysanthemum incense are also manufactured and ready for purchase.</p>
<p>While a trip to the Ibaraki countryside and a visit to the Komamura Seimeido is certainly a pleasure, you can also purchase Komamura Seimeido Suisha Senkou also conveniently from Goods from Japan.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTqdeNxRkB1oPLeZVW_Bmnm6JgnXwaLuF0CVor31g5C34tWmgAT1-ztKMWONby4FiCDrrdDQTHJHRs0t21aiLTFiFJVxQwFP6NU44tY4NYwMoas_68I74pbakxDCpgp5RyJPbsrv4lmoUtpmTIhrwUfdYW2wclbyyF9E5ZFV2lyk1m1Wz_k9K/s1600/ishioka-incense-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Ishioka incense." border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTqdeNxRkB1oPLeZVW_Bmnm6JgnXwaLuF0CVor31g5C34tWmgAT1-ztKMWONby4FiCDrrdDQTHJHRs0t21aiLTFiFJVxQwFP6NU44tY4NYwMoas_68I74pbakxDCpgp5RyJPbsrv4lmoUtpmTIhrwUfdYW2wclbyyF9E5ZFV2lyk1m1Wz_k9K/s1600/ishioka-incense-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ishioka incense</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="6">Buy Incense From Japan</h3>
<p><strong>Goods from Japan</strong> offers a variety of Japanese incense.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/collections/incense">Purchase a range of Japanese incense from GoodsFromJapan</a>.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9C7WqDdJsuHqX__NjhxNbEM-JjkRaAHaBxU3Kffxoxhdvngc8BdLe4oHMUPMEh5HLwZYhSp7o6EOmZEhoErxE9oO3iwch5hbocCXaPWYThOrlU0qxUdWkaV7YgPHT4Z3hKyou8Xz-4kb_lwuFKqBeiVE8kx6XlCG3z-5_yY3uExhbL09fBBy/s1600/ishioka-incense-7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="A worker at the press and cutting machine." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9C7WqDdJsuHqX__NjhxNbEM-JjkRaAHaBxU3Kffxoxhdvngc8BdLe4oHMUPMEh5HLwZYhSp7o6EOmZEhoErxE9oO3iwch5hbocCXaPWYThOrlU0qxUdWkaV7YgPHT4Z3hKyou8Xz-4kb_lwuFKqBeiVE8kx6XlCG3z-5_yY3uExhbL09fBBy/s16000/ishioka-incense-7.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A worker at the press and cutting machine</td></tr></tbody></table>
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<p><a href="/2022/04/yatsushiro-and-tatami.html">Yatsuhiro & Tatami</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/02/yuzukosho-spice-of-kyushu.html">Yuzu Kosho Spice from Kyushu</a></p><p><b>by Johannes Schonherr</b></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2dr2pBF6Nv_LpG2KCoZ5UZfqqtuRVh-g740wP5OEM5Or6nV8730CF2LGaoPwEqLVnfBgQxYEn0I4gvWzVLh6nMCzazLxck2r02-cUc765UFyUGPEXo_zIs2-qfXR8OEZgswDKEJW3xrfZMV8d29smx_-kdBfj8qfghShq3O_5R8KNfH2ez8A/s1600/ishioka-incense-8.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Vintage Komamura Seimedo Sign." border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2dr2pBF6Nv_LpG2KCoZ5UZfqqtuRVh-g740wP5OEM5Or6nV8730CF2LGaoPwEqLVnfBgQxYEn0I4gvWzVLh6nMCzazLxck2r02-cUc765UFyUGPEXo_zIs2-qfXR8OEZgswDKEJW3xrfZMV8d29smx_-kdBfj8qfghShq3O_5R8KNfH2ez8A/s16000/ishioka-incense-8.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage Komamura Seimedo Sign</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>© GoodsFromJapan.com</p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-4152532799329181282023-10-16T17:05:00.004+09:002023-12-01T13:55:05.666+09:00Reflections on Tsuda Umeko<h2>Reflections on Tsuda Umeko: Pioneer of Women's Education in Japan</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/4866581816/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">Reflections on Tsuda Umeko</a></p>
<p>by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Oba+Minako&mode=books" rel="nofollow">Oba Minako</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Japan+Publishing+Industry+Foundation+for+Culture&mode=blended" rel="nofollow">Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture</a> (2021)</p>
<p>ISBN: 978-1-60598-071-3<br />
263pp; hardback</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-WRJBCjjRYgjXBCTyQx6x71M368lO6UN6gYz9bb8M3jBUxLHRgpTJ7CJtFnGYJKjcS4uBYVSisgjMTQsoq9LaQrIIzXr5thiUTrudctGtvcCLlaj-ewDeIdiKUwn3QtfUP3mv9axPn0WDbTIFexWgM6dXmAKD9-k0CVVL3Sh89S9QyKkZkmt/s1600/tsuda.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Reflections on Tsuda Umeko." border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-WRJBCjjRYgjXBCTyQx6x71M368lO6UN6gYz9bb8M3jBUxLHRgpTJ7CJtFnGYJKjcS4uBYVSisgjMTQsoq9LaQrIIzXr5thiUTrudctGtvcCLlaj-ewDeIdiKUwn3QtfUP3mv9axPn0WDbTIFexWgM6dXmAKD9-k0CVVL3Sh89S9QyKkZkmt/s16000/tsuda.jpg" title="Reflections on Tsuda Umeko" /></a></div>
<p>On December 23, 1871, six-year-old Umeko Tsuda was put on a boat along with four other young Japanese girls and sent from Tokyo to America, tasked with the responsibility of learning the English language and American customs. She was part of the famed Iwakura Mission, assembled to renegotiate unequal treaties that Japan had signed, garner recognition for Emperor Meiji's newly reinstated imperial dynasty, and study America and its structures and systems.</p>
<p>By the time Tsuda returned 11 years later as an American high school graduate, Japan had lost much of its fire to learn about America and its ways, and Tsuda was met with neither excitement nor contempt, but mostly indifference. Instead of just melting back into Japan's everyday life, she took it upon herself to try to bring Japan, at least in terms of educating its girls, into modern times. </p>
<p>Starting as a lowly teacher, Tsuda soon decided that she needed more education if she was to help Japanese women become full participants of society. She returned to America, graduated from Bryn Mawr College and came back to Japan where she started Joshi Eigaku Juku (Women's Institute for English Studies) to provide opportunity for a liberal arts education for all women. The school eventually became Tsuda University, and it is still one of Japan's top private universities.</p>
<p>Although Tsuda's accomplishments have long been well known in Japan (enough to be honored by her likeness being printed on the redesigned ¥5,000 note to be released in July, 2024), knowledge of her thinking, emotions and motivations were not. That changed in 1984 when a box of more than 400 of Tsuda's letters to her American host mother, Adeline Lanman, were discovered stuffed in an attic trunk at Tsuda University.</p>
<p>This discovery was partially what prompted the writing of this book by Akutagawa Prize-winning author Minako Oba, herself a Tsuda College graduate. Oba sprinkles her insights/opinions into the passages she took from Tsuda's letters to add context.</p>
<p>Tsuda led arguably the most interesting life of any Japanese woman born during the 19th century. During her 64 years preceding her 1929 death, she met luminaries such as U.S. president Teddy Roosevelt, Florence Nightingale, Helen Keller and many or even most of Japan's political elite of her times, including her time living with the family of Ito Hirobume when he became Japan's first prime minister in 1885.</p>
<p>Ito went on to be prime minister of Japan four times, and is a historical figure known to all Japanese. He was on the original Iwakura Mission, which is where he met Tsuda.</p>
<p>Even those not interested in Tsuda specifically will learn much from this book about Japan's 19th century thinking, culture and living conditions from Tsuda's keen observations and insights.</p>
<p>The book has something for pretty much everybody, and there are abundant historical tidbits which Japanophiles will surely find interesting.</p>
<p>As an example, Tsuda said in one of her letters that Ito was interested in Christianity and “was very angry when the newspapers wrote that he had advised the emperor to accept Christianity and all the ministers were in favor of the idea." I doubt you will find that in any textbook.</p>
<p>Tsuda herself had become a Christian in America.</p>
<p>Note: Those wanting more on Tsuda and the Iwakura Mission should check out the book <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0393352781/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">Daughters of the Samurai</a></em>, written by Janice P. Nimura.</p>
<p>Review by <b>Marshall Hughes</b>.</p>
<p><b>Buy this book from Amazon</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/4866581816/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">USA</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/4866581816/soccerphileco-21" rel="nofollow">UK</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4866581816/soccerphile0b-22" rel="nofollow">Japan</a></p>
<p>Looking to buy <b>Japanese things</b> directly from Japan? <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/">GoodsFromJapan</a> is here to help.</p>
<h3>More Japan Book Reviews</h3>
<p><a href="/2022/10/all-about-japan-stories-songs-crafts.html">All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/11/dairy-of-void.html">Diary Of A Void</a></p>
<p><a href="/2023/04/exposure-review.html">Exposure: From President to Whistleblower at Olympus</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/12/into-japan-starter-kit-for.html">Into Japan A Starter Kit</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-kokeshi-dolls-book-review-manami-okazaki.html">Japanese Kokeshi Dolls: The Woodcraft and Culture of Japan's Iconic Wooden Dolls</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-dolls-world-of-ningyo.html">Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo</a></p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-33332274009872255312023-09-13T15:45:00.009+09:002024-01-08T09:11:35.955+09:0090-Day Geisha Book Review<h2>90-Day Geisha</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1605980714/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">90-Day Geisha</a></p>
<p>by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Chelsea+Haywood&mode=books" rel="nofollow">Chelsea Haywood</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Pegasus+Books&mode=blended" rel="nofollow">Pegasus Books LLC</a> (2009)</p>
<p>ISBN: 978-1-60598-071-3<br />
Paperback, 309 pp</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUQdM1hP6lzba9lwTfw3iNZNvQAfqqoAf1I0iz8ORNLny7x5G9nbVx6KaTgmevnBrzgJNmr2nLCIgUdxa4dVnZfQyVH4va-Rt7RRRDOcFEO2S_rGBQa7lfFqa_k4a2DlGVvvZEfPlOXl34c7DkOrmFCWXKG1mT14NB9ai0qKDS7DRyAemPnhl/s1600/90-day-geisha.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="90-Day Geisha Book Review." border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUQdM1hP6lzba9lwTfw3iNZNvQAfqqoAf1I0iz8ORNLny7x5G9nbVx6KaTgmevnBrzgJNmr2nLCIgUdxa4dVnZfQyVH4va-Rt7RRRDOcFEO2S_rGBQa7lfFqa_k4a2DlGVvvZEfPlOXl34c7DkOrmFCWXKG1mT14NB9ai0qKDS7DRyAemPnhl/s1600/90-day-geisha.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>After being an international model and becoming bored with that, what is a 19-year-old girl to do?</p>
<p>How about move to Tokyo on a 90-day tourist visa and get a job in a hostess bar? Bring your newly-wedded husband along and start taking notes so that you can write a book about your experiences. Oh, and call yourself a geisha instead of a bar hostess to give yourself some allusion of charm, grace or class.</p>
<p>The goal of the book is to describe what life is like being a Tokyo geisha, er, hostess, ie what hostesses do, what kind of girl/woman signs up for it, and what kind of man visits these bars.</p>
<p>Much of the book is spent talking about the author's customers, and let's just say that none of them come off looking very good, despite being, if she is to be believed, among Japan's very upper crust. She dubiously claims her clients were billionaires. At the time the book was written, Japan had only thirty some billionaires. Haywood seems to want to make the reader think she is tempted to dump her husband and run away with a coke head customer, but this appears, even on the surface, to be highly contrived.</p>
<p>The author can be forgiven for some of her ignorances of Japan as she supposedly lived in the country for only three months (the length of her visa), but annoyances pop up a bit too often for readers who know Japan well. She translates <em> gaijin</em> as "foreign devil" when the word means merely "outside person." The area Shin Okubo is repeatedly called Shin Okobo. There are a few others missteps, too.</p>
<p>Three or four times, Haywood tries hard to impress the reader with overly flowery language, and it seems likely that these sections were ghost written. She thinks of herself as an intellectual giant, but most readers probably won't buy it. Her husband is also held up for his great brainpower. At one point she says of him, "He is the E to my mc2."</p>
<p>So, what was husband Einstein's job? Well, he was walking the streets of Roppongi trying to get girls to sign up to be hostesses and strippers. I am not sure what academic qualifications are needed for that rigorous profession.</p>
<p>While this review has tended towards the negative, some readers, especially those with only a basic knowledge of Japan and hostess bars, might find the book interesting, informative and insightful. Throw in a little salaciousness and some will be clicking on the "buy now" button. The book does get numerous inexplicably positive reviews on some web sites.</p>
<p>At 309 pages, 90-Day Geisha becomes a bit repetitive. If the author just took out the lines reading, "Chelsea, you are the most intelligent and beautiful woman I've ever met," and sentences approximating that, perhaps the book would only be about 250 pages. Haywood tries to partially camouflage her pretentiousness and arrogance, but her ego won't let her try very hard.</p>
<p>In short, the book has its merits, but long-time Japanophiles will likely want to give it a miss.</p>
<p>Final note: In an interview with a Canadian weekly news magazine in December, 2009, not long after the book was published, Haywood says that she and her husband were in the process of getting divorced. What a shocker.</p>
<p>Review by <b>Marshall Hughes</b>.</p>
<p><b>Buy this book from Amazon</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1605980714/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">USA</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1605980714/soccerphileco-21" rel="nofollow">UK</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/1605980714/soccerphile0b-22" rel="nofollow">Japan</a></p>
<p>Looking to buy <b>Japanese things</b> directly from Japan? <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/">GoodsFromJapan</a> is here to help.</p>
<h3>More Japan Book Reviews</h3>
<p><a href="/2022/10/all-about-japan-stories-songs-crafts.html">All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/11/dairy-of-void.html">Diary Of A Void</a></p>
<p><a href="/2023/04/exposure-review.html">Exposure: From President to Whistleblower at Olympus</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/12/into-japan-starter-kit-for.html">Into Japan A Starter Kit</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-kokeshi-dolls-book-review-manami-okazaki.html">Japanese Kokeshi Dolls: The Woodcraft and Culture of Japan's Iconic Wooden Dolls</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-dolls-world-of-ningyo.html">Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/10/reflections-on-tsuda-umeko.html">Reflections on Tsuda Umeko: Pioneer of Women's Education in Japan</a></p><p><a href="/2024/01/tokyo-outdoors-45-walks-hikes.html">Tokyo Outdoors: 45 Walks Hikes & Cycling Routes</a></p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-12230949022625336232023-08-03T17:16:00.007+09:002024-01-08T08:38:04.608+09:00Saihoji Temple Kyoto Application<div style="float: none; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="#h">Saihoji History</a> | <a href="#g">Saihoji Gardens</a> | <a href="#a">Saihoji Access</a></div>
<h2>Saihoji (Kokedera) Temple 西芳寺</h2>
<p><b>Saihoji Temple</b> - or, as it is more commonly known: <b>Kokedera</b> (苔寺 "moss temple") - was founded in the fourteenth century and is located on a spacious 2 hectares (4.5 acres) in Matsuo, south west Kyoto, 800 meters (half a mile) south west of Matsuno-o Shrine (Matsuo Taisha).</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcLkDtEr3I-afr1LYQYIwc4GzUUgWJxS6xnntLSra7J6dPOYMSDSuWuQyo2yZvVI88zhrXrVbDlC_hd-TE9SdcQ2HXYqehIbJvfggL1jN3ejvlX2LV86trsBFjAR0W2YgK9OnHs9YX4dCSjvhghJOEj3vvpY8yiivldBIqvD0aGuQJ8MGjJtT/s1600/saihoji-temple-21.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Moss at Kokedera in western Kyoto, Japan." border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcLkDtEr3I-afr1LYQYIwc4GzUUgWJxS6xnntLSra7J6dPOYMSDSuWuQyo2yZvVI88zhrXrVbDlC_hd-TE9SdcQ2HXYqehIbJvfggL1jN3ejvlX2LV86trsBFjAR0W2YgK9OnHs9YX4dCSjvhghJOEj3vvpY8yiivldBIqvD0aGuQJ8MGjJtT/s1600/saihoji-temple-21.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moss at Kokedera in western Kyoto, Japan</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="h">Saihoji History</h3>
<p>Saihoji was founded in the early to mid eighth century by the Buddhist priest Gyoki (668-749), who is considered the father of mapping and civil engineering in Japan. Subsequent famous head priests of Saihoji include Kukai (AKA Kobo-Daishi) (774-835), another "Renaissance man" of Japanese history known mainly as the founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism, and Honen (1133-1212), the founder of the Pure Land (Jodo-shu) school of Buddhism.</p>
<p>After falling into ruin as a result of civil disturbances and wars, Saihoji was rebuilt, and its gardens redesigned, in 1339 by Muso Soseki (AKA Muso Kokushi) (1275-1351), who was a Zen priest, poet, calligrapher and garden designer.</p>
<p>Saihoji became a World Heritage Site in 1994, along with 16 other Kyoto temples.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyrYMHHtTfwF0MTJmh60N3uQrMT6OEeM_Y7xNbkIxOrLLzvdiZo7nxy-mM1lqVfS24m60FJjfxWSsKX3fB-4xBG1qnHC6ExQbSbQGwaIPiQgdCoKQH15y_WGQw6e89J6Xx8_jOWUyfJjAen5uWaKJsbJshkKmIPHLWALjgq_pO3CRmoRflzXS/s1600/saihoji-temple-22.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Moss at Kokedera (Saihoji) in western Kyoto." border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyrYMHHtTfwF0MTJmh60N3uQrMT6OEeM_Y7xNbkIxOrLLzvdiZo7nxy-mM1lqVfS24m60FJjfxWSsKX3fB-4xBG1qnHC6ExQbSbQGwaIPiQgdCoKQH15y_WGQw6e89J6Xx8_jOWUyfJjAen5uWaKJsbJshkKmIPHLWALjgq_pO3CRmoRflzXS/s16000/saihoji-temple-22.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moss garden is at its best during the Japanese rainy season in June and July but is beautiful at any time of year</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="g">Saihoji Gardens</h3>
<p>The garden is split level, with the upper level featuring a <i>kare-sansui</i> traditional dry landscape garden, and the lower level a pond shaped like the kanji for "heart" with a strolling path around it, and designed to give the impression that the pond has a geographical connection with the hills in the background.</p>
<p>This innovative design influenced later generations of garden designers and most famously the garden and temple building were used as models for the building of Ginkakuji Temple.</p>
<p>Ironically, the moss, which is now the temple's biggest draw, is the result of the temple and its gardens having been left to go into disrepair at least a century ago. There are an estimated 120 species of moss at Saihoji covering much of the grounds. Fall is a special time to visit, when the temple's trees color the grounds, but the moss is at its greenest in early summer - May and June.</p>
<p>The famous Kyoto-born artist and epicure, Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883-1959) is buried at Saihoji.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUEqnuhX5nj_xe0RyR7UxsNh7SuGetQggHjHdEG7zadleOoqtETh_YyXERbqVY3C9Za3TtIgDicQE81NABc4Ist20DEdz8cplwQ0neM57BWj4ZedWjWfcQjMs-PcNmEpVwqNZ9P0YoscRAF59gBr6PfEuV6Ze1CqOAmyMtvAWosJ-QVzGqc8W/s1600/kokedera-555.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="A carpet of moss at Kokedera (Saihoji Temple) in western Kyoto." border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUEqnuhX5nj_xe0RyR7UxsNh7SuGetQggHjHdEG7zadleOoqtETh_YyXERbqVY3C9Za3TtIgDicQE81NABc4Ist20DEdz8cplwQ0neM57BWj4ZedWjWfcQjMs-PcNmEpVwqNZ9P0YoscRAF59gBr6PfEuV6Ze1CqOAmyMtvAWosJ-QVzGqc8W/s1600/kokedera-555.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The temple is one of the most popular with foreign visitors in Kyoto</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="v">Visiting Saihoji - Making A Reservation</h3>
<p>A reservation is required to visit Saihoji. Write the temple (see address below) with your name, address in Japan (that of a hotel will do), occupation, age (you must be at least 18), number of people in your group, and the date you wish to visit, plus an alternate date. </p>
<p>Include a self-addressed stamped postcard (<i>ofuku hagaki</i>; 往復はがき) available from the post office or a convenience store, or, if sending from overseas, a postcard with an international reply coupon. The <i>ofuku hagaki</i> is a set of two postcards one of which will be used by Saihoji to reply.</p>
<p>This must be done as early as possible: 2 months or several weeks at least, not days, ahead. Do not show up late for your appointed time.</p><p><strong>Note</strong>: If you would rather consign the application process, please contact the <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/pages/japan-concierge-services">GoodsFromJapan Concierge Service</a>, which can take of the arrangements for you for a reasonable fee and have the reply from Saihoji posted to your hotel in Japan.</p>
<p>Please contact us to use our service to make an <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/pages/japan-concierge-services">application to visit Saihoji Temple</a>.</p>
<p>*Update: Saihoji now take reservations directly on their website here in English - <a href="https://intosaihoji.com/en/booking/nichinichi" rel="nofollow">https://intosaihoji.com/en/booking/nichinichi</a></p>
<p>The visit fee charged by Saihoji is 4,000 yen per person (up from 3,000 yen), which is the highest in Kyoto. Prior to entering, you will be asked to take part in a period of zazen, the chanting of sutras or calligraphy. This lasts 40 minutes to an hour but allowance is made for people to retire early from this, especially the elderly, infirm or non-Japanese visitors.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PF9Dz9EMcnz9sGPfXB83Qiy-ODj47zhKfb4QuT6WAbEvxH1nPgQFn1o28qVsH5h_3hXu1g5R9Ew-rJB3yDoKUiMdJhtbMb6YgvmOT6KfKTF4mKZyfNLAjD8umnLyf3qovf8Ci1WWA9nF-50j9U93wbvHSmKmoFDC53MEWm6lQIGLsueOuAEp/s1600/kokedera-556.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="A carpet of moss at Kokedera (Saihoji Temple) in western Kyoto." border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8PF9Dz9EMcnz9sGPfXB83Qiy-ODj47zhKfb4QuT6WAbEvxH1nPgQFn1o28qVsH5h_3hXu1g5R9Ew-rJB3yDoKUiMdJhtbMb6YgvmOT6KfKTF4mKZyfNLAjD8umnLyf3qovf8Ci1WWA9nF-50j9U93wbvHSmKmoFDC53MEWm6lQIGLsueOuAEp/s1600/kokedera-556.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A carpet of moss at Kokedera (Saihoji Temple) in western Kyoto</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="a">Moss Temple Access - how to get to Saihoji</h3>
<p><strong>Kyoto Bus #63</strong> from Shijo Kawaramachi and Sanjo Keihan Station is the most straightforward. Get off at Koke-dera/Suzumushi-dera - the final stop. There is only one bus an hour at 27 minutes past the hour. See here for the full timetable: <a href="https://www.kyotobus.jp/route/timetable/pdf/73-1.pdf" rel="nofollow">www.kyotobus.jp/route/timetable/pdf/shijokawaramachi_03.pdf</a></p>
<p><strong>Kyoto Bus #29</strong> starts at Shijo-Karasuma. Get off at Koke-dera-michi bus stop. Go back a little in the direction the bus came from, as far as the footbridge across the main Mozume-kaido Road, and go left there. You will get to Koke-dera in just under 10 minutes.</p>
<p><strong>Kyoto Buses #73 </strong>and<strong> #28</strong> start at Kyoto Station. </p>
<p>Take bus #73 to the "Kokedera Suzumushidera" stop and walk 3 minutes. There are #73 buses on the hour or just past the hour from 8am to 9pm and at approximately 20 minutes past and 20 minute to the hour. See here for the full timetable. <a href="https://www.kyotobus.jp/route/timetable/pdf/61-2.pdf" rel="nofollow">www.kyotobus.jp/route/timetable/pdf/kyotoekimae_02.pdf</a></p>
<p>On the #28 bus get off at Matsuo-Taisha-mae bus stop. Walk back down the main Mozume-kaido Road in the direction the bus came from, about 12 minutes to the second footbridge, then right down Koke-dera-michi for about 8 minutes.</p>
<p>The nearest train station to Saihoji Temple is JR Saga Arashiyama. From Kyoto Station the journey takes about 12-16 minutes on the JR Sagano Line to Kameoka and Sonobe and costs 240 yen. From JR Saga Arashiyama Station a taxi would cost about 1,000 yen and takes about 10 minutes.</p>
<p>Alternatively from Shijo Station on the Kyoto subway take a Hankyu Arashiyama Line train to Matsuo Taisha Station and walk 20 minutes.</p>
<p>There is also a route from Saihoji by bicycle from Arashiyama.</p>
<p>Saiho-ji<br />Matsuo Jingatani-cho 56<br />Nishikyo-ku<br />Kyoto<br /> 615-8286<br />Tel: 075 391 3631</p>
<h3>Book Hotel Accommodation in Kyoto Near Saihoji</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.booking.com/country/jp.html?aid=300323" rel="nofollow">Hotels in Japan - Booking.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.booking.com/city/jp/kyoto.html?aid=300323" rel="nofollow">Hotels in Kyoto - Booking.com</a><br /><a href="https://www.agoda.com/asia/japan/kyoto.html?cid=1072681" rel="nofollow">Hotels in Kyoto - Agoda</a></p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-58759887701267594522023-06-28T19:22:00.006+09:002023-12-09T12:50:29.079+09:00Sansho Japanese Mountain Pepper <h2>Japanese Mountain Pepper - Sansho 山椒</h2>
<div style="float: none; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="#1">What is Sansho?</a> | <a href="#2">Male and Female Plants</a> | <a href="#3">Sansho Leaves</a> | <a href="#4">Unripe Sansho Fruits</a> | <a href="#5">Budoh Sansho</a> | <a href="#6">Buy Sansho</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMQ2qj6R_3rgltSTxGL9Bawdu9okigJ_dpV7Zk_nGTTkLTmdJfQEKZ5WtNk5taeB9YB5G2sUJRW_ZOKyHJIQ76Gfu7KIHOzivR_ktRxTsuJ7VBhfgjA0SBN1yqV_dW-QRj6O20rolzva5LGIklciTBMbOEBBnnb-UyzUhuhv9Nx44py2DcuhN/s1600/sancho-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Sansho fruits on a tree." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMQ2qj6R_3rgltSTxGL9Bawdu9okigJ_dpV7Zk_nGTTkLTmdJfQEKZ5WtNk5taeB9YB5G2sUJRW_ZOKyHJIQ76Gfu7KIHOzivR_ktRxTsuJ7VBhfgjA0SBN1yqV_dW-QRj6O20rolzva5LGIklciTBMbOEBBnnb-UyzUhuhv9Nx44py2DcuhN/s16000/sancho-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sansho fruits on a tree</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p><em>Sansho</em>, known as Japanese Mountain Pepper or simply Japanese Pepper in English, is one of the essential spices of Japan. Traditional Japanese eel dishes would be unthinkable without sansho, sansho is an integral component of the widely used <em><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/03/shichimi-togarashi-seven-spices.html">shichimi togarashi</a></em> (Seven Peppers).</p>
<p>Sansho also works great on Western dishes like steak and other meats, it works perfectly with fish of all sorts as well as in salads. The edible leaves of the plant look delicious on any food platter - from sashimi to ham to cheese. The varieties of the use of sansho are almost endless with both Japanese and international dishes.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIB_NuO6JkpJonUhuygaFr_03llXmtTCRhFrocJxx808YT5Qm8QlaSZFuby6bpz6zDJ3BvSgNYckmQFGfobJyfh-Q8b-UyoXsX8cbKi2vu_DP-MzvL9QlyK8xBKZ4vnBjjHgvPYVgAQtEXLt2h0k8LkUlxXCa_RHZl2C30ZQWfHsWT5yz2ujl/s1600/sancho-2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Sancho tree in Japan." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIB_NuO6JkpJonUhuygaFr_03llXmtTCRhFrocJxx808YT5Qm8QlaSZFuby6bpz6zDJ3BvSgNYckmQFGfobJyfh-Q8b-UyoXsX8cbKi2vu_DP-MzvL9QlyK8xBKZ4vnBjjHgvPYVgAQtEXLt2h0k8LkUlxXCa_RHZl2C30ZQWfHsWT5yz2ujl/s1600/sancho-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sancho tree in Japan</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="1">What is Sansho?</h3>
<p>Biologists use the Latin name <em>Zanthoxylum piperitum</em> for the plant. It is a tree which can grow up to three meters high. It can be easily recognized by its particular pinnated (feather-like) set of leaves and it sports long and quite sharp thorns.</p>
<p>The plant is native to Japan as well as parts of South Korea and a few areas in China. Known as <em>chopi</em> in Korean, sansho is also in heavy use in the cuisine of the Southern part of the peninsula.</p>
<p>Sansho is closely related to Sichuan peppers though their taste differs. Sichuan peppers fit the spicy foods of southwest China while sansho caters to the more subdued and refined tastes of Japan.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAu0Mk2lamTAhMpzws5BVRyKglHZJOo2Wxqc1ZoNUI9p21n4OrQgxGJR4AtPgACSUmIhcBhc7Z6CWDO7LcWDBeP3ScV22nO0T6bxTEDumO6gf50Hif6J_R5Cu7uBlEI8gfa_zYsoqMnX71-E9CNLQye7BrjkSFZp11kQ_FbKc9bMIdQQwwx2H3/s1600/sancho-3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Bamboo sprouts with sansho leaves." border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAu0Mk2lamTAhMpzws5BVRyKglHZJOo2Wxqc1ZoNUI9p21n4OrQgxGJR4AtPgACSUmIhcBhc7Z6CWDO7LcWDBeP3ScV22nO0T6bxTEDumO6gf50Hif6J_R5Cu7uBlEI8gfa_zYsoqMnX71-E9CNLQye7BrjkSFZp11kQ_FbKc9bMIdQQwwx2H3/s1600/sancho-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bamboo sprouts with sancho leaves</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="2">Male and Female Plants</h3>
<p>Sansho plants come in two varieties - male and female. Only the female plants feature blossoms (in about April), and only the female plants are able to grow fruits and seeds. Their leaves are larger, darker, and harder than those of their male counterparts.</p>
<p>The male plants on the other hand produce soft and light-colored leaves throughout the spring season. Those leaves are cherished in Japanese cuisine. In department stores, they are often sold in quite extravagant packaging for an according price.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrGviz0OKwxrkVHGpcgk9RjLm3rG-IRtwOuID95gpUjtUCcKyyBcpnWAhDWZ4MPJ0zQJ6KCbjnIUEnzmOJOOLZQnoU8VGDZFX0RtjKRjXQKxslmUH75G5r2f0mqG2GM1d_0NS6tyfa-hqJzAqYQ940neuSYYzqD3_FtC7-tP25TTTf8HtgqBF/s1600/sancho-4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Casual meat platter with sansho leaves." border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrGviz0OKwxrkVHGpcgk9RjLm3rG-IRtwOuID95gpUjtUCcKyyBcpnWAhDWZ4MPJ0zQJ6KCbjnIUEnzmOJOOLZQnoU8VGDZFX0RtjKRjXQKxslmUH75G5r2f0mqG2GM1d_0NS6tyfa-hqJzAqYQ940neuSYYzqD3_FtC7-tP25TTTf8HtgqBF/s1600/sancho-4.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casual meat platter with sansho leaves</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="3">Sansho Leaves</h3>
<p>This means that sansho from the male and female varieties is sold and used in quite different ways.</p>
<p>In April and May, male sansho leaves are available – going to a farmers' market you find them at a much lower price than at the department stores. Those leaves are fresh and they provide the very best of the sansho taste and smell. They are typically referred to as <em>hana-zansho</em> (flower sansho).</p>
<p>Typically, Japanese will place those leaves on one of their palms, then strongly clap hands. That brings out the full taste the best, it is said. If you get the chance to try your hand on that old custom, you will certainly attest to its veracity.</p>
<p>Those leaves go especially well with the fresh bamboo sprouts heading out of the ground at the same time.</p>
<p>They are very decorative and you often see them in advertising, sometimes used to advertise foods that call for sansho but are offered in different seasons. Like eel, a dish most commonly consumed in summer.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlzWD_GaxTG87K25AqYjYKCMITSiAADWpsWIt5nn9L0vDt5pIblDHrZoSep_xTw7WjHAOJRKVsoFWis15PDE-8q8p04Z0TKTVUDim3Ne5krlGXpH6a074-BK2L-Sw_A2Ukmm8EJ1TDv-5xrxR2A_093faAIQlyzH5ftrWjSuHJhvldHRGSF4n/s1600/sancho-5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Unripe sansho fruits for sale in a Japanese farmers' market." border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlzWD_GaxTG87K25AqYjYKCMITSiAADWpsWIt5nn9L0vDt5pIblDHrZoSep_xTw7WjHAOJRKVsoFWis15PDE-8q8p04Z0TKTVUDim3Ne5krlGXpH6a074-BK2L-Sw_A2Ukmm8EJ1TDv-5xrxR2A_093faAIQlyzH5ftrWjSuHJhvldHRGSF4n/s1600/sancho-5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unripe sansho fruits for sale in a Japanese farmers' market</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="4">Unripe Sansho Fruits</h3>
<p>In June and July, unripe green sansho fruits become available at Japanese farmer's markets and department stores.</p>
<p>Those fruits, called <em>ao zansho</em> (green sansho) are often boiled in a broth with soy sauce and <em>kombu</em> (kelp) to make a <em>tsukudani</em> (rice topping). Mixed with tiny <em> chirimen</em> fish, they make great <em>chirimen zansho</em>, a famed <a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-crafts-in-kyoto.html">Kyoto</a> dish.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK6uNuTgE5XI2wYpU_f9NlLlKGpX1wrTbxeqwOHg6UUKluHV4IKOrQuIbMNzaZGYUzjnTABaz2i757HNlT_6516sTcefbLl6xadklS6kEqYcHGs5JJsgxA47guJb46rfcPBn_UXPY8br1iCsSBe4san_ui2-MrRpRSHMNrtb77pWS0TVa22dO/s1600/sancho-6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Ground sansho produced by SB on a Japanese supermarket shelf." border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK6uNuTgE5XI2wYpU_f9NlLlKGpX1wrTbxeqwOHg6UUKluHV4IKOrQuIbMNzaZGYUzjnTABaz2i757HNlT_6516sTcefbLl6xadklS6kEqYcHGs5JJsgxA47guJb46rfcPBn_UXPY8br1iCsSBe4san_ui2-MrRpRSHMNrtb77pWS0TVa22dO/s1600/sancho-6.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ground sansho produced by SB on a Japanese supermarket shelf</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="5">Budoh Sansho</h3>
<p>Sansho trees grow all over Japan from Hokkaido to Kyushu. The center of sansho production however is Wakayama Prefecture in Western Japan, south of Osaka. Wakayama cultivates about 80% of Japan's sansho.</p>
<p>Wakayama is also home to a special type of sansho, known as <em>budoh sansho</em> (grape shansho). The fruits of budoh sansho are much larger than average sansho fruits, they look more like grapes, hence the name. The budoh sansho variety is particularly sought after - it is not only larger but also offers a spicier taste than the average sansho.</p>
<p>Budoh sansho is sold both in unripe and in mature form.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvkbagGn3cgvunmiTMu_5v6a5gMgYPa3p9CAi9tp_8OGFsvPqxk2z3jxdBtm7KHWuHM2-IQZa4JKXJGW5ThCjntDJlfuxQmaVCtVM_BIy-fMJ7tKkG070bmmOs1vMYw6XCCEz0r_JlZEge4zrXAfSh-wMuL8sVr5BBqn4xXF1wa0rUxWRdkNk/s1600/sancho-7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Sansho rinds packed by Mascot." border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvkbagGn3cgvunmiTMu_5v6a5gMgYPa3p9CAi9tp_8OGFsvPqxk2z3jxdBtm7KHWuHM2-IQZa4JKXJGW5ThCjntDJlfuxQmaVCtVM_BIy-fMJ7tKkG070bmmOs1vMYw6XCCEz0r_JlZEge4zrXAfSh-wMuL8sVr5BBqn4xXF1wa0rUxWRdkNk/s1600/sancho-7.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sansho rinds packed by Mascot</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Ground Sansho</h3>
<p>Harvest time for the ripe sansho fruits is in about October. That is when the by then dry reddish fruit rinds break open and reveal a black seed inside.</p>
<p>That seed is inedible and thus gets discarded. The valuable part of the fruit is the dry rind.</p>
<p>Most commonly that rind is ground into a more or less rough powder. Unlike the fresh leaves and unripe fruits, that powder can be purchased and used throughout the year.</p>
<p>Ground sansho is an elemental part of <em>shichimi togarashi</em>, ground sansho is no doubt the most commonly used form of sansho in Japanese kitchens today.</p>
<p>That's what is sprinkled on the dishes in summer in most eel restaurants, that's what you find as a condiment on the tables of Japanese <em>udon</em> and <em>soba</em> noodle restaurants.</p>
<p>The most common variety of ground sansho in Japan is the one manufactured by spice giant SB. Their sansho powder, labeled in hiragana letters as さんしょう, is available in every supermarket. That is the sansho most Japanese use at home.</p>
<h3>Sansho Rinds</h3>
<p>The main selling point of ground sansho is its convenience. You get the sansho taste on your dishes quickly and reliably.</p>
<p>For the real aficionado, however, ground sansho does not fly. Too much of the taste and fragrance of the sansho invariably evaporates during processing and storing.</p>
<p>Under the name <em>Japanese Pepper</em>, Japanese spice maker Mascot sells the original dried rinds. Rinds of Wakayama budoh sansho, the large and spicy variation of the plant.</p>
<p>You get the real rinds tightly packed into a glass jar. Keep them dry and only use the portion for the meal you plan. Grind them in a <em>suribachi</em> mortar. The suribachi will bring out the best of the taste - especially if it is one of those traditional Japanese mortars that come with a pestle made of fragrant sansho tree wood.</p>
<h3 id="6">Buy Sancho</h3>
<p><strong>Goods from Japan</strong> offers a variety of Japanese spices and condiments.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/collections/food">Purchase a range of Japanese foodstuffs and drinks from GoodsFromJapan</a>.</p>
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<p>© GoodsFromJapan.com</p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-9171783937718547242023-05-14T12:01:00.002+09:002023-10-20T16:11:02.938+09:00Katsuobushi & Katsuobushi Kezuriki<h2>Bonito Flakes in the Kitchen: Katsuobushi and the Katsuobushi Kezuriki 鰹節と鰹節削り器</h2>
<div style="float: none; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="#1">What is Katsuobushi?</a> | <a href="#2">History</a> | <a href="#3">Famous Production Areas</a> | <a href="#4">Shaving the Katsuobushi</a> | <a href="#6">Buy Katsuobushi</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnleibt_7LU6HOoM1wBzsE8XWDCbJFW_XFvI6QrMi24zi8gbzoeazgzFO6kl1uFvuM0xlYJeKimRRBoqropDiy1ut5Pd0j4304speda73ZC2cwSazk-cXEq35S7cjAabmnJ1Rzbil-Lsak_6JuMJre9ceEuiXq1F-wZoYdqWXy_-nF5lVMQ/s1600/katsuobushi1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Katsuobushi fillet and katsuobushi kezuriki." border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnleibt_7LU6HOoM1wBzsE8XWDCbJFW_XFvI6QrMi24zi8gbzoeazgzFO6kl1uFvuM0xlYJeKimRRBoqropDiy1ut5Pd0j4304speda73ZC2cwSazk-cXEq35S7cjAabmnJ1Rzbil-Lsak_6JuMJre9ceEuiXq1F-wZoYdqWXy_-nF5lVMQ/s1600/katsuobushi1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katsuobushi fillet and katsuobushi kezuriki</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Remember the first time you were served <em>okonomiyaki</em> (Japanese pancakes) in one of those dark, dingy, tiny but homely restaurants in Osaka? The first time you received a boat of <em>takoyaki</em> (wheat batter balls containing a piece of octopus)? Did you wonder what those wildly fluttering flakes on top of the dish? Those flakes almost seem to have a life of their own! It's the heat of the dishes underneath that makes them vibrate.</p>
<p>Those flakes are called <em>katsuobushi</em> and you encounter them in Japan quite frequently and in many different ways. They are used as soup stock, mixed with rice in <em>onigiri</em> rice balls and as topping on an endless variety of dishes ranging from tofu to soba noodles to meat (especially chicken), more recent recipes even include them as toppings on avocado and other imported foods.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VUOakzeupFwqSyOh09BW-GVbtf0RrG2IYrfeLlifel-W5WWGXYUVhnZlm0lWtfkdKnXIvIGHyy6kuJOTZt8yqZB2kv0WoNRzlTUyYChaBA90LZMHc-HVHUzAlqdrP3H7UQQgNByiZ3ZDKkNsutXAhCThS81ZpMMvDTHgKHJN2FPlRtlXAA/s1600/katsuobushi2x.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Katsuobushi fillets from GFJ." border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VUOakzeupFwqSyOh09BW-GVbtf0RrG2IYrfeLlifel-W5WWGXYUVhnZlm0lWtfkdKnXIvIGHyy6kuJOTZt8yqZB2kv0WoNRzlTUyYChaBA90LZMHc-HVHUzAlqdrP3H7UQQgNByiZ3ZDKkNsutXAhCThS81ZpMMvDTHgKHJN2FPlRtlXAA/s1600/katsuobushi2x.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katsuobushi fillets</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="1">What is Katsuobushi?</h3>
<p>Now, what are those katsuobushi? Roughly translated, katsuobushi means dried bonito flakes. Katsuo is the Japanese name for the skipjack bonito, a fish belonging to the tuna family.</p>
<p>The best meat of those fish, usually caught in the waters surrounding southern Japan, is filleted by hand and knife. Work that needs quite some skill. An experienced worker cuts the fillets from the fish in less than a minute. </p>
<p>Those fillets are then simmered close to the boiling point for an hour or more, then wood smoked up to a month. A smoking session lasts about six hours, then the fillet rests for a day. This process is repeated for about 12 to 15 times. Finally, the fillet is sun-dried for about two weeks with the help of a special mold, the Aspergillus glaucus. The mold ferments the fillet and removes any residual moisture.</p>
<p>When ready for sale, those fillets are hard as wood and brown on the outside, resembling short sticks of firewood. On the inside, they are a blackish purple. After scraping a section of the fillet, the exposed parts glisten in the light like dark, colored glass.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM_t5UU2Lz6lfYX9t2XAJWH0lUTjdyC0y27H1HbFbtGKK0kCI-cQGM-SH4ghNdhZWcoheJaT0JcKE2HBkNEYjId9azUKsacckKQjcWFk5tEgt2EKfBU1v-_SXi6ZqGV185AWBjfh4nqTU7Ej3_DpUrDGbpgZBxsJRV5ErORL1qgkLlst3yQ/s1600/katsuobushi3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Katsuobushi-centered meal. Katsuobushi-topped tofu, katsuobushi-topped bamboo sprouts, rice mixed with katsuobushi, miso soup using katsuobushi stock." border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM_t5UU2Lz6lfYX9t2XAJWH0lUTjdyC0y27H1HbFbtGKK0kCI-cQGM-SH4ghNdhZWcoheJaT0JcKE2HBkNEYjId9azUKsacckKQjcWFk5tEgt2EKfBU1v-_SXi6ZqGV185AWBjfh4nqTU7Ej3_DpUrDGbpgZBxsJRV5ErORL1qgkLlst3yQ/s1600/katsuobushi3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A katsuobushi-centered meal: katsuobushi-topped tofu, katsuobushi-topped bamboo sprouts, rice mixed with katsuobushi, miso soup using katsuobushi stock</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="2">History</h3>
<p>Dried bonito is as old as Japan. The most ancient books refer to it as do the legends of the Ainu, the original inhabitants of the islands. Dried bonito could be stored for a long period, it was easy to transport, it was very nutritious and it was very tasty when mixed with rice. That ancient dried bonito was however not the same as the katsuobushi flakes in use today. </p>
<p>Those were invented by a man named Jintaro Kadoya in the Kumano domain (today's Wakayama Prefecture) in the mid-1600s. Kadoya came up with the concept of fumigating the katsuo fillets to preserve them in the best possible way.</p>
<p>Not finding the success with his invention he had hoped for in his native Kumano, Kadoya moved to the Tosa domain on the southern shore of Shikoku (today's Kochi Prefecture). There, the bonito catches were better and the locals embraced Kadoya's production method. </p>
<p>Producing katsuobushi in Tosa proved to be very challenging, however. The climate was wet and mold easily settled on the fillets when set out for sun-drying.</p>
<p>But soon, the Tosa locals producing katsuobushi in Kadoya's way learned how to deal with that ever pervasive mold. They incorporated the mold into the production process, turning the mold from a nuisance into the final step of refinement.</p>
<p>Tosa katsuobushi soon became all the rage on the markets of Edo and Osaka.</p>
<p>The production process was a closely guarded secret but that secret soon leaked out to the Satsuma domain (today's Kagoshima Prefecture). Production conditions in Kagoshima were very similar to those of Tosa (Kochi).</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaG8E2bE0HTfqg111Z-ftyG_g7uJifWjBJz6at_snpi9UxZYisl8NrBXxge6e9Kg3F0HmPifJL6JorRjE_CjpEl-dxjjPn6eAdoU0Shg-Uan3i78aWG4aXgVXiajkGW4jfHvycLvmDPwEdUfNhyMRH_IvgspB6KIblOqRz4vus8qfRA9_cw/s1600/katsuobushi4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Katsuobushi kezuriki." border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaG8E2bE0HTfqg111Z-ftyG_g7uJifWjBJz6at_snpi9UxZYisl8NrBXxge6e9Kg3F0HmPifJL6JorRjE_CjpEl-dxjjPn6eAdoU0Shg-Uan3i78aWG4aXgVXiajkGW4jfHvycLvmDPwEdUfNhyMRH_IvgspB6KIblOqRz4vus8qfRA9_cw/s1600/katsuobushi4.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional katsuobushi kezuriki</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="3">Famous Production Areas</h3>
<p>Kochi and Kagoshima Prefectures are still the main producers of katsuobushi today. They got the brand name recognition, they got the history and the experience of family-run firms dealing with the product for centuries.</p>
<h3 id="4">Shaving the Katsuobushi</h3>
<p>Most common today are factory-shaved katsuobushi flakes. Those are sold in plastic bags in all Japanese supermarkets and they are the most easy to use.</p>
<p>It’s more fun, though, to produce the katsuobushi flakes in your kitchen by yourself. To do so, you need a special tool to shave the flakes from the wood-like katsuobushi fillet. </p>
<p>Traditionally, for this purpose a <em>katsuobushi kezuriki</em> is used. Essentially, that’s a wooden box with a blade inserted. You move the katsuobushi fillet with a certain amount of strength over the blade functioning as a sort of wood plane. The shaved-off flakes are collected in the drawer below the blade. </p>
<p>Working the blade needs a certain amount of practice, though. You need to figure out how exactly to hold the fillet stick and what amount of pressure to apply. If done incorrectly, the result of the shaving will be rather a reddish rough powder than the desired flakes. </p>
<p>That powder is delicious and can be used in salads, for example. But you wanted the flakes, right? The real thing. </p>
<p>Those can be more easily produced using a mechanic katsuobushi shaving machine. Of course, the mechanic shaver leaves you a little short on the experience of cooking in real traditional Japanese style but it provides you with the desired result easily and efficiently.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdNL1rzNw3oTxdsRwXjQ7xplqRElT5ZploM_G-vPruK89u-MlLFWtP6BgFdKraLN_QwqYyOIKkI0pXI3VJgNxC2sVbOmUFYLInEwcQrRRWQ02v_cP1gYF5vZbRShEk3rUP7NeNsQzNrP0NspL4l0r820DYOlj_8ebCoF3rxXcYxcTkvwC_Q/s1600/katsuobushi5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Katsuobushi fillet and katsuobushi kezuriki." border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdNL1rzNw3oTxdsRwXjQ7xplqRElT5ZploM_G-vPruK89u-MlLFWtP6BgFdKraLN_QwqYyOIKkI0pXI3VJgNxC2sVbOmUFYLInEwcQrRRWQ02v_cP1gYF5vZbRShEk3rUP7NeNsQzNrP0NspL4l0r820DYOlj_8ebCoF3rxXcYxcTkvwC_Q/s1600/katsuobushi5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A katsuobushi fillet and katsuobushi kezuriki</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="6">Buy Katsuobushi</h3>
<p><strong>Goods from Japan</strong> offers all the options, the wood-like <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/products/katsuobushi-fillets">fillet sticks</a> and the old-style kezuriki as well as two kinds of mechanic shavers, one named the <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/products/katsuobushi-shaving-machine-okaka">Okaka</a> and the other the <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/products/katsuobushi-shaving-machine-kakuta-kun">Kakuta-Kun</a>, and of course, the most easy-to-use bagged factory-made katsuobushi flakes.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/collections/food">Purchase a range of Japanese foodstuffs and drinks from GoodsFromJapan</a>.</p>
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<p><a href="/2022/04/yatsushiro-and-tatami.html">Yatsuhiro & Tatami</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/02/yuzukosho-spice-of-kyushu.html">Yuzu Kosho Spice from Kyushu</a></p><p><b>by Johannes Schonherr</b></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUiOtIuPahMz34zpCpe26Ke2MhGSK2NR40rZ-ysU-6zcnDtwtfyHgjt9FuvYC0wlwl2hlVP_pGBCC-d8qGahy3b7B3UxCHLH14kS0LgmdKvTN85XaWKi3aTlLqsPdMa1_xD4lTDh4umjitw3WcQ2VP6W9F_GU43aJvoSmFHO4DLmGeCJRvA/s1600/katsuobushi6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Katsuobushi Shaving Machine Kakuta-kun." border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUiOtIuPahMz34zpCpe26Ke2MhGSK2NR40rZ-ysU-6zcnDtwtfyHgjt9FuvYC0wlwl2hlVP_pGBCC-d8qGahy3b7B3UxCHLH14kS0LgmdKvTN85XaWKi3aTlLqsPdMa1_xD4lTDh4umjitw3WcQ2VP6W9F_GU43aJvoSmFHO4DLmGeCJRvA/s1600/katsuobushi6.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purchase a Katsuobushi Shaving Machine Kakuta-kun</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>© GoodsFromJapan.com</p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-33895169863437818222023-05-08T17:55:00.004+09:002024-01-08T09:11:54.097+09:00Ghosts of the Tsunami<h2>Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan's Disaster Zone</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1250192811/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan's Disaster Zone</a></p>
<p>by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Richard+Lloyd+Parry&mode=books" rel="nofollow">Richard Lloyd Parry</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Picador&mode=blended" rel="nofollow">Picador</a> (2017)</p>
<p>ISBN: 978-1250192813<br />
Paperback, 276 pp</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhux4MI6s_jd94HfGGh6WIH3qkNLXp4T6MBQbabm-u2NV5WaaY6R5bB11hUtJyz--aPjG9_mZfTCFuVdBhm2jQTFBfM2nXgFJYdmrSYffp5WTn4xIyVD2UrK8FwQPQ9pB31uhQwdbbhqJJblr2JMtsFG5qhIhDugSeq7byMg_3VJ0yQsIDBBA/s1600/ghosts-tsunami.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan's Disaster Zone." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhux4MI6s_jd94HfGGh6WIH3qkNLXp4T6MBQbabm-u2NV5WaaY6R5bB11hUtJyz--aPjG9_mZfTCFuVdBhm2jQTFBfM2nXgFJYdmrSYffp5WTn4xIyVD2UrK8FwQPQ9pB31uhQwdbbhqJJblr2JMtsFG5qhIhDugSeq7byMg_3VJ0yQsIDBBA/s1600/ghosts-tsunami.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>On March 11, 2011, Japan's Tohoku region (northeast coast) was struck by what has been called a triple disaster: the largest earthquake in the country's history (and fourth largest in the history of seismology), followed by an enormous tsunami, followed by a disastrous nuclear meltdown. </p>
<p>The earthquake was 9.0 on the Richter Scale, knocked the earth off its axis by six and a half inches, and moved the whole of Japan 13 feet closer to America. The tsunami reached heights of 120 feet and erased numerous villages from the face of the earth. The nuclear meltdown joined the Chernobyl disaster as one of the two worst nuclear accidents in history.</p>
<p>When the final numbers of the triple disaster were added up, the costs were set at $US210, billion (the costliest natural disaster ever) in damage, half a million people homeless and 18,500 dead. Of course, many of the survivors still suffer from trauma.</p>
<p>While author Parry does give attention to the earthquake and the nuclear meltdown, he focuses most of his scrutiny on the tsunami – most specifically the drowning of 74 students and 10 teachers of Okawa Elementary School in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, who lost their lives due to some incredibly poor decisions made by that school's officials.</p>
<p>While some sixth-grade boys begged to be let out of school to run up a nearby hill to safety, the teachers said no, then later directed students and staff <em>towards</em> the incoming tsunami.</p>
<p>Parry, who had worked 16 years in Japan at the time of the triple disaster, follows the lives of the local survivors, including their attempts - through the courts and otherwise - at getting to the truth of what happened at Okawa Elementary.</p>
<p>The ghosts from the title of the book refer to supernatural phenomena that were reported after the tsunami. The ghost stories are somewhat interesting, but can probably be better explained by either mental illness due to the enormous stress people there had to endure, or depending on your belief system, demon possession.</p>
<p>In any case, psychists and mediums often gave completely different answers to questions they received such as where the best place to look for bodies would be and whether the deceased children were now happy or miserable.</p>
<p>Although the book is recommended reading, there are a few minor annoyances. One is the author's dependence on/love of his thesaurus. Numerous words like frisson, tannoy, catarrh, rotas, lineaments and other very low-usage words are sprinkled throughout the book. His oeuvre is bumfuzzling.</p>
<p>Another annoyance is the low quality of the half dozen pictures in the book. This is likely the result of using low quality paper. Also, cutlines (captions) on the pictures, something that would have been helpful, are non-existent.</p>
<p>Parry shows great empathy towards the people of Tohoku (which he inexplicably says is pronounced "Tour hock-oo"), but he gives no breaks to the two men deemed by him and others to be the most responsible for the school children's deaths.</p>
Overall, the book is a good read into some of the darkest days in Japanese history.
<p>Review by <b>Marshall Hughes</b>.</p>
<p><b>Buy this book from Amazon</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1250192811/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">USA</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1250192811/soccerphileco-21" rel="nofollow">UK</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/1250192811/soccerphile0b-22" rel="nofollow">Japan</a><br />
</p>
<p>Looking to buy <b>Japanese things</b> directly from Japan? <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/">GoodsFromJapan</a> is here to help.</p>
<h3>More Japan Book Reviews</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/09/90-day-geisha-book-review.html">90-Day Geisha</a></p><p><a href="/2022/10/all-about-japan-stories-songs-crafts.html">All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/11/dairy-of-void.html">Diary Of A Void</a></p>
<p><a href="/2023/04/exposure-review.html">Exposure: From President to Whistleblower at Olympus</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-kokeshi-dolls-book-review-manami-okazaki.html">Japanese Kokeshi Dolls: The Woodcraft and Culture of Japan's Iconic Wooden Dolls</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-dolls-world-of-ningyo.html">Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/10/reflections-on-tsuda-umeko.html">Reflections on Tsuda Umeko: Pioneer of Women's Education in Japan</a></p><p><a href="/2024/01/tokyo-outdoors-45-walks-hikes.html">Tokyo Outdoors: 45 Walks Hikes & Cycling Routes</a></p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-14337645415373079382023-04-22T14:17:00.003+09:002023-12-09T12:50:57.043+09:00Introduction to Japanese Masks<h2>An Introduction to Japanese Masks お面</h2>
<div style="float: none; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="#1">Noh Theatre</a> | <a href="#2">Hannya</a> | <a href="#3">Oni Demon</a> | <a href="#4">Tengu</a> | <a href="#6">Sarutahiko</a> | <a href="#7">Purchase Japanese Masks</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcrpfwlZO88aIeqeHOH-uuAgEVRIOM2mwuPuIC_RUAeNSVRKP62gJYZp0uk-UpJpqRtE2GWaNlL3YoGUduFQcmslLCMgu2jFze0WVflwYxNsEdT9rZPwmewjI5idcAvjbHfOXmkJ2jE0vh_2WebxKyuzVNvgQYP2tNUYMhvL5UjDq3IHAQQ/s1600/m1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="A selection of onna masks representing young women in Noh Dramas." border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcrpfwlZO88aIeqeHOH-uuAgEVRIOM2mwuPuIC_RUAeNSVRKP62gJYZp0uk-UpJpqRtE2GWaNlL3YoGUduFQcmslLCMgu2jFze0WVflwYxNsEdT9rZPwmewjI5idcAvjbHfOXmkJ2jE0vh_2WebxKyuzVNvgQYP2tNUYMhvL5UjDq3IHAQQ/s16000/m1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A selection of onna masks representing young women in Noh Dramas</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Like many ancient cultures all around the planet, Japan has used and produced various types of masks that were probably originally used in rituals and magic and that later developed into storytelling and theatre. Outside of the various types of masked theatre, numerous participants in festivals wear masks.</p>
<p>There are many recognizable types of masks that are found all over the country and can be said to represent a purely Japanese style, but many regions and localities have unique forms not found elsewhere in the country.</p>
<p>In Japan, masks are considered to possess power and so are used not just as decoration but also to protect shrines, temples, and increasingly homes.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU0OvdUmoQLsencDbPh35wc-7url9K11YNfVIFQsu7575BCMdRIBiEt5HoutWxf_snDS9X22Vzg_-lbSMg_4O_51aWSuSHaS4NMfpwyEeHWthJzKvLp_e3mNsuBv4Lsi_jKKkSKZipwzN9npnNUdDq3t8MSQnpVYmtKZxiyJj3mvhTS3IxQ/s1600/m2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="A Noh-mask carver in Hofu, Yamaguchi, applying pigment to a mask." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="541" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU0OvdUmoQLsencDbPh35wc-7url9K11YNfVIFQsu7575BCMdRIBiEt5HoutWxf_snDS9X22Vzg_-lbSMg_4O_51aWSuSHaS4NMfpwyEeHWthJzKvLp_e3mNsuBv4Lsi_jKKkSKZipwzN9npnNUdDq3t8MSQnpVYmtKZxiyJj3mvhTS3IxQ/s1600/m2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Noh-mask carver in Hofu, Yamaguchi, applying pigment to a mask</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="1">Noh Theatre</h3>
<p>Japanese mask-making reached its peak with the masks created for Noh dramas. Noh is a style of musical theatre from the 14th century and is still performed today. Masks are integral to Noh, with hundreds of different ones produced for characters both human and supernatural, but an interesting feature of noh masks is that to a large extent they are made to be expressionless. The art is in making masks that display different emotional states just by changing the angle of the mask. Noh masks are carved from a single block of wood, usually cypress, and painted using minimal, natural pigments.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXkF8lcXa1k4vWgjhOiuYvfV6HnWeNUkZ_LzMQP1L3hfaTKhPl11DjhlE_1TKZaWQAlx9sU6gVKD8iEjRpCcnWLpaeUCHVfVJJCidmbEVM0T5SMbMWY1_SBj6q8l47Q3VgSTf0wwPc2fWr2YyeIefXHfVenUsdN-9T9uP1MRjU0-EDDIe5w/s1600/m3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="The most iconic of Japanese masks, the female demon known as Hanya." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXkF8lcXa1k4vWgjhOiuYvfV6HnWeNUkZ_LzMQP1L3hfaTKhPl11DjhlE_1TKZaWQAlx9sU6gVKD8iEjRpCcnWLpaeUCHVfVJJCidmbEVM0T5SMbMWY1_SBj6q8l47Q3VgSTf0wwPc2fWr2YyeIefXHfVenUsdN-9T9uP1MRjU0-EDDIe5w/s1600/m3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most iconic of Japanese masks, the female demon known as Hanya</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="2">Hannya</h3>
<p>Perhaps the most well-known Noh mask is the Hanya, or Hannya, a type of female demon. With sharp horns and teeth, and a somewhat leering mouth, Hanya masks express a range of emotions from demonic and angry to tormented and melancholic as the Hanya represents what happens to women when they are betrayed and become angry and jealous. The hanya mask is so iconic it is seen in many other forms of art and is a very popular design element in tattoos.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOV5650bEMTtCaaoHwXCNy6E3CVfAKPpWzzJhPkzC4N_goJN818vZfMed33unIap6RYyC9FnfSVnIjXFE-bJ9xbzhz6h3a-_w6IXtUTPIktFmSjGW3nhGc-kkWs1gSZfUqiGDac_n1JF35Q1JgQ2sJxi4YFcEckq_bZlXMy_AhrHuJWizq0Q/s1600/m5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="A selection of wooden masks made not to be worn but displayed." border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOV5650bEMTtCaaoHwXCNy6E3CVfAKPpWzzJhPkzC4N_goJN818vZfMed33unIap6RYyC9FnfSVnIjXFE-bJ9xbzhz6h3a-_w6IXtUTPIktFmSjGW3nhGc-kkWs1gSZfUqiGDac_n1JF35Q1JgQ2sJxi4YFcEckq_bZlXMy_AhrHuJWizq0Q/s1600/m5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A selection of wooden masks made not to be worn but displayed</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="3">Oni Demon</h3>
<p>The Oni mask is probably the type of mask with the widest variations across the different regions of the country. Oni is most often translated as "demon", but in fact "ogre" would probably be a better translation as in the West demons are considered pure evil, but oni, while generally doing bad, can in some cases be capable of doing good. Oni come in a variety of colors and are usually quite hairy and horned and in many stories are obviously linked with outsiders and the wild and dangerous mountains.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Et_MAScfHB0xspkkpIXscgqrLOW31mZy_CMM4Vzc9z05duDgLCKReBqJTzZkBJSMlkMuStT29cdATgyq3elCKiyvhTvHFq7Cfd7X4Nkc0ZHyAPGdawy4CPRErfWX6IgxSFf401QZcXEBUisVWIZ2LOl49gdD6saJDK76217v9JkqC5JDmw/s1600/m6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Namahage demon masks from the Tohoku area of northern Japan." border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Et_MAScfHB0xspkkpIXscgqrLOW31mZy_CMM4Vzc9z05duDgLCKReBqJTzZkBJSMlkMuStT29cdATgyq3elCKiyvhTvHFq7Cfd7X4Nkc0ZHyAPGdawy4CPRErfWX6IgxSFf401QZcXEBUisVWIZ2LOl49gdD6saJDK76217v9JkqC5JDmw/s1600/m6.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Namahage demon masks from the Tohoku area of northern Japan</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="4">Tengu</h3>
<p>Often referred to as "forest goblins", red-faced and long-nosed Tengu are also a very common mask found throughout Japan. Earlier versions of the Tengu called Karasu Tengu, "Crow Tengu", had beaks but most nowadays have the very phallic long nose and wear a small black cap called a <i>tokin</i> which are worn by the mountain-dwelling ascetics called Yamabushi who spend time in the mountains gaining magical powers. Tengu and yamabushi are inextricably linked and tengu masks are very common at shrines and temples and sacred mountains connected to Yamabushi all over Japan.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iG0lTl8Q5pztr6QI5fZMtJVD6eIxmI1kzUXm-igb2GQAXf09YzTyDmTfsfQMzkMIyQtf-fuVJDlXPPcGfydztISTn9CCK6tnAvxjoiQSoAanXNEqZnBpBhWGfq0TqywXVfYggbvaSGBbZVmJxqISTbJ8LcjDQVqb2PAKLDUOBp7o6WeaUg/s1600/m8.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Masks from the Kunisaki Peninsula in Kyushu are very striking and would not look out of place in Africa." border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iG0lTl8Q5pztr6QI5fZMtJVD6eIxmI1kzUXm-igb2GQAXf09YzTyDmTfsfQMzkMIyQtf-fuVJDlXPPcGfydztISTn9CCK6tnAvxjoiQSoAanXNEqZnBpBhWGfq0TqywXVfYggbvaSGBbZVmJxqISTbJ8LcjDQVqb2PAKLDUOBp7o6WeaUg/s1600/m8.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masks from the Kunisaki Peninsula in Kyushu are very striking and would not look out of place in Africa</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="6">Sarutahiko</h3>
<p>The development of the long-nosed Tengu from the Crow Tengu is probably linked to a character from ancient mythology called Sarutahiko. He is said to have led the imperial ancestors to Japan from the High Plain of Heaven.</p>
<p>Consequently a character wearing a Sarutahiko mask will usually lead a festival procession, though nowadays it may just as likely be a tengu mask. Sarutahiko married a goddess called Uzume and they are said to be the ancestors of the clan who served as theatrical performers.</p>
<p>She is often represented with a rather chubby, round-faced mask, and a male-female pair of Sarutahiko and Uzume masks are commonly found together. They are also used in a few of the remaining phallic festivals that remain in Japan.</p>
<p>In many agricultural-based festivals and folk dances male dancers wear rather comical, simple-minded, peasant masks. Often playing the fool, he is often represented with his mouth stuck in a twisted and protruded position that comes from a character called Hyottoko whose face is stuck in that expression by blowing through a bamboo pipe to keep the coals of a forge fire going.</p>
<p>Masks of various kinds, especially demons, are put up in buildings to protect against various forms of misfortune, but some masks, specifically those of Daikoku and Ebisu who are two of the Seven Lucky Gods, are put up especially by businesses, to attract good fortune and success.</p>
<h3 id="7">Purchase a Range of Traditional Masks from Japan</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/collections/japanese-masks">Purchase a selection of traditional masks from GoodsFromJapan</a></p>
<p><strong>Jake Davies</strong></p>
<h3>Gallery</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVF7x8uxG5qZ24miFRn1zmPwawscL5WTsBeENkITVa49Ku3Od8HNaUzZb8gAHITYDWhC-25CLuAuwTrQKf36LPikTYHRAbgjXvxfjl-bfvfJ6e5JbmaMGRtSOlzzWFydW8fY7SRIcql7JgDM1I5Iortz1L3nIPe2WwLeb5j3_0TDyBCe7uw/s1600/m4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="A mask-maker in Oita working on a Hanya mask." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVF7x8uxG5qZ24miFRn1zmPwawscL5WTsBeENkITVa49Ku3Od8HNaUzZb8gAHITYDWhC-25CLuAuwTrQKf36LPikTYHRAbgjXvxfjl-bfvfJ6e5JbmaMGRtSOlzzWFydW8fY7SRIcql7JgDM1I5Iortz1L3nIPe2WwLeb5j3_0TDyBCe7uw/s1600/m4.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mask-maker in Oita working on a Hanya mask</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6d2QQXNYXVU23giDS2FGsnbL2xqocmo-p-xvjbO1kx2YfDRwiuJIX1s3N0pf3Oeku1m6MJAVKIEOPUl8Xqxc7gUBgGr7hPhiP4tQuIagPbanfzJ6WeujJF5AqMF3Ie8s_dJXUw9T4LHDbSj8rQIRKTPLDNnpHTKEWiv_HGcRCCcAzlRJ6w/s1600/m7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Standing guard during Setsubun at a Kyoto temple, an unusual single-horned oni mask." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="561" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6d2QQXNYXVU23giDS2FGsnbL2xqocmo-p-xvjbO1kx2YfDRwiuJIX1s3N0pf3Oeku1m6MJAVKIEOPUl8Xqxc7gUBgGr7hPhiP4tQuIagPbanfzJ6WeujJF5AqMF3Ie8s_dJXUw9T4LHDbSj8rQIRKTPLDNnpHTKEWiv_HGcRCCcAzlRJ6w/s1600/m7.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing guard during Setsubun at a Kyoto temple, an unusual single-horned oni mask</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPDr4-8l6weQIQwvZUauIR3m8LG0cvMQcp8lf2miCqcUQnzUQSSqNr9parb6bRhpInsNkWGu2eIRpxsOVOmONxB7_QwVSGE3ZLyUqDnZPc8SW9R5VZwGLmvCFmw_7aWNMOOzMvHZV0ej-5Gi4SiemavSJ0QISlrjrd4sGaQ9Zu_6Wu-B_Fw/s1600/m9.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="A variety of different Tengu masks including a Karasu Tengu, top centre." border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPDr4-8l6weQIQwvZUauIR3m8LG0cvMQcp8lf2miCqcUQnzUQSSqNr9parb6bRhpInsNkWGu2eIRpxsOVOmONxB7_QwVSGE3ZLyUqDnZPc8SW9R5VZwGLmvCFmw_7aWNMOOzMvHZV0ej-5Gi4SiemavSJ0QISlrjrd4sGaQ9Zu_6Wu-B_Fw/s16000/m9.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A variety of different Tengu masks including a Karasu Tengu, top centre</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQpkgBWSovGV-kPR-R_p4TJGbPZG2AFrq2RVpEFfqcsUnGq_KYsBgfNhqrz-KUt5_qvf6uAzP-xn4ZnhHE58CTo2g4Fa20IUHfFw-uNzjVEoBgZ6vSJXbHOaT1f0Z3VmHrYCJGjMdeD8wdKrJAcHEG9UYOJ1ghutvO5mfInBvrdPhgxhNjg/s1600/m10.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Giant Tengu mask at Kurama, a famous yamabushi site near Kyoto." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="579" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQpkgBWSovGV-kPR-R_p4TJGbPZG2AFrq2RVpEFfqcsUnGq_KYsBgfNhqrz-KUt5_qvf6uAzP-xn4ZnhHE58CTo2g4Fa20IUHfFw-uNzjVEoBgZ6vSJXbHOaT1f0Z3VmHrYCJGjMdeD8wdKrJAcHEG9UYOJ1ghutvO5mfInBvrdPhgxhNjg/s16000/m10.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Tengu mask at Kurama, a famous yamabushi site near Kyoto</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwZHHZHNIj0ImJDvIq9OWPtWbVoJwk_Sc44NH8iZmAIbsD2tG0Kl1AgpiE5X16paDz3sSddF-8L5NAYFhF8ptJAC6WtvVD4kZApKDDjRoQsQEn2c28sZoxGKG41bYWxLGpPVHHmGICFEkR7icdJrKqcIqEGO8ZECnxuYZ2NHUNsn9CQblqg/s1600/m11.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Sarutahiko, wearing a tengu mask, leads a mikoshi parade." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwZHHZHNIj0ImJDvIq9OWPtWbVoJwk_Sc44NH8iZmAIbsD2tG0Kl1AgpiE5X16paDz3sSddF-8L5NAYFhF8ptJAC6WtvVD4kZApKDDjRoQsQEn2c28sZoxGKG41bYWxLGpPVHHmGICFEkR7icdJrKqcIqEGO8ZECnxuYZ2NHUNsn9CQblqg/s16000/m11.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarutahiko, wearing a tengu mask, leads a mikoshi parade</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JP1ZN4CHCeRsG233vxeWQYDa6sLodhtnmUOM3D5St2uYrmlY0pi32IaRucYk5CqGDj0Nc3jnDPS6-OQXSlLo2a71x--yqsBAxw8N9wwJGSf1AmQKWejkbYUv7TkNV9GUzgkFtM9RBu5ColwTxQaJFj5ggBUzjcZLsDGD9E0IvyKiiyFkgA/s1600/m12.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Hyottoko mask worn during a rice planting festival." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JP1ZN4CHCeRsG233vxeWQYDa6sLodhtnmUOM3D5St2uYrmlY0pi32IaRucYk5CqGDj0Nc3jnDPS6-OQXSlLo2a71x--yqsBAxw8N9wwJGSf1AmQKWejkbYUv7TkNV9GUzgkFtM9RBu5ColwTxQaJFj5ggBUzjcZLsDGD9E0IvyKiiyFkgA/s16000/m12.jpg" title="Hyottoko mask worn during a rice planting festival" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hyottoko mask worn during a rice planting festival</td></tr></tbody></table>
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<p><a href="/2022/02/yuzukosho-spice-of-kyushu.html">Yuzukosho Spice of Kyushu</a></p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-10230311425611964612023-04-11T15:31:00.005+09:002024-01-08T09:13:01.532+09:00Japanese Culture Religious and Philosophical Foundations<h2>Japanese Culture: The Religious and Philosophical Foundations</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/4805311630/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">Japanese Culture: The Religious and Philosophical Foundations</a></p>
<p>by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Roger+J.+Davies&mode=books" rel="nofollow">Roger J. Davies</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Tuttle+Publishing&mode=blended" rel="nofollow">Tuttle</a> (2016)</p>
<p>ISBN: 978-4805311639<br />
Paperback, 160 pp</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZe52-KBcpN2dGV4R_mL89c0H228pUvls-0Jl2ITrIw8uWg_sApL68zAayeAwYzMBYGxjV8xFR6yIbtgLkT1LIpWpRCYwmhDYCz74nsWd2CHO2DpqbbOxIr8MruS7eMGnLvGA3RL7ujfQeh9-KBZASmuffTi1DsvHOlB-cd5Bzdzd49-pTRA/s1600/japan-culture-1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Japanese Culture Religious and Philosophical Foundations." border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZe52-KBcpN2dGV4R_mL89c0H228pUvls-0Jl2ITrIw8uWg_sApL68zAayeAwYzMBYGxjV8xFR6yIbtgLkT1LIpWpRCYwmhDYCz74nsWd2CHO2DpqbbOxIr8MruS7eMGnLvGA3RL7ujfQeh9-KBZASmuffTi1DsvHOlB-cd5Bzdzd49-pTRA/s1600/japan-culture-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>What have been the most powerful influences shaping Japan over its long history? Exactly what has each of these influences contributed to make Japan what it is today?</p>
<p>Professor Roger J. Davis has put together this interesting book from his college lectures designed for international business students studying in an MBA program at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo.</p>
<p>At 160 pages (125 without the appendixes), it is not an exhausting tome, but it is enough to inform and entertain any reader wanting some of the basics. </p>
<p>The first two chapters are spent not on expounding on the most significant influences, but on the basics of where the Japanese people came from and what models social scientists usually use in dissecting civilizations.</p>
<p>From there, there are six more chapters, with each chapter dealing with one of what Davies says are the main influences which helped shape Japanese society. Arranged chronologically, they are: Shinto, Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Confucianism and Western Influences in the Modern Era.</p>
<p>Each chapter ends with extra notes on that chapter's main topic, followed by discussion questions. Some of the discussion questions can be answered quickly, even by novices. An example from the Western Influences chapter would be; "It is often claimed that contemporary Japanese society is highly secular and materialistic. Do you agree or disagree?" Anybody who has lived in Japan for any period of time can offer a reasonable opinion on this.</p>
<p>Other discussion questions require a deeper knowledge to even attempt an answer. An example of this from the Zen chapter would be; "Although Zen is not the largest sect in Japan, it is the most popular and widely recognized in the West. Why is it not as popular as other Buddhist sects in Japan?"</p>
<p>For all of its modern technological wonders, Japan got off to a late start according to Edwin Reischaeur, former US Ambassador to Japan, who is frequently quoted throughout the book, and who has several entries in the helpful six-page bibliography.</p>
<p>Reischaeur is quoted as saying, "The (Japanese) islands were thousands of years behind Europe, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and China in the introduction of agriculture and centuries behind in the use of bronze and iron."</p>
<p>One of the more interesting sections delineates how the Japanese government started and propagated state Shinto - with special focus on education and thought police - to move the Japanese citizens towards accepting war. Shinto and state Shinto were very different things.<br />
Reischaeur makes the case that state Shinto was "a ruthless attack on Buddhism." It sure was an attack on something.</p>
<p>Overall, the book would be interesting for almost any reader, but if you are already an expert on the religious and philosophical foundations of Japan, you might find the depth a little lacking.</p>
<p>Note: This book is a follow up to Davies' well-acclaimed "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0804832951/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture</a>," which was published in 2002.</p>
<p>Review by <b>Marshall Hughes</b>.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1xe4xwsx6zaVNyx8mu1lm_WAZhWv5sifBqrSTaR5qHkAZZDm8ZPwKjFK0DZDCd9UhzHloCB3AKm4QbkaCHMmQbQwuy0NTJoY0b3oznNA1U6z3EFkOGzFXhWRb4vbB0d0jYgLaZdD4GR2tPP0KxEdjNyWAyNfPPDFW3MwZTApKGpx0TTOJw/s1600/japan-culture-2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture." border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1xe4xwsx6zaVNyx8mu1lm_WAZhWv5sifBqrSTaR5qHkAZZDm8ZPwKjFK0DZDCd9UhzHloCB3AKm4QbkaCHMmQbQwuy0NTJoY0b3oznNA1U6z3EFkOGzFXhWRb4vbB0d0jYgLaZdD4GR2tPP0KxEdjNyWAyNfPPDFW3MwZTApKGpx0TTOJw/s1600/japan-culture-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<p><b>Buy this book from Amazon</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/4805311630/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">USA</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/4805311630/soccerphileco-21" rel="nofollow">UK</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4805311630/soccerphile0b-22" rel="nofollow">Japan</a><br />
</p>
<p>Looking to buy <b>Japanese things</b> directly from Japan? <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/">GoodsFromJapan</a> is here to help.</p>
<h3>More Japan Book Reviews</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/09/90-day-geisha-book-review.html">90-Day Geisha</a></p><p><a href="/2022/10/all-about-japan-stories-songs-crafts.html">All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids</a></p>
<p><a href="/2023/04/exposure-review.html">Exposure: From President to Whistleblower at Olympus</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/05/ghosts-of-tsunami.html">Ghosts of the Tsunami</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-kokeshi-dolls-book-review-manami-okazaki.html">Japanese Kokeshi Dolls: The Woodcraft and Culture of Japan's Iconic Wooden Dolls</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-dolls-world-of-ningyo.html">Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/10/reflections-on-tsuda-umeko.html">Reflections on Tsuda Umeko: Pioneer of Women's Education in Japan</a></p><p><a href="/2024/01/tokyo-outdoors-45-walks-hikes.html">Tokyo Outdoors: 45 Walks Hikes & Cycling Routes</a></p>
<p>© GoodsFromJapan.com</p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-21177871274175766872023-04-04T15:09:00.004+09:002023-10-16T17:07:13.401+09:00Exposure Review<h2>Exposure: From President to Whistleblower at Olympus</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0241963613/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">Exposure</a></p>
<p>by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Michael+Woodford&mode=books" rel="nofollow">Michael Woodford</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Penguin&mode=blended" rel="nofollow">Penguin</a> (2013)</p>
<p>ISBN: 978-0241-9636-16<br />
Paperback, 272 pp</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqAw-7ry3H0NNZ8FSuyPZJ3pY1ywf_mfbuvDMTBjbVpN4BK_EHAB_wTUi40nfGcRskTLA0khoh5KDwiiKNhaMX-5ph8CakoOikpV9Wi5m2EyU79D_CjnpRng0tXTjMXa-r88X0IRmX7EeRTZ1w8Tr34cYw48R-9_hNrgCv8e733lX-lSqMg/s1600/exposure.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Exposure: From President to Whistleblower at Olympus." border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqAw-7ry3H0NNZ8FSuyPZJ3pY1ywf_mfbuvDMTBjbVpN4BK_EHAB_wTUi40nfGcRskTLA0khoh5KDwiiKNhaMX-5ph8CakoOikpV9Wi5m2EyU79D_CjnpRng0tXTjMXa-r88X0IRmX7EeRTZ1w8Tr34cYw48R-9_hNrgCv8e733lX-lSqMg/s16000/exposure.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>One of the biggest financial scandals in Japanese history was the 2011 scandal surrounding Olympus Corporation. The scandal is said to have involved $US1.7 billion, or more.</p>
<p>In April, 2011, British national Michael Woodford, who had worked at Olympus for 30 years, became chief operating officer, and in October of that year he took the reigns as chief executive officer. Almost immediately after becoming CEO, Woodford sniffed out giant financial shenanigans in Olympus and started asked questions.</p>
<p>Two weeks after taking over he was fired for, it turned out, having uncovered the malfeasance, but he remained on the board of directors as those positions are determined by shareholders.</p>
<p>Fearing for his life, and suspecting that Japan's yakuza might be involved in the fraud - a suspicion that turned out to be erroneous - Woodford fled Japan and headed home to England.</p>
<p>He immediately contacted the Serious Fraud Office and New Scotland Yard, and was interviewed by a number of major media. He had covered his bases well by sending emails with his questions and suspicions to numerous people. The word was out, and he was safely, hopefully safely, in England.</p>
<p>In 2012, Woodford wrote this book about the whole sordid affair.<br />
One thing that many readers must overlook is the seemingly unquenchable ego that Woodford displays throughout the book. He is to be commended for working his way up from a lowly start in life, but he is eager to let everyone know how posh his lifestyle was.<br />
There are numerous examples of this, from his expensive champagne to his hotel room with the 1,000-book library and baby grand piano. Admittedly he was upgraded to that by his hotel for being a frequent customer, but you get the idea.</p>
<p>The book was written in late 2012, and occasionally references are a bit anachronistic. For example, of the four foreigners who had headed major Japanese companies he writes, "with only Carlos Ghosn of Nissan remaining, Japan seemed to be shutting the doors (on foreign leaders of Japanese companies)." The door on Ghosn would later shut as he escaped the country in 2019 while hiding in a musical instrument box while out on bail for alleged crimes during a later corporate scandal involving a foreign CEO.</p>
<p>One thing that inquiring minds will want to know is what happened to the bad guys involved. How many of them got locked up in jail and for how long? The book doesn't answer these questions, but the info can be found on line. Hint: Not many and not long enough. </p>
<p>The civil lawsuits were more fruitful. In May of 2019, well after the book was published, the Tokyo District court handed out a fine of 59.4 billion yen (then US $594 million) to the three main miscreants, former president Tsuyoshi Kikukawa, former executive vice president Hisashi Mori and former statutory auditor Hideo Yamada.<br />Additionally, Woodford was later awarded £10 million for personal damages.</p>
<p>The exact fraud, basically a <em>tobashi</em> scheme, is not fully explained until about ¾ of the way through the book. The explanation may be a little bit hard to follow for some laymen, but readers don't need to fully understand how it worked to understand the gravity of the situation.<br />
After all, $US1,700,000,000 ($1.7 billion) is a lot of fraud. <br />
Woodford's work is easy to read and the pages fly by. Readers don't have to like Woodford personally (though some certainly will) to enjoy the book and learn about an interesting chapter of recent Japanese history.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucU-JdNXcYAbaEWIqDZXbVh4mumkrw9dYJ4mcXyxvS62f2Na-FrH6oenW15Mtql0vnZuL0GiDaHzdSeOofjbZDyWyfNMOH55eOivtvFlycI_dQEi4hDqgbjvO4cVSGpdj4_7W5fb_Myat6jqqTLlnR4nxntBCxIzTcut5WirwNkFAnuCEAQ/s1600/exposure-2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Exposure Review." border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucU-JdNXcYAbaEWIqDZXbVh4mumkrw9dYJ4mcXyxvS62f2Na-FrH6oenW15Mtql0vnZuL0GiDaHzdSeOofjbZDyWyfNMOH55eOivtvFlycI_dQEi4hDqgbjvO4cVSGpdj4_7W5fb_Myat6jqqTLlnR4nxntBCxIzTcut5WirwNkFAnuCEAQ/s1600/exposure-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Review by <b>Marshall Hughes</b>.</p>
<p><b>Buy this book from Amazon</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0241963613/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">USA</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0241963613/soccerphileco-21" rel="nofollow">UK</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/0241963613/soccerphile0b-22" rel="nofollow">Japan</a>
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<p>Looking to buy <b>Japanese things</b> directly from Japan? <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/">GoodsFromJapan</a> is here to help.</p>
<h3>More Japan Book Reviews</h3>
<p><a href="/2022/10/all-about-japan-stories-songs-crafts.html">All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids</a></p>
<p><a href="/2023/01/convenience-store-woman-review.html">Convenience Store Woman</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/05/ghosts-of-tsunami.html">Ghosts of the Tsunami</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-kokeshi-dolls-book-review-manami-okazaki.html">Japanese Kokeshi Dolls: The Woodcraft and Culture of Japan's Iconic Wooden Dolls</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-dolls-world-of-ningyo.html">Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/10/reflections-on-tsuda-umeko.html">Reflections on Tsuda Umeko: Pioneer of Women's Education in Japan</a></p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-28879498417526635352023-03-07T20:39:00.002+09:002023-04-15T18:30:58.553+09:00Japanese Paper Lanterns For Films & Theatrical Performances<h2>Japanese Paper Lanterns ちょうちん(提灯)</h2><p>
Our Japanese paper lanterns are hand-made and of the highest quality. They have been used on film sets and theatrical productions both overseas and in Japan.</p>
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The customer can choose the design or leave that to GoodsFromJapan to suggest both classic and contemporary motifs such as pictured here.</p>
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Various sizes and qualities are available to suit all budgets.</p>
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These beautiful lanterns also make beautiful gifts for the home.</p>
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<a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/collections/chochin-lanterns">Japanese Chochin Lanterns</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/07/yanai-goldfish-lanterns.html">Yanai Goldfish Lanterns</a></p><p>© GoodsFromJapan.com</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-79744619197691091622023-02-14T14:18:00.004+09:002023-10-20T16:11:37.671+09:00Yuzukosho Spice of Kyushu<h2>Yuzukosho (柚子胡椒) - The Spice of Kyushu</h2>
<div style="float: none; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="#1">Fruit</a> | <a href="#2">Spice</a> | <a href="#3">Fundokin</a> | <a href="#4">Purchase</a></div>
<p><b>by Johannes Schonherr</b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbNaFCQhTqwIC6J8Xsc6Wp1ruatShAnEC8IPuxJSg7337AftDQLX3kcgnJXOWYvQtYTvaI6gV8MKvpVn-R20_my8TWIImTglnXWV3sNlDq3k9TAFaO_2Tf5zC1JSSvWL7Kxf-C6KXVeaeZ-MTXvhKuMg9rMWNx8R99sZ4sngM9R4EndDe8sw" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Yuzukosho (柚子胡椒) - The Spice of Kyushu." border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbNaFCQhTqwIC6J8Xsc6Wp1ruatShAnEC8IPuxJSg7337AftDQLX3kcgnJXOWYvQtYTvaI6gV8MKvpVn-R20_my8TWIImTglnXWV3sNlDq3k9TAFaO_2Tf5zC1JSSvWL7Kxf-C6KXVeaeZ-MTXvhKuMg9rMWNx8R99sZ4sngM9R4EndDe8sw" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yuzu fruits</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Yuzu are a citrus fruit famous for their strong fragrance, grown mainly on the southwestern Japanese islands of Kyushu and Shikoku.</p>
<p>Yuzukosho (yuzu pepper) is a paste made of yuzu peel, green chili pepper, salt and a bit of yuzu juice which has been traditionally used in nabemono hot pot soups, typically eaten in winter.</p>
<p>Nowadays, the variety of use for yuzukosho as an ingredient has spread far and wide: from various Japanese soup dishes like <em>udon</em> and <em>soba</em> to <em>yakiniku</em> barbecue to steak seasoning. Some adventurous restaurants serve their sushi and sashimi with yuzukosho rather than wasabi.</p>
<p>Western chefs have also picked up on yuzukosho as an exotic yet multi-purpose spice, enlivening their creations with an earthy yet highly refined note.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR4JeKao1dVYqJ71I_lfrY_BISdcAXVfTFVzZVxXlcDKNyb38I9gFGDOyHLRch7vez6ZWk0z4qftXB9GiV69rHd23UpFBIe7OJ-2881eezgYaI3wyjUWQPEPf7VNLJzh7p1mk5fAbDFA3KlirVfO_-11KM5OXU_shyf9rxjs2UHhnAqxwkeg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="742" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR4JeKao1dVYqJ71I_lfrY_BISdcAXVfTFVzZVxXlcDKNyb38I9gFGDOyHLRch7vez6ZWk0z4qftXB9GiV69rHd23UpFBIe7OJ-2881eezgYaI3wyjUWQPEPf7VNLJzh7p1mk5fAbDFA3KlirVfO_-11KM5OXU_shyf9rxjs2UHhnAqxwkeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yuzu (柚子) are a winter fruit in Japan</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="1">Yuzu Fruits</h3>
<p>Buy a premium quality yuzu at a farm in Kyushu or at a department store elsewhere in Japan and take it out of its protective plastic cover.</p>
<p>The fragrance of the fruit quickly fills the room.</p>
<p>That's why it is an old Japanese custom to let a few yuzu swim in the <em>onsen</em> hot spring bath water on a winter solstice night: yuzu being a winter fruit, it brings out the best of the smells of the season.</p>
<p>Cut open the fruit and you will be bit disappointed: plenty of seeds embedded in rather loose flesh. Very little juice can be extracted from a single fruit.</p>
<p>It is the outer yuzu peel that is precious. That's the part of the fruit responsible for the fragrance. Cut the outer, yellow peel off a ripe fruit and you will find it to be a delicious ingredient in soups, salads, pasta or meat dishes.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVNJu2HKJ49dnhHSFOOinJlu8jslYL9U8ZbjOqt-_TUaXJCrK9Nbp8cwuKruLSlPIqPGLgg3nqJnba4mdFZB4nbCKcS1Oz80GOxgMtDRrqnD61bbN_C_ZJRcIvUB19jqkvqIep-O4FRCZIPNgm5J26qmiqs1EmXY_cQB2EJo_WHsUCjfE7Eg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Yuzu on sale at a Japanese supermarket." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="699" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVNJu2HKJ49dnhHSFOOinJlu8jslYL9U8ZbjOqt-_TUaXJCrK9Nbp8cwuKruLSlPIqPGLgg3nqJnba4mdFZB4nbCKcS1Oz80GOxgMtDRrqnD61bbN_C_ZJRcIvUB19jqkvqIep-O4FRCZIPNgm5J26qmiqs1EmXY_cQB2EJo_WHsUCjfE7Eg=s16000" title="Yuzu on sale at a Japanese supermarket." /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yuzu on sale at a Japanese supermarket</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Fresh yuzu fruits can be a bit hard to come by outside of Japan, however.</p>
<p>A limited amount of yuzu is grown in California, for example, but as food writer Helen Rosner stated in an article for <em>The New Yorker</em> in February 2020 aptly titled <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/culture/kitchen-notes/nothing-compares-to-yuzu" rel="nofollow">Nothing Compares to Yuzu</a>, "the U.S.D.A. [United States Department of Agriculture] has a ban on the import of fresh yuzu from abroad - the fruit and the trees." After lamenting the high prices for yuzu on the U.S. East Coast, she continues saying, "I'm told that, among New York chefs, there is a thriving black market in fresh yuzu smuggled from Japan."</p>
<p>Yuzukosho however can freely be shipped from Japan to the U.S. and anywhere else. Goods from Japan is an easy and reliable source.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCcWbBbMZYgBEzdXtI8ciCWy1FPh8GH5JC6Rc9TKpzldPOqNN52uG6RYdivEPVMGWJJY9jFJRoz_kvHwVJ10bpP5aFF1ofJBr27_vXvnzjgXlAyn2GozuHZTwYSW9vCgaCyVTAnsvbso_vtMb2wvpH3eQen3IAA31Z2QfKlwdEDsKXeFY5zw=s838" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Yuzu fruit and Yuzukosho." border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCcWbBbMZYgBEzdXtI8ciCWy1FPh8GH5JC6Rc9TKpzldPOqNN52uG6RYdivEPVMGWJJY9jFJRoz_kvHwVJ10bpP5aFF1ofJBr27_vXvnzjgXlAyn2GozuHZTwYSW9vCgaCyVTAnsvbso_vtMb2wvpH3eQen3IAA31Z2QfKlwdEDsKXeFY5zw=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yuzu fruit and Yuzukosho</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<h3 id="2">Yuzukosho</h3>
<p>So, what exactly is yuzukosho? Yuzukosho is a fermented paste made up of the peel of unripe green yuzu, green chili pepper, salt and a bit of yuzu juice.</p>
<p>It contains all the fragrance of the yuzu, it is spicy, can be used for a wide variety of purposes (you might want to experiment with it a bit) and it remains in good, fresh condition for a very long time.</p>
<p>The origin of yuzukosho is central-northern Kyushu. Around the city of Hita in Oita Prefecture, about halfway between the Pacific coast and Fukuoka, farmers have made yuzukosho for centuries. Mainly for their own private use though some of the specialty certainly found its way to the markets of bustling Hita, known in the Edo Period as the Kyoto of Kyushu.</p>
<p>Yuzukosho remained a decidedly local spice of northern Kyushu well into the 1990s, sold at souvenir shops in Yufuin and other hot spring resorts as a sort of unique local gift to take home to friends.</p>
<h3 id="3">Fundokin Green Yuzukosho</h3>
<p>Things changed in the late 1990s when Fundokin, a major maker of miso paste and shoyu (soy sauce), based in the old coastal samurai town of Usuki, just south of Oita City, began to sell and promote yuzukosho on a national level.</p>
<p>Suddenly, yuzukosho became available in stores all over Japan. Chefs in Tokyo and elsewhere took notice and incorporated the spice into their dishes. Snack makers came up with yuzukosho rice crackers, yuzu fruit cakes - if you look out for anything yuzu in any Japanese supermarket, you will find a wide variety of yuzu and yuzukosho products.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL9JbqaY0K44BHAhN8HbTD2byxND7ew6xOKGGoT9V9zfYuuIrWIgWVaXwXLrAdyZqsP12q-S5Tfx2ELVwepFw52PMaMl2o94-5urXJhO6w2alDPnfqgaxYgzf8QMZnEY9Ive2Heau2azwFPEmxSSqX17rbOAzsUMMWb1E5eugrdjZlXix2ww" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="The original Fundokin Green Yuzukosho, produced in Usuki, Oita." border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL9JbqaY0K44BHAhN8HbTD2byxND7ew6xOKGGoT9V9zfYuuIrWIgWVaXwXLrAdyZqsP12q-S5Tfx2ELVwepFw52PMaMl2o94-5urXJhO6w2alDPnfqgaxYgzf8QMZnEY9Ive2Heau2azwFPEmxSSqX17rbOAzsUMMWb1E5eugrdjZlXix2ww=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Fundokin Green Yuzukosho, produced in Usuki, Oita</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="4">Purchase</h3>
<p>The original Fundokin Green Yuzukosho, produced in Usuki, Oita without using any additives is conveniently available in the <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/products/fundokin-green-yuzukosho">food section at Goods from Japan</a>.</p>
<h3>Related</h3>
<p><a href="/2022/01/ema-votive-plaques-japan.html">Ema Votive Plaques</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/calpis-soft-drink.html">Calpis</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/10/ibaraki-suisha-senkou-incense.html">Cedar Leaf Incense</a></p><p><a href="/2023/01/hoshigaki-japanese-dried-persimmons.html">Hoshigaki</a></p>
<p><a href="/2022/01/ishigaki-sea-salt.html">Ishigaki Sea Salt</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/08/jinbei-samue.html">Jinbei & Samue</a></p><p><a href="/2022/09/kabosu-juice-oita-prefecture.html">Kabosu Juice</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/05/katsuobushi-katsuobushi-kezuriki.html">Katsuobushi</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/06/sansho-japanese-mountain-pepper.html">Sancho</a></p>
<p><a href="/2022/05/sayama-japanese-green-tea.html">Sayama Japanese Green Tea</a></p>
<p><a href="/2022/03/shichimi-togarashi-seven-spices.html">Shichimi Togarashi Seven Spices</a></p>
<p><a href="/2022/04/yatsushiro-and-tatami.html">Yatsuhiro & Tatami</a></p>
<p>© GoodsFromJapan</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-91658475404131793962023-01-12T19:03:00.010+09:002023-10-20T16:12:26.011+09:00Hoshigaki Japanese Dried Persimmons<h2>Hoshigaki Japanese Dried Persimmons - A Traditional Japanese Winter Treat 干し柿</h2>
<div style="float: none; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="#1">Making Hoshigaki</a> | <a href="#2">Purchasing Hoshigaki</a> | <a href="#3">Uses of Hoshigaki</a> | <a href="#4">Ichida Kaki</a> | <a href="#6">Buy Hoshigaki</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GKlEzAHZEuYn4UvxdWrPA6VJ4gqivw39tlPBCZYbxfXBfO3XApn2csLlyMrZkCy5rd74s8gzJB4G4DXHolNOwQv7EOo7CJHSDc1JQu09gflKMaYXMRPOWW7xS0ME_PVO539L9qwlkJNMpowc_y0GIbHbWtpOOyuo9bWOmrLj6yBOcUENiA/s1600/hoshigaki-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Hoshigaki hung up to dry in Japan." border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GKlEzAHZEuYn4UvxdWrPA6VJ4gqivw39tlPBCZYbxfXBfO3XApn2csLlyMrZkCy5rd74s8gzJB4G4DXHolNOwQv7EOo7CJHSDc1JQu09gflKMaYXMRPOWW7xS0ME_PVO539L9qwlkJNMpowc_y0GIbHbWtpOOyuo9bWOmrLj6yBOcUENiA/s1600/hoshigaki-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoshigaki hung up to dry in Japan</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Taking an autumn stroll pretty much anywhere in Japan, you will see trees bulging with <em>kaki</em> (persimmon fruits). Kaki are one of the most popular autumn fruits in Japan. Countryside farmers grow them but they can also be frequently found in suburban gardens.</p>
<p>Most of those kaki are of the <em>amagaki</em> variety, the sweet sort. After peeling, you can eat these fruits right away. They are delicious as fresh fruits.</p>
<p>From early December on, <em><strong>hoshigaki</strong></em>, dried persimmons, are also on sale. Akin to dried figs in Western countries, they are a popular winter sweet. In Japan, they are often served with a hot cup of <a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/05/sayama-japanese-green-tea.html">green tea</a>.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFHb91acDUVN5mZG2BmfJ-s361DiWFQq6NuAvGSiVHvN4cwygpagaFRC613QXBr1EQMW8AHsnw2NrHA4pTaxeaiTI-tigLGocnNvvjiOf7SlK0WPWYTSGu2A4CHD-NoeYFcx0a4UhUJEwSLMQ0dc0BkakKgXIYB72getH5yhFIbx4PDuV1g/s1600/hoshigaki-2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Kaki tree in autumn." border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFHb91acDUVN5mZG2BmfJ-s361DiWFQq6NuAvGSiVHvN4cwygpagaFRC613QXBr1EQMW8AHsnw2NrHA4pTaxeaiTI-tigLGocnNvvjiOf7SlK0WPWYTSGu2A4CHD-NoeYFcx0a4UhUJEwSLMQ0dc0BkakKgXIYB72getH5yhFIbx4PDuV1g/s1600/hoshigaki-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaki tree in autumn</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="1">The Making of Hoshigaki</h3>
<p>It may sound surprising but those sweet hoshigaki are made from quite bitter fruits. Besides those sweet amagaki type kaki ready to eat as a fresh fruit, there is another variety of kaki called <em>shibugaki</em>. It's those shibugaki from which hoshigaki are produced.</p>
<p>Shibugaki translates as 'astringent persimmon': persimmon with a bitter, pungent taste that seems to contract your mouth. Biting into such a fruit is quite unpleasant. (In fact, biting into an unripe sweet kaki has the same effect.)</p>
<p>Shibugaki trees are particularly common in cold, mountainous areas throughout Japan.</p>
<p>In the old days, when besides fresh fruit hardly any sweets were available in Japanese mountain areas, people had to find a way to get their sugar fix for the long winter months. Thus, they found a way to turn those bitter shibugaki into a delicious, nourishing sweet.</p>
<p>Hoshigaki are made today the same way as centuries ago. Shibugaki fruits are collected, then peeled by hand with the help of a knife. Right after peeling the fruits' stems are connected to a rope, often many fruits along one rope.</p>
<p>The ropes are then hung outside in a rain-protected place exposing the peeled fruits to direct sunlight and wind. Usually the protruding roofs of the farm houses serve to provide rain protection. Rain protection is important: if the peeled fruits get wet, they would start to rot.</p>
<p>Being in the usually bright and steady sunlight of the Japanese autumn, along with the usually gently breezes of the season turns the fruits from bitter to sweet. Every few days, they need to be massaged by hand to keep their texture even.</p>
<p>The fruits hang out to dry for about six weeks to two months. Then, they are taken down and placed onto straw mats and kept outside for another 10 days or so.</p>
<p>At the end of the process, the fruits have shrunk to about one fourth of their original weight, they have become considerably smaller. A sticky, greyish white substance covers them. That substance is fruit sugar.</p>
<p>The hoshigaki are now ready for consumption.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuwlXMCLEiFo2J49xNfwmTlQmFEvkRvlwMgdXVMwlDJuLA6xnlNAPzaIijjNGlbASLiSsPFK1jIP1O8lwh5NiRHj8JITvBy6w-Eg-o9f-rJUeriW8zGFb41D7DI4Jzt1txtC77zXpL6EpRV9T8ywy3tqduBTbtF5yfIr8XFeQhwaFUJdRCA/s1600/hoshigaki-3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Kaki fruits on a tree" border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuwlXMCLEiFo2J49xNfwmTlQmFEvkRvlwMgdXVMwlDJuLA6xnlNAPzaIijjNGlbASLiSsPFK1jIP1O8lwh5NiRHj8JITvBy6w-Eg-o9f-rJUeriW8zGFb41D7DI4Jzt1txtC77zXpL6EpRV9T8ywy3tqduBTbtF5yfIr8XFeQhwaFUJdRCA/s1600/hoshigaki-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Persimmon (kaki)</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="2">Purchasing Hoshigaki</h3>
<p>Hoshigaki are a seasonal product. They are available in stores and markets only from early December to about late February or early March.</p>
<p>There a various kinds of hoshigaki on sale. The two main varieties are <em>koro</em> <em>kaki</em> which are solid, easy to cut and not too sweet and <em>ampo kaki</em> which are very soft and very sweet.</p>
<p>There are also considerable differences in the package sizes. Very common in supermarkets are packages of about 9 fruits. You can however also purchase large packs of the dry fruits tightly packed together. Those latter ones are usually all connected by one long, thin rope – the rope they were originally dried on.</p>
<h3 id="3">Uses of Hoshigaki</h3>
<p>Hoshigaki can be eaten as a snack just the way they are - as sweet dry fruits. The koro kaki variety is also often used in salads, cut up into smaller pieces and eaten as a snack with cheese and wine or used in cakes, cookies or other bakery products. There are also used in a wide variety of traditional Japanese confectionary.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqqaPkZH6JpOhEHIM4WAm9eWXYUv1H7vrp6uPHyjyJc-avClizQCghsjCpCyjh0c7wqliABODh-D5zm6VtgJyp1pqN8DEJtgkFkVOQ9OSJfOKY9q_HBRePvoJxQy8QaKaeRK0Rx0a3h4_bV3dTN66DgGmxi3hYIMtiYAS9DKBTghkvn2Vuw/s1600/hoshigaki-4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Hoshigaki drying." border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqqaPkZH6JpOhEHIM4WAm9eWXYUv1H7vrp6uPHyjyJc-avClizQCghsjCpCyjh0c7wqliABODh-D5zm6VtgJyp1pqN8DEJtgkFkVOQ9OSJfOKY9q_HBRePvoJxQy8QaKaeRK0Rx0a3h4_bV3dTN66DgGmxi3hYIMtiYAS9DKBTghkvn2Vuw/s1600/hoshigaki-4.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoshigaki drying</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="4">Ichida Kaki 市田柿</h3>
<p><em>Ichida kaki</em> (aka <em>Ichidagaki</em>) is the brand name for a type of koro hoshigaki from the former Shinano Province in today's southern Nagano Prefecture.</p>
<p>They are grown and prepared in the region around the small town of Takamori, located in the valley of the Tenryu River, right between the Kiso Mountains (aka the Central Japanese Alps) and the Akaishi Mountains (aka the Southern Japanese Alps).</p>
<p>There, the climate consists of hot and humid summers, cold winters and a long, dry autumn. Ideal for the production of hoshigaki. In fact, the town of Takamori calls itself proudly the 'home of hoshigaki'.</p>
<p>Ichida kaki are today the perhaps most popular hoshigaki brand in Japan. They are all grown and prepared on small local farms in the area, each pack carries the name and address of the farm its product originates from.</p>
<p>Ichida kaki typically have a sugar content of about 65% to 70%, one dried fruit weights about 20 gram.</p>
<p>Just as they work perfectly well as a Japanese winter snack, Ichida kaki make also for a fitting and delicious Christmas snack in Western environs.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BYhjAdQrnx9tIE8B3G-a6-jm_qlyAjQyEL8R2ngABCFWRB87SHl16KHMltgxuiUHfsPcyM-i0c1uIgpiRj8X6rp_UqMiH0yZIgFLIPk7kk7VzxTt_5kTs6QJxflFoYO4o6AHbY8N5VlIXZF2egwmAfE_7K39Yh4BQeTe8s1xKqrCjgFssw/s1600/hoshigaki-5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Ichida kaki." border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="795" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BYhjAdQrnx9tIE8B3G-a6-jm_qlyAjQyEL8R2ngABCFWRB87SHl16KHMltgxuiUHfsPcyM-i0c1uIgpiRj8X6rp_UqMiH0yZIgFLIPk7kk7VzxTt_5kTs6QJxflFoYO4o6AHbY8N5VlIXZF2egwmAfE_7K39Yh4BQeTe8s1xKqrCjgFssw/s16000/hoshigaki-5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ichida kaki</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="6">Buy Hoshigaki</h3>
<p>You can purchase Ichida kaki conveniently from Goods from Japan. The product is usually only available in winter.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/collections/food">Purchase a range of Japanese foodstuffs and drinks from GoodsFromJapan</a>.</p>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrn1Ri3NFusfQ2NWaD3U4ZqRWGiOXDXT7zRND0csr3vj1wPcEzTXRUOeTW9bmBehlLMO8C6cFaGI29_tyfgO_pVbvzw6bvqQwOvHsi7vIcvH3mxP5Ff84rHQtfXube9fuIaBJodcZKJN8XSSC38czEfgSlytIJpfUJbv7E5b63E3u1-fwog/s1600/hoshigaki-6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Small pack of Ichida kaki, containing 9 fruits." border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrn1Ri3NFusfQ2NWaD3U4ZqRWGiOXDXT7zRND0csr3vj1wPcEzTXRUOeTW9bmBehlLMO8C6cFaGI29_tyfgO_pVbvzw6bvqQwOvHsi7vIcvH3mxP5Ff84rHQtfXube9fuIaBJodcZKJN8XSSC38czEfgSlytIJpfUJbv7E5b63E3u1-fwog/s16000/hoshigaki-6.jpg" title="Small pack of Ichida kaki, containing 9 fruits" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small pack of Ichida kaki, containing nine fruits</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>© GoodsFromJapan.com</p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-79457857159743161942023-01-04T23:11:00.007+09:002024-01-08T09:13:52.738+09:00Convenience Store Woman Review<h2>Convenience Store Woman</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802129625/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">Convenience Store Woman</a></p>
<p>by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Sayaka+Murata&mode=books" rel="nofollow">Sayaka Murata</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Grove+Press&mode=blended" rel="nofollow">Grove Press</a> (2018)</p>
<p>ISBN: 978-0-8021-2825-6<br />
Hardback, 163 pp</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL2iI4f1MGVgUmWLyykUCTWyejD9kWTS57j-9ESqYsYxfLVSlCzSE1nkQHI_ebkTf4oXbkRXi_6uZW3f2KcsbhZoqTrrjDgSoOa9Sh-soE4adFklcndR2XJz54jaAXpJPhe2Clf9MoriD1j6XRAkOSzp5NZz2BxtapMEBQSq3sk2xVidz8g/s1600/convenience-store-woman.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Convenience Store Woman Review." border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL2iI4f1MGVgUmWLyykUCTWyejD9kWTS57j-9ESqYsYxfLVSlCzSE1nkQHI_ebkTf4oXbkRXi_6uZW3f2KcsbhZoqTrrjDgSoOa9Sh-soE4adFklcndR2XJz54jaAXpJPhe2Clf9MoriD1j6XRAkOSzp5NZz2BxtapMEBQSq3sk2xVidz8g/s1600/convenience-store-woman.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Keiko is a 36-year-old convenience store worker who has worked part-time for exactly half of her life at a Smile Mart Convenience Store. She's never had a boyfriend, or seemingly any kind of male relationship. She lives in an old, run-down apartment which is all she can afford. She enjoys what she does, and gets her self-worth from her job - which she is quite good at. She is completely focused on her job, and looks at life through the lens of being a convenience store worker.</p>
<p>Although she is happy with her life, nobody else seems to be. Her few friends outside of work consider her to be less than an adult and not normal since she has neither married nor launched her career. They are getting married and having children, and their life experiences no longer match Keiko's. Her sister wonders what's wrong with Keiko.</p>
<p>Trying to pigeon-hole her "problem," if she indeed has one, is quite difficult for the reader, who might surmise she has a low IQ or is unmotivated, socially inept or just a bit of a weirdo. A few times she is portrayed as being little more than a psychopath. The author seems to want to be vague about her "problem."</p>
<p>For some, it might look like she is nothing more than Toto-Chan on steroids.</p>
<p>It turns out that perhaps her biggest problem is what others think of her. The author is a bit heavy handed about this point, going overboard a time or two and heading towards unrealistic dialogue. Keiko is finally presented with, and jumps at, a chance to be "normal." Is this really what is best for her, and can she cope and not be taken advantage of? </p>
<p>Pretty much all books get good and bad reviews. Reviews of this book probably vary more widely than most. If you understand Japanese literature well, or maybe don't fit in with society for whatever reason, you probably have a better chance of grasping and appreciating this book.</p>
<p>Some call it insightful, humorous, wonderful and a concise insight into modern society. Others react with, "What the heck did I just read? That was a real snoozer."</p>
<p>Regardless of what some readers might think of the book, the people who give out the Akutagawa Award, Japan's most prestigious literary award, were impressed. Convenience Store Woman won the Akutagawa Award in 2016.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WFVCaCx_g7nBj461wBNgB37eByV8OMsF0A7GdVlqnL4a5EQf0D7LCOwzhLlGatwk5kawwE9rsZ1PvI_Iz10jKvM1KqQG7qDiAlq82gX-WosYMfj8TDOb7WUEkfi9jZCz3psEZ9UWp4jIeBOPj3VbZsSzfLBPeaKDUuu5GRvxRAf1kcupZg/s1600/convenience-store-woman2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Life ceremony by Sayaka Murata." border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WFVCaCx_g7nBj461wBNgB37eByV8OMsF0A7GdVlqnL4a5EQf0D7LCOwzhLlGatwk5kawwE9rsZ1PvI_Iz10jKvM1KqQG7qDiAlq82gX-WosYMfj8TDOb7WUEkfi9jZCz3psEZ9UWp4jIeBOPj3VbZsSzfLBPeaKDUuu5GRvxRAf1kcupZg/s1600/convenience-store-woman2.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Review by <b>Marshall Hughes</b>.</p>
<p><b>Buy this book from Amazon</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802129625/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">USA</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802129625/soccerphileco-21" rel="nofollow">UK</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802129625/soccerphile0b-22" rel="nofollow">Japan</a><br />
</p>
<p>Looking to buy <b>Japanese things</b> directly from Japan? <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/">GoodsFromJapan</a> is here to help.</p>
<h3>More Japan Book Reviews</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/09/90-day-geisha-book-review.html">90-Day Geisha</a></p><p><a href="/2022/10/all-about-japan-stories-songs-crafts.html">All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/11/dairy-of-void.html">Diary Of A Void</a></p>
<p><a href="/2023/04/exposure-review.html">Exposure: From President to Whistleblower at Olympus</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/05/ghosts-of-tsunami.html">Ghosts of the Tsunami</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/12/into-japan-starter-kit-for.html">Into Japan A Starter Kit</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/05/ghosts-of-tsunami.html">Japanese Kokeshi Dolls: T</a><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-kokeshi-dolls-book-review-manami-okazaki.html">he Woodcraft and Culture of Japan's Iconic Wooden Dolls</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-dolls-world-of-ningyo.html">Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo</a></p>
<p><a href="/2024/01/tokyo-outdoors-45-walks-hikes.html">Tokyo Outdoors: 45 Walks Hikes & Cycling Routes</a></p>
<p>© GoodsFromJapan.com</p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-40119092650619264822022-12-20T14:16:00.015+09:002023-10-20T16:12:51.146+09:00Kaki no Tane Rice Crackers<h2>Japanese Rice Crackers Kaki no Tane 柿の種</h2>
<div style="float: none; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="#1">History of Kaki no Tane</a> | <a href="#2">Kameda Kaki no tane</a> | <a href="#3">Other Varieties</a> | <a href="#6">Buy Kaki no Tane</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpSOVTHhkJk-VrVwLIutQlNibqfoeIBAv3309L1ddtCm-ju0bDwlOnV249u_Uz2n6ZV_rPmkpG8Fd-PKYjzu5UqhEWChs_BaZq7sbfv1wvsgppQm_XrVX5CiuABlojbutLF0V6fgboiVVUQMPfAj5wp5CSOYHo9T1ExJJwx7LsWxvOgWQBA/s1600/kakinotane-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Packs of Kameda Kaki no tane rice crackers at a Japanese supermarket." border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpSOVTHhkJk-VrVwLIutQlNibqfoeIBAv3309L1ddtCm-ju0bDwlOnV249u_Uz2n6ZV_rPmkpG8Fd-PKYjzu5UqhEWChs_BaZq7sbfv1wvsgppQm_XrVX5CiuABlojbutLF0V6fgboiVVUQMPfAj5wp5CSOYHo9T1ExJJwx7LsWxvOgWQBA/s1600/kakinotane-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packs of Kameda Kaki no tane rice crackers at a Japanese supermarket</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p><strong>Kaki no tane </strong>translates as "persimmon (kaki) seed". In this case, however, it's the name of a particular kind of Japanese rice cracker somewhat resembling actual persimmon seeds in size, shape, and color.</p>
<p>The baked crackers, made of rice, are coated with a mixture of typical Japanese ingredients like soy sauce, bonito flake flavor, and, most importantly, chili. So, they are on the spicy side but not really red pepper hot.</p>
<p>To further mitigate their spiciness, they are today typically sold in a mix with roasted peanuts in a 7:3 ratio: 70% Kaki no tane, 30% peanuts.</p>
<p>As it goes with those little snacks, you open a mini pack to have a little thing to eat while you have a beer, watch a movie, or work on the computer - and when you look up, you discover that you are already well into your third mini pack. Once you start eating them, it's difficult to stop.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GjdmAe1bNwGOn5zcmewx_7NEWbOvirrZHWWY6eCf2adBWXju4tBwCSdaRd2LuZLnYA1BpXn4oenAcfi09blLBnL0TSvdq2IXhunA6U0RcmDtPHOVYHVc93iG7ME6lqkOpnrL9agh__0uoOwSarzJdsOd71_DdLyzIexa50daL8DcwNimUg/s1600/kakinotane-2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="A pack of Kameda Kaki no tane contains six or nine mini packs." border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GjdmAe1bNwGOn5zcmewx_7NEWbOvirrZHWWY6eCf2adBWXju4tBwCSdaRd2LuZLnYA1BpXn4oenAcfi09blLBnL0TSvdq2IXhunA6U0RcmDtPHOVYHVc93iG7ME6lqkOpnrL9agh__0uoOwSarzJdsOd71_DdLyzIexa50daL8DcwNimUg/s16000/kakinotane-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pack of Kameda Kaki no tane contains six or nine mini packs</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="1">History of the Snack</h3>
<p><em>Senbei</em>, Japanese rice crackers, date back to the Nara period (710 - 794), a time of great innovations, often inspired by China. Many different styles of senbei developed over the centuries but basically, senbei remained round, flat and had a diameter of about 3 to 5 centimeters. Senbei were and are usually eaten with a cup of <a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/05/sayama-japanese-green-tea.html">green tea</a> in an afternoon setting.</p>
<p>The kaki no tane have, however, their own legend. A man named Yosaburo Imai ran a typical senbei store in Nagaoka in rice-rich Niigata Prefecture in the 1920s when he hired a young man from Osaka. That young man, unnamed in the annals of senbei lore, taught Imai the Kansai style of making senbei - using a different type of rice and coating the senbei with salted, sugared soy sauce, bonito flakes thrown in, and, most importantly, plenty of chili pepper. Using the Kansai recipe, Imai's business grew rapidly.</p>
<p>One day in 1923, Imai's wife inadvertently stepped on the senbei molds, breaking the senbei inside into small oval-shaped pieces.</p>
<p>Imai sold the broken senbei anyway, apologizing to every customer. One customer told him: "They are great! They look like persimmon seed!" Indeed, the batch sold very quickly. People asked for more of the same.</p>
<p>That gave Imai the idea to pursue the making of persimmon seed-shaped senbei. In 1925, he introduced the first Kaki no tane as a commercial product.</p>
<p>As successful as his Kaki no tane were right from the start, Imai didn't patent his creation and the recipe quickly leaked out. Kaki no tane became the generic term for persimmon seed-shaped senbei and many manufacturers started to produce them.</p>
<h3 id="2">Kameda Kaki no tane</h3>
<p>Today, Niigata City-based manufacturer Kameda Seika is by far the largest producer of Kaki no tane. On some of their packs (but not all of them) they print in English their proud claim "The No.1 Rice Snack in Japan" over an image of Mount Fuji.</p>
<p>Kameda Kaki no tane come in packs containing either six or nine 28-gram mini packs of the rice cracker / peanut mix.</p>
<p>In fact, when the mix was introduced in the 1950s, it was called <em>kakipea</em> - a word combination of kaki (persimmon) and pea, short for peanuts.</p>
<p>By now, however, the Kaki no tane / peanut mix has become the standard. So, it doesn't say kakipea on the packages anymore, it only says "Kaki no tane".</p>
<p>Of course, it's still possible to buy packs of Kaki no tane without any peanuts in them.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZXgXBGLuypWfzQFTiOvMaaXAOHEyJod-6UqvM50J3P3c913Iwl2_ivsyMrdjJcLxCqHeCSVbl94-JrNW_dRdA1on0wAaqwvpmprZ2AOfTLEQDDnT1egNbAikbs9oWlvKaXpc4IYJxyNeMXZlkz8iHymBvg6EBkhU_y9K1DqTl3Qn35hDUg/s1600/kakinotane-3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Kameda Kaki no tane with peanuts ready to eat." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZXgXBGLuypWfzQFTiOvMaaXAOHEyJod-6UqvM50J3P3c913Iwl2_ivsyMrdjJcLxCqHeCSVbl94-JrNW_dRdA1on0wAaqwvpmprZ2AOfTLEQDDnT1egNbAikbs9oWlvKaXpc4IYJxyNeMXZlkz8iHymBvg6EBkhU_y9K1DqTl3Qn35hDUg/s16000/kakinotane-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kameda Kaki no tane with peanuts ready to eat</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="3">Other Varieties</h3>
<p>While the soy sauce / chili coating delivers the classic taste of Kaki no tane - still having by far the largest market share - other varieties of Kameda Kaki no tane are available as well. The most famous and most commonly available of those are the green <strong>Wasabi Kaki no tane</strong> which are really, really spicy. They come without any peanuts mixed in, of course.</p>
<p>Ume (Japanese plums, fruits closer to apricots than Western plums) would seem to provide a perfect taste variation for Kaki no tane. They do, in the form of the <strong>Kameda Ume Shizo Kaki no tane</strong>.</p>
<p>In collaboration with the Meiji Chocolate Company, Kameda even offers two kinds of sweet chocolate-coated Kaki no tane: <strong>Milk Chocolate & White Chocolate</strong>, a mix of black and white choco rice crackers as well as <strong>Choco &</strong> <strong>Almond</strong>, a mix of milk chocolate-coated Kaki no tane and roasted almonds. These are the ones sold nationwide.</p>
<p>Kameda also cooperates with regional manufacturers providing coatings featuring classic tastes associated with the respective region - with the product sold only in that region: Matsuo Lamb Meat in Hokkaido, Garlic in Tohoku, White Shrimp in Hokuriku, Sakura Shrimp in Shizuoka, extra hot Shima Chili in Okinawa. An incomplete list for sure.</p>
<p>The gold standard however remains the by-now classic soy sauce / chili Kaki no tane mix with roasted peanuts. You can find them in every Japanese supermarket. You can also order them from Goods from Japan.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF75e-7tLWjC_fQX997rddrIVXuBcMZMuIijCXc9zd2n7AqC_lEH6qZqMDrnrz2vxtwfCLleMMKyRG8Z3ac5J3aZ9vdj30kJzYDb4aMka3FafLLzk7xT3mTbLnVtE9Y34dze7CJry6g0P-nerhPLvC01itoRZOp4wLoU0i8WuAO-qsh2tDxA/s1600/kakinotane-4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="A nine mini pack package of Kameda Kaki no tane." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF75e-7tLWjC_fQX997rddrIVXuBcMZMuIijCXc9zd2n7AqC_lEH6qZqMDrnrz2vxtwfCLleMMKyRG8Z3ac5J3aZ9vdj30kJzYDb4aMka3FafLLzk7xT3mTbLnVtE9Y34dze7CJry6g0P-nerhPLvC01itoRZOp4wLoU0i8WuAO-qsh2tDxA/s16000/kakinotane-4.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nine mini pack package of Kameda Kaki no tane</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="6">Buy Kaki no Tane</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/products/kameda-kaki-no-tani">Purchase Kameda Kaki no Tane 9-Pack from GoodsFromJapan</a>.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/04/masu-wooden-sake-cups.html">Masu Wooden Sake Boxes</a></p>
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<p><a href="/2022/04/yatsushiro-and-tatami.html">Yatsuhiro & Tatami</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/02/yuzukosho-spice-of-kyushu.html">Yuzu Kosho Spice from Kyushu</a></p><p><b>by Johannes Schonherr</b></p>
<p>© GoodsFromJapan.com</p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-19577667030671166562022-10-15T14:31:00.005+09:002024-01-08T09:14:52.914+09:00All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids<h2>All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/4805314400/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids</a></p>
<p>by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Willamarie+Moore&mode=books" rel="nofollow">Willamarie Moore</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Tuttle&mode=blended" rel="nofollow">Tuttle Publishing</a> (2017)</p>
<p>ISBN: 978-4805313947<br />
Hardback, 64 pp</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdj49jR1Waad_hsNDFH2h7LC4xPAAqNFpEBh-FGhJCbDDKroj_xoP4y9CC70WAGQAek5MWIW3nM3JEaRC-g9-ZRb18E6P6bidZAg_q4qBxv4rUtwxv5DsugFcSPFtBQGYJmS1cBSVh2oT0r-6FE8yvqDoy5tJpzRNFOmUpW5vWSDuP7-vJNg/s1600/all-about-japan-1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="655" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdj49jR1Waad_hsNDFH2h7LC4xPAAqNFpEBh-FGhJCbDDKroj_xoP4y9CC70WAGQAek5MWIW3nM3JEaRC-g9-ZRb18E6P6bidZAg_q4qBxv4rUtwxv5DsugFcSPFtBQGYJmS1cBSVh2oT0r-6FE8yvqDoy5tJpzRNFOmUpW5vWSDuP7-vJNg/s1600/all-about-japan-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Young readers join 10-year-old Yuto and 12-year-old Momoka as they explain all about Japan from a child's perspective. Yuto lives in the countryside with his large (for modern days) family, and Momoka, an only child, lives in Tokyo. Both are fun, active kids involved in many things.</p>
<p>The children talk about their living arrangements. Yuto lives in a traditional old Japanese house, and he explains things like shoji, fusuma, tatami etc., while Momoka lives in a modern 2LDK apartment with many high-tech gadgets.</p>
<p>The children also mention their three favorite places in Japan, a typical day in their lives and Japanese culture; consisting of things schoolchildren are interested in these days such as manga, anime and video games. Their parents will be more drawn to other things explained such as ikebana, kabuki and shodo.</p>
<p>As for activities, readers will learn the ingredients for and how to prepare okonomiyaki, mochi and onigiri, how to fold paper into things like frogs and samurai helmets by using origami, and even the 10 steps necessary to perform in bon dances. If your young one doesn't know how to use chopsticks, that is covered, too. So is writing nengajo, a cultural part of Japan which is fading away, at least among the young.</p>
<p>There are slightly more "academic" sections on things like the myths of the origins of Japanese people and the appearance of Commodore Perry's Black Ships in 1868. Even long-time foreign residents of Japan might learn something if they don't already know about Izanagi and Izanami. The basics of haiku are also covered.</p>
<p>There is little to no kanji in the book except for translations of the few haiku and when readers will learn how to write numbers 1-10 in Japanese. Kanji, hiragana and katakana are all briefly explained.</p>
<p>One of the longest sections, taking about a quarter of the book, regards Japanese holidays and celebrations. Here, subjects such as oshogatsu, kodomo no hi, tanabata and o-bon are touched upon.</p>
<p>The final pages offer a few helpful resources to help children learn about Japan.</p>
<p>The book is large (8.5 x 11 inches, or 21.6 x 28 cm), and the drawings are fun, colorful and level appropriate.</p>
<p>Tuttle, the publisher, recommends this book for 8-12 year-olds. Eight might be a little young for a few of the pages, especially the four-page Japanese folktale of "The Boy Who Drew Cats," but consider it a challenge. Ratings for this read on various sites are high, with one site listing 97% of raters giving it four or five stars. The book won the 2012 <em>Creative Child Magazine</em> Preferred Choice Award.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi416O2-2CJXu-E4UVaCL_IS5RJdCnqnQSoCUEnjnJEX9l9q_TsYg8jZDn56UVqsFtQOT_09QVUvgM0OXqB4lu9eBCvxURJ4ys2SRyVvxt4jbbnqtR4TGeXQK-Qud-8W5NTC7uAs6EKpQzLg29pthkLM6H7F6QJH4lDjT2NqoEn28s2gBvEPQ/s1600/all-about-japan-2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids." border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi416O2-2CJXu-E4UVaCL_IS5RJdCnqnQSoCUEnjnJEX9l9q_TsYg8jZDn56UVqsFtQOT_09QVUvgM0OXqB4lu9eBCvxURJ4ys2SRyVvxt4jbbnqtR4TGeXQK-Qud-8W5NTC7uAs6EKpQzLg29pthkLM6H7F6QJH4lDjT2NqoEn28s2gBvEPQ/s1600/all-about-japan-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Review by <b>Marshall Hughes</b>.</p>
<p><b>Buy this book from Amazon</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/4805314400/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">USA</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/4805314400/soccerphileco-21" rel="nofollow">UK</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4805314400/soccerphile0b-22" rel="nofollow">Japan</a><br />
</p>
<p>Looking to buy <b>Japanese things</b> directly from Japan? <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/">GoodsFromJapan</a> is here to help.</p>
<h3>More Japan Book Reviews</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-kokeshi-dolls-book-review-manami-okazaki.html">Japanese Kokeshi Dolls: The Woodcraft and Culture of Japan's Iconic Wooden Dolls</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-dolls-world-of-ningyo.html">Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo</a></p><p><a href="/2023/01/convenience-store-woman-review.html">Convenience Store Woman</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/11/dairy-of-void.html">Diary Of A Void</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/12/into-japan-starter-kit-for.html">Into Japan A Starter Kit</a></p>
<p><a href="/2024/01/tokyo-outdoors-45-walks-hikes.html">Tokyo Outdoors: 45 Walks Hikes & Cycling Routes</a></p>
<p>© GoodsFromJapan.com</p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-48651270686399192202022-10-07T10:36:00.007+09:002023-12-09T12:52:13.762+09:00Happi Coats Japan Festival Wear<h2>Happi Coats はっぴ</h2>
<div style="float: none; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="#1">History</a> | <a href="#2">Festival Wear</a> | <a href="#3">Work Wear</a> | <a href="#4">Material</a> | <a href="#6">Purchase Japanese Happi</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xdLLhMH8qSmtF-yMzB-qNmaMPKfJ0ZSCMXCm8Bbre-o78PWr1m_G_jCW4cNYAnZT092_5eImM1eboqfb1P-CdxmJQLS14KaM4QL3ioFzyzqYFdi3i8b44AV3JIwvuNPfaQCW09s2uDyNxaG-NV7eiv9FClxmZBMaqtnmgo1wtusBgpCAWw/s1600/h1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Dancers in red happi coats with a kinchaku, a drawstring bag, hanging from their obi. Happi coats do not usually have pockets." border="0" data-original-height="0" data-original-width="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xdLLhMH8qSmtF-yMzB-qNmaMPKfJ0ZSCMXCm8Bbre-o78PWr1m_G_jCW4cNYAnZT092_5eImM1eboqfb1P-CdxmJQLS14KaM4QL3ioFzyzqYFdi3i8b44AV3JIwvuNPfaQCW09s2uDyNxaG-NV7eiv9FClxmZBMaqtnmgo1wtusBgpCAWw/s1600/h1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancers in red happi coats with a kinchaku, a drawstring bag, hanging from their obi. Happi coats do not usually have pockets</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>The kimono is obviously the best-known item of traditional and contemporary Japanese fashion, but various other garments are gaining prominence recently, chief among them the <strong>happi coat</strong>.</p>
<p>Most commonly seen on participants in summer festivals, the happi is a simple jacket, usually in bright, primary colors, with a simple design, although each of these features has started to change in modern times.</p>
<p>The happi coat is traditionally a jacket that commonly came down as far as the wearer's hips, though nowadays, especially among <em>yosakoi</em> dancers, longer versions are worn, some as long as down to the calves.</p>
<p>The sleeves are fairly wide and of varying lengths, but completely sleeveless is also possible. The happi is a wrap-around garment and is held by a narrow sash or <em>obi</em> like a kimono, though many times it is simply worn open. The happi is distinguished from the <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/collections/hanten">hanten</a>, another kind of jacket that does not wrap-around and is closed using ties. The hanten is usually shorter and, being mostly cold weather wear, thicker and sometimes padded.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3xvZM-y_FXxs6TTfJlZflrSowmw0AVOXTnkQugPsK4SBSSa_8Z8hn--UoDijH9zehe9quWH5JOLr95_LNVMSSwjGYBcpEPPKr4jzh0RRgN7oSHPECIkZCDlV7PZTbKo-RzQvl0Sojjq0-gdDv1NRC4C-71LqA34f4dUBrE7c1_U-fkcQ0A/s1600/h2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Japanese children wearing happi taking part in a festival." border="0" data-original-height="0" data-original-width="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3xvZM-y_FXxs6TTfJlZflrSowmw0AVOXTnkQugPsK4SBSSa_8Z8hn--UoDijH9zehe9quWH5JOLr95_LNVMSSwjGYBcpEPPKr4jzh0RRgN7oSHPECIkZCDlV7PZTbKo-RzQvl0Sojjq0-gdDv1NRC4C-71LqA34f4dUBrE7c1_U-fkcQ0A/s1600/h2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese children wearing happi taking part in a festival</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="1">History</h3>
<p>Originally the happi seems to have been a kind of uniform, being worn by male servants and with the family mon, or crest, on the back of the garment.</p>
<p>Later other groups, like Edo firefighters, took to wearing it to identify themselves as members of a group, and sometimes in the Edo period women also took to wearing it.</p>
<h3 id="2">Festival Wear</h3>
<p>Nowadays it is most commonly associated with <em>matsuri</em>, festivals, and perhaps the most common style is with a simple, plain happi in one bold color with the kanji for <em>matsuri</em> (祭り) on the back.</p>
<p>At any festival, no matter how small, the people carrying the <em>mikoshi</em>, portable shrine, will all be wearing happi. In larger festivals where different communities "compete", each community will be wearing a different happi coat. Also in matsuri parades each different group of dancers will be wearing their own happi. As well as dance groups, music groups, like taiko troupes, will often wear happi coats as well.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MunO1rkFQhRQOEmmHhJ5JoaM-SWlBfs9rXstLgetMYXWzfM7NMllK0BdV-4Xx325rDIWIVTW-iEGWIsclC9iRRFEdXP8lXFCM2r2mKjyCZUHVQvU-vkDB3qrxXWarZajPfDDrbhOXjOVoqzg0wtxzaoKcTUtQw0k-vi1CE9fyNtZvMx0cw/s1600/h3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="The heri or lapel of a happi coat will often be a different color and carry the name of the group or organization." border="0" data-original-height="0" data-original-width="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MunO1rkFQhRQOEmmHhJ5JoaM-SWlBfs9rXstLgetMYXWzfM7NMllK0BdV-4Xx325rDIWIVTW-iEGWIsclC9iRRFEdXP8lXFCM2r2mKjyCZUHVQvU-vkDB3qrxXWarZajPfDDrbhOXjOVoqzg0wtxzaoKcTUtQw0k-vi1CE9fyNtZvMx0cw/s1600/h3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The heri or lapel of a happi coat will often be a different color and carry the name of the group or organization</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="3">Work Wear</h3>
<p>Outside of festivals, workers in many "traditional" Japanese businesses may wear them, such as rickshaw pullers, or izakaya and sushi restaurant staff.</p>
<p>Increasingly happi are worn for civic events such as unveilings and event or building opening ceremonies, and in purely commercial situations, businesses and stores will have staff members wear happi featuring the company name worn for sales events and campaigns.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gkeBRGNz1a8AldyESnVeqQ1Ii7-1fWZW-ZiVfShcFclrO6HjmdK8tfAefaHN00v_WhHckffe3MwcQ1mSmJEZ1pk6hpPjS8-WigMOYfRM60WB1U7EgOJU4dx2-Z1OLglBb7-GpYJ2uKmAPsqUf9tzFsnvEVfRF6VjBV13_M50AoPDIGY0zA/s1600/h4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Members of a traditional taiko drumming group wearing happi coats sporting the group's name on the back. In this shot the three male drummers wear their happi loose, and the two females use an obi." border="0" data-original-height="0" data-original-width="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gkeBRGNz1a8AldyESnVeqQ1Ii7-1fWZW-ZiVfShcFclrO6HjmdK8tfAefaHN00v_WhHckffe3MwcQ1mSmJEZ1pk6hpPjS8-WigMOYfRM60WB1U7EgOJU4dx2-Z1OLglBb7-GpYJ2uKmAPsqUf9tzFsnvEVfRF6VjBV13_M50AoPDIGY0zA/s1600/h4.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Members of a traditional taiko drumming group wearing happi coats sporting the group's name on the back. In this shot the three male drummers wear their happi loose, and the two females use an obi</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="4">Material</h3>
<p>Originally happi were made of cotton, but nowadays polyester and other man-made fibres are increasingly being used. Colors are usually bold, with bright blue and bright red being very common and black or white also popular.</p>
<p>Increasingly, especially with the dramatic rise of <em>yosakoi</em> dance groups who favor longer happi, a wider range of colors and combinations are now appearing.</p>
<p>The lapel, or <em>heri</em>, is usually a contrasting color (often black) and will often carry the name of the group. Decoration has traditionally been fairly simple with traditional emblems or patterns used in contrasting colors, but some happi use an all-over pattern, and increasingly varied decorations and color combinations can be found.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2u3LMZhrFs8rXnuiZWVzZlRWT3EiICk_WynB8a0Z5uldbZ1uDNh5LlyIY54aX95mz8Y3t3d4-H0M2QIHpu6Cez77sprTiYR6EvrPDep2UyP3oISdIKUD_sded7HDRdsCLPrqoajJTfYu5xCudwI2CGU_1aylVP5ntyEaW_WeOKZbyNJK5Q/s1600/h5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="People carrying the shrine during a festival have always worn happi coats in Japan." border="0" data-original-height="0" data-original-width="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2u3LMZhrFs8rXnuiZWVzZlRWT3EiICk_WynB8a0Z5uldbZ1uDNh5LlyIY54aX95mz8Y3t3d4-H0M2QIHpu6Cez77sprTiYR6EvrPDep2UyP3oISdIKUD_sded7HDRdsCLPrqoajJTfYu5xCudwI2CGU_1aylVP5ntyEaW_WeOKZbyNJK5Q/s1600/h5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People carrying the shrine during a festival have always worn happi coats in Japan</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="6">Purchase a Range of Happi Coats from Japan</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/collections/happi-coats">Purchase a selection of happi coats from GoodsFromJapan</a></p>
<p>Or <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/contact">contact us</a> if you wish to design your own happi coat</p>
<p><strong>Jake Davies</strong></p>
<h3>Gallery</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn1osnPMIidPxGUyaBo2139mGUFcQX8xok4tiCpTWjLHDkkwBPGP2GxylrkccUKce-3ALJEsWsEr-qASF87nS-iRPaeb_wJdllmXqvyvrXGDHtPOQdm2TFg3BE44ZC5OQS9Q_YHjf7UH_GblEqVMziPMF6oyv_JNeOllsLkmOgtoaNn5uCA/s1600/h6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Once quite limited, the designs and color schemes of happi coats are becoming increasingly varied." border="0" data-original-height="0" data-original-width="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn1osnPMIidPxGUyaBo2139mGUFcQX8xok4tiCpTWjLHDkkwBPGP2GxylrkccUKce-3ALJEsWsEr-qASF87nS-iRPaeb_wJdllmXqvyvrXGDHtPOQdm2TFg3BE44ZC5OQS9Q_YHjf7UH_GblEqVMziPMF6oyv_JNeOllsLkmOgtoaNn5uCA/s16000/h6.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once quite limited, the designs and color schemes of happi coats are becoming increasingly varied</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1WveUE6BuB3WLZojKcL7G4nVPVRZQHBAe_hOrke_IjZfnSREF6lYFL1XT-sOSy_MlrorEVc2yXBVcaJljfpyAwhD00bfCnH1rloaIeq9EwO8YDgTWifNRrPHZUa-RG0i557SxBA_ISTDQ6aYvmFxr4xt7IhCcci8UwA_J1-j4aUJMmwrRw/s1600/h7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Using increasingly varied color combinations and designs, happi coats are becoming even more popular in modern times." border="0" data-original-height="0" data-original-width="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1WveUE6BuB3WLZojKcL7G4nVPVRZQHBAe_hOrke_IjZfnSREF6lYFL1XT-sOSy_MlrorEVc2yXBVcaJljfpyAwhD00bfCnH1rloaIeq9EwO8YDgTWifNRrPHZUa-RG0i557SxBA_ISTDQ6aYvmFxr4xt7IhCcci8UwA_J1-j4aUJMmwrRw/s16000/h7.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using increasingly varied color combinations and designs, happi coats are becoming even more popular in modern times</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xD77hbInJPTI5Ejy8bkdGwdn1tvn2b5csaEd13BP-e1kpNBHGjghH06_D4HcXg72Z12-tqxcbslU4PWOAm4aBAKod7GYm6NjVGqXilD8SSkehaThWHaGh2ff2xnfI_ng9KFTdSdYBcSWBUyf3GKClqalpdMV8MtrtBWQiASReRoGDXmmjw/s1600/h8.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Tsunagi, or chain-linked, traditional pattern is a common design used on happi coats." border="0" data-original-height="0" data-original-width="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xD77hbInJPTI5Ejy8bkdGwdn1tvn2b5csaEd13BP-e1kpNBHGjghH06_D4HcXg72Z12-tqxcbslU4PWOAm4aBAKod7GYm6NjVGqXilD8SSkehaThWHaGh2ff2xnfI_ng9KFTdSdYBcSWBUyf3GKClqalpdMV8MtrtBWQiASReRoGDXmmjw/s1600/h8.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tsunagi, or chain-linked, traditional pattern is a common design used on happi coats</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3>Related</h3>
<p><a href="/2022/01/ema-votive-plaques-japan.html">Ema Votive Plaques</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/12/aizuwakamatsu-hand-painted-candles.html">Hand Painted Candles</a></p>
<p><a href="/2022/01/ishigaki-sea-salt.html">Ishigaki Sea Salt</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/04/introduction-to-japanese-masks.html">Japanese Masks</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/05/koinobori-childrens-day-japan.html">Koinobori Carp Streamers</a></p>
<p><a href="/2022/05/sayama-japanese-green-tea.html">Sayama Japanese Green Tea</a></p>
<p><a href="/2022/03/shichimi-togarashi-seven-spices.html">Shichimi Togarashi Seven Spices</a></p>
<p><a href="/2022/04/yatsushiro-and-tatami.html">Yatsuhiro & Tatami</a></p>
<p><a href="/2022/02/yuzukosho-spice-of-kyushu.html">Yuzukosho Spice of Kyushu</a></p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-46251159868730985352022-10-01T13:01:00.006+09:002024-01-08T09:15:09.022+09:00Floating World Japanese Prints Coloring Book<h2>Floating World Japanese Prints Coloring Book: Color your Masterpiece & Clear Your Mind</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVp6yFrUeG33pUgC1T8YfTMgR5J-pNzYD0Z47H868M4QXYkeo0b2Th4gaaQF631ZKfZtbME8ZzoKEc9bb3YKHIswS2IQaYTi_HtJ6FXgHrVtY6X1Tqt0q2_rgEM-YL45ok7K0fEbA6qxW0qv8w3vgbFAGNMRTI9rbVnmNr0A1Lg3ZfToRrQ/s1600/floating-world-1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Floating World Japanese Prints Coloring Book." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVp6yFrUeG33pUgC1T8YfTMgR5J-pNzYD0Z47H868M4QXYkeo0b2Th4gaaQF631ZKfZtbME8ZzoKEc9bb3YKHIswS2IQaYTi_HtJ6FXgHrVtY6X1Tqt0q2_rgEM-YL45ok7K0fEbA6qxW0qv8w3vgbFAGNMRTI9rbVnmNr0A1Lg3ZfToRrQ/s16000/floating-world-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/4805313943/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">Floating World Japanese Prints Coloring Book</a></p>
<p>by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Andrew+Vigar&mode=books" rel="nofollow">Andrew Vigar</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=soccerphile-20&keyword=Tuttle&mode=blended" rel="nofollow">Tuttle Publishing</a> (2016)</p>
<p>ISBN: 978-4805313947<br />
Paperback, 96 pp</p>
<p>Adult coloring books? Are those some kind of modern-day shunga?<br />
Nope. Adult coloring books are a big thing these days, letting children of yesteryear relive their childhoods, relax frayed nerves, show their artistic side or just plain revel in nostalgia.</p>
<p>For Japanophiles, quite possibly the best choice of adult coloring books is Andrew Vigar's <em>Floating World</em>, which consists of copies of 22 Japanese wood block prints, all dating between 1777 and 1930. More than 90% of readers of one book review site rate this book at four or five stars.</p>
<p>The pictures to color are all from the <em>ukiyo-e</em> (literally "pictures of the floating world") genre, and readers will recognize some of them for sure. The most famous print to color, Katsushika Hokusai's "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," is also on the cover of the book. ABC Television news has called the picture, "possibly the most reproduced image in the history of all art."</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3YjJ04gSCL6Hpa6FxnERADtAcFukkGzLTftTYkxInUNLDfi0bZLPK5WehXKh3BUeuWXXfqQAgvCxqOOPvCpmENEY1uiPhsIJkNlLS3uXWvuPmAvZxzGnajSI3x48vbQddEnjEqBMdqPdiaXCLNOocKQO579g7vx3svVXPPM5_BzLVSBanw/s1600/floating-world-2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Floating World Japanese Prints Coloring Book." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="589" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3YjJ04gSCL6Hpa6FxnERADtAcFukkGzLTftTYkxInUNLDfi0bZLPK5WehXKh3BUeuWXXfqQAgvCxqOOPvCpmENEY1uiPhsIJkNlLS3uXWvuPmAvZxzGnajSI3x48vbQddEnjEqBMdqPdiaXCLNOocKQO579g7vx3svVXPPM5_BzLVSBanw/s1600/floating-world-2.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>But, if you don't care about the history of Japanese wood block prints, you can simply grab your pens or pencils and just start coloring. Some say that the paper is not thick enough for sharpie-based markers, but that seems to not be a consensus opinion. In any case, color pencils will work every time.</p>
<p>Prints include geisha, kabuki actors, flora and fauna, and beautiful scenes/landscapes. Mt. Fuji and cherry blossoms? Of course. The book is 9 x 12 inches (22.9 x 30.5 cm), with some parts of most pictures being very detailed. You can color in great swaths at once, or you can color in fine detail.</p>
<p>After the short opening of two pages of the history and background of wood block prints and <em>ukiyo-e</em>, and two pages of a somewhat-interesting history of the seals on the prints, the book is split into four-page sections.</p>
<p>The first, right-facing pages have 2-5 paragraphs on the artist and/or the history of the print, including the date. The next two pages are the print on the left side and your soon-to-be magnum opus on the right. The fourth pages are blank, save for the name of the previous artwork with the artist's name and year of completion in small letters at the bottom of the page.</p>
<p>Of course, there is no need to copy the original colors. Color in "The Great Wave" as all red, or even chartreuse if you want. There are no art teachers around to give you a low score or unwanted suggestions.</p>
<p>When you are done, leave your masterpieces in the book, or tear them out using the perforations on each page that you've colored.</p>
<p>Hokusai, who is said to have influenced painters such as Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet and Claude DeBussy, has three pictures represented in the book, but Utagawa Hiroshige has the most, with seven. Most of these may be familiar to you, especially "Suijin and Massaki on the Sumida River." Two of Hokusai's contributions come from his famous series entitled, "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji."</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWBTiHX4f2tGfKpvsWKDr-_xGXc6trzkvYwOOFLp9zUWihuTTAKXaqsoP3MemJmyZ2mzlwMiNHTFCnOymtpw4_HIQfnJX-_-RNOur4-V4gEUgRKQvNGirtaLXzQdIxj9klsPIlIujLlDW7gikWV0FCzS0GjR-93lv11tefPZyW9_Sf9SRjQ/s1600/floating-world-3.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="An adult coloring book of Japanese classics by Hokusai, Hiroshige etc." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWBTiHX4f2tGfKpvsWKDr-_xGXc6trzkvYwOOFLp9zUWihuTTAKXaqsoP3MemJmyZ2mzlwMiNHTFCnOymtpw4_HIQfnJX-_-RNOur4-V4gEUgRKQvNGirtaLXzQdIxj9klsPIlIujLlDW7gikWV0FCzS0GjR-93lv11tefPZyW9_Sf9SRjQ/s1600/floating-world-3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<p>Review by <b>Marshall Hughes</b>.</p>
<p><b>Buy this book from Amazon</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/4805313943/soccerphile-20" rel="nofollow">USA</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/4805313943/soccerphileco-21" rel="nofollow">UK</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4805313943/soccerphile0b-22" rel="nofollow">Japan</a><br />
</p>
<p>Looking to buy <b>Japanese art</b> directly from Japan? <a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/">GoodsFromJapan</a> is here to help.</p>
<h3>More Japan Book Reviews</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-kokeshi-dolls-book-review-manami-okazaki.html">Japanese Kokeshi Dolls: The Woodcraft and Culture of Japan's Iconic Wooden Dolls</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/06/japanese-dolls-world-of-ningyo.html">Japanese Dolls: The Fascinating World of Ningyo</a></p><p><a href="/2022/10/all-about-japan-stories-songs-crafts.html">All About Japan - Stories, Songs, Crafts & Games For Kids</a></p><p><a href="/2023/01/convenience-store-woman-review.html">Convenience Store Woman</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2023/09/90-day-geisha-book-review.html">90-Day Geisha</a></p>
<p><a href="/2024/01/tokyo-outdoors-45-walks-hikes.html">Tokyo Outdoors: 45 Walks Hikes & Cycling Routes</a></p>
<p>© GoodsFromJapan.com</p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-36137820374294657352022-09-22T14:38:00.007+09:002022-09-22T15:14:06.375+09:00変なホテル henn na Hotel は変じゃないホテルー浅草橋<h2>Henn na Hotelーvol.2</h2>
<p>前回このブログでオープンしたての「<a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2021/09/henn-na-hotel.html">変なホテルー仙台</a>」を紹介しました。</p>
<p>コスパ最高、コロナ感染対策満点の有良ホテルとして取り上げたのですが、今回は東京の浅草橋に泊まってみました!</p><p>浅草橋といえば、スカイツリーは目と鼻の先。東京を訪れる観光客にはとっても魅力的なエリアです。</p>
<p>まずは変なホテルの一番の売り、ロボットが受付でお出迎え。</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp81YWTQ5bRNEkYd7mvognAjpeBJ_QXktB9MGy3ZmZ17U9qFmf00Px9Fpht6i1vJ49HC7EVRlXXFg194jH6wxpW0OIMSRlYM0iG1Tn1EfYPJCrGj3SenMJLxqwYyevw9h8acnQ-b1vIDAUMlIZ2OjObb_InB16OAyxEJjnodEXO0pgOKVXtw/s1600/henna-akasaka-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="ホテルの特徴その1、受付はロボット." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp81YWTQ5bRNEkYd7mvognAjpeBJ_QXktB9MGy3ZmZ17U9qFmf00Px9Fpht6i1vJ49HC7EVRlXXFg194jH6wxpW0OIMSRlYM0iG1Tn1EfYPJCrGj3SenMJLxqwYyevw9h8acnQ-b1vIDAUMlIZ2OjObb_InB16OAyxEJjnodEXO0pgOKVXtw/s1600/henna-akasaka-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ホテルの特徴その1、受付はロボット</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>セルフチェックインなので入力などに少し時間はかかります。</p>
<p>でもその分、宿泊料金(1泊ツイン1人当たり¥3,500~)に還元されているので、これぐらいの手間はまあいいか。非対面なので何より安心。</p>
<p>玄関には電動キックボード「Luup」も設置されています。これで、下町を闊歩するのもいいですね! あと10歳若かったら、絶対トライします。ちなみに20代のカップルは楽しそうに試乗してました(悔し涙)。</p>
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAFc6B1RayK8iRLgzKAGhGrn6eDmPF9guBGGvDIfq6nF2ZHA6CvUOjtR4zuNgLyd60lFjOYbEC_jitVaPnR-6fYBVKFCdtvxJHBt3bWj3BTGD66B0AEl5SGsi1pUga4r0PEX3DS3c2xKdO-AxDH4jloxCHpnnewOpL2J9L4ph6LrTxFaYT7w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="電動キックボードもレンタルできる" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAFc6B1RayK8iRLgzKAGhGrn6eDmPF9guBGGvDIfq6nF2ZHA6CvUOjtR4zuNgLyd60lFjOYbEC_jitVaPnR-6fYBVKFCdtvxJHBt3bWj3BTGD66B0AEl5SGsi1pUga4r0PEX3DS3c2xKdO-AxDH4jloxCHpnnewOpL2J9L4ph6LrTxFaYT7w=s16000" title="電動キックボードもレンタルできる" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">電動キックボードもレンタルできる<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>2階フロントでは1時間置きに15人のロボットたちが華麗にダンスを披露。可愛い。シャープが開発した人型ロボットとスマホが合体した作品。ロボットファンには垂涎の的で、これ目当てに訪れる人もいるようです。</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='100' height='466' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dySCG-uip8QOxUIam0jltZDVqJlWfUOEaGHW95spqzZiUcKEMq0ogBQsEWg-ZPKil53mTdnB23AW5I' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>さて、お部屋に入ってみましょう。</p>
<p>私が推す変なホテルの特徴その2。アメニティが良いです。この価格帯のホテルだと、ボディシャンプーや髪の毛のシャンプーにそう期待はできません。使った後、髪の毛ゴワゴワ~でも「まっ、しょうがないか」とあきらめることも多いのですが、ここのは香りもチープじゃなく、仕上がりも適度にしっとり。女性客のニーズを掴んでいると思いました。</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2D8dGzSUvtCcVeY1ZQlsn1vkhGI4HyYe5jYO4FTjXdacbkL8IOMbaWvUWVca89WN_ng__nfcChmBgGd8fB5JBZCEZbyo8Kco1alGnkvShuhdr3wkfRwWg4lnn3VcY6zMg-MblMYJ4Tl3DDZXoLrIN36DR_M58__Tdt6pZK_jshsMkIcAGKA/s1600/henna-akasaka-2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="アメニティは意外と高品質." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2D8dGzSUvtCcVeY1ZQlsn1vkhGI4HyYe5jYO4FTjXdacbkL8IOMbaWvUWVca89WN_ng__nfcChmBgGd8fB5JBZCEZbyo8Kco1alGnkvShuhdr3wkfRwWg4lnn3VcY6zMg-MblMYJ4Tl3DDZXoLrIN36DR_M58__Tdt6pZK_jshsMkIcAGKA/s1600/henna-akasaka-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">アメニティは意外と高品質</td></tr></tbody></table>
<br /><p>そして、前回仙台編でもお伝えしましたが、自動クリーニングマシンの LGstylerで脱いだお洋服をリフレッシュするのもお忘れなく。スチームジェネレーターが、衣類についたしわや、嫌なニオイを除去してくれます。変なホテルチェーンはほぼ全室これを完備しているので、これを使わないと、ここに泊まった意味がありませーん!</p><p>シャワーを浴びて一息ついたら、もう夕暮れ。スカイツリーが夏の夜空に光を灯しはじめました。</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5o_Ps1JO4QX8ETkf3k5ebc4Jw16PJu3wqINliwKRTGwKnor7YhUWCbwczfu-FYyTvjTmgOyN3Wk9EDcJ54ZcBqAReFu3devg2Xky1N4MSHXwpd5WCYb1Ibrs8xEWv68InQhZua6UThiiWiGaowgUDDjKZTGadhR1i_7mosP-rFjBgD1uMJw/s1600/henna-akasaka-3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="浅草橋から望むスカイツリー、美しい!" border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5o_Ps1JO4QX8ETkf3k5ebc4Jw16PJu3wqINliwKRTGwKnor7YhUWCbwczfu-FYyTvjTmgOyN3Wk9EDcJ54ZcBqAReFu3devg2Xky1N4MSHXwpd5WCYb1Ibrs8xEWv68InQhZua6UThiiWiGaowgUDDjKZTGadhR1i_7mosP-rFjBgD1uMJw/s1600/henna-akasaka-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">浅草橋から望むスカイツリー、美しい</td></tr></tbody></table>
<br /><p>浅草橋は神田川沿いの下町情緒あふれる街です。小粋なカフェや飲み屋さんも多く、そぞろ歩きにはぴったり。一昔前の時代にタイムスリップしたかのようなレトロで独特の雰囲気があり、外国人にも人気があります(特にフランス人)。私は勝手に「ここは日本のカルチェラタン♪」と思っていて、泊まるなら浅草駅や東京ソラマチ界隈よりも、絶対お薦め。</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8PPFjAJHW2Od1YUY-9SwDZgjlsnpM2--G1dCPih1GG8dp2xGGj1SDDOLCwexdGVORdiP9Gw2ld0rfdko3_BobogaOtkbpjfYKoRfZ0iirWVkVQ210rsC4DnxYHkJr5hnXHy4V2R1e1dSByWDm_iZVc5jgKl4HQHmQxBdj3x0GGg2sb5Cyg/s1600/henna-akasaka-4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="すみだ葛飾北斎美術館にも近い." border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8PPFjAJHW2Od1YUY-9SwDZgjlsnpM2--G1dCPih1GG8dp2xGGj1SDDOLCwexdGVORdiP9Gw2ld0rfdko3_BobogaOtkbpjfYKoRfZ0iirWVkVQ210rsC4DnxYHkJr5hnXHy4V2R1e1dSByWDm_iZVc5jgKl4HQHmQxBdj3x0GGg2sb5Cyg/s1600/henna-akasaka-4.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">すみだ葛飾北斎美術館にも近い</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>朝食は地階の「インド料理GANGA」でいただきます。</p>
<p>これが変なホテルの特徴、その3。レストランが面白い。GANGAでは、日本食と本格インドカレーやナンのビュッフェが朝から楽しめます。タンドール窯でチキンも焼きたてですよ!</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUF5Oy-XYFrf7STJHsb2lHrbxEo2iVjud6bcRQPTBebFmCZq10lxwy23I-Wqb3wmIkdzr8c19ClK4x1YauLMh8IWUOe-PsShZQOAtYk28Q0fogEePo9pMEsZV86FarO-t_ZyQCIDXlnNDBuancWlluH3e14AxG5D_FL_MNWWJaqaqa-xE9Xg/s1600/henna-akasaka-5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="朝食は本格インド料理と和食のビュッフェ." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUF5Oy-XYFrf7STJHsb2lHrbxEo2iVjud6bcRQPTBebFmCZq10lxwy23I-Wqb3wmIkdzr8c19ClK4x1YauLMh8IWUOe-PsShZQOAtYk28Q0fogEePo9pMEsZV86FarO-t_ZyQCIDXlnNDBuancWlluH3e14AxG5D_FL_MNWWJaqaqa-xE9Xg/s1600/henna-akasaka-5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">朝食は本格インド料理と和食のビュッフェ</td></tr></tbody></table>
<br /><p>ちなみに、「<a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/bian-nahoterudong-jing-chi-ban.html?aid=300323" rel="nofollow">変なホテル―赤坂</a>」にはアイリッシュパブCRAICが階下に入っています。こんな風に変なホテルはローカルの客層も取り込んで、国際色豊かなダイニングを提供しているんです。グローバルな雰囲気に浸れて、毎回お泊まりする楽しみの一つです。</p><p>やっぱり今回も「変なホテルhenn na Hotelは変じゃないホテル」でした!</p>
<p>www: <a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/bian-nahoterudong-jing-chi-ban.html?aid=300323" rel="nofollow">変なホテル―赤坂 henn na Hotelを予約</a></p>
<p>www: <a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/bian-nahoterudong-jing-qian-cao-qiao.html?aid=300323" rel="nofollow">変なホテル―浅草橋 henn na Hotelを予約</a></p>
<p>下町歩きにはうってつけ。</p>
<h3>Gallery</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGv3mRx_i-tLQRxQxwfGuELSQhQFpv9_IIzpMooPkduUsQpujb5RvFWilMtkHKkxAXE4rCYW2UZL0iRb1vbeUwhxqYsVF1PmpwlB70V8j59mn3aaNDQivTeM-2mwqmeI2pgLVM5PWefplFJESc-4Y68yxRVPAI_iOyTFql6je_McqaJmiCBQ/s1600/henna-akasaka-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="変なホテル―赤坂." border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGv3mRx_i-tLQRxQxwfGuELSQhQFpv9_IIzpMooPkduUsQpujb5RvFWilMtkHKkxAXE4rCYW2UZL0iRb1vbeUwhxqYsVF1PmpwlB70V8j59mn3aaNDQivTeM-2mwqmeI2pgLVM5PWefplFJESc-4Y68yxRVPAI_iOyTFql6je_McqaJmiCBQ/s1600/henna-akasaka-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">変なホテル―赤坂</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMpyNuQ5LqggCRvYA9bHOvDyoFiJPGddRImbrNSyLvHYQLUEAIOYtLZooTMLFftTp7JgQlIDDKO-4zBefNjFmMeqVOFd5JzdRoCBZ0NqOLnVTz9C1OAUn7bew6cNlznBCcrYO7m9z02XaUbScv6kkaE3lsxXk-l0hUZcR1ajMLiS2YJa-pQ/s1600/henna-akasaka-2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="変なホテル―赤坂." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="629" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMpyNuQ5LqggCRvYA9bHOvDyoFiJPGddRImbrNSyLvHYQLUEAIOYtLZooTMLFftTp7JgQlIDDKO-4zBefNjFmMeqVOFd5JzdRoCBZ0NqOLnVTz9C1OAUn7bew6cNlznBCcrYO7m9z02XaUbScv6kkaE3lsxXk-l0hUZcR1ajMLiS2YJa-pQ/s1600/henna-akasaka-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">変なホテル―赤坂</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAaa-Dc3p6z3SDBdqqk6adLEodmqegAvrM6FPM_RsL6Jj7hao5QPJkOFI98nN1jb3WFqhBCsbowlWB1aRUaku3tjl__fjtLmRnSaMRxOoVWurY83LAHkQ6Ts4ya38XOsarsauXt3ppaPNC9vpGVe5TSXJ5QTqjUx2fjhn-ndv-fdmGhFaQQ/s1600/henna-akasaka-4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="変なホテル―赤坂." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAaa-Dc3p6z3SDBdqqk6adLEodmqegAvrM6FPM_RsL6Jj7hao5QPJkOFI98nN1jb3WFqhBCsbowlWB1aRUaku3tjl__fjtLmRnSaMRxOoVWurY83LAHkQ6Ts4ya38XOsarsauXt3ppaPNC9vpGVe5TSXJ5QTqjUx2fjhn-ndv-fdmGhFaQQ/s1600/henna-akasaka-4.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">変なホテル―赤坂</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5V8yG50ra_5esdJ-Tzwb0XujfSOxHiV3ulpFtJ5RMWbulKIjEutCQGyIOPSv-lSPuFA-xQmnw0MReHXkVuHdR8ioj7vDkSt-BtAiLRfgOE0zc-dpbuqtSCRlrVAnWgLUzhMHRTt0bf_c2O9soybBDEan_9MAKeKxUJml5E1U8Em_B6ovsQ/s1600/henna-asakusabashi-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="変なホテル東京浅草橋." border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5V8yG50ra_5esdJ-Tzwb0XujfSOxHiV3ulpFtJ5RMWbulKIjEutCQGyIOPSv-lSPuFA-xQmnw0MReHXkVuHdR8ioj7vDkSt-BtAiLRfgOE0zc-dpbuqtSCRlrVAnWgLUzhMHRTt0bf_c2O9soybBDEan_9MAKeKxUJml5E1U8Em_B6ovsQ/s1600/henna-asakusabashi-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">変なホテル東京浅草橋</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAD8kwZco3rqitQ7XYRWI5YAnz3KVeg4Y2rWtsVnrXPHyu0WlsPYC0sdYkiDv4es-dchSmfIVOwpImxGXWPAR9fGvcKipEBr28VTt52Gc_NlJufTue-UueFRfPGgOuUw9C10lMkDyOph2EbmMg5xWzsx0Cvk37IIH3XCEz_a2-cwHwg2WuA/s1600/henna-asakusabashi-2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="変なホテル東京浅草橋." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAD8kwZco3rqitQ7XYRWI5YAnz3KVeg4Y2rWtsVnrXPHyu0WlsPYC0sdYkiDv4es-dchSmfIVOwpImxGXWPAR9fGvcKipEBr28VTt52Gc_NlJufTue-UueFRfPGgOuUw9C10lMkDyOph2EbmMg5xWzsx0Cvk37IIH3XCEz_a2-cwHwg2WuA/s1600/henna-asakusabashi-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">変なホテル東京浅草橋</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PRTacQc5JOCIczbaRz1FD1JWJzX57GJcijtRXa7ZTvGQDcNOevgbdKSNYzCjC1vJIeBOxwP4C8ocdQBZnwi_u5lBMaTseQhYI_GRYggsEFAu2-1lP088k-7a2ZprdgufhIpWjCQND-MZX6sJtUpsO0ieQJwtt1ZuSFvbdjH2kZUnoQZLmA/s1600/henna-asakusabashi-3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="変なホテル東京浅草橋." border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1PRTacQc5JOCIczbaRz1FD1JWJzX57GJcijtRXa7ZTvGQDcNOevgbdKSNYzCjC1vJIeBOxwP4C8ocdQBZnwi_u5lBMaTseQhYI_GRYggsEFAu2-1lP088k-7a2ZprdgufhIpWjCQND-MZX6sJtUpsO0ieQJwtt1ZuSFvbdjH2kZUnoQZLmA/s1600/henna-asakusabashi-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">変なホテル東京浅草橋</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1K6DAZt9OJz6VX-nGwWwWKMzLVE_OFwK7yGOnKL150JHZnAMr-3R3TGwO-O1XZVz4zssLEIyjtcUJ0fJsfw9ZXkSTeM6lPyH4AtF-mxoqJTuy_y2g5m5_EE76RQyLDquk0VnoCq-1OPEvCw7ilXlDcD2BoSZ1Jf416S2P0uI77lHsn_eqVw/s1600/henna-asakusabashi-4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="変なホテル東京浅草橋." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1K6DAZt9OJz6VX-nGwWwWKMzLVE_OFwK7yGOnKL150JHZnAMr-3R3TGwO-O1XZVz4zssLEIyjtcUJ0fJsfw9ZXkSTeM6lPyH4AtF-mxoqJTuy_y2g5m5_EE76RQyLDquk0VnoCq-1OPEvCw7ilXlDcD2BoSZ1Jf416S2P0uI77lHsn_eqVw/s1600/henna-asakusabashi-4.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">変なホテル東京浅草橋</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiQWX5mc-Vz9qLKxLiWx6voYAjHE9LJx459iXIqsL9Rhoa6gTTgc5Wk_Lh-ExADhAUM0xKXdKEAUmsgPqVbODqkMrDw6HUqAe4Zi4JnMtg01DHjEabdtThJ8Ly5fhUZt7JV0YR2n-0--Jjc_tplfqEgLxP6S7m18wdzNbuuu0UoAFp71AYQ/s1600/henna-asakusabashi-5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="変なホテル東京浅草橋." border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiQWX5mc-Vz9qLKxLiWx6voYAjHE9LJx459iXIqsL9Rhoa6gTTgc5Wk_Lh-ExADhAUM0xKXdKEAUmsgPqVbODqkMrDw6HUqAe4Zi4JnMtg01DHjEabdtThJ8Ly5fhUZt7JV0YR2n-0--Jjc_tplfqEgLxP6S7m18wdzNbuuu0UoAFp71AYQ/s1600/henna-asakusabashi-5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">変なホテル東京浅草橋</td></tr></tbody></table>Miekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116031313707472315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-75982014907595600942022-09-20T16:44:00.014+09:002023-10-20T16:13:13.741+09:00Kabosu Juice Oita Prefecture<h2>Oita Kabosu Juice 大分カボスジュース</h2>
<div style="float: none; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="#1">Kabosu Fruits</a> | <a href="#2">Oita Kabosu</a> | <a href="#3">Oita Cuisine</a> | <a href="#4">Oita Kabosu Juice</a> | <a href="#5">Moheji Kabosu Juice</a> | <a href="#6">Buy Kabosu Juice</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZNYRJs36ZNEzSzPM4kZjWp0zQpV96A1OkSBTUVYfY46zUJ_z075zunxNHMQzAiVjX2wM1gSVD3TE0SuJebSmDG2tb7DvLoQzGVOYmXP5kYswDQgF01iw_Twk9_wN_KGdb0HXyQ59ImIy5hUYgE_O8-ZEv43FFA-32ukeCx03-uFuO0ZG0g/s1600/kabosu-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Kabosu fruit on a tree." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZNYRJs36ZNEzSzPM4kZjWp0zQpV96A1OkSBTUVYfY46zUJ_z075zunxNHMQzAiVjX2wM1gSVD3TE0SuJebSmDG2tb7DvLoQzGVOYmXP5kYswDQgF01iw_Twk9_wN_KGdb0HXyQ59ImIy5hUYgE_O8-ZEv43FFA-32ukeCx03-uFuO0ZG0g/s1600/kabosu-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kabosu fruit on a tree</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p><strong>Kabosu</strong> are a southern Japanese citrus fruit, closely related to <a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/02/yuzukosho-spice-of-kyushu.html">yuzu</a>. While yuzu, however, are most popular for their peel, kabosu are famous for their juice.</p>
<p>Kabosu juice is essentially used for the same purposes as lemon juice but it has a much stronger acidity and a rich unique aroma - much richer than the mass-produced Californian lemons commonly available at Japanese supermarkets. Thus, people in Kyushu, Japan's main southern island, clearly prefer the kabosu over imported lemon. In many cases, they also replace vinegar with kabosu juice.</p>
<h3 id="1">Kabosu Fruits</h3>
<p>Kabosu fruits grow on evergreen trees sporting sharp thorns. The harvest season is from about late August to early October, depending on the area.</p>
<p>Kabosu are generally harvested while being green and thus unripe - this is the time when their flavor is the best. Kabosu can already be used to full effect in their green state. When stored, kabosu fruits then turn into a bright yellow.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqB4yMF5ZUI3Ba-U9hJu01tJB1WmHni3QzcoCWuyn81OC_QK0tcRuqM0XRdg8BQNvPl6sQ7G9jp0W6mTGDSo4xPFRKIpkeJooi9p9PYoY41rXCg4IfUzezPjeM_s7RRr_syAant4nsDejwGkkxOr-LR8ypk2xbeJG2ue28w_TxsDEsodrQBQ/s1600/kabosu-2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="A box of Oita kabosu." border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqB4yMF5ZUI3Ba-U9hJu01tJB1WmHni3QzcoCWuyn81OC_QK0tcRuqM0XRdg8BQNvPl6sQ7G9jp0W6mTGDSo4xPFRKIpkeJooi9p9PYoY41rXCg4IfUzezPjeM_s7RRr_syAant4nsDejwGkkxOr-LR8ypk2xbeJG2ue28w_TxsDEsodrQBQ/s1600/kabosu-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A box of Oita kabosu</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="2">Oita Kabosu</h3>
<p>While you can find the occasional kabosu tree successfully growing fruits even in the Chichibu Mountains close to Tokyo, the main area for kabosu is Kyushu, and there specifically Oita Prefecture in the northeast of the island.</p>
<p>Oita Prefecture has some kabosu trees more than 100 years old, some are said to be 200 or even close to 300 years old. Such old kabosu trees cannot be found anywhere else. This leads some historians to believe that the fruit is an indigenous Oita Prefecture plant.</p>
<p>Today, Oita Prefecture is the main producer of kabosu in Japan, harvesting more than 5,000 tons of the fruits annually, mostly grown in orchards around the ancient cities of Usuki and Taketa.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIPA0Oo03-YF927-HCgrCzFNNsMMAOtTY-erS_NLOIiKNMy1ReHSSlc86lIilr5L8edZMGF2hFo8sA7nUTfywBkOmYVuwV-EJtV_EHEkzteiUa5iwQ8WM4xzQwcsMNdUDeTrWhumRii4MVBwBSpqwCTTnEXUXCzAXSzdcHzRF1j8TPSgIpQ/s1600/kabosu-3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Bottle of MOHEJI Oita Kabosu Juice." border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIPA0Oo03-YF927-HCgrCzFNNsMMAOtTY-erS_NLOIiKNMy1ReHSSlc86lIilr5L8edZMGF2hFo8sA7nUTfywBkOmYVuwV-EJtV_EHEkzteiUa5iwQ8WM4xzQwcsMNdUDeTrWhumRii4MVBwBSpqwCTTnEXUXCzAXSzdcHzRF1j8TPSgIpQ/s1600/kabosu-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottle of Moheji Oita Kabosu Juice</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="3">Oita Cuisine</h3>
<p>Kabosu are an integral part of Oita cuisine, replacing lemon in most local restaurants and used in many households as a daily ingredient. As juice or sliced as a garnish on fish dishes. Kabosu juice gets sprinkled over sashimi, kabosu slices are added to some udon noodle soups, kabosu are also used in a wide variety of sweets.</p>
<p>People in Oita also often add kabosu juice to their <em>shochu</em>. Oita shochu like Shitamachi Napoleon, Nishi no Hoshi and Iichiko are famous all over Japan - they are however best with a bit of kabosu juice added to the shot.</p>
<p>In Oita, people pour kabosu juice into ice cube forms and keep it in their freezer - ready for use throughout the year. In short, in Oita, kabosu are part of daily life.</p>
<p>In recent years, dried and powdered kabosu peel has become a popular ingredient in spice mixes such as the <a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/03/shichimi-togarashi-seven-spices.html">Shichimi Togarashi</a>.</p>
<p>The English-language website of the <a href="https://oitakabosu.com/en-taste/">Oita Prefecture Kabosu Promotion Association</a> gives an informative and richly pictured introduction to the manifold uses of kabosu in the region.</p>
<h3 id="4">Oita Kabosu Juice</h3>
<p>Boxes of freshly harvested Oita kabosu are a popular autumn gift in Japan. Outside of Japan, however, kabosu fruits are hard to come by.</p>
<p>Many countries prohibit the direct import of fresh fruits.</p>
<p>Bottled <strong>Oita Kabosu Juice</strong> however can be shipped worldwide. It's 100% fruit juice without any additives and ready for use in all the ways freshly pressed kabosu juice is used in Oita Prefecture.</p>
<p>Similar to purely pressed lemon juice, it is highly concentrated and cannot be consumed as a drink as such. Just add a little of the juice to a glass of cold sparkling water and you have a refreshingly sour drink for the still pretty hot late summer / early autumn days in Oita and elsewhere. Add a few drops to a hot black tea and you have a great warming winter tea.</p>
<h3 id="5">Moheji Oita Kabosu Juice</h3>
<p>Numerous companies press, bottle, and ship Oita Kabosu Juice. The bottled juice pictured here comes from Moheji, a Tokyo-based company that, according to its website, is active all over Japan and closely cooperating with producers of traditional agricultural products, striving "to create safe, reliable, and high-quality products that bring out the magic of the ingredients and to deliver authentic flavor and the diverse food culture born in every corner of Japan to our many customers."</p>
<p>Moheji Oita Kabosu Juice comes in 150ml bottles. As the juice is highly concentrated, a bottle or two might last for quite some time if used in a regular family setting. Restaurants, of course, will have a much higher demand.</p>
<p>Unopened bottles stay in good condition for about one year. After opening, the bottles should be kept in the refrigerator.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dAIX2vOK4DSFmdKNgDFEpnTzqWT0NXG3kQomVvKJsj_DEl8PZnSBoc12kAz23TBvS5WmZU6izGXMfEL54_tmG9E0vOwvyBKQ48a2fxhuYS40oxIsi-KBUKggVFvdzDWt79Qtj6L5gHfmEu72ijKVNr6xKjpYcF3Gdz1uBulCbghIiVIeyg/s1600/kabosu-4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="MOHEJI Oita Kabosu Juice." border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dAIX2vOK4DSFmdKNgDFEpnTzqWT0NXG3kQomVvKJsj_DEl8PZnSBoc12kAz23TBvS5WmZU6izGXMfEL54_tmG9E0vOwvyBKQ48a2fxhuYS40oxIsi-KBUKggVFvdzDWt79Qtj6L5gHfmEu72ijKVNr6xKjpYcF3Gdz1uBulCbghIiVIeyg/s1600/kabosu-4.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moheji Oita Kabosu Juice</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="6">Purchase Moheji Oita Kabosu Juice & A Range of Other Foodstuffs From Japan</h3>
<p>You can buy Moheji Oita Kabosu Juice directly from Goods from Japan.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/collections/food">Purchase a range of Japanese foodstuff and drinks from GoodsFromJapan</a>.</p>
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<p><a href="/2022/04/yatsushiro-and-tatami.html">Yatsuhiro & Tatami</a></p><p><a href="https://www.japancheckout.com/2022/02/yuzukosho-spice-of-kyushu.html">Yuzu Kosho Spice from Kyushu</a></p><p><b>by Johannes Schonherr</b></p>
<p>© GoodsFromJapan.com</p>GFJKKOfficialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05450195288949073764noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510825.post-9410076868892966412022-08-11T22:07:00.048+09:002023-12-09T12:53:12.319+09:00Jinbei & Samue From Japan<h2>Japanese Summer Dresses: Jinbei and Samue 甚平と作務衣</h2>
<div style="float: none; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="#1">Jinbei</a> | <a href="#2">History</a> | <a href="#3">Wearing Jinbei</a> | <a href="#4">Samue</a> | <a href="#5">Buy Jinbei & Samue</a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_VAwR8wA_UuRq0Op3afeMdtQyjI2EdKxmthhOkaHxQ3FfRqf848mqj-DEC5u1CeRH7TRuEtCFVTw-MplfjtVmyPAfTaYwC1C7rsJVJr_XpDxs9HuKaiP-g1CU5KzXwSEVJ9FISiF6hU67HR3s_ttMdtJPKMhhGK4a16xWwPv17GAtm7T7A/s1600/jinbei-5.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Jinbei are traditional, Japanese summer wear." border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="828" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_VAwR8wA_UuRq0Op3afeMdtQyjI2EdKxmthhOkaHxQ3FfRqf848mqj-DEC5u1CeRH7TRuEtCFVTw-MplfjtVmyPAfTaYwC1C7rsJVJr_XpDxs9HuKaiP-g1CU5KzXwSEVJ9FISiF6hU67HR3s_ttMdtJPKMhhGK4a16xWwPv17GAtm7T7A/s1600/jinbei-5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jinbei are traditional, Japanese summer wear</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>In Japan, beating the summer heat has been a major concern for centuries. From summer retreats in the mountains for the rich to traditional architecture that puts much emphasis on the most thorough ventilation to the creation of refreshing summer drinks - finding ways to alleviate the heat has always been on people's minds.
So, it's certainly no surprise that the fashion designers of yore did their best to contribute. One such invention was the <em>jinbei</em>.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxE7HqFgFFDCl7_9WFM4J1xyBB77KAug2LBXEadKfDlHiNwaPJNhWJ6QgSVtvuWNsMOD45AFYxsRyBmbeH4dUDrc4Maq1XqFriLxGxbgvSzFbGbpR7O4fOkSse-4u3V_el-8D1I5U9QwGQK85DuSLvMTXCpQ2WDDfb1OroSB4jWA6NgWqZXA/s1600/jinbei-2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="A jinbei worn in the Nagano countryside." border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxE7HqFgFFDCl7_9WFM4J1xyBB77KAug2LBXEadKfDlHiNwaPJNhWJ6QgSVtvuWNsMOD45AFYxsRyBmbeH4dUDrc4Maq1XqFriLxGxbgvSzFbGbpR7O4fOkSse-4u3V_el-8D1I5U9QwGQK85DuSLvMTXCpQ2WDDfb1OroSB4jWA6NgWqZXA/s1600/jinbei-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A jinbei worn in the Nagano countryside</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="1">Jinbei 甚平</h3>
<p>With its upper part loosely based on the <em>haori</em>, a traditional jacket worn by men over their <em>kimono</em>, the jinbei of today is a casual combination of short-sleeved light jacket and somewhat Western-style knee-length pants made of cotton or hemp.</p>
<p>The jinbei jacket is held in place by two sets of cords: the right side of the jacket is worn inside and fit into position by the set of cords to the left. The left side is worn outside and fixed by the cords to the right. It's the same principle that also the <em>yukata</em>, the light summer kimono employs. Just that in the case of the jinbei jacket, no <em>obi</em> belt is necessary - the cords do the trick.</p>
<p>The jinbei jacket typically has a pocket on the left side, jinbei pants may or may not have pockets.</p>
<p>Jinbei sets come with jackets and pants in the same color, usually solid indigo, blue, brown, or black with a muted or no pattern.</p>
<p>The seams connecting the sleeves to the jacket as well as the side seams of the jacket leave space for ventilation, assuring the airy quality of the jacket.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtQBuXuaavL7XAP8Q6OFIMR2UQpI5bFQMyh5Exe09bt7Tw5r2Dq5kQ9MfYVDjPC_LTn2y2p7rrZB8O5W86Y6eL_p0HctfWOvmXocPxAv_BH_5C-0DCBl5-nN0vPJbeoRAZa-XwjJ_w9rKAKLd94jBJCG4HQN0hRx_S_BlPv3WpQz1YnmGyw/s1600/jinbei-4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Relaxing in a jinbei in Japan." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtQBuXuaavL7XAP8Q6OFIMR2UQpI5bFQMyh5Exe09bt7Tw5r2Dq5kQ9MfYVDjPC_LTn2y2p7rrZB8O5W86Y6eL_p0HctfWOvmXocPxAv_BH_5C-0DCBl5-nN0vPJbeoRAZa-XwjJ_w9rKAKLd94jBJCG4HQN0hRx_S_BlPv3WpQz1YnmGyw/s1600/jinbei-4.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing in a jinbei in Japan</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="2">History</h3>
<p>The history of the jinbei is up for debate. Though its roots in the <em>haori</em> seem to be quite clear, some fashion historians claim that the design has been based specifically on the <em>jinbaori</em>, a very basic haori worn by samurai over their armor in order to display their <em>kamon</em>, the symbol of their allegiance.</p>
<p>Jinbei jackets more in line with today's style became a fashion in Osaka during the Taisho Period (1912 - 1926). Those were however knee-length and didn't come with trousers.</p>
<p>The current design - a short jacket and short pants - is said to date back to 1965.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q3CTXR2yecoqqlXMlAn2mBgYolkzK82EWT_pmwXyLJjPbUmAbS_s_g4OQZgJxCZIPeEHPt05UBBpgU-kof00lkW7j4YPo9UfLmyECRWFknKBmjZZ_jPg8uIohDu-TQj46gk3yUzuiCu9IgECUp2sJ0rq2kt4wcwXwHkIl4XCirnev1-X2g/s1600/jinbei-3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Gaps between the jinbei jacket and its sleeves provide good ventilation." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q3CTXR2yecoqqlXMlAn2mBgYolkzK82EWT_pmwXyLJjPbUmAbS_s_g4OQZgJxCZIPeEHPt05UBBpgU-kof00lkW7j4YPo9UfLmyECRWFknKBmjZZ_jPg8uIohDu-TQj46gk3yUzuiCu9IgECUp2sJ0rq2kt4wcwXwHkIl4XCirnev1-X2g/s1600/jinbei-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gaps between the jinbei jacket and its sleeves provide good ventilation</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="3">Wearing Jinbei</h3>
<p>Jinbei are traditionally men's clothing though jinbei for small children are also popular. Women seem to prefer the yukata over the jinbei when it comes to light summer dress.</p>
<p>Jinbei are considered to be very casual attire. They are typically worn around the house, in the garden or for short walks in the neighborhood, like say, to the convenience store.</p>
<p>While very few middle-aged men can be seen wearing jinbei in public, younger men attending summer festivals often see the jinbei as a comfortable alternative to the yukata. At summer festivals and firework displays you often see groups of young people with the girls in a yukata and the guys in a jinbei.</p>
<p>Some seniors on the other hand tend to show no hesitation in walking in public in a jinbei at all - they might take the train right to Ginza in a jinbei. Some may consider that odd but in general, the reaction is rather, "that's really cool".</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBIkAUXfCkPnuJH0aBW1UnYdxpK1mU_XyFBKgKhDqSu7hM08KssSAKPkRCWuV3tQoK_G1NWQpuMZsz_pClUUgFMbwbePkGUOI9Af5SDPs2mIJgnFG5PmvEbkDuyamRXY-pqjjN4-CywLDsy7jPCrpIDrdhTXimNAY4rDh5jEae0It_ybmEQ/s1600/samue-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Samue are traditional working dresses for monks and farmers." border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBIkAUXfCkPnuJH0aBW1UnYdxpK1mU_XyFBKgKhDqSu7hM08KssSAKPkRCWuV3tQoK_G1NWQpuMZsz_pClUUgFMbwbePkGUOI9Af5SDPs2mIJgnFG5PmvEbkDuyamRXY-pqjjN4-CywLDsy7jPCrpIDrdhTXimNAY4rDh5jEae0It_ybmEQ/s16000/samue-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samue are traditional working dresses for monks and farmers</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="4">Samue 作務衣</h3>
<p>The <em>samue</em> comes with long pants but looks otherwise very similar to the jinbei. It has a totally different background, however. While the jinbei is an urban leisure dress, the samue is the traditional working dress for Buddhist monks performing gardening, farming, and other duties maintaining Zen monasteries. This type of work is called <em>samu</em>, hence the name samue for the dress.</p>
<p>Because of its practicality, the samue has also become popular with farmers and gardeners - from there it spread to the city streets as a fashion item. Light, well-ventilated samue are perfect summer fashion.</p>
<p>Since the samue has its roots and is still employed as a work dress, however, there are versions for the other seasons as well. Monks and farmers do need to go out working in the winter, too. So, there are heavy-duty samue that keep you warm even in freezing temperatures.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVEllHDusVAXp8ptEYd-EfajGr-S0kE8Ow8ARawYqjwOvjH_bF105TNsd6ilatvS9sJOkpev5CMWFekHlVNifr5R_pGvJbte1fl-QbHf3eQAqCuS8Cx9TVfL1MdjRjPwZXAC7tMskcNmzDqjnRVCM0qIA-NBo2B5qS_1Jwoy1FCN4SWydSg/s1600/samue-2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Purchase samue from GoodsFromJapan." border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="838" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVEllHDusVAXp8ptEYd-EfajGr-S0kE8Ow8ARawYqjwOvjH_bF105TNsd6ilatvS9sJOkpev5CMWFekHlVNifr5R_pGvJbte1fl-QbHf3eQAqCuS8Cx9TVfL1MdjRjPwZXAC7tMskcNmzDqjnRVCM0qIA-NBo2B5qS_1Jwoy1FCN4SWydSg/s1600/samue-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/apparel-clothing-c-247_255.html">Purchase samue from GoodsFromJapan</a></td></tr></tbody></table>
<h3 id="5">Purchase Jinbei and Samue & A Range of Other Clothing From Japan</h3>
<p>If you want to buy a light summer samue, you will find it at Japanese department stores right next to the jinbei line.</p>
<p>For a winter samue, you are best visiting a work clothing store like Workman.</p>
<p>Or simply order jinbei and samue from GoodsFromJapan.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.goodsfromjapan.com/collections/apparel">Purchase a range of Japanese clothing from GoodsFromJapan</a>.</p>
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