tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27277900908708720582024-03-13T19:29:49.547-07:00SaijikiMeibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-72193659962528101922013-02-13T16:03:00.000-08:002013-02-13T16:03:08.604-08:00Valentine's DayFebruary 14<br />
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Happy Valentine's Day!<br />
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It's been a busy week or 2. Last Friday was Harikuyou, a memorial for needles. We should stick our sewing needles into a block of tofu or konnyaku to give them a rest from all that hard sewing for a day, and give a prayer of thanks for their efforts and also pray for our sewing skills to improve. Since few people still sew, it's probably not a huge occasion, but I wouldn't be surprised if some fashion designers here followed the tradition. Some shrines like Egara Tenjin in Kamakura hold thanksgiving services for needles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9ib0XJTyKHy-tq4p7lsUjELmcdhwMU2rXwN-P02XTy6eJRjWlSSZ2gAKKGUXLFt58HMqQDr0zfKUPdizGbw3n2lvkQ_8Qxu_ycVbr4Y3pH94CBLqaugA6uuVBtxeMLYq9hS_QBDlh5s/s1600/harikuyou1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9ib0XJTyKHy-tq4p7lsUjELmcdhwMU2rXwN-P02XTy6eJRjWlSSZ2gAKKGUXLFt58HMqQDr0zfKUPdizGbw3n2lvkQ_8Qxu_ycVbr4Y3pH94CBLqaugA6uuVBtxeMLYq9hS_QBDlh5s/s400/harikuyou1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Harikuyou service at Egara Tenjin... a giant block of tofu acts as a pin cushion.</td></tr>
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Monday was a national holiday (National Foundation Day) and today is Valentine's Day, so this is a great week for the average salaryman: a day off, and hopefully, a lot of chocolate. Not so much fun for the average housewife though: an extra day of cooking 3 meals and making 'honmei choco'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzKU0Yjiq_jiaEtgcNBXt4UhuEECg1Jp3d5ShSVFd7Nu4QKwKkg5-1syirrx8lTLzztmG2D0tz_8iCnnfxjO7loxbrgY5VpOmKK1muFfqjNa5kYAhheUxLVwrwV451XoU7WOh87atgyI/s1600/cp_130111_img2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzKU0Yjiq_jiaEtgcNBXt4UhuEECg1Jp3d5ShSVFd7Nu4QKwKkg5-1syirrx8lTLzztmG2D0tz_8iCnnfxjO7loxbrgY5VpOmKK1muFfqjNa5kYAhheUxLVwrwV451XoU7WOh87atgyI/s320/cp_130111_img2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The macaron craze continues - Muji has make-your-own macaron kits for 'honmei choco'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0wzp8UkndN-CroWyYmZxnx87tsh4VTYNtIVqBn7jqPeJlrZHCaIeJgkRXnOCkfGhYPJKoN8nBGHSaBw4oZshS-WERDboF0Yd7yd9itktJoQciZXMYeEdm7ynQgYBGAtD1sNWd6j1SuI/s1600/cp_110121_w18.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0wzp8UkndN-CroWyYmZxnx87tsh4VTYNtIVqBn7jqPeJlrZHCaIeJgkRXnOCkfGhYPJKoN8nBGHSaBw4oZshS-WERDboF0Yd7yd9itktJoQciZXMYeEdm7ynQgYBGAtD1sNWd6j1SuI/s400/cp_110121_w18.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got these beautiful silicon chocolate moulds at Muji, to make 'wagashi' shaped chocs and cookies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYsBDSoORIltrPpA72BmmqdR0GGuw2a6EtsCdeCrRcfiMci-4Y2ckipu1GIHf2sKOTw_Figifi9OzB4r8vH9NtKAnIr6c6RAeStB2BCntx_1srNU2nW6_1zBefCMZnWCGcQVTz5z0BAg/s1600/1187_10151160887006876_1873140872_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYsBDSoORIltrPpA72BmmqdR0GGuw2a6EtsCdeCrRcfiMci-4Y2ckipu1GIHf2sKOTw_Figifi9OzB4r8vH9NtKAnIr6c6RAeStB2BCntx_1srNU2nW6_1zBefCMZnWCGcQVTz5z0BAg/s400/1187_10151160887006876_1873140872_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My own efforts weren't so photo ready. White chocolate is NOT chocolate! <br />They're only as good as the chocolate you use.</td></tr>
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Every year though, it seems fewer women are buying 'giri choco' - those chocolates one feels socially obligated to buy for male co-workers and sempai - and more are buying 'tomo choco', chocolates for their female friends. This year's commercials for Meiji chocolate shows a typical high school girl making chocolates for her friends at school, intercut with her and her friends laughing and hanging out. Boys don't get a look-in. Even Arashi's Matsujun, who is magically 'supervising' her cooking, misses out on the chocolates.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeobIdggURY_VfyAfmC0fz3cuZPIsfRCwpX9V-MJo1oo14Xr-0Ouao_SSMbRHddKfNpbgYH0vXvTo7DijwCU2mUzBX2JEfDtjhSmvrVdw5EVvqu4guHuVcQd68MIMLFxEsa8Y5sGYVbas/s1600/url.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeobIdggURY_VfyAfmC0fz3cuZPIsfRCwpX9V-MJo1oo14Xr-0Ouao_SSMbRHddKfNpbgYH0vXvTo7DijwCU2mUzBX2JEfDtjhSmvrVdw5EVvqu4guHuVcQd68MIMLFxEsa8Y5sGYVbas/s320/url.jpeg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Matsujun looking more like someone's grandpa for Meiji</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNCucncxcUWp9Fj2L3-TfsPREg6YAwV7pxNEFb5Wron8OcKw7ToDLz3jWpwDb2SnFXqvmaD59wCM_RZVzSUxUnS8dAhrNOJlMn1m91vNqaTCsI5Q1cWZDg6uVfqrGqcDDfVau-qiztWk/s1600/url.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNCucncxcUWp9Fj2L3-TfsPREg6YAwV7pxNEFb5Wron8OcKw7ToDLz3jWpwDb2SnFXqvmaD59wCM_RZVzSUxUnS8dAhrNOJlMn1m91vNqaTCsI5Q1cWZDg6uVfqrGqcDDfVau-qiztWk/s320/url.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And he finds out the high school girl didn't make him any chocolates.</td></tr>
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As a result, the packaging is getting girlier every year. I still saw sake flavour and even Tabasco flavour chocolates, aimed at men, and a lot of novelty packaging (chocolates wrapped to look like dried abalone, dried sardines, etc was popular with the high school boys I saw at Loft).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKB4Wj7IjA1IWz2AhIs4LFfn8QnHfibozC3FQfhblRKFOha2IYXeSvH8HobhyZsIyJilbx5CDQT9EFjXbJNTjr2UcZcTLsZTioS15tRMrolya41E7xFmJcwxJzMg_oP7NRyvaVkrFOXo/s1600/DSC09736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKB4Wj7IjA1IWz2AhIs4LFfn8QnHfibozC3FQfhblRKFOha2IYXeSvH8HobhyZsIyJilbx5CDQT9EFjXbJNTjr2UcZcTLsZTioS15tRMrolya41E7xFmJcwxJzMg_oP7NRyvaVkrFOXo/s400/DSC09736.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In case you forgot the date, Plaza stores will wrap your gift in bold arrows.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfb41a98TZ4msn96TvQZQrF95kdibScPTgc6nLDUCcAfa9nRCfJ5vuddm0OGk0Ulq8p08boOO6C5W2rKoi0PzskWOkxAOtFJrKMiMO79iEx4EqzaOfhayjjL8AUtMabzTDdbqTg06NlA/s1600/DSC09737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfb41a98TZ4msn96TvQZQrF95kdibScPTgc6nLDUCcAfa9nRCfJ5vuddm0OGk0Ulq8p08boOO6C5W2rKoi0PzskWOkxAOtFJrKMiMO79iEx4EqzaOfhayjjL8AUtMabzTDdbqTg06NlA/s400/DSC09737.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my hubby's haul (the Ghana will be made into Gundam-shaped chocolates today). I really hope the 'dried fish' ones don't taste like fish!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms0CGDa88bOUZYxuo0SRUEEc-tk0fdR-lFS_5Ez29KQAzzJpO2lcnuNPPHaDhG3JSUkXEuQrqB18zsj8aaJ6voJIKKr0bs9gRnrD3YJbXEFPBoHTyPd14eWptAmeHOMYbpKVpZ51iHDY/s1600/DSC09738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms0CGDa88bOUZYxuo0SRUEEc-tk0fdR-lFS_5Ez29KQAzzJpO2lcnuNPPHaDhG3JSUkXEuQrqB18zsj8aaJ6voJIKKr0bs9gRnrD3YJbXEFPBoHTyPd14eWptAmeHOMYbpKVpZ51iHDY/s320/DSC09738.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Nano blocks to build a 'beer' nanoblock. "Love for Boy"' sounds a bit too much like "boy love" , but anyway...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8AzPCxB8wGKKWh5qtmHEEHkVdwuxNFhz-_KJz51NafqcXnbnGJTXFp5Wnzan8vi_MsWDyq0ryZFM8B8st-zzreaysG8wm44Z9Q9yWjF0yd8uEq2nIcH9h0P6fEECFI0QddOC5-JU5gg/s1600/DSC09740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8AzPCxB8wGKKWh5qtmHEEHkVdwuxNFhz-_KJz51NafqcXnbnGJTXFp5Wnzan8vi_MsWDyq0ryZFM8B8st-zzreaysG8wm44Z9Q9yWjF0yd8uEq2nIcH9h0P6fEECFI0QddOC5-JU5gg/s400/DSC09740.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Popular stores like Loft, Tokyu Hands and Plaza also give out free instructional magazines full of recipes and decorating ideas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9veStd_9hDVmZCsDIOfwKFFGq45PNERQ3vJj_S7tga21IXL9z4A90ZHGLl5WhkInmANS4YincGHbpwQMTu1LmBnAit99BbiUVDwMV97btRsUBNRTX97zEF7PLQ0lUnz0HqzzavyQpX_0/s1600/DSC09743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9veStd_9hDVmZCsDIOfwKFFGq45PNERQ3vJj_S7tga21IXL9z4A90ZHGLl5WhkInmANS4YincGHbpwQMTu1LmBnAit99BbiUVDwMV97btRsUBNRTX97zEF7PLQ0lUnz0HqzzavyQpX_0/s400/DSC09743.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure what message this breath mint cocktail sends to the man in your life, but there are a lot of old dudes on the rush hour trains who could do with a few strong mints.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkduZc-7hsJiPMkDEWZSn6YoJClqsNsIpfPr2-W9YQWuL7KlYioR0KRIHP3BuyCp0fCtGWy7_oo-wjyL2dR4LO32uhF4aHU7CMDGYMWJL9mknosfQ3QEgDqV5eY3GYtbNhRPAJKPi7yws/s1600/DSC09745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkduZc-7hsJiPMkDEWZSn6YoJClqsNsIpfPr2-W9YQWuL7KlYioR0KRIHP3BuyCp0fCtGWy7_oo-wjyL2dR4LO32uhF4aHU7CMDGYMWJL9mknosfQ3QEgDqV5eY3GYtbNhRPAJKPi7yws/s400/DSC09745.jpg" width="341" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shopping bag will proclaim your feelings to the world.</td></tr>
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<br />Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-79397281366420283462013-02-06T20:41:00.002-08:002013-02-06T20:41:13.310-08:00SetsubunFebruary<br />
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Spring is coming! It doesn't feel like it today (and it snowed again yesterday) but last weekend, the weather teased us with a few balmy sunny days, up to 17 degrees. Sunday 3rd was setsubun, marking the transition to spring or risshun. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qTNryDa_MkhCJBa3pZn5JtkIyEA_sWmMiQdCNPrd8ocNijdNEtWP44xVX5D58urSIadZsFbxZAsI3JRojP7Ib1Sc1asFba2N9wXr0T9zoQRF4fE-eeSP2H4mcsmWhZxjlgIcS1HdhrA/s1600/setsu3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qTNryDa_MkhCJBa3pZn5JtkIyEA_sWmMiQdCNPrd8ocNijdNEtWP44xVX5D58urSIadZsFbxZAsI3JRojP7Ib1Sc1asFba2N9wXr0T9zoQRF4fE-eeSP2H4mcsmWhZxjlgIcS1HdhrA/s400/setsu3.jpg" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The camellia tree on our street, lightly frosted.</td></tr>
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Originally, setsubun was celebrated just before New Year –
when Japan followed the Chinese calendar. It kind of made sense to chase out
the bad luck of last year, so that we can start afresh. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQg6tLl79DcAeDynn4DglZe7lQk6I7r4qhGjoKYwGxJPo7bM4u33ChfomFE7FfHOoF8E3T_Lkb7b_0PW8Cf24o4IEF6D6ll0Qngg6xcxZVzad_DUnnaxNFfbeE4RSWPgPDpIMoDfNtXMI/s1600/setsu1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQg6tLl79DcAeDynn4DglZe7lQk6I7r4qhGjoKYwGxJPo7bM4u33ChfomFE7FfHOoF8E3T_Lkb7b_0PW8Cf24o4IEF6D6ll0Qngg6xcxZVzad_DUnnaxNFfbeE4RSWPgPDpIMoDfNtXMI/s320/setsu1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can pick up the oni masks for free when you buy the soy beans to throw.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
We should throw beans to chase away evil spirits before we start the new year. Think of it as spiritual spring cleaning. I wrote about it <a href="http://12seasonsofjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/04/setsubun.html">here</a>, last year. </div>
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At the station last Saturday, they were having an Akita
promotion, complete with guys dressed up as Namahage – the local oni, who traditionally go house to house at New Year to scare naughty children. No one
was scared of them this time – kids were happily posing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUwc0xwjuBGGngl2aWOmoVg8vCQHYmJMBQ833qx7P8jr0EYfewbLqJqlNKCRMNLOwoFraFlB3IzifGDwBk0vgXaRgoDMW9bgTr8TbIbWlJEAo-q-ogrbTk_18tQUWc9Dvn50lQqleVeo/s1600/setsu4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUwc0xwjuBGGngl2aWOmoVg8vCQHYmJMBQ833qx7P8jr0EYfewbLqJqlNKCRMNLOwoFraFlB3IzifGDwBk0vgXaRgoDMW9bgTr8TbIbWlJEAo-q-ogrbTk_18tQUWc9Dvn50lQqleVeo/s400/setsu4.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does this kid look scared? Not at all.</td></tr>
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Ehomaki<o:p></o:p></div>
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We sat in this year’s direction - SSE to eat a whole sushi
roll without stopping or speaking. One of my friends told me that growing up, ehomaki was only a Kansai tradition, and Tokyo people thought it was weird and funny, but now everyone does it. I just bought ehomaki at the convenience store for lunch on Sunday, but when I went to the supermarket later in the afternoon, they had about 6 metres of refrigerator cabinet dedicated to ehomaki, and the crowds were crazy. <o:p></o:p> For people who don’t eat sushi, a lot of stores are selling roll cakes done up as ehomaki: a long roll of sponge cake filled with cream and strawberries and wrapped in a chocolate crepe to mimic the nori. Delicious!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNcGHtGtiEPxlACPnh-rICS0no1dxBTUJky_mkdXgfSqjRcuVxD5uIgvshZZWYrC0XxKSOBGNYm97oYKJH1h0P8gZCB6r1SjXwHX0yPXY9D8uFs1oVCdIamdPtrSsm4hwb_D6piK5V1E/s1600/setsu2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNcGHtGtiEPxlACPnh-rICS0no1dxBTUJky_mkdXgfSqjRcuVxD5uIgvshZZWYrC0XxKSOBGNYm97oYKJH1h0P8gZCB6r1SjXwHX0yPXY9D8uFs1oVCdIamdPtrSsm4hwb_D6piK5V1E/s400/setsu2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a roll cake "ehomaki".</td></tr>
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Kyoto</div>
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Liza Dalby describes the many setsubun traditions celebrated
in Kyoto in her book Geisha. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you live in Kyoto, you can also visit 4 shrines in the 4
directions (this is called Shiho mairi), a tradition that many geisha still
follow. Stalls sell shougazake – ginger sake – basically the milky sweet sake, with grated
ginger. It's nice and warming at this time of year, but I’d rather drink Stone’s Ginger
Wine, or just add ginger to regular sake.</div>
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The four shrines are: Yoshida shrine to the East; Kitano tenmangu to the west which has gorgeous plum blossoms and a
famous flea market on the 25<sup>th</sup> of each month; Akiba Jinja (to the north) and Mibu
temple near the centre of Kyoto
(just south of Nijo castle). </div>
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And if you want to see geisha at setsubun, your best
bet is Yasaka shrine in Gion, where, if you’re lucky, you might catch a little
package of beans and sweets thrown by local maiko. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-njgjkwkK_73DA1S21ojPC1tXr-V2jjFk1LAwfNcDMqXkOKfUa9qgDv2Z_dkNr9Gaj71wHoPV0skiRlyINqNWRnSNiSCuah5luZIhap6q3UuMLCCAoCu8GrWHpFYsbxTUkTKwND-oOE/s1600/3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-njgjkwkK_73DA1S21ojPC1tXr-V2jjFk1LAwfNcDMqXkOKfUa9qgDv2Z_dkNr9Gaj71wHoPV0skiRlyINqNWRnSNiSCuah5luZIhap6q3UuMLCCAoCu8GrWHpFYsbxTUkTKwND-oOE/s400/3.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setsubun celebrations at Yasaka shrine, courtesy of kyotoguide.</td></tr>
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<!--EndFragment-->Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-30646193078984275222013-01-14T16:28:00.002-08:002013-01-14T16:29:20.320-08:00seijin no hi 成人の日January 14<br />
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Coming of age and the coming of snow<br />
<br />
Long time, no see. We escaped to Australia for a warm Christmas and New Year. How I missed fresh, cheap mangoes, warm nights and dry, sunny days. But we're back to Tokyo, and the cold.<br />
<br />
Yesterday was "Seijin no hi", or Coming of Age Day, when everyone turning 20 this year, has an official celebration. It was also the worst snow in the Tokyo area for about 17 years. Cue scenes of girls in elaborate furisode (long-sleeved kimono worn by unmarried women), complete with platform zori shoes and little socks, shrieking as they plunged ankle-deep through the snow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SUgkdnGvkaVZ9STcWcRFOekm88y4GUsYna05nfpSRtk6H67cFsHmH9GxeXuf2BkvvxWooEnfFwOuiDOhgcsANUSOsLl4t2z-AtXUqIo89i4bTz-uQOCXDEUq2dxolgtRCtL3mjD9HCU/s1600/20130114-00000015-jijp-000-view.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SUgkdnGvkaVZ9STcWcRFOekm88y4GUsYna05nfpSRtk6H67cFsHmH9GxeXuf2BkvvxWooEnfFwOuiDOhgcsANUSOsLl4t2z-AtXUqIo89i4bTz-uQOCXDEUq2dxolgtRCtL3mjD9HCU/s400/20130114-00000015-jijp-000-view.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold feet!</td></tr>
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I teach part-time at a university, and a lot of my students were looking forward to Seijin no hi, which for the girls, involved getting up around 4am for hair and makeup and dressing (you can get a package including kimono rental, hair etc and studio photos, but it books up early - like a year in advance). Some of my more traditional, "ojousama" girls were going to wear their mother's kimono. The girls from AKB48 wore quite retro kimono this year, and it seems to be a bit of a trend to wear an old-school design.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5URGq8K7-sr8lWGPvfcF1aWjy0m9TOx_0WS5zxljc_aON-R2C6KSmK1aMC6htCkBe6tHGQcNs3En8VmaEQOUkABElpO9fSlHjG6Kis2OkyDoe1GsokElRhHZBYhQTsCNkm5dbWEblwA/s1600/showPhoto.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5URGq8K7-sr8lWGPvfcF1aWjy0m9TOx_0WS5zxljc_aON-R2C6KSmK1aMC6htCkBe6tHGQcNs3En8VmaEQOUkABElpO9fSlHjG6Kis2OkyDoe1GsokElRhHZBYhQTsCNkm5dbWEblwA/s400/showPhoto.jpeg" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the AKB48 girls - don't ask me who - with a very retro pattern.</td></tr>
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The serious fashion girls are more into taisho and early showa styles, with very simple hair. I think they look particularly gorgeous, but they're in the minority. Most girls go for very fluffy, cutesy styles with extra frills, diamantes and over-the-top hair.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Dg2_T4JZrJ69j0XV0BCtDjbvJW0IEhv-a3AveLseAA8UayC-Lmhn7AWoU7a-XfPuYvCN3zQ3_FUPJ3W80n1CzYQ5-MMkH1-k3VYw2tE_bneSi8MvEaekp0foQtOwzARfEmxcRV3zkfc/s1600/03.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Dg2_T4JZrJ69j0XV0BCtDjbvJW0IEhv-a3AveLseAA8UayC-Lmhn7AWoU7a-XfPuYvCN3zQ3_FUPJ3W80n1CzYQ5-MMkH1-k3VYw2tE_bneSi8MvEaekp0foQtOwzARfEmxcRV3zkfc/s400/03.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aoi Yu in the drama "Osen", playing a hard drinking restrauteur with a taste for taisho-style kimono</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8jQSD7U_msbdLkVhyuIELaJD3df3hPZ4cYNU0Lt_zQOQX7s18ycmh2jM6SUN7wO7dK0RpKoueYldwoJcifJ_jFWT7LPlYLeUM2nDBjOovLJhZSBum7qtxa8_lt6jiCXqHP0MSCf1u_A/s1600/20070416221138.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8jQSD7U_msbdLkVhyuIELaJD3df3hPZ4cYNU0Lt_zQOQX7s18ycmh2jM6SUN7wO7dK0RpKoueYldwoJcifJ_jFWT7LPlYLeUM2nDBjOovLJhZSBum7qtxa8_lt6jiCXqHP0MSCf1u_A/s400/20070416221138.jpeg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice example of "taisho chic" with bold prints and simple accessories.</td></tr>
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Most guys wear suits, though a few go for traditional hakama styles. There were some "yankee" guys (badly bleached hair, inexplicably shaved eyebrows, etc) in very colourful hakama.<br />
<br />
So what's it all about? It's a way to mark the official transition to adulthood - at age 20, they are free to marry who they please, vote and drink. Actually, most 19 year olds already drink. Local councils hold official ceremonies for the year's 20 year olds, where they get small presents and stirring speeches. Some councils had collected and kept letters that the kids (sorry, I'm old - anyone under 25 is a kid to me!) wrote to themselves at age 10. One of the biggest celebrations is at the Yokohama Arena with thousands of kimono clad young adults, but those lucky enough to live in Urayasu, Chiba, can go to Disneyland and be welcomed by Mickey. Those in Shibuya met another new 20 year old, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, who lived up to her zany reputation with a modern kimono decorated with flying horses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHD2p0r9wfJLIRbZ9S1V5ARF0u8e8esOgFcjQZ8-qxGN0z0ekbd8r7mfipSh_IDvfqvNHoiWnOAwsttPTz4GYdug-foSiMmQes1ZR5WLpvgUJntQHTcsbnGWDa2j_q4xmaPhFdGyquy8/s1600/20130114184919.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHD2p0r9wfJLIRbZ9S1V5ARF0u8e8esOgFcjQZ8-qxGN0z0ekbd8r7mfipSh_IDvfqvNHoiWnOAwsttPTz4GYdug-foSiMmQes1ZR5WLpvgUJntQHTcsbnGWDa2j_q4xmaPhFdGyquy8/s400/20130114184919.jpeg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyary Pamyu Pamyu</td></tr>
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Some of the Shibuya gals - fashion's adventurers - went for the "Oiran" look this year, modelled on Edo-era courtesans. Although with their bared shoulders, they were more like Anna Tsuchiya in "Sakuran" than traditional oiran.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoH873eas6K5jYKybigO_L315wmVn-t5qqBLMR7Gd7zsIH-EnwUdTM22Dld-kOYuk-SKWKtvmFRXyZiJgGGJMptBZsgh9A-Z4S-cn39m1h6yoLbKBy1bwq_lE33OnzuiGhasN-_Uh0y_g/s1600/ea11a792.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoH873eas6K5jYKybigO_L315wmVn-t5qqBLMR7Gd7zsIH-EnwUdTM22Dld-kOYuk-SKWKtvmFRXyZiJgGGJMptBZsgh9A-Z4S-cn39m1h6yoLbKBy1bwq_lE33OnzuiGhasN-_Uh0y_g/s320/ea11a792.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gnHPmLnVO5Z42fEefxy6vkpMoUffXpnMK4lr-YYUbh24XEyo_j8OVz3GyFqaNQ5mwjqLtlAjD2GAZlzR07a_2Tt_5l3LIHBPtc7gajuUbb_IMBNDs49dB1EI7K4G0OheShpPr0ct68A/s1600/130987.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gnHPmLnVO5Z42fEefxy6vkpMoUffXpnMK4lr-YYUbh24XEyo_j8OVz3GyFqaNQ5mwjqLtlAjD2GAZlzR07a_2Tt_5l3LIHBPtc7gajuUbb_IMBNDs49dB1EI7K4G0OheShpPr0ct68A/s320/130987.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7MxoCLhIfk0pAMI7-e0fPzaJ7m13SaQZaOufKKmmPyc5NY6EGvQSv7XMuenM-SbeP943vaWNrBhraGOYfhKHIuH0pCk641_WzkMm9dO54qtHzcNbG4MlxkS2Ql3Lysao95vcROi1Fu8/s1600/Sakuran%252520pics%25252002.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7MxoCLhIfk0pAMI7-e0fPzaJ7m13SaQZaOufKKmmPyc5NY6EGvQSv7XMuenM-SbeP943vaWNrBhraGOYfhKHIuH0pCk641_WzkMm9dO54qtHzcNbG4MlxkS2Ql3Lysao95vcROi1Fu8/s320/Sakuran%252520pics%25252002.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna Tsuchiya in Sakuran</td></tr>
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Apparently, Seijin no Hi has been around since AD 714, when a young prince decided to dress up to celebrate becoming an adult, but it's been widely popular since 1876, when the official age of adulthood was set at 20.<br />
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And so, that snow. Around 10.30am, it started to snow. And snow. It snowed for about 7 hours, stopping trains, airplanes and cars and closing down the highways.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyyIx6ygpceezFWlFr7ADbN65QdQNGhiLugF6r57aP6xv0AXPuk-w1XFXI2vxK68KGuh5fDc0gHkOBgbInsJYnGQzybern5kxckgHjeJLsuNqYnIPJYuf3NEL0nV-9-HUxA1uUyUfzt4/s1600/snowday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyyIx6ygpceezFWlFr7ADbN65QdQNGhiLugF6r57aP6xv0AXPuk-w1XFXI2vxK68KGuh5fDc0gHkOBgbInsJYnGQzybern5kxckgHjeJLsuNqYnIPJYuf3NEL0nV-9-HUxA1uUyUfzt4/s400/snowday1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It started innocently enough...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkg7vAqBBeEwkMQKGeEbxd8Qd_jfLw9Ue7dgCxCKFa3JaDA6Ot-N1JFHo3P8nA-g7ysAAgX3_By8lvDKy9Tu0JLKKqo-MfKKjYwaq3qH4AwKjDoOzWpJjqzsuitFmfLeVLolLFVAvMuY/s1600/snowday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkg7vAqBBeEwkMQKGeEbxd8Qd_jfLw9Ue7dgCxCKFa3JaDA6Ot-N1JFHo3P8nA-g7ysAAgX3_By8lvDKy9Tu0JLKKqo-MfKKjYwaq3qH4AwKjDoOzWpJjqzsuitFmfLeVLolLFVAvMuY/s400/snowday2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And didn't stop.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnP7GsFfOYS-RiHriCUO0irYxsq9_fZ9HrVrqCsCf5m1M34cqN9RKWomGPAuCr5xf4mqIuzxT0X6f05Cc35pA2dyVT3lk6ZjJlppSGxIuCaNReorn6a31pqSXQYOdTf8xRj68znl74ka4/s1600/snowgate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnP7GsFfOYS-RiHriCUO0irYxsq9_fZ9HrVrqCsCf5m1M34cqN9RKWomGPAuCr5xf4mqIuzxT0X6f05Cc35pA2dyVT3lk6ZjJlppSGxIuCaNReorn6a31pqSXQYOdTf8xRj68znl74ka4/s400/snowgate.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our gate with little snow caps.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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One of our neighbours started shovelling snow around midday, but he was losing the battle. Finally, around 5pm, the snow turned to light rain and we all headed outside to make a path. We live in a quiet cul-de-sac, so we're responsible for our own road. While it was light and fluffy, shovelling was pretty easy, but the fear was it would freeze into hard lumps overnight. It's certainly a good workout! With the neighbours working together, it was actually quite cheerful. That's one of the things I like about living here - everyone pulls together. They were disappointed that it wasn't "my first snow sighting", though. Within an hour, we had a walkable path down to the main road, and everyone had a safe driveway.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOX28d74u0HND_T52wsVQYFegoj5eYKi8aDmWS7TAZBpfQWXsPj8AbYibJ3dP1MF-3Ibw2u3XI44e7vjJYRfmpAUXCOpC2WNb-9-T8v0PYG8Zn5d1MI4fJyiBXusfVf7o9snk8if07_s/s1600/snowday3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOX28d74u0HND_T52wsVQYFegoj5eYKi8aDmWS7TAZBpfQWXsPj8AbYibJ3dP1MF-3Ibw2u3XI44e7vjJYRfmpAUXCOpC2WNb-9-T8v0PYG8Zn5d1MI4fJyiBXusfVf7o9snk8if07_s/s400/snowday3.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging a path</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMMizdPaBGVbKUioftwmSW76uXb0RiCo4GiYUy06MbTFeddyDj9gyCjjS9-QWbFxTTV5MiwTcRui105Cj2t_3qng0rWJbR1VvNqwlyiJiH27SC1cUiMUI5CDu5UXeR8TEq7qkox_MZyg/s1600/snowcar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMMizdPaBGVbKUioftwmSW76uXb0RiCo4GiYUy06MbTFeddyDj9gyCjjS9-QWbFxTTV5MiwTcRui105Cj2t_3qng0rWJbR1VvNqwlyiJiH27SC1cUiMUI5CDu5UXeR8TEq7qkox_MZyg/s400/snowcar.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our "road".</td></tr>
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Through the night, as the snow thudded off our roof, I had to remind myself that it was just snow, not people jumping on my head. This morning, I looked out and I could see treacherous ice. Kind of scary. The TV is warning everyone to be careful not to slip. I'll be stomping like a crazy woman in my heavy boots. Not at all elegant, or fashionable, but I won't be the one with a wet backside! Keep safe, everyone!<br />
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<br />Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-1281585569398816072012-12-18T17:26:00.001-08:002012-12-18T17:26:57.470-08:00Asakusa Hagoita ichi 浅草羽子板市December 18th<br />
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Just a very quick post - yesterday I, along with hundreds of others, crowded into the grounds of Sensoji temple in Asakusa, for the annual Hagoita (Battledore) fair. Hagoita are paddles for playing a kind of badminton-type game, called hanetsuki. The hagoita on sale are strictly ornamental, though. They're believed to bring good luck for the new year, and are usually decorated with kabuki actors, but popular actors, sportspeople and anime characters are common too. They cost upwards of 2,000 although you can get painted ones for a little less.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2z2vU9Kb84_0z6Y_9CZysGQLOwWb1ja1Xyiy86lCaj3ebndAZ6m7nDiV_e1T3RfLXxXKgo2B-mT1mPMTo2skibQC_WoNXXlnBdICD6vBvFNoyik_r5nwYdSWzJtoreHoZmSSfaUHnH0/s1600/DSC09239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2z2vU9Kb84_0z6Y_9CZysGQLOwWb1ja1Xyiy86lCaj3ebndAZ6m7nDiV_e1T3RfLXxXKgo2B-mT1mPMTo2skibQC_WoNXXlnBdICD6vBvFNoyik_r5nwYdSWzJtoreHoZmSSfaUHnH0/s400/DSC09239.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHCGbaAlMMnzagWGTd0HleQmctmAag1GW6mr_cfLfwmPFUmmM0S0eMdTsK-2MStKIVh-dBEv4AaCoMtq7EoYflJRzrSotq-NRyg9EDvUAebtp91uWmryeWJkAAWfpzOshWFfcZi7wclE/s1600/DSC09240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHCGbaAlMMnzagWGTd0HleQmctmAag1GW6mr_cfLfwmPFUmmM0S0eMdTsK-2MStKIVh-dBEv4AaCoMtq7EoYflJRzrSotq-NRyg9EDvUAebtp91uWmryeWJkAAWfpzOshWFfcZi7wclE/s400/DSC09240.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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To be honest, there were very few people buying (a friend tells me it's a true marker of consumer confidence - if no one is buying hagoita, it's a bad year generally, for retailers). There were hundreds of middle aged and old folks with expensive cameras snapping away, and the stall holders didn't seem to mind. When someone does buy a hagoita, you'll know, because the sellers and buyers (and the crowd around them) all do the special Edo style 3-3-3-1 clap. You'll hear it at rakugo performances too. It's called ippon tejime. The 'leader' calls "iyoo" and everyone responds with sets of 3 and then 1 clap. 3 x 3 adds up to 9 (see, I paid attention in maths class!) which in Japanese is ku. It also sounds like "pain" or "stress". The kanji for ku or kyu is <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Gothic; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px;">九. </span><span style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A single clap, 'da' is like an extra stroke added to the kanji, turning ku to maru </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Gothic; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px;">丸 </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">or in other words, stress and pain is finished. Phew, sorry that was a clunky explanation, but I hope you get the idea!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys at the hagoita stalls are remarkably patient as everyone snaps away.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXzquStQFedUpyQhM7nPfvrfpYJj6IHkSbGfK6Bb0S2u8y3Y5kIagahtcI5brIYUtzZZk-r73vnEA0XkSXEraH8bhjWYgn2C-WCsf2DTtOj0JdlGbtBD9PT25ZfUqPHm1eRPZgc09F3A/s1600/DSC09247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXzquStQFedUpyQhM7nPfvrfpYJj6IHkSbGfK6Bb0S2u8y3Y5kIagahtcI5brIYUtzZZk-r73vnEA0XkSXEraH8bhjWYgn2C-WCsf2DTtOj0JdlGbtBD9PT25ZfUqPHm1eRPZgc09F3A/s640/DSC09247.jpg" width="404" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1dHrAjXxxZcFiVMxYWwE8eRhGT4SAgAoorrTjkz4GZhNNyWvPIzJZMug3s8Us-hagdZd3VKixbaaXCS-4_x4fpgFXsOOZLd7z53ZEFuVgkFeoShDkyFxsxCRztDsxmHBNWVGBP3RgUs/s1600/DSC09248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1dHrAjXxxZcFiVMxYWwE8eRhGT4SAgAoorrTjkz4GZhNNyWvPIzJZMug3s8Us-hagdZd3VKixbaaXCS-4_x4fpgFXsOOZLd7z53ZEFuVgkFeoShDkyFxsxCRztDsxmHBNWVGBP3RgUs/s640/DSC09248.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think these were decorated by a local art school. There were some great and bizarre designs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDg_di-EiXTQ0S186YDdvizywOeUhmn0t-jfNn_-aq1ry0IWACcr-LzzySGClizmNOQXts4qujs3xIwypoYX2RsLSc9iWmBWJK46-WQoP5f6vqIVhiX-T6KXhnl6QPNvt0XHcUnAvr8IA/s1600/DSC09251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDg_di-EiXTQ0S186YDdvizywOeUhmn0t-jfNn_-aq1ry0IWACcr-LzzySGClizmNOQXts4qujs3xIwypoYX2RsLSc9iWmBWJK46-WQoP5f6vqIVhiX-T6KXhnl6QPNvt0XHcUnAvr8IA/s640/DSC09251.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was based on the famous Hiroshige ukiyo-e. It would make a great, though pricey, souvenir of Asakusa.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Asakusa is always a jolly place to hang out, but when these Edo-era fairs are on, you can expect to see lots of folks in happi coats, local geisha posing and strolling shamisen players. I avoid the place on weekends, but the back streets are always nice and feel quite local. It's not just a tourist area; I go there to pick up accessories and sheet music for my shamisen, and when I wanted a yukata, I got one made to fit in Asakusa (quite an experience, as the store owner, in her 90's, barely reached my hip. Getting measured was a challenge!). The back streets and arcades are also full of retro Showa-era cafes and cheap restaurants. It has a real, downtown, working class feel.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqDcder9YHZwHRYA__JruulNrJRV1_xf29ysDNp-uAQiYmxhBC2O6tIiwz6BvCysPH4V0ixqy0A2SdQVfZR2V5M_ldCDsF5dmSw0SY0FwRNo6P-2T5o835OHfKLSAbE9CKLOR4XLsKCQ/s1600/DSC09238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqDcder9YHZwHRYA__JruulNrJRV1_xf29ysDNp-uAQiYmxhBC2O6tIiwz6BvCysPH4V0ixqy0A2SdQVfZR2V5M_ldCDsF5dmSw0SY0FwRNo6P-2T5o835OHfKLSAbE9CKLOR4XLsKCQ/s400/DSC09238.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geisha photo op.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VxHAp2GKHZy1VLTWpavwlyZnB7aZKb8q1tqfbk2ESHUqOjg-1vPejpqJNwC90fjtWkqFAe9MiQpY3jMETvbDLAsBFgqu5CUkIJB6qM29RRoqlQZsnJDcvU9tTagtBoMOdluPWqBW47s/s1600/DSC09257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VxHAp2GKHZy1VLTWpavwlyZnB7aZKb8q1tqfbk2ESHUqOjg-1vPejpqJNwC90fjtWkqFAe9MiQpY3jMETvbDLAsBFgqu5CUkIJB6qM29RRoqlQZsnJDcvU9tTagtBoMOdluPWqBW47s/s400/DSC09257.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll find the real Showa spirit around here. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-45838733820262994362012-12-10T15:45:00.002-08:002012-12-10T15:45:20.676-08:00Yuzu and touji ゆず&冬至<br />
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As we hurtle towards Christmas with the stress of
bonenkai (end of year parties), presents to buy and nengajo (New Year’s cards)
to send, not to mention the stress of Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas”
on endless repeat, it’s no surprise that we’ve entered flu season. I’ve managed
to avoid a cold up till now this year, but the cold, dry weather, plus the
sardine can atmosphere (in crowdedness and sometimes in smell) of the commuter
trains, means I finally succumbed last week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When I first visited Japan and saw
people in paper surgical masks, I thought it was bizarre. Then, when I noticed
that people with colds basically contained those coughs and sneezes inside
their masks, I started to appreciate them. Now, if someone starts hacking up a
lung on the subway without a mask, I tend to give them the evil eye, along with
the rest of the passengers (coughing quietly into your hanky is borderline
acceptable). But I swore I’d never use one. Even when the whole country was
freaking out about swine flu, I refused to wear one. Then I got a bad cold and
my husband urged me to wear a mask – when sleeping. Crazy! It felt hot and
uncomfortable and with a stuffy nose, it seemed even harder to breathe. A doctor friend explained that cold viruses thrive in
cold, dry places – which is why they live long and prosper on metal grab bars
and plastic handles in trains and buses. By wearing a mask, you keep your nose
and throat warm and moist, and inhospitable for cold bugs. This year I’ve
become a convert. And I’ve noticed I cough less, as my throat doesn’t get so
dry and scratchy. It also keeps your face warm on a frosty day, and lazy
friends tell me its a great way to cover up if you couldn’t be bothered with
makeup or have a cold sore or....shhhh... pash rash. So now I look like a
freaky Halloween nurse. Laugh all you want, but I beat this cold in 4 days. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0HPt6fe9fpFhuHtO_C3zDeksKx9qE-19j8Hemfe8OnofNgh8ejGDGC3BZ_RASbzwQZKkbGYzafE0ODkI1MLTmDuxZ8HJOwKqPgt4-gr50tsWevwTBv2ks4EMu2ETOXMeh211qHEkqfc/s1600/121025_cm_mask_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0HPt6fe9fpFhuHtO_C3zDeksKx9qE-19j8Hemfe8OnofNgh8ejGDGC3BZ_RASbzwQZKkbGYzafE0ODkI1MLTmDuxZ8HJOwKqPgt4-gr50tsWevwTBv2ks4EMu2ETOXMeh211qHEkqfc/s400/121025_cm_mask_1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unicharm's latest commercial for face masks.</td></tr>
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Another weapon against colds is yuzu. It’s a rather rough
and lumpy looking citrus fruit, that’s become quite trendy around the world. You might know it from such hit products as 'ponzu'. It
tastes like something between what we’d call a bush lemon in Australia, a
grapefruit and a lime. A lot of yuzu trees only get fruit every other year, so
it’s a bit expensive. It comes into its rich yellow colour at the end of autumn,
so it tastes great right now. Like any citrus fruit, it has plenty of vitamin
C. It tastes a bit milder than lemon, so it’s great in sore-throat drinks and a popular flavour for "nodo ame" or throat lozenges. For a drink, mix
yuzu juice and grated peel, ginger, honey and hot water. Or, use yuzu
marmalade. I got a jar from a friend from Miyazaki; it’s a specialty of her
hometown. She told me to stir a big teaspoonful into hot water or even black
tea, to make a good throat soother. Of course, it's also nice on toast!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8QuBRurMoDinhZctLmlGG_7k3EvhxuqB6NV0OJZFBgVvuJAjobzAbU8cWgMwLRlEBcAew2l5kz12-TmaB1qnDmJ1_gcY2WKXRK3YWAERSB_qfsmmid2XxCFquv5BEXdu1Jm3stjVrVI/s1600/yuzu90.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8QuBRurMoDinhZctLmlGG_7k3EvhxuqB6NV0OJZFBgVvuJAjobzAbU8cWgMwLRlEBcAew2l5kz12-TmaB1qnDmJ1_gcY2WKXRK3YWAERSB_qfsmmid2XxCFquv5BEXdu1Jm3stjVrVI/s400/yuzu90.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ripe yuzu </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleG75vDlHQjgoEenkQebTvyhlTFashm9XJ4OdE4dGeRpl-snLAc6ftVhzzKg7Amttn1PgkuZG2YFWktf6w9V8EnPMoCGosxpwlBk_2YW7CagTsKW4SgjoKe3T6dJymHdBSB7o9aBsHa0/s1600/401744.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleG75vDlHQjgoEenkQebTvyhlTFashm9XJ4OdE4dGeRpl-snLAc6ftVhzzKg7Amttn1PgkuZG2YFWktf6w9V8EnPMoCGosxpwlBk_2YW7CagTsKW4SgjoKe3T6dJymHdBSB7o9aBsHa0/s320/401744.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious! Makes a great sweetener for tea.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3LYDyKUiC9rda5jMhv5b6hWpBS-DAGSOqa8-UZ_J3dAEyWNkBPyeCAd24DFRgH8QWRIz-HQeMK_BljLSk2E3wCC0Da1yhA7TfXZK68eFdWHL9EJc37vvVJww42g6oH4EZTo286ZnXts/s1600/201210221053_18396.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3LYDyKUiC9rda5jMhv5b6hWpBS-DAGSOqa8-UZ_J3dAEyWNkBPyeCAd24DFRgH8QWRIz-HQeMK_BljLSk2E3wCC0Da1yhA7TfXZK68eFdWHL9EJc37vvVJww42g6oH4EZTo286ZnXts/s320/201210221053_18396.jpeg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yuzurin is a mascot in Gifu-ken, which grows a lot of yuzu.</td></tr>
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Yuzu is also used in the bath in winter, to ward off colds
(and the smell of a bath full of yuzu is very uplifting). It’s traditional to
make a yuzu bath on December 21<sup>st </sup> (touji), the longest day of the year (the
bath is called touji yu). Most public baths and onsen offer a yuzu bath around
this time. Of course, you can throw a few in the bathwater at home, or use one
of the many yuzu-scented bath salts. It's also traditional to eat pumpkin on touji, for good luck, along with other vegetables with the letter 'n' (pumpkin - kabocha can also be written as nankin), like daikon and ninjin. A lot of people also eat azuki gayu, or rice porridge with azuki beans to protect them from evil spirits on touji. I think the bottom line is: take a nice hot bath and eat lots of healthy vegetables in winter! Sounds good to me. Now that I'm over my cold, I intend to enjoy other yuzu treats like yuzushu - yuzu liqueur! Since I can't get my hands on any of my grandma's homemade kumquat brandy over here, yuzushu is the next best thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB88fzEY_ogVcAI-KTE1Eg_SErvKrAlN2OgLUZMUKqK2uXaMn64Bm5WFZasYy-F864e-mw4xl4dDELz1zT_YjPF6OH_PvAuVd-YPmk0cJOLfsa8Ujp9hnQndBSEetN9OwKvQIyuSg0atc/s1600/yuzuburo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB88fzEY_ogVcAI-KTE1Eg_SErvKrAlN2OgLUZMUKqK2uXaMn64Bm5WFZasYy-F864e-mw4xl4dDELz1zT_YjPF6OH_PvAuVd-YPmk0cJOLfsa8Ujp9hnQndBSEetN9OwKvQIyuSg0atc/s400/yuzuburo.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yuzu yu at a public bath</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0smGnf8TWCMYzxdh2KU93CxnT1hUGofDCAuPOJfqW9f9MxZON2P8Rh6EfALDi8TEw8BqarJ6ewEjWx0qImpqi6ec0OxlXSWEH6rEny7Vq6D8kx9WDMoZuiJR-sWy3mBmR9KhDPbAy3Q/s1600/bub_bub_01_img_l.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0smGnf8TWCMYzxdh2KU93CxnT1hUGofDCAuPOJfqW9f9MxZON2P8Rh6EfALDi8TEw8BqarJ6ewEjWx0qImpqi6ec0OxlXSWEH6rEny7Vq6D8kx9WDMoZuiJR-sWy3mBmR9KhDPbAy3Q/s1600/bub_bub_01_img_l.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I cheat and use bath salts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEmZY9aAZ-Ys9Q5EFkWu_HO76LdddItiuVE4ZTQH_A8MZmPHQUvyCW9IWBn-9OVduZH9CmBlRYcnBDLiJ-D2sBSXWa7ptZjprG56aIon50vvdBoAj8ghJqLvnTJOWOAdgtdkUbkPM_Oo/s1600/liqueur_umenoyado_yuzushu720-up.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEmZY9aAZ-Ys9Q5EFkWu_HO76LdddItiuVE4ZTQH_A8MZmPHQUvyCW9IWBn-9OVduZH9CmBlRYcnBDLiJ-D2sBSXWa7ptZjprG56aIon50vvdBoAj8ghJqLvnTJOWOAdgtdkUbkPM_Oo/s320/liqueur_umenoyado_yuzushu720-up.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the rocks, neat, or with soda - it's all good.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrg7hMMr0_phNddW2lD7CUMZeAFy7VQTTI5Fqxoh9fYHY4mLTQoCqxriHB5NIx107r1rXxvpCmhylHgD-o5X3a1W1UXEkUxNiMpgHpn39zHXLcLtjlseYKhwzX5zhB7tER1cQwW3eatc/s1600/18122-andltahrefhttpwwwjpo-cblp.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrg7hMMr0_phNddW2lD7CUMZeAFy7VQTTI5Fqxoh9fYHY4mLTQoCqxriHB5NIx107r1rXxvpCmhylHgD-o5X3a1W1UXEkUxNiMpgHpn39zHXLcLtjlseYKhwzX5zhB7tER1cQwW3eatc/s320/18122-andltahrefhttpwwwjpo-cblp.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other Yuzu - a popular Japanese band, who like to pun on their name.</td></tr>
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<!--EndFragment-->Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-39551655645683472192012-12-01T19:18:00.001-08:002012-12-01T19:18:40.586-08:00Light up the nightDecember 1st<br />
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It's getting colder every day, and it feels like we're speeding towards the end of the year. It's the last chance to enjoy the autumn colours before the trees lose their leaves and the wind becomes icy and bitter (going to see the Christmas illuminations calls for heavy winter gear and a portable hot coffee or cocoa. How some of my friends manage the all night New Year's party at Disneyland is beyond me).<br />
<br />
I'm often in Komagome for work, so last week I swung through Rikugien gardens on the way home. It's a lovely Edo period strolling garden with a man-made lake and tea houses dotted around. In Spring, it's popular for its beautiful shidare zakura, or weeping cherry blossom tree. In Autumn, it's full of red and orange maples. The park usually closes at 5pm (last entry at 4.30pm) but for a few weeks in Autumn and Spring, they do a "light-up", highlighting the beautiful trees, and staying open till 9pm.<br />
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There was a mix of camera enthusiasts with their tripods and couples going for a romantic after-work stroll. All the tea houses were open, offering seasonal sweets. On a weeknight, it was surprisingly uncrowded. It only costs 300 yen to enter (if you arrived around 4pm, you'd experience the sunset as well). I love Komagome - it's a quiet, slightly expensive residential area, which means it has lots of lovely shops selling kimono, flowers or wagashi (check out Usagiya on the way to the park) and indigo-dyed goods. There are heaps of inviting little bistros for dinner, too.<br />
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The light-up at Rikugien is only on until December 9th - next Sunday. During the light-up period, the park gate nearest Komagome station is open. Usually, you have to walk around to the other side of the park (where there is an Anpan Man shop - which, if you have kids, might be a good thing or a bad thing). If you want to take good pictures, I'd recommend a tripod, because it is DARK. But, I managed these shots with my tiny digital camera, holding my breath.<br />
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You can see a live camera view of the park <a href="http://teien.tokyo-park.or.jp/contents/camera031.html">here</a> - handy if you want to check the progress of autumn colours or cherry blossoms!<br />
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<br />Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-18934886886575417322012-11-27T06:43:00.001-08:002012-11-27T06:44:15.998-08:00Golden ginko!OMG! I haven't updated in, like, forever! Recently, the paid writing work has kind of sapped the motivation to do the unpaid writing work. Poor excuse, sorry. But, I've still been out, enjoying the autumn weather, as the mercury creeps ever-downward. So, I have a stack of pictures, but very little to say.<br />
<br />
And so, I bring you, ginko trees. I've been reading <a href="http://rurousha.blogspot.jp/2012/11/todai-ginkgo-update.html">Rurousha's</a> ginko updates, just waiting for the full golden glory. And I think, at least in Tokyo, this week is it! I had never been to Ichou Namiki Dori - literally 'row of ginko trees street', even though it's so easy to get to. Just walk between Gaienmae and Aoyama Itchome station and you'll see the blaze of yellow. This part of Aoyama features in Haruki Murakami's novels, like "Hard Boiled Wonderland & the End of the World," and "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running". And doesn't he like a long title! "IQ84" is quite an achievement in terms of brevity.<br />
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Anyway, on to the trees. That's what we're here for!<br />
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A symphony of yellow! You know how sometimes when you download your photos, you're tempted to play around with the colour balance, maybe warm it up - make it more saturated... go on, admit you do it too! Well, with these trees, there was no need. They were yellower than The Simpsons, without any need for enhancement. Go there. This week.Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-86394836738593135262012-11-05T17:01:00.000-08:002012-11-05T17:31:17.923-08:00Kaki かきA glut of persimmons<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2ha1fJ79y54q-VYbEdMvoh0MH95oyEKgWd3xbsqn_9WILMP7-HbFP7HkBUxO0Nut1D9NIA7L8hLYZOfpnB7YiAAP1i3sjjRyk487j-_JPmk8RrqF9DEGXryuIvK_oE_6-hX3q_ieqaw/s1600/kaki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2ha1fJ79y54q-VYbEdMvoh0MH95oyEKgWd3xbsqn_9WILMP7-HbFP7HkBUxO0Nut1D9NIA7L8hLYZOfpnB7YiAAP1i3sjjRyk487j-_JPmk8RrqF9DEGXryuIvK_oE_6-hX3q_ieqaw/s400/kaki.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So, I cheated - not many colourful leaves around Tokyo yet, but I went to Karuizawa in the mountains .</td></tr>
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Autumn is here! It seems to have arrived a bit late this year, but the temperature plunged last weekend and we got out the hot carpet (like an electric blanket for the floor), and set up the kotatsu. A kotatsu is a table with a heater under it. You cover the table with a blanket and snuggle under it (yes, your back gets cold... you can wear a hanten - padded jacket - or a good ol' fleecy hoodie.) Actually, we don't use the heater part of our kotatsu, which tends to cook your legs if it gets too hot; the hot carpet and blanket is enough.<br />
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Last year, this old house and its kaki (persimmon) tree were all new to me. I didn't know what to do with kaki, and in my imagination they were very astringent. I found out we have the sweet kind, but not knowing when to pick them, most got over-ripe and became feasts for birds and insects. My mother in law wasn't well enough to prune the tree for years and the branches had become too close and the fruits crowded together. In summer I gave it a random hack (the wrong time to prune, I'm sure), but it resulted in bigger, more robust fruit this time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9y3NFhF116hlzvL3hi962ipXuSAQSrJoyfTw0979NMiOq4b0OJEz7nnmfn4zOsi0d1bmBeEgoV0LLXjsg0TCrFcAfxYX15RGQ8lY7whjUSt1DZz2sUdYUEVrSwJT1y23g5tyM5JtqTM/s1600/kaki1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9y3NFhF116hlzvL3hi962ipXuSAQSrJoyfTw0979NMiOq4b0OJEz7nnmfn4zOsi0d1bmBeEgoV0LLXjsg0TCrFcAfxYX15RGQ8lY7whjUSt1DZz2sUdYUEVrSwJT1y23g5tyM5JtqTM/s400/kaki1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of our kaki, which the birds and ants didn't get to first. Not as pretty as store bought, but they taste good.</td></tr>
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After giving a bunch to family, I still didn't know what to do with our kaki. They're sweet, but to be honest, there's little flavour; just sugar. Then, I saw a show on TV (do you watch "Kenmin Show"? It's a fun look at different regions with their customs, particular foods and dialects; it's surprising that Japan's regions are still so different), dealing with Niigata's specialties.<br />
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In Niigata, it seems, kaki are cut in half, dipped in sake and stored in a plastic bag for about a week. I decided to try it. I had a cup of cheap sake (not cooking sake - it's salted!), which I didn't want to drink (sometimes you can win a 'one cup Ozeki" sake or some other random product at the konbini) and a glut of kaki I didn't really want to eat. But put them together and....yum!<br />
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I cut up some kaki and drowned them in sake for about 30 minutes, then put the fruit in a bag, with just a little of the sake. After a few days in the refrigerator, the fruit has become beautifully translucent; the colour has deepened from a flat coral to a rich amber.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB91xvqg4iUVe_iR3Lt-59XOAZNjIKZHq_PA9i6jap8Fgmq8tEvokdQPnfoLJ7aHIgrZS2-CQ4mEFGuEa7eUrS89F3JZHUhxLnZ5YEaMtUUOgOweDGvdtk3ImjK_t3UFii8WkaiDaYK9w/s1600/kaki2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB91xvqg4iUVe_iR3Lt-59XOAZNjIKZHq_PA9i6jap8Fgmq8tEvokdQPnfoLJ7aHIgrZS2-CQ4mEFGuEa7eUrS89F3JZHUhxLnZ5YEaMtUUOgOweDGvdtk3ImjK_t3UFii8WkaiDaYK9w/s400/kaki2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before - average, sweet kaki pieces, soaking in sake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHEgnWHNliHt8c1CCu73JQZrbsKpHrsmQUx4QkeqSZmIHq5w-MLkDmFkuPLFadldINqbf2v1xU3_oyR-fanSdwX8fHwChmxGgxrFKmgx7ulh68QDd0NvRBKYsLj4vAmKnH7gbxQqlwHY/s1600/kaki3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHEgnWHNliHt8c1CCu73JQZrbsKpHrsmQUx4QkeqSZmIHq5w-MLkDmFkuPLFadldINqbf2v1xU3_oyR-fanSdwX8fHwChmxGgxrFKmgx7ulh68QDd0NvRBKYsLj4vAmKnH7gbxQqlwHY/s400/kaki3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Into the refrigerator for a week - or a few days if you're impatient!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8KoBpqwQ71DcYnU40_SBlmHfypROYOSVjn-Yg7xFUPVwPfeArZhASFCDMHTTFMFo_cXL8E-F050y2D5LD4LEDgK0PzjADawp0fWqd7odjQ1q_wbdyRFPOsnZbp86-Q79eQZ1OBIZcs0/s1600/kaki4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8KoBpqwQ71DcYnU40_SBlmHfypROYOSVjn-Yg7xFUPVwPfeArZhASFCDMHTTFMFo_cXL8E-F050y2D5LD4LEDgK0PzjADawp0fWqd7odjQ1q_wbdyRFPOsnZbp86-Q79eQZ1OBIZcs0/s400/kaki4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After - they almost look like fruit jellies and they taste better!</td></tr>
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And they taste fantastic. The sake is just strong enough to give some depth to the fruit, without overwhelming it. If you soaked it in brandy, which works beautifully for strong fruits like oranges, the kaki would taste of nothing more than brandy. The cheap sake is now sweeter and the fruit more delicious. It would be great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but I like it best on its own - just a few pieces of delicately sweet fruit to finish off a rich winter meal. I made a big pot of tonjiru - a rich miso soup with pork, konyaku, daikon, sweet potato and because they're in season - heaps of maitake mushrooms. The drunken kaki were the perfect finale.<br />
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<br />Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-75423070524869015502012-10-08T04:33:00.001-07:002012-10-08T05:10:12.635-07:00Higanbana 彼岸花October<br />
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Finally, last week I got to see the amazing red flowers, "higanbana" out at Kinchakuda, a park in Hidaka, Saitama. I'd been worried that the flowers would be decimated by several typhoons that came roaring up the coast last week, but they were still going strong. In fact, there were a lot of new buds, so I think the flowers will still look amazing this week.<br />
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Getting there is a bit of a chore. It really is easiest to go via the Seibu Ikebukuro line from Ikebukuro. Although I live in Saitama, it took several changes to finally get to Koma, the station nearest the park. I didn't need to worry about directions. There was a booth outside the station, decked out in red (higanbana red is "the" colour of Hidaka city), with free maps. But I just followed the genki oldies with their cameras. I swear, the over-60 crowd are singularly responsible for the continued welfare of Canon. The amount of expensive gear was amazing. About 85% of the crowd were probably retired, but there was a strange subset of Akihabara types - a few cosplayers, some gothic-cute kids and a guy taking pro-style shots of his doll. When I googled higanbana-themed animations, it seems "Higanbana no Saku Yoru ni", with ghosts and a lot of higanbana imagery, is very popular. But I could be wrong. Given the flower's association with graves (it blooms around "higan", when you visit ancestor's graves, so it often grows around graves) and tales of star crossed lovers, it really is quite a "goth" flower. And it's red. And it looks a bit like a spider.<br />
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It's an easy stroll from the station, and the route through little back lanes is lined with local stalls, selling home made jams, plants, chestnuts and branches of bright red things which I found out were "red eggplants". I didn't believe it at first, since they look like a tomato crossed with a chilli. But Google says they're real. I decided to leave the stalls till my return to the station, not wanting to carry an armload of autumn produce all over the park.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiLz6BNg23NcU6hv8O4DLscIZbhCo5mBQ9Nhv3a0LGhM15mKHaCjkCXHjQl1KxWm0eDQX9jADMOwG4xck0ECFI2TaXbqKfKWhGwEDrJXbDZtMfuEOd8Bd18UEGW-1GCdPSfOTrD-je20/s1600/DSC08167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiLz6BNg23NcU6hv8O4DLscIZbhCo5mBQ9Nhv3a0LGhM15mKHaCjkCXHjQl1KxWm0eDQX9jADMOwG4xck0ECFI2TaXbqKfKWhGwEDrJXbDZtMfuEOd8Bd18UEGW-1GCdPSfOTrD-je20/s400/DSC08167.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red eggplants for sale.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNeVatcVa4DPj7NxVFVSXyYrT4skKTZk5zO-tH5_26btA7SspmsY8w3UqNP64PSNqCmc4oZQtftho7pA-rRtFgxvELcJ2d9LAaL41BoFL53TBlyhVgjkG8YAcPDwp1M7Rd7f5vryEim8/s1600/DSC08168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNeVatcVa4DPj7NxVFVSXyYrT4skKTZk5zO-tH5_26btA7SspmsY8w3UqNP64PSNqCmc4oZQtftho7pA-rRtFgxvELcJ2d9LAaL41BoFL53TBlyhVgjkG8YAcPDwp1M7Rd7f5vryEim8/s400/DSC08168.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just follow the crowds</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t48RYscbTN53Ss9f1RI0Ke3-NsOHjC4AzoMazZJkGFCFraZ4S0CXoZJwNE5_qWoAK8e0wpKwfIUIJQAZ-CY1x2-_rNzEwQ3b5Xgt_OPL7brIxtdHmbtz7bqs6NTR9_OBCYuyIClJRQk/s1600/DSC08276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6t48RYscbTN53Ss9f1RI0Ke3-NsOHjC4AzoMazZJkGFCFraZ4S0CXoZJwNE5_qWoAK8e0wpKwfIUIJQAZ-CY1x2-_rNzEwQ3b5Xgt_OPL7brIxtdHmbtz7bqs6NTR9_OBCYuyIClJRQk/s400/DSC08276.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the local stalls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaSGAD-CRro1eUjEycEmhemnGs-OXspZKv2XUoBOvAP1YWyhQKYy0yFPUbnOY-rio5erIgr311g1-LoCTG_nH4OCqnuuuDtHxbBuLP8zpRa8zSkSFF6M6R9GaQWzyVM7HC7xTxAIqsiQ/s1600/DSC08270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaSGAD-CRro1eUjEycEmhemnGs-OXspZKv2XUoBOvAP1YWyhQKYy0yFPUbnOY-rio5erIgr311g1-LoCTG_nH4OCqnuuuDtHxbBuLP8zpRa8zSkSFF6M6R9GaQWzyVM7HC7xTxAIqsiQ/s400/DSC08270.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These handy markers show you the way</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzMk7qAH__LZPiryzOpp6Nso4C3CbBJLe3aavBMmTuRty2Yc7wl0_gHkUaP9SjV3Hef3gCCK_PAB8Kbo80Djy6xEo7LLVlAKT34V9Pyhip3sSeIb9UWoKEzLBAkUdRscQqFBAfw3ZAmY/s1600/DSC08257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzMk7qAH__LZPiryzOpp6Nso4C3CbBJLe3aavBMmTuRty2Yc7wl0_gHkUaP9SjV3Hef3gCCK_PAB8Kbo80Djy6xEo7LLVlAKT34V9Pyhip3sSeIb9UWoKEzLBAkUdRscQqFBAfw3ZAmY/s400/DSC08257.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The approach to the park, through veggie patches.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEkZ3WbxnpnYEegPz8VqlE-NTk2v0HplEeT1LbjEWYe7MxNDWuJufcUMjp4gXwI8F5CsvpO7YK962Mn1fVxiJUC6QL_0S6IS6TEgwmwming1td8dIhhZ5ZXAPW7BmlVvkCQlmlxCosuY/s1600/DSC08263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEkZ3WbxnpnYEegPz8VqlE-NTk2v0HplEeT1LbjEWYe7MxNDWuJufcUMjp4gXwI8F5CsvpO7YK962Mn1fVxiJUC6QL_0S6IS6TEgwmwming1td8dIhhZ5ZXAPW7BmlVvkCQlmlxCosuY/s400/DSC08263.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarecrows guarding the rice</td></tr>
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The air was heavy with the scent of kinmokusei (sweet osmanthus) which I love - it's a tiny orange flower, so well hidden in its trees and shrubs that you smell it but can't see it. It has a lovely sweet, sharp smell, not unlike freesia or daphne. Unfortunately, it was popular in the 80's as a toilet spray fragrance, so for a lot of Japanese of a certain age, it has those associations. I have the same feeling about hyacinths - a gorgeous flower with a really fresh, springtime scent, but when I was a kid, it was a popular, cheap smell in public toilets. I just can't wear the fragrance or smell the flowers without thinking "hmm... toilet".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoR7ho4yurZnLhiV-c4Ovl00mZXVzjnTxnPVHWx3BKGybMkiAr7IE8AuMuVzd-p2otLdaZfb4Z-SYWJ05iBp0gmi5VYRjHG5gEtHD365-qnIv_2UWdiWDcBCssCglVhRGIvVQ2bedJV3I/s1600/kinmokusei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoR7ho4yurZnLhiV-c4Ovl00mZXVzjnTxnPVHWx3BKGybMkiAr7IE8AuMuVzd-p2otLdaZfb4Z-SYWJ05iBp0gmi5VYRjHG5gEtHD365-qnIv_2UWdiWDcBCssCglVhRGIvVQ2bedJV3I/s400/kinmokusei.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a huge kinmokusei 'tree'. Intoxicating.</td></tr>
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The higanbana at Kinchakuda are like a red carpet under the trees, next to a river. People were enjoying picnics, painting, taking thousands of photos and - this being Japan - shopping! There was a rest area with food stalls and local craft stalls. I got sucked in to buying some local sake, after trying a few. oops.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Way too many photos of flowers coming up...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting by the river</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello dolly</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosplayer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sake shop.</td></tr>
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On my way back to the station, I strolled through the cosmos field. It was lovely and wild. Cosmos tends to just range across the ground like a beautiful weed. People were gathering armfuls while red dragonflies darted around overhead. Perhaps it was all the flowers, or the unseasonably warm, yet comfortable weather, but everyone was in such a good mood. I completely forgot the hassle of getting there, and it felt a million miles from the concrete and crowds of Tokyo. Japanese friends often talk about the need for "green therapy" - getting out into the trees to refresh their senses. I think I understand, now.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosmos</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blending in</td></tr>
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Kinchakuda costs a measly 200 yen (but if you're really cheap, you can look over the fence for free. The cosmos field is also free). The easiest way to get there is from Ikebukuro Station. Take the Seibu Ikebukuro express to Hanno station and change to a local train to Koma (you want to be going in the direction of Chichibu). It costs 510 yen each way and takes an hour. I went via Kawagoe and finished the afternoon with a stroll through the Kawagoe "koedo" historic area.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was cajoled into buying an "autumn basket" from one of the local ladies, filled with cute little corn, a marrow of some kind, a chestnut still in its spiky cover, those red eggplants and some red chillies. She also threw in a few higanbana so, not a bad deal, really.</td></tr>
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<br />Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-55069772485951909802012-10-01T16:58:00.003-07:002012-10-01T17:00:14.599-07:00otsukimi お月見September 30<br />
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So, Sunday night was supposed to be "tsukimi", or moon viewing - essentially a harvest festival, when people enjoy the full moon and give thanks for a good harvest. Being a moon viewing, round things are very popular. One of the traditional offerings is a pile of 15 shiratama: little white mochi balls. On the old lunar calendar, the night is called "juugo ya" or 15th (it was August 15th on the old calendar), hence the 15 balls, I guess. Sweet potatoes, round fruits like nashi and persimmon and moon cakes are also popular offerings (of course, you can eat everything after you've "offered" them to the gods).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-8ucwjdnmbcbAMZI8LAxswMnhM33NzwVy0_yGzkpdZYBhN3VfiIPzTdRg0cMrRffeHsJNBMkHLUchJVC2btnZfpgySxMTDZS1sDs9stRY0XutbfIfqkV5O1wsVRYRfuE8LEtSi_DNRU/s1600/tsukimi+satsuma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-8ucwjdnmbcbAMZI8LAxswMnhM33NzwVy0_yGzkpdZYBhN3VfiIPzTdRg0cMrRffeHsJNBMkHLUchJVC2btnZfpgySxMTDZS1sDs9stRY0XutbfIfqkV5O1wsVRYRfuE8LEtSi_DNRU/s400/tsukimi+satsuma.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet potatoes, boiled and dressed with a little lemon juice and sugar.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5lFfWnQfVhhKDs9dE-SPawslQdV_dvcFoNjzhnI6R_GIt-zcUiQtiFgj1w_RmMl-sdJRps6IrpLWS5E_pi53ifYPj6FoGrAobY9wnajp6eTsPo8-IJ505amMvu5fDebg4MFV5ufqoLw/s1600/tsukimi+pickle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5lFfWnQfVhhKDs9dE-SPawslQdV_dvcFoNjzhnI6R_GIt-zcUiQtiFgj1w_RmMl-sdJRps6IrpLWS5E_pi53ifYPj6FoGrAobY9wnajp6eTsPo8-IJ505amMvu5fDebg4MFV5ufqoLw/s400/tsukimi+pickle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried to make "moons" from pickled turnip, "kabu". The orange things are carrot "ginko leaves".</td></tr>
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I decided to make shiratama with our dinner, which was much easier than I expected. You can buy shiratama flour, which is made from mochi rice and maybe some cornstarch or similar. Add enough water to make something resembling bead dough, roll little balls (quickly, and with dry hands, or you'll get a sticky mess), then drop them into boiling water. When they float to the surface after a minute or so, they're done. Drop them into icy cold water to firm them up, and keep them in the water until you're ready to use them. I made shiruko, a good wintery dessert. It's a kind of sweet red bean soup. I didn't have time for soaking azuki beans overnight, so I bought a can of readymade, sweetened beans, added a little water and a pinch of salt and heated them. When you're ready to eat, you just drop a few shiratama into the soup. The beans are quite sweet and the shiratama are bland and a little chewy, and somehow the combination works really well. If you put three shiratama on a wooden skewer and cover them in sticky, sweet soy, you'll have traditional dango.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexNQRsi2532itU0rcGuTHVeGUAoQD9k20AXbZHlzCJ-03u9KWHSYY9a8LdvcK6tzJlDzZYVkmpCOfuEhSeP_qFzfXLZQOpHysUjA1ZBK0rWtEUoA16OEeSeH4aJ8Nvhlpli0weO0qsic/s1600/shiratama3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexNQRsi2532itU0rcGuTHVeGUAoQD9k20AXbZHlzCJ-03u9KWHSYY9a8LdvcK6tzJlDzZYVkmpCOfuEhSeP_qFzfXLZQOpHysUjA1ZBK0rWtEUoA16OEeSeH4aJ8Nvhlpli0weO0qsic/s320/shiratama3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drop the balls into boiling water. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoubx4OfiLBF7nigbaYBGTICcM5EUSf3_gGSQmtIkUrpk23AlpGWz-0p0Rc1nkg4dqf9G5XRb0UEyettb9qQGEMxYQxxAb-TMNQqBMtB38-dtELzcoBFgz0jE9ySSAgKFbGFxoERkIQoQ/s1600/shiruko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoubx4OfiLBF7nigbaYBGTICcM5EUSf3_gGSQmtIkUrpk23AlpGWz-0p0Rc1nkg4dqf9G5XRb0UEyettb9qQGEMxYQxxAb-TMNQqBMtB38-dtELzcoBFgz0jE9ySSAgKFbGFxoERkIQoQ/s320/shiruko.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add them to your shiruko.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The rest of our dinner was very simple. I had some tuna which had been simmered in soy sauce to use as a rice topping and I made a small dish of namerou - a fish version of steak tartare. You need finely chopped raw fish (aji (horse mackerel) is good, but I used iwashi -(sardine)), mixed with a little miso paste, grated ginger, finely chopped shallot, some finely shredded shiso leaves and a little squeeze of lemon juice. It's sooo delicious! I heard it was traditionally made by fisherman around the coast of Chiba, and it's called namerou - from nameru - to lick - because you'll want to lick your plate clean! No pictures, because we ate it before I remembered to take a photo. It's THAT good!<br />
<br />
Ok, so back to the moon. The classic view of the full moon in autumn is through susuki, or pampas grass. It's a popular decoration for tsukimi and the supermarket had nice arrangements of susuki with yellow pom pom-shaped flowers, which I guess were dahlias. You often see round dahlias (denjikubotan) used in very traditional Japanese arrangements (they're often mimicked in hair decorations); they have such impact. So did I buy these gorgeous flowers? No; I was hurrying home with my groceries before the typhoon hit.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3NLh1AVOCmcdXBP0BY_96PWzrlJPTkXKEUB4hxefbXfS7ncHD0pHC6kC-RP-QZvdpMdpyZ7ahmF86qhmIJBPFgs2nM1qO8o1Sp13BLLbBy1t4WLbumlUlvo0MZbLQnoOmp04Dr4X4Oo/s1600/c0145299_0184110.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3NLh1AVOCmcdXBP0BY_96PWzrlJPTkXKEUB4hxefbXfS7ncHD0pHC6kC-RP-QZvdpMdpyZ7ahmF86qhmIJBPFgs2nM1qO8o1Sp13BLLbBy1t4WLbumlUlvo0MZbLQnoOmp04Dr4X4Oo/s320/c0145299_0184110.jpeg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what I wanted to buy / make. Maybe next time! Courtesy of Kanko Flower School, in Osaka.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-ed59715R5CCflxGuqp5WbkpJPD6ewvu3SHISIHibR_fqfp6oTE9VBu_sMrekB_VT-i1IltV3krUP8ysqG0LOldwA_UK2b4gDdIShU2wiCUBpJLayxkeQe-7DYtHjKUUzjqghMsd3uw/s1600/tsukimi3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-ed59715R5CCflxGuqp5WbkpJPD6ewvu3SHISIHibR_fqfp6oTE9VBu_sMrekB_VT-i1IltV3krUP8ysqG0LOldwA_UK2b4gDdIShU2wiCUBpJLayxkeQe-7DYtHjKUUzjqghMsd3uw/s320/tsukimi3.jpg" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cute label from our moon cakes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_6EMEPHmCNS8ikd11xb06Tbhj3WKo_B91hk06LD0EoEAvvUFPDnuiGw76P-_9XdGZknfnZNoEFa1l24xeT3PZzqhFPsfELPTQX-tsdFkcCO_M-Kc9ldNIBfjILqxIIvfD9tRPOQ6xjI/s1600/tsukimi+snack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_6EMEPHmCNS8ikd11xb06Tbhj3WKo_B91hk06LD0EoEAvvUFPDnuiGw76P-_9XdGZknfnZNoEFa1l24xeT3PZzqhFPsfELPTQX-tsdFkcCO_M-Kc9ldNIBfjILqxIIvfD9tRPOQ6xjI/s400/tsukimi+snack.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rabbit shaped moon cake, with sake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And so, visually, this month's tsukimi was a wash out, literally. Around 7pm, the typhoon hit Tokyo, and the howling winds and hard, horizontal rain made seeing the moon impossible. We did toast the moon with some sake and very cute moon cakes, in the shape of rabbits. Why rabbits? Chinese and Japanese legends say a rabbit lives on the moon, pounding mochi in Japan or pounding herbs to make medicine in China. You'll find a lot of traditional fabric prints and plates decorated with rabbits, transfixed by the full moon.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQFS8621uRB5EDyFeGDhT0S5-_jmgJb1mvtM0SiefohIOD-zB4n2vntoj1Wi0UzdIo4zsA8So9scBmnAmQ7-pn8HTu3KFYY37N8BXn97q7WqSROAaKHPalaFYSZGTy-adJvRovb6t08M/s1600/%25E3%2581%258B%25E3%2581%2599%25E3%2582%2599%25E3%2582%2589%25E3%2581%259B%25E3%2581%2584.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQFS8621uRB5EDyFeGDhT0S5-_jmgJb1mvtM0SiefohIOD-zB4n2vntoj1Wi0UzdIo4zsA8So9scBmnAmQ7-pn8HTu3KFYY37N8BXn97q7WqSROAaKHPalaFYSZGTy-adJvRovb6t08M/s400/%25E3%2581%258B%25E3%2581%2599%25E3%2582%2599%25E3%2582%2589%25E3%2581%259B%25E3%2581%2584.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These lovely hair pins are from kazurasei.co.jp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Lpg0m7gzO4sEqa0gDF2EuqI_US0TxDEYyTQova4K9ZYdKu4DOI8IMZCzL-1-gsaFZelDtJVwMTt6so6YNzOqSv4CaOkl6nyl-nWQUNLX6i8Ed2tOdh5HUs30opkUv7uvwXZ64TYesGw/s1600/6135072851_f477935f4b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Lpg0m7gzO4sEqa0gDF2EuqI_US0TxDEYyTQova4K9ZYdKu4DOI8IMZCzL-1-gsaFZelDtJVwMTt6so6YNzOqSv4CaOkl6nyl-nWQUNLX6i8Ed2tOdh5HUs30opkUv7uvwXZ64TYesGw/s400/6135072851_f477935f4b.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can get a lot of furashiki cloths like this at shops like Loft; use them for decoration or to wrap your bento.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Monday was incredibly hot, as it usually is after a typhoon, but all the clouds had been blown away, so we could see a just-past-full moon last night. Next month, there's another full moon, called "Jusan ya", so we have another chance to drink under the moon beams.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAB9nrREPTH0842Iv31hyphenhyphenJxmcXKu9anYCLQBRfdbIXuiARj6rYQ8ncNWJ6LkLkIg1jDo2V6eg9dohkppfaNaavWiY7Gcl-lWLxnz5KmBwitaX8FW3sruISva3Tpkn9dO1MH8d7qlKhkgc/s1600/tsukimi+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAB9nrREPTH0842Iv31hyphenhyphenJxmcXKu9anYCLQBRfdbIXuiARj6rYQ8ncNWJ6LkLkIg1jDo2V6eg9dohkppfaNaavWiY7Gcl-lWLxnz5KmBwitaX8FW3sruISva3Tpkn9dO1MH8d7qlKhkgc/s320/tsukimi+moon.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I cheated - this is a shot from last night, after the typhoon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-84360768727082145102012-09-27T18:40:00.001-07:002012-09-27T18:40:29.151-07:00Autumn 秋
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At last, Autumn is here! I’ve been humming Etta James since
last Saturday, when the temperature suddenly plunged from mid-30s every day, to
21C. My Japanese teacher told me an old saying, [暑さ寒さも彼岸まで」<i>atsusa samusa mo higan made</i> or "neither heat nor cold lasts past higan (autumn equinox)." I kind of doubted her, given the weeks of relentless heat, but sure enough, right on shuubun no hi, or autumn equinox (Sept 22nd), autumn came with a bang. Of course, the signs of the new season have been around for a few weeks –
beer and chuhai cans are now dressed in their autumn colours and the
supermarket is decked out in plastic maple and ginko leaves. Chestnuts,
pumpkins and sweet potatoes are in EVERYTHING! Growing up in Sydney, we didn't have much in the way of specific autumn dishes, so it always feels exciting when autumn arrives in Japan. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcyu-q0Lkx-PDXj2LXl7MyOk_2T7edYIMWZySPxHIQvp-t5KSkNlzM5XTqOKbvW5SPxXgZLazJfNW9wiMHbtko_mwYBgvu12JGW1KfwNffBT1qWT_YfVD3m6gmYEqFvaKETI0Echgm5I/s1600/00000461_photo1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcyu-q0Lkx-PDXj2LXl7MyOk_2T7edYIMWZySPxHIQvp-t5KSkNlzM5XTqOKbvW5SPxXgZLazJfNW9wiMHbtko_mwYBgvu12JGW1KfwNffBT1qWT_YfVD3m6gmYEqFvaKETI0Echgm5I/s320/00000461_photo1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kuri kanoko, a kind of chestnut jam sweet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GJTXKTpFkJDndk6w4fOtLObWFvGqYX07-DzsWPGs8_yF7qgkEejOq3IAFQ_k_IvXGSWQQqTmr6Vmk0p6bBRwWg3VFlvRi2XG7oSl9NUGJoYHw59CiSvvP1p082C3PY6PP73-9RQFYAo/s1600/533476_10150614624736876_1289325369_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GJTXKTpFkJDndk6w4fOtLObWFvGqYX07-DzsWPGs8_yF7qgkEejOq3IAFQ_k_IvXGSWQQqTmr6Vmk0p6bBRwWg3VFlvRi2XG7oSl9NUGJoYHw59CiSvvP1p082C3PY6PP73-9RQFYAo/s400/533476_10150614624736876_1289325369_n.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montblanc - my favourite! This is a very fancy version, at Mitsukoshi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGG90GtjgZRoFYZyWizWbtcHnJ97KIGHIsS_LqIiI8W6PQOeEF1tpq2Dwc51xhZ4oJ_O4kiK9EwcLgIPPCZCc-Mpn6HKF48uUW-vpMZpGaa6m5PcKrZQVxgJ72m4on607u7YI9VrrHRVQ/s1600/DSC08072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGG90GtjgZRoFYZyWizWbtcHnJ97KIGHIsS_LqIiI8W6PQOeEF1tpq2Dwc51xhZ4oJ_O4kiK9EwcLgIPPCZCc-Mpn6HKF48uUW-vpMZpGaa6m5PcKrZQVxgJ72m4on607u7YI9VrrHRVQ/s320/DSC08072.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet potato danish with black sesame seeds - not too sweet. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3q7xUgWXoMr0-hSitNvYVrzf2N90mz3RrE0iF0zCccxq-rHPt8JTJ-TO2UjGkR-69HolqyUAx8J_RGYL7lQTTc-aNAVUgToHdIVnip_bPJpyoTl4mbegF98B33uP4z3xoN1yUpEy7Cw/s1600/DSC08115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3q7xUgWXoMr0-hSitNvYVrzf2N90mz3RrE0iF0zCccxq-rHPt8JTJ-TO2UjGkR-69HolqyUAx8J_RGYL7lQTTc-aNAVUgToHdIVnip_bPJpyoTl4mbegF98B33uP4z3xoN1yUpEy7Cw/s320/DSC08115.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn "limited" drinks are here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOO-TpZwQ0jXQmSMpnQHsLhuYI7Gd1QA6Khn7aykbQv1kRyPMAJaWC7p1lL1AOuEfvG-FBqmySRy1TlBgFDeqBJrADDBmTJ_opp9V_6DidBVw7SL87XYt9Mbk6OAiHUhVeFq7GTqNjdo/s1600/DSC08116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOO-TpZwQ0jXQmSMpnQHsLhuYI7Gd1QA6Khn7aykbQv1kRyPMAJaWC7p1lL1AOuEfvG-FBqmySRy1TlBgFDeqBJrADDBmTJ_opp9V_6DidBVw7SL87XYt9Mbk6OAiHUhVeFq7GTqNjdo/s320/DSC08116.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet potato chips!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It’s the perfect weather for walking, and the shops are full
of delicious autumn produce like sanma, aki aji, sato imo, nashi and very
expensive matsutake mushrooms. Autumn is short, so we’ve got to get out there
and make the most of it before winter sets in. <span style="font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Just over a week ago, I saw my first “akatombo”, or red
dragonfly, of the season, our persimmons are getting a little colour (hope I
can get some before the birds do, this year!) and random berries, pomegranates
and “higanbana”, red spiderlilies are popping up around the neighbourhood. Last week was “ohigan”, or autumn equinox, and these gorgeous red flowers appear right at this time – hence the name. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZYErXm833aGwzXOFbdTF74w3JB7e-gWvG4srK_uceDMD_d-qfLxnR2VBzyM0WA5D_rJ8aZGDCezZFLS9Llk5I0ra6wZncUKKInSzDPpRIjbYn1eVRPlZSXT7wA2fc7EaksXnssESKgA/s1600/akatonbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZYErXm833aGwzXOFbdTF74w3JB7e-gWvG4srK_uceDMD_d-qfLxnR2VBzyM0WA5D_rJ8aZGDCezZFLS9Llk5I0ra6wZncUKKInSzDPpRIjbYn1eVRPlZSXT7wA2fc7EaksXnssESKgA/s400/akatonbo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It kindly stopped for a photo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8AgCnb6BkBiA1UTP-8dD-o1WMSUQlkFruI-kHS6OPjRQj9dtR7QSp4cA1o96bttEmUowJ6JwnJ00qSBELFZMigyaJF-du76SU1SUxIOp9adD3FYiT5NKYA6_6fKWqK9-DNK9_HlS7ps/s1600/7421_138707256875_2785217_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8AgCnb6BkBiA1UTP-8dD-o1WMSUQlkFruI-kHS6OPjRQj9dtR7QSp4cA1o96bttEmUowJ6JwnJ00qSBELFZMigyaJF-du76SU1SUxIOp9adD3FYiT5NKYA6_6fKWqK9-DNK9_HlS7ps/s400/7421_138707256875_2785217_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raspberries? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzl65kjhvnvK0ORxJlUQ7IUFuW35DPE2dfVzuB0j4reeab7FH0M3VvDjB8rkd1DBBodhJnY941838lqVSxv4IZf26wGgFRojxC9T3RnNNQJNpAyf6L5nRP6RMBL1auHPtglmqY0Jhr4Ms/s1600/7421_138707291875_3198371_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzl65kjhvnvK0ORxJlUQ7IUFuW35DPE2dfVzuB0j4reeab7FH0M3VvDjB8rkd1DBBodhJnY941838lqVSxv4IZf26wGgFRojxC9T3RnNNQJNpAyf6L5nRP6RMBL1auHPtglmqY0Jhr4Ms/s400/7421_138707291875_3198371_n.jpeg" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The persimmons are coming along well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QL0MnNY0pvWBsNBI21ymGaxq_z8d7eZmFnr7tOmU8tGcSom5-5m7CMSJix-I5EOEqr3YxK2xMf00gd9A4crceZUDx1_0xcR-Uik7WFySVuGrbgVlG0pFO6KOxxCY3mHyfodrc1AEaJI/s1600/7421_138707321875_3436726_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QL0MnNY0pvWBsNBI21ymGaxq_z8d7eZmFnr7tOmU8tGcSom5-5m7CMSJix-I5EOEqr3YxK2xMf00gd9A4crceZUDx1_0xcR-Uik7WFySVuGrbgVlG0pFO6KOxxCY3mHyfodrc1AEaJI/s400/7421_138707321875_3436726_n.jpeg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pomegranate kids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgwaATv2EnkxdW2Ph-i6T8WcxcElSVJi2gh49SiKM3x0wYvNXaGARneYwvEkCMrC6pLZ0gBkvq3YnhLAQOJxFjswVlgmNo8QMF-XIb8_1H1Ux_oWDpYQCQv6c8jLP58Y23mneyqchiug/s1600/7421_138707276875_7712573_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgwaATv2EnkxdW2Ph-i6T8WcxcElSVJi2gh49SiKM3x0wYvNXaGARneYwvEkCMrC6pLZ0gBkvq3YnhLAQOJxFjswVlgmNo8QMF-XIb8_1H1Ux_oWDpYQCQv6c8jLP58Y23mneyqchiug/s400/7421_138707276875_7712573_n.jpeg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Higanbana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MrJ3NYTSDdFzkcjJx5NUZ_IAY6XQ0AmMl_TS8EtiSBShbtcaPS8tzoB6Z_ANITgBwV1pg311CdQt-iYSPMVWWSw6Pw_sq41XIDFyPUvkQhNZmZ4532zh6trAgZEvMQ8Y3I_PlP9U5X0/s1600/20156_269191281875_5129693_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MrJ3NYTSDdFzkcjJx5NUZ_IAY6XQ0AmMl_TS8EtiSBShbtcaPS8tzoB6Z_ANITgBwV1pg311CdQt-iYSPMVWWSw6Pw_sq41XIDFyPUvkQhNZmZ4532zh6trAgZEvMQ8Y3I_PlP9U5X0/s400/20156_269191281875_5129693_n.jpeg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely autumn kimono and obi combination</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We should visit our ancestor’s graves
again at ohigan. The traditional sweet is “ohagi”, named after the hagi, bush
clover flower. They’re delicious and pretty easy to make. You cook up some mochi
rice, the same way you’d cook normal rice, then mush it up a bit, and roll it
into egg shapes. Cover it in a layer of anko - bean paste or kinako – soy bean
flower. I can’t handle a whole lot of bean paste as it’s very sweet, but as a
thin layer over rice, it’s quite tasty.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GU7KSw4LoZHhUomr5CPV-o5lgcfxGmordAfCRUHHkjORtaM-O_5gsy6ZfD5ARetdzUR9cOdSHqmcJtjxvXeAbXHE0gf5vbV8VW2PvuG44ohUjGVHY9ZiG-9F6oNSZslSEbVR0Yduccc/s1600/DSC08070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GU7KSw4LoZHhUomr5CPV-o5lgcfxGmordAfCRUHHkjORtaM-O_5gsy6ZfD5ARetdzUR9cOdSHqmcJtjxvXeAbXHE0gf5vbV8VW2PvuG44ohUjGVHY9ZiG-9F6oNSZslSEbVR0Yduccc/s400/DSC08070.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ohagi. I think the kinako one tastes best.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QDwbcg1tYHphZdufti1cR0TWI1AzAAeJExB1AJmD29Nr6a6pzutCAwiacR1eDTo5pVy9EXUleIkq-o5aRDGcCN1y1S1popNYzAvBfUqYk4ak8h0MOUNKbWn6L8sEPJvhvs7fVIJ1TUY/s1600/DSC08061_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QDwbcg1tYHphZdufti1cR0TWI1AzAAeJExB1AJmD29Nr6a6pzutCAwiacR1eDTo5pVy9EXUleIkq-o5aRDGcCN1y1S1popNYzAvBfUqYk4ak8h0MOUNKbWn6L8sEPJvhvs7fVIJ1TUY/s400/DSC08061_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloween seems to get more popular every year. Our local bakery went a little overboard this year!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This Sunday is Juugoya (15<sup>th</sup> August on the old
calendar), otherwise known as “otsukimi” – moon viewing. A lot of cake shops
are selling dango and moon cakes and you can make offerings of round, ‘moon
shaped’ things. It’s a kind of harvest festival, and like many seasonal
festivals, it originally came from China. I’m going to try making the
traditional 15 shiratama dumplings. The fashionable cake shops are pushing
white macarons this year for Otsukimi. Sounds good! If you miss it, don’t worry,
there’s another full moon festival in late October, called Juusanya.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Next week, I’m planning to go look for higanbana, inspired
by Rurousha’s excellent post from last autumn. Check it out, here: <a href="http://rurousha.blogspot.jp/2011/10/as-promised-complete-kinchakuda.html">Kinchakuda by Rurousha</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-83274848739453035552012-09-16T19:22:00.000-07:002012-09-16T19:22:17.759-07:00Keirou no Hi 敬老の日Monday September 17<br />
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Today’s TV shows are full of stories about genki oldies, as
we celebrate “Keiro no Hi” or “Respect for the aged day”, with a public
holiday. This week is also known as “silver week” –
since we have 2 public holidays, so it’s like a mini Golden Week
(unfortunately, the other holiday, Shuubun no Hi or Autumnal Equinox, is on
Saturday). Silver is also the nice way to refer to seniors here, so we have the "silver" seats on trains and buses. <o:p></o:p></div>
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On Saturday, we had various local do-gooders come to the
house with gifts, and even cash for my MIL, who turned 75 this year. We had no
idea, but apparently, you get special presents at 75! Actually the traditional
auspicious birthdays are 60, “kanreki”, when you’ve completed the full cycle of
the Chinese zodiac system. You wear red for good luck (babies also wear red, so
it’s like you’re born again). If you visit Sugamo, the “Harajuku for oldies” in
Northern Tokyo, you’ll find shops selling big, bright red pants and vests. 70
“koki”, has the kanji for rare, as it used to be rare to live that long; 77
“kiju” means joy, 88 “beiju” is like rice, or wealth. My MIL’s older sister is
very genki, which she attributes to lots of green tea, swimming once a week,
and playing mahjong (and she never turns down a drink). <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdYSbmqiDKlq6bzHkBu0bQNHeUDvHEYxuw0EVLWNofJf5Ik457BcPmLGglyN6wew2F4cPyTjTQV4FSBIJ1X0IIl-SYu2oTlL_BEOoQNR0NKid4e_heweWTQvPrrV2CyQuIdCfFZ7zLtA/s1600/2010-05-18-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdYSbmqiDKlq6bzHkBu0bQNHeUDvHEYxuw0EVLWNofJf5Ik457BcPmLGglyN6wew2F4cPyTjTQV4FSBIJ1X0IIl-SYu2oTlL_BEOoQNR0NKid4e_heweWTQvPrrV2CyQuIdCfFZ7zLtA/s400/2010-05-18-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get your red pants here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Old guys, or “ojisan” are looked at kind of fondly. Any man
over 40 can be considered an ojisan, though the stylish ones are called “kakkoi
oyaji”, or cool old dude. They read magazines like Oceans and Leon, and often
mimic Italian style, with big, flicky hair, sun tans and loafers without socks. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TmpFqOsgUC2Q-_Ec7RglRGDSngf_LQo9h2e0uxI3f4aFrd3mNbrTJAcsbVGe8Z4ZfR6_HKD3IoMQF7dhzsohcQ8OlXrRoBC6n1InUXp7n4Ne441yS3C8y7WIwgZErO8dsYXs98Umti4/s1600/20080307125753.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TmpFqOsgUC2Q-_Ec7RglRGDSngf_LQo9h2e0uxI3f4aFrd3mNbrTJAcsbVGe8Z4ZfR6_HKD3IoMQF7dhzsohcQ8OlXrRoBC6n1InUXp7n4Ne441yS3C8y7WIwgZErO8dsYXs98Umti4/s320/20080307125753.jpeg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For cool "old" guys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My favourite ojisan are the camera enthusiasts who turn up to every festival
dressed for a 3 – day hike or a tour of a war zone: backpacks, multi-pocket
vests with webbing, canvas sunhats, packed lunch, green tea in an insulated
pouch, etc. Illustrator Rumi Nakamura spent the last 5 years observing and
interviewing “old guys” and has produced “Ojisan Zukan”, an illustrated
encyclopaedia of old blokes. It’s got all the archetypes, from sad ones who
sleep on the train, guys who drink canned whisky highball in front of the
station, arty guys with colourful shirts, and so on. Give it to your Dad next
Father’s Day!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-fSjoIhe3uuvYiY-jNoS-lO7eyPJ_qTQnR8GL-bJ260r3xe_gLw1LVoKEEG-w4tl0_rcurpEMVKML8egXDyAQzJP_hQ6c-7So_9k43ROiDZ-7xi7LGwYiWHBNHgl9r4p2xyzi_IINFg/s1600/51R1fZw8GkL._SL500_AA300_.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-fSjoIhe3uuvYiY-jNoS-lO7eyPJ_qTQnR8GL-bJ260r3xe_gLw1LVoKEEG-w4tl0_rcurpEMVKML8egXDyAQzJP_hQ6c-7So_9k43ROiDZ-7xi7LGwYiWHBNHgl9r4p2xyzi_IINFg/s320/51R1fZw8GkL._SL500_AA300_.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcujbe3zvUjQhJLs7LU8c_rEzkegPLkMDIDyvZj68TsW4vTJAolh9iNPPe68WZQhknUren5OxK9eDNTXHfKJlo3z44QD-a2E2CectCznx0Y22xwP8TQulROnNlIIROgGWiX9fBGGxJm0/s1600/img_441028_30376883_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcujbe3zvUjQhJLs7LU8c_rEzkegPLkMDIDyvZj68TsW4vTJAolh9iNPPe68WZQhknUren5OxK9eDNTXHfKJlo3z44QD-a2E2CectCznx0Y22xwP8TQulROnNlIIROgGWiX9fBGGxJm0/s400/img_441028_30376883_1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arty old guys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUr2SO8ebeLl_QE06OFVtspY2GlWqvISLaLVLuHzRsvySVzANYznGhQL8xsX_65JVfCjFy7HeHhcDBmD26lorIdGVUxYddh_i7BmhccJqcvAuN5UE6awIpj3cDmF0T-qpiPjr4cejBRXI/s1600/2012021817223440d.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUr2SO8ebeLl_QE06OFVtspY2GlWqvISLaLVLuHzRsvySVzANYznGhQL8xsX_65JVfCjFy7HeHhcDBmD26lorIdGVUxYddh_i7BmhccJqcvAuN5UE6awIpj3cDmF0T-qpiPjr4cejBRXI/s400/2012021817223440d.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slightly rough, 'run down'? old guys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKy_YtNIA23pEJ9BM9BKJj8K7tjwQEAlJ1mWZa-O4gEeDtDUXydTmt5AkjFdlfD-WKPLq4C06iTKg59OZiVu1XGESfGsMwN7kZFULG5A9LmZSAihs6wP8qonEpx27c4xlfcVmEkmR6TM/s1600/02_px240.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKy_YtNIA23pEJ9BM9BKJj8K7tjwQEAlJ1mWZa-O4gEeDtDUXydTmt5AkjFdlfD-WKPLq4C06iTKg59OZiVu1XGESfGsMwN7kZFULG5A9LmZSAihs6wP8qonEpx27c4xlfcVmEkmR6TM/s400/02_px240.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's also a cool sticker set!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<!--EndFragment-->Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-5202277288478253292012-08-30T22:03:00.001-07:002012-08-30T22:03:49.910-07:00Disaster Prevention Day 防災の日September 1st<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nSejEK2T88gpa_vBzs74o5Vwa0vWIz6kcB7gIgkJBOpVPqg-KanZmwAslrCiNhsX_SZJdKHT5Ujm3PCVaBA3kFBEUyHhdnt6yTrPJp7eibrhBvEJjVaAmLdZXiBRQWQcOUwgfRW801E/s1600/20110901-00000023-jijp-000-view.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nSejEK2T88gpa_vBzs74o5Vwa0vWIz6kcB7gIgkJBOpVPqg-KanZmwAslrCiNhsX_SZJdKHT5Ujm3PCVaBA3kFBEUyHhdnt6yTrPJp7eibrhBvEJjVaAmLdZXiBRQWQcOUwgfRW801E/s320/20110901-00000023-jijp-000-view.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A drill... somewhere in Tokyo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
September 1<sup>st</sup> is the anniversary of the Great
Kanto Earthquake of 1923, which killed about 140,000 people. It’s now “bousai”
day – literally disaster prevention day. Today in Ginza, the emergency services
are practicing evacuating 5,000 people from their offices, so cancel those
shopping plans!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week, the government released estimates of the death
toll from a possible earthquake along the Nankai trough, which runs along Japan
from around Shikoku up to Shizuoka. They estimate around 323,000 could die from
the quake or tsunami. Most deaths would come from the tsunami, but about half
those deaths could be prevented if people evacuate coastal areas within 20
minutes of the quake / tsunami warning. I could be smug and say “well, we live
in the middle of flat, boring, safe Saitama, far from the ocean, rivers and
mountains” but you never know where you’ll be when an earthquake hits. Also, a
big danger in Tokyo will be fires. All those charming downtown neighbourhoods like
Asakusa and Yanaka with their narrow alleys and wooden houses are at risk.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyvJedIim6L7OCfYe9iYYXpY0WYVbk3OTjddN7Ky-6LeRxmnKRNMjsttAKsyo_h4mOpox3zAYjgVSZUfUJflTpDK8NpZpSyZShlCnb4h38URySf2hqOntFl1jSpY_-ypqST_ribmNamE/s1600/nn20120830a1b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyvJedIim6L7OCfYe9iYYXpY0WYVbk3OTjddN7Ky-6LeRxmnKRNMjsttAKsyo_h4mOpox3zAYjgVSZUfUJflTpDK8NpZpSyZShlCnb4h38URySf2hqOntFl1jSpY_-ypqST_ribmNamE/s400/nn20120830a1b.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A map from Kyodo news of possible impact along the Nankai trough.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the advice says to agree on a meeting place for you and
your family. In most towns, the local elementary school or high school will be
the official meeting point, so it’s worth checking how to get there from your
house. For people stuck in emergency accommodation last year, they said issues
like boredom and the lack of privacy were stressful. A book, an iPod, a Kindle,
a pack of cards, solar rechargers for all your gadgets... these might help pass
the time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbpSgM1MjUykMwhYn1A7bx2JxCfrkp3Hkat7mOsrQ97xwB5y9Vk01GCgll4c6T_nuaOc5-C3Uxl8a8pryfoQyNAR_U00CovPBjd2KWZMVPP_nciAw9nc7zHL2zY6uMKqkU-nXowyvO_w/s1600/Namazu-e-Earthquake-catfish-Japan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbpSgM1MjUykMwhYn1A7bx2JxCfrkp3Hkat7mOsrQ97xwB5y9Vk01GCgll4c6T_nuaOc5-C3Uxl8a8pryfoQyNAR_U00CovPBjd2KWZMVPP_nciAw9nc7zHL2zY6uMKqkU-nXowyvO_w/s1600/Namazu-e-Earthquake-catfish-Japan.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Edo times, there was a legend that a giant catfish, or namazu, made earthquakes. If it attacks, beat it with a shamisen!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the big earthquake last March, I think everyone became
aware of the need to prepare and there was a rush on bottled water and
long-life food. But it’s been more than a year, and we’re getting complacent
again. I decided to take stock of what we had around the house, and what we
needed. In the days after the Tohoku disaster, my husband did a big shop for
water, retort pack foods like curry and spaghetti sauce, which can be boiled
easily, cans of tuna and other meats, those jelly energy drinks, cereal bars
and calorie mates. Actually, there was a LOT of curry. He bought what he'd like to eat in an emergency!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have a big storage space in our kitchen floor, where
we’ve put emergency food and water. But checking it today, I found a lot has
expired, so, I guess it’s off to the store again. I hate the idea of buying a
bunch of food that’ll get wasted, so I think I’ll just keep most of it in
regular circulation and replace it as we eat it. We don’t have a disaster “kit”
as such, but I can lay my hands on everything pretty quickly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJYz5XFoWQ8STB7ho4y2uZcATrsta8jhLitWFblkA606ePDWI6X6nme8KdrFZIOcqQxzSb_fIjJDp_mkKzG1ZT-yVhyphenhyphenDGxg7O7hyphenhyphen7NhtIv7_QqvdYlEBbSwE7XWz80L5faicnlAvWqr8/s1600/jishin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJYz5XFoWQ8STB7ho4y2uZcATrsta8jhLitWFblkA606ePDWI6X6nme8KdrFZIOcqQxzSb_fIjJDp_mkKzG1ZT-yVhyphenhyphenDGxg7O7hyphenhyphen7NhtIv7_QqvdYlEBbSwE7XWz80L5faicnlAvWqr8/s400/jishin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of our stockpile, including hokaron heat packs and wet wipes, instant rice, etc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu3rJVTEnmbU6N99-4JqHq8ttOzhwo6VdbX6e_AJwa42je9GFJRGti_3EScJ8fKxxJXYw1W_NGu6p3Pk3kLJTQl4c4IXl3Thw7d4JeyH7GRm4xgSCWUHTTJXC4yYZfNsXx_SItvF9Fz8/s1600/jishin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu3rJVTEnmbU6N99-4JqHq8ttOzhwo6VdbX6e_AJwa42je9GFJRGti_3EScJ8fKxxJXYw1W_NGu6p3Pk3kLJTQl4c4IXl3Thw7d4JeyH7GRm4xgSCWUHTTJXC4yYZfNsXx_SItvF9Fz8/s400/jishin2.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lasts forever, but I haven't tasted it yet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shops like Tokyu Hands and Loft have a “disaster” section,
where you can get space blankets, flashlights and long-life food. I got some
packs of “takikomi gohan”, which can be prepared in the pouch with boiling
water. It lasts till 2016, which is good, but I hate to think what it’ll taste
like! If you want to scare
yourself, look up bousai goods websites like this: <a href="http://jisinbousai.net/">http://jisinbousai.net/</a> you’ll even find
emergency toilets. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK39-UPN-J3EM5bXcOzjQQcJaJkhXp8SRAdcKpcjgFVsq5EPwpTIT_kviJAfFazfMgcZ8e8ef4QXLorQidsCA5_iLGti0H2zjIeZEGjJ74ViFSD9SnEk8R-wRVRcAGFYsqFz3r8lv4jKk/s1600/bousai-zukin-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK39-UPN-J3EM5bXcOzjQQcJaJkhXp8SRAdcKpcjgFVsq5EPwpTIT_kviJAfFazfMgcZ8e8ef4QXLorQidsCA5_iLGti0H2zjIeZEGjJ74ViFSD9SnEk8R-wRVRcAGFYsqFz3r8lv4jKk/s320/bousai-zukin-3.jpeg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At schools, kids get bousai zukin, padded, fireproof hoods.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a while last year we also kept the bathtub full of
water, in case the water supply was cut off. The government recommends storing
3 days worth of food and water. The official Tokyo Metropolitan Government
website has a lot of useful info: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.jp/english/index.html">http://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.jp/english/index.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Assuming you survive the main event, the next days and even
weeks of empty supermarket shelves may be a challenge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I first moved to this house, my MIL had been hoarding
toilet paper and rice for years –
I mean, we had more than 30 rolls of tp and 60kg of rice squirelled away around
the house. I thought she was mad, until the days after the earthquake. Toilet
paper was one of the first things to disappear from supermarket shelves, and
there were radiation concerns about a lot of rice, but we were “sitting pretty”
as it were. Strangely, it was almost impossible to buy the daily staples of
bread, milk and yoghurt – it’s not like you can hoard those items! I heard a
lot of the packaging factories were affected by the quake and power cuts, but I
think people also went a bit crazy. My husband suggested we buy a jar of
“Creap” which is coffee whitener (and sounds too close to “creep” for me), but
I’ll take my coffee and tea black, if I have to. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other challenge is getting home. I’ve read The Hunger
Games, so I’m ready for anything! A friend who was in Shibuya during the big
quake said she was surprised to see so many girls shopping for shoes, till she
realised all those Shibuya gals in their mega platforms needed flat shoes to
walk home. I have a pair of
“Butterfly Twist” folding ballet flats in my bag, and they’re really
compact. However, the soles are so thin, I got blisters on the soles of my feet
after walking for 30 mins. I think I’ll just wear regular flats every day. It’s
a good idea to have an energy bar or something in your bag all the time, too.
Everyone who has to wear “work shoes” should stash a pair of sneakers in their
office drawer. I got a cute reflector to hang off my bag, so cars can see me at
night, plus a solar and wind-up powered flashlight and a whistle for my key
ring, and a small flashlight that can run for 25 hours straight as a lamp. But
the most useful thing I carry is a small map that tells me how to walk home
from anywhere in Tokyo. I know, the advice is “stay where you are”, and if you
work in an office in the city, they’re supposed to have several days’ worth of
food stored. But I don’t work in an office so if possible I’d want to get home
(and all the hotels and karaoke rooms were immediately booked out on 3/11). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHGREAw6R4h4o2BsWdKykMrhN_teeJnU1qBpFzjJ6hJmeue4fzDjCWHoghm9BDkK1AST60C6FPMFnpANM8TGFXG7NxCEVgj8-xU0AY6g8Rt4mTStqbJpYSQgBqOg7DlDUWlizBS058bo/s1600/jishbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHGREAw6R4h4o2BsWdKykMrhN_teeJnU1qBpFzjJ6hJmeue4fzDjCWHoghm9BDkK1AST60C6FPMFnpANM8TGFXG7NxCEVgj8-xU0AY6g8Rt4mTStqbJpYSQgBqOg7DlDUWlizBS058bo/s400/jishbook.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This map covers all of greater Tokyo, with separate routes
to get to Yokohama, Chiba, Saitama etc. It highlights possible dangers along
the way like overpasses, walls that might fall over, vending machines and
buildings with a lot of glass. It also marks all the convenience stores,
toilets, water sources and rest areas. My aim is to walk all the way home. So
far, I’ve been pretty slack. I started walking from Sugamo to Akabane, but got
a bit bored and hot. When the weather gets cooler I’ll try again! According to
the book, it would take me about 8 hours of non-stop walking to get home from
central Tokyo. Fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what are you doing to prepare for possible disasters?
Given the number of quakes that have been rumbling through the US, New Zealand,
Turkey and other places, it seems nowhere is “safe”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-7197914644245268122012-08-20T18:46:00.000-07:002012-08-20T18:46:42.787-07:00Obon お盆August 13 - 15<br />
<br />
Apologies for the long delay in posting. I've been hanging out with dead people. Actually, the long, humid summer days tend to suck energy and motivation. The 8th of August was "Risshu", the official start of Autumn, by the old lunar calendar. And just to mess with us, the weather did get a little cooler for a few days, but it's back to mid 30s every day again. Last week was Obon, the Buddhist festival when we remember our ancestors. At this time, the souls of the dead return to this world for a little summer holiday. I must admit, my first encounter with this festival was watching Pokemon years ago!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWf1NFD7l0E1-sT2EtqdNUwPZT_d34XFeplzROfyMln-b2vdPFbf6MD7JPrnU-lA0D89O21MJDGp4ZEt0D5wDWuZjLiACclqe4Oaa-Urb7UwShKjiXTEMKBqByDdECgnjVVqECVP3G9Q/s1600/fan01j.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWf1NFD7l0E1-sT2EtqdNUwPZT_d34XFeplzROfyMln-b2vdPFbf6MD7JPrnU-lA0D89O21MJDGp4ZEt0D5wDWuZjLiACclqe4Oaa-Urb7UwShKjiXTEMKBqByDdECgnjVVqECVP3G9Q/s320/fan01j.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Traditionally, people lit fires or lanterns outside their homes to guide their ancestors back home, and made a horse and a cow from a cucumber and an eggplant (with little sticks for legs). The idea is the cucumber horse will bring your ancestors back home swiftly, and the slow eggplant cow will take it's time carrying them to heaven, so they can spend the max time here. Like a shinkansen down and a local train back. Where we live, it's more common to use straw animals and the supermarket sells heaps of them, so I guess a lot of people still follow this tradition.<br />
<br />
We did decorate the family butsudan with flowers, houzuki "lantern" fruits and fresh summer vegetables, plus some traditional pressed sugar sweets in the form of a lotus flower and leaf. Water is also important - it seems the dead are always thirsty!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-ZkrwmYgEQV0ab_qWdcXW_GU4BpppNOlMZ7X4mcHx5SVQP9rTzMlUAULD9peQVZNrgYmFqdL7R_uRdVeVcrnwGblj9Cr8GQTPttee7GDuPMhplf-IM2sSsRk3tZP15-8Vf7iL7PA8bM/s1600/DSC07598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-ZkrwmYgEQV0ab_qWdcXW_GU4BpppNOlMZ7X4mcHx5SVQP9rTzMlUAULD9peQVZNrgYmFqdL7R_uRdVeVcrnwGblj9Cr8GQTPttee7GDuPMhplf-IM2sSsRk3tZP15-8Vf7iL7PA8bM/s320/DSC07598.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer vegetables for offering</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGHah4op5jsGXbPPkJ7UfVygshb9OU_vnDPrSvWHNE5nwIC9aLIgOLjfPf5vFrEesqstNvwOEzJ-l3ECXXgwhHt8rOi4sxAi6TMwSQpIYVh9fLj_glDbEYQW0867VM_6dQ7zOT3K8t7c/s1600/DSC07599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGHah4op5jsGXbPPkJ7UfVygshb9OU_vnDPrSvWHNE5nwIC9aLIgOLjfPf5vFrEesqstNvwOEzJ-l3ECXXgwhHt8rOi4sxAi6TMwSQpIYVh9fLj_glDbEYQW0867VM_6dQ7zOT3K8t7c/s320/DSC07599.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Powdered sugar flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-a-ZxTAsxgaXOIUJQkbYXcovhMXkeaU0zCUB2SUNk0IVr_bq6ED-d7Ql7PgOgjWZdEL-iY5mAl7m68pZJ5WFSUClW8yw6fDY8Rap_1AcIvYkjjOp4BfwZGMHC5WHWTGtiGXXKTXJmR1Q/s1600/DSC07600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-a-ZxTAsxgaXOIUJQkbYXcovhMXkeaU0zCUB2SUNk0IVr_bq6ED-d7Ql7PgOgjWZdEL-iY5mAl7m68pZJ5WFSUClW8yw6fDY8Rap_1AcIvYkjjOp4BfwZGMHC5WHWTGtiGXXKTXJmR1Q/s320/DSC07600.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our family butsudan; a bit messy! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Far from being grim, Obon is a pretty jolly time. It's the middle of the summer holidays and a time for families to get together. There are lots of festivals, and kids wear cute yukata or jimbei pyjamas and all the old ladies in yukata dance around to the music of taiko drums. Big shrines like Yasukuni jinja have famous bon festivals, but every local town has them too. On summer nights, just follow the music and you'll find one. Since there are so many dead folk in town, it's also prime ghost season, and all the TV shows are gleefully telling spooky stories, usually about scary women with long hair. Some of the summer festivals also have ghost houses. The idea is that hearing a scary story will 'chill' you in the summer heat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxpjOBQoD4ReJH0weKkLHLHfcYzBuPvlRY6qKfjyCNFZ40U7wx0gGmr79Z-_nD0WEkAA0L8TQiCkD45Da3aTeoNzRtH0Ttx04jEai-F7sxBocFGS7xM2y4nBUn-rBzGrtNHyDeYbnVOg/s1600/391867588_bf2f95f1bf_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxpjOBQoD4ReJH0weKkLHLHfcYzBuPvlRY6qKfjyCNFZ40U7wx0gGmr79Z-_nD0WEkAA0L8TQiCkD45Da3aTeoNzRtH0Ttx04jEai-F7sxBocFGS7xM2y4nBUn-rBzGrtNHyDeYbnVOg/s320/391867588_bf2f95f1bf_o.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls in yukata</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA184wxlZoI2q0ZNJ2fp3CJbKAOFhLiS9vt2nHsjcuAQks4IEl_yXB2eOsDqGtp5KaYv2_1iYOTPEnRWuKd-eh3UvVDD9THrnTCTS-XgD8J1nMjMVeN4xUuP-GKgKDdneQlnayrzuOgKg/s1600/japan+-+253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA184wxlZoI2q0ZNJ2fp3CJbKAOFhLiS9vt2nHsjcuAQks4IEl_yXB2eOsDqGtp5KaYv2_1iYOTPEnRWuKd-eh3UvVDD9THrnTCTS-XgD8J1nMjMVeN4xUuP-GKgKDdneQlnayrzuOgKg/s400/japan+-+253.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Games</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkl7vVIlXivxhPD2EnaQ6OklZ6ypSBAXxYxJfG5yc5R1ZELiMPC1bUiLTYUkM7fpNXd0Q3tPkuQAB2__KbH9HlfsLB-Edsv7RVCUfSsaj7JfAvYLTD2O2TvjDL9SjmT1knn97rwARpmc/s1600/6288_103664761875_7916554_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkl7vVIlXivxhPD2EnaQ6OklZ6ypSBAXxYxJfG5yc5R1ZELiMPC1bUiLTYUkM7fpNXd0Q3tPkuQAB2__KbH9HlfsLB-Edsv7RVCUfSsaj7JfAvYLTD2O2TvjDL9SjmT1knn97rwARpmc/s400/6288_103664761875_7916554_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okonomiyaki</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qeHctEQRg0J3ymnFch42e-HFQHX-OKR9Edl5me2gKsg-e2vTCQboHO1lBK0uf3c5So1eVAebl-wghO6ryGb71D4IjakaHS6IZSkTykir7u4zF89LpijI-YrXClCZIn487quGiZ_nTbQ/s1600/6288_103664716875_1965377_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qeHctEQRg0J3ymnFch42e-HFQHX-OKR9Edl5me2gKsg-e2vTCQboHO1lBK0uf3c5So1eVAebl-wghO6ryGb71D4IjakaHS6IZSkTykir7u4zF89LpijI-YrXClCZIn487quGiZ_nTbQ/s320/6288_103664716875_1965377_n.jpeg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yasukuni </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwlmUu8egi-lmPeiG7vjIwUzOc0js1pg3KoNwz_WxMFXWyxL0bvhQPkk1h0nGfgiwxmwCNcM-M0HL9YHPypraV3R4kDARXUE4i7A1jcsQXIkcOqbs7wbWrNxNhNDdgeZZYNAAcU1Ub28/s1600/6288_103664781875_682308_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwlmUu8egi-lmPeiG7vjIwUzOc0js1pg3KoNwz_WxMFXWyxL0bvhQPkk1h0nGfgiwxmwCNcM-M0HL9YHPypraV3R4kDARXUE4i7A1jcsQXIkcOqbs7wbWrNxNhNDdgeZZYNAAcU1Ub28/s320/6288_103664781875_682308_n.jpeg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yasukuni</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1J9_VENCOsq8Ybqf-hn7I_OVbBzndc1OMKP7f4DSfZZe7KTp8_xL0xSBpoOCTRn0WnmBsmMVvL6sjPO4yfyshG8d9hb9XSIg-q0yL4pEf2J_Ww-9uSkstZhQU6pnEj22tCwXKZjKayY/s1600/6288_103664776875_4986795_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1J9_VENCOsq8Ybqf-hn7I_OVbBzndc1OMKP7f4DSfZZe7KTp8_xL0xSBpoOCTRn0WnmBsmMVvL6sjPO4yfyshG8d9hb9XSIg-q0yL4pEf2J_Ww-9uSkstZhQU6pnEj22tCwXKZjKayY/s320/6288_103664776875_4986795_n.jpeg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some nebuta lanterns at Yasukuni</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBeIrFqmITSJlFVQAIAwIHQJb8h3sUU6tmSINdtROJ_lReNpUj5-CGuGK_e7ke9vaxZzP0XST-qdWr_i1yGfynOAibfbWqF823xB1vajeEAN18YCKgKGrv38Phv-br9CzENgTO0pDr-0/s1600/6288_103664751875_3903978_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBeIrFqmITSJlFVQAIAwIHQJb8h3sUU6tmSINdtROJ_lReNpUj5-CGuGK_e7ke9vaxZzP0XST-qdWr_i1yGfynOAibfbWqF823xB1vajeEAN18YCKgKGrv38Phv-br9CzENgTO0pDr-0/s400/6288_103664751875_3903978_n.jpeg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancers from Akita at the Yaskuni festival</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwc8jeaNprtPsx3osXcGVWvTZiRltxgjsCQt-_n4gKyg_Py24dfu_fu8jxWW2z1mG9BSUnYYcyI3aMYvNeiilDhNQdcsiu6G-S7_nSUyAwSIkP67h1-VB0lcK3vRPxXZgsXsLG6MkZCA/s1600/DSC04637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwc8jeaNprtPsx3osXcGVWvTZiRltxgjsCQt-_n4gKyg_Py24dfu_fu8jxWW2z1mG9BSUnYYcyI3aMYvNeiilDhNQdcsiu6G-S7_nSUyAwSIkP67h1-VB0lcK3vRPxXZgsXsLG6MkZCA/s320/DSC04637.JPG" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ghost house</td></tr>
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I didn't have much experience of death or funerals growing up, but in Japan it seems pretty matter-of-fact. As a family, we go to the memorial park and clean the ancestor's grave stone, arrange fresh flowers, burn incense, pray, then go off for a nice lunch together. As the eldest son, my husband is responsible for cleaning the family grave, and he does it very thoroughly! You need 2 buckets of water and a zoukin - cleaning cloth (a normal wash cloth). One bucket of water is for cleaning, the other is to ladle over the grave to purify it. Parts of the grave such as the stones which hold the metal vases and the front part for burning incense can be moved for cleaning. We generally don't leave any food offerings, as it would encourage crows! Some people leave a cup of water, a can of beer or a cup of sake for their ancestors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ccjxJLMiZlmu6TqSegd7KtcfISBfvPkVKsUfQJ4N-8F2gjVhyE-4eHGAjlcnpu0TMkevbEf8UzmcTzpSRAEO-_uNQKpVNJnagpexPccXtHTRuUPRqd7Po_GV7c3diAWOm21iFTVEuXY/s1600/DSC07032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ccjxJLMiZlmu6TqSegd7KtcfISBfvPkVKsUfQJ4N-8F2gjVhyE-4eHGAjlcnpu0TMkevbEf8UzmcTzpSRAEO-_uNQKpVNJnagpexPccXtHTRuUPRqd7Po_GV7c3diAWOm21iFTVEuXY/s320/DSC07032.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical Japanese cemetary - this is the 'modern' part with smaller graves. The cherry blossom trees in the back are lovely in Spring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0NjJJUUz4rHyinINO_CshWCbCqxZirTmodntmPmyvlRS5umZxMI3nhEV-3JsJcLRi8ITFI8qz3HpReRz-aPOmfvhZpxPo46UsPcOLGnL5sqja3FjPRr488QcNpKQ8lIYdwdlb044GF8/s1600/DSC07033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0NjJJUUz4rHyinINO_CshWCbCqxZirTmodntmPmyvlRS5umZxMI3nhEV-3JsJcLRi8ITFI8qz3HpReRz-aPOmfvhZpxPo46UsPcOLGnL5sqja3FjPRr488QcNpKQ8lIYdwdlb044GF8/s400/DSC07033.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard at work cleaning</td></tr>
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At home, we usually put out a little rice for the ancestors to share while we have dinner. The butsudan faces the TV so we can all watch TV together! To be honest, when I first moved to my husband's house, I found the Tardis-like butsudan sitting in the corner of the living room, a bit spooky, but I hardly even notice it now.<br />
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A few weeks ago, I went to my first 13th memorial service - this is a service held 12 years after death. It's similar to a funeral, but a little more simple - and kind of casual. Since it's been 12 years since my husband's uncle died, after the service, all the relatives enjoyed the chance to chat and catch up over lunch. If you ever have to go to a funeral or memorial service in Japan, you should wear black. The rule is subdued clothing - but stick with black and you can't go wrong. Of course, funerals happen more often in summer, so you'll be sweating. Shouganai. For men, a black or very dark suit and plain white shirt, plus a black tie is correct. It sounds obvious, but your socks and shoes should also be black. For women, a black skirt or trouser suit, dress (do I have to say this is NOT a sexy little black dress?), or black separates. Pantyhose should also be black. Shoes should be matte fabric or normal leather - nothing shiny or sparkly. The only jewellery should be a simple strand of pearls; no diamonds or flashy items. A plain black bag is best. You don't need a hat or anything. Don't forget a plain (ie white or dark) handkerchief. Kids can wear school uniform or simple "formal" clothes. For example, I saw some kids about 5 years old, the boy in navy shorts and a white shirt, the girl in a plain navy dress. You can probably pull together a black outfit, but if you need anything, department stores and also discount stores like Shimamura have "formal" departments where you can get everything pretty cheaply.<br />
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Just as at a wedding, you need to bring money. This is condolence money for the direct family, and will help them pay for the funeral / memorial service, which isn't cheap. We gave Y30,000 as it was close family, but if you are going to the funeral of a vague acquaintance I think Y5,000 to 10,000 would be fine. Obviously, you will put this in a funeral envelope, NOT a wedding envelope! Every convenience stores sells them - look out for the envelopes with black and silver decoration. While at a wedding it's nice to use new bank notes, at a funeral, you should use older notes, as this isn't the start of a new life. A lot of people also put the money face down in the envelope. It's not so important if you don't. We also gave money for the sotoba - the wooden name boards that are put behind a grave at the memorial service. If you walk through a Japanese cemetery, you'll see these standing behind a lot of grave stones. The family chipped in about Y3,000 each couple for a bunch of these.<br />
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After the priest has done a lot of chanting and prayers, you'll be invited up to the alter to give your own prayers. It's pretty simple; just follow everyone else. The incense tends to be in the form of chips or granules. Take a pinch of them from the dish in front of you, hold it up towards your forehead, then add it to the pile of burning incense on the left. Do this 3 times in total, then offer a prayer to the departed. That's basically all you have to do. A lot of people wear prayer beads around their hands when they pray at a funeral. These beads are called jyuzu or onenju and you can buy them at any Buddhist temple. Some friends told me they act as protection - in case the dead try to pull you into the next world with them. For the same reason, you shouldn't hold a funeral on a "Tomobiki" day, as it means "pulling friends" - it's good to pull all your friends together for a party, but not a funeral.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIHHtKTuGct7jdo7u902n70WZLmXRmWN0yyajSELsQyMwoj7HJrVH7VGVF0sUEfq_S_p7pOA-pyVHDzkbOgtNhM-QaPVxZKtRqJLZVZE4Mu-GkggIn-Jr-MflpGV4i0WeKHJfNTbjYsI/s1600/DSC07550_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIHHtKTuGct7jdo7u902n70WZLmXRmWN0yyajSELsQyMwoj7HJrVH7VGVF0sUEfq_S_p7pOA-pyVHDzkbOgtNhM-QaPVxZKtRqJLZVZE4Mu-GkggIn-Jr-MflpGV4i0WeKHJfNTbjYsI/s400/DSC07550_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch after the ceremony was a pretty relaxed affair and the food was delicious!</td></tr>
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For the 13th memorial service, my relatives put a huge platter of fruit next to the grave, which they took back to the reception centre after the service. There was a separate table set up for the dead uncle, with his name on a stone tablet. They put the fruit and later, lunch dishes, on the table "for him". After we'd all eaten, those dishes got passed around to eat and the fruit was divvied up. When everyone had their fill of food and beer, one of the aunties handed out thank you gifts to everyone, much like at a wedding. My relatives went a little over the top. There were 5 packs of somen, a box of instant coffee, a huge box of sembei, a 12 pack of energy drinks, a bunch of assorted snacks and cakes and a melon from the fruit platter. Carrying that lot home on a bus and 3 trains was a challenge!<br />
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We were so tired when we got home that we almost forgot to sprinkle salt on each other - you should put salt on everyone coming back from a funeral to purify them, and I guess, to stop any spirits that followed you, from coming in. You should throw the salt on the person before they enter the genkan or entrance hall of your home. We put a little dish of salt by the front door before we left. Especially after a funeral, you should make sure to come home by a different route to the one you took to go there, so the spirits can't follow you home. This is why it's popular to go for lunch or coffee somewhere on the way home - drop those spirits off at the family restaurant! If you see a funeral service passing by, it's traditional to quickly hide your thumbs. Your thumbs represent your parents, and the superstition goes that if you don't hide them away from the funeral procession, your parents will die before you see them for the last time. Grim.<br />
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Phew! I think I'm all out of "fun funeral facts". Of course, death is a serious and solemn matter, but I kind of like that in Japan it is seen as an inevitable part of life, not such a shocking and mysterious thing.Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-63520581422416269782012-07-26T20:33:00.000-07:002012-07-27T20:13:12.990-07:00Eel day 土用牛の日July 27th<br />
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Today is eel day! Doyou ushi no hi is the traditional day to eat unagi - eel - in Japan. Doyou is mid-summer; literally, it's the 18 days before autumn "officially" starts (called Risshuu) around August 8th (but it will still be stinking hot until at least September).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVq7f17nZcBqWSEd4d2qf9kFC_OLQYmUMPU4NRvN94PNdWjnisXOGJqg5dGQIttUwZeMFn8GAscYp8nHUuwloortA7XqCh9LLOw4Xl1HXsnE0I2VZk9STakiNfeBqpoCsQ6kuEX_ikKV0/s1600/unagi+day1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVq7f17nZcBqWSEd4d2qf9kFC_OLQYmUMPU4NRvN94PNdWjnisXOGJqg5dGQIttUwZeMFn8GAscYp8nHUuwloortA7XqCh9LLOw4Xl1HXsnE0I2VZk9STakiNfeBqpoCsQ6kuEX_ikKV0/s400/unagi+day1.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A supermarket flyer for eel day. Eel is extra expensive this year, due to a shortage of elver.</td></tr>
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Of course, if you like eel grilled over charcoal with a sweet, soy-based sauce, then any day is eel day, but on this mid-summer 'ox' day, eating eel is supposed to give you enough energy to deal with the heat and humidity. But the real origin of "eel day" was a flash of Edo era marketing. Because of the heat, most Edo-ites favoured cold noodles at this time of year, which made business hard for grilled eel restaurants. One restaurant owner consulted Hiraga Gennai, who was a renowned inventor, herbalist, satirical essayist and all-round 'renaissance' man. At the time, people believed that eating foods with the letter 'u' on ushi no hi (day of the ox) would help them endure the heat, (udon noodles and umeboshi are also popular on this day) so Gennai suggested the restaurant make a sign saying something like "today is ushi no hi, so eat unagi". It worked, and other restaurants soon followed suit, and a new tradition was born. <span style="background-color: white;">To emphasise the "u" in unagi, restaurants make long flags with a stylised eel forming a "u" shape. So why not eat "ushi" or beef? The practice of eating beef is actually pretty recent in Japan. Before the Meiji era, the main sources of animal protein were fish and fowl. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">There are so many good eel restaurants in Japan, and the preparation - usually a combination of steaming and grilling and basting with sweet soy sauce - makes them delicious. My image of eels growing up was those creepy snaky things that lived in lakes and nipped at ducks feet - or even nipped you if you went swimming. </span><span style="background-color: white;">We didn't eat eel. I had it once, made by a friend's mother, who was Dutch. She chopped it into small pieces, floured it and pan-fried it, served with wedges of lemon. It was great (though a few friends missed out, as they were weirded out by the eel's resemblance to snake)! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Getting into a good eel restaurant on eel day is almost impossible, so I'm going to make it at home for dinner tonight. I'm not preparing it myself of course; driving a nail through the wriggling animal's head and quickly filleting it is not in my cooking repertoire. I leave that to the pros, so I just bought a pre-cooked piece of kabayaki eel, nicely butterflied and sticky with sauce, which I will chop up and mix through rice for dinner. My "unagi gohan" has thinly sliced cucumbers and shredded shiso leaves to cut through the richness of the eel. After all, it's 35 degrees today!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Eel is apparently rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, D and E along with those beneficial fish oils, plus it's lighter than beef or pork, so it's easy to eat, even when you're feeling a bit lethargic. In Tokyo, one of my favourite eel restaurants is Izuei in Ueno. The main restaurant is just across from Shinobazu pond. There's a line right out the door today. They've been preparing eel for about 260 years, so they know what they're doing! Expect to pay around Y3,000 for an unagidon set, with grilled eel on rice, some sashimi, and very delicious eel liver soup. However, I like the rather quieter sister restaurant "Izuei Umigawa Tei", tucked away near Toshogu shrine, inside Ueno park. You can sit outside in the garden or in one of the traditional style rooms (you can choose tatami seating or table and chairs). </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Izuei Umigawa Tei</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwmYr2X58GXm9xeykE4VwfiCy6md5DvBt-sglpPMJUHrNIcewUivCkoDLamCIOGdXD2bS7x4LnfwPXuGWB8snCLAN0RF40Lo-mNyUl4o9-k01m_nfjcdWetvRxU6Ek5nl9PyoZ_SUShw/s1600/summer+unagi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwmYr2X58GXm9xeykE4VwfiCy6md5DvBt-sglpPMJUHrNIcewUivCkoDLamCIOGdXD2bS7x4LnfwPXuGWB8snCLAN0RF40Lo-mNyUl4o9-k01m_nfjcdWetvRxU6Ek5nl9PyoZ_SUShw/s400/summer+unagi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This mysterious box contains....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_J6uKEe0yFvgSKhtNSKmQEMMMKWkCu24UQr36siAtuB_UBGVQc7UL5co2EXz-CmNsD3Mw96aHXZ2uY3O6VzV27r9fWPhq5FKfhrMONnytFqnGnQqqzqfMUBE8R7-6NV6Ta-D7jdol0cY/s1600/summer+unagi+%2526+tempura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_J6uKEe0yFvgSKhtNSKmQEMMMKWkCu24UQr36siAtuB_UBGVQc7UL5co2EXz-CmNsD3Mw96aHXZ2uY3O6VzV27r9fWPhq5FKfhrMONnytFqnGnQqqzqfMUBE8R7-6NV6Ta-D7jdol0cY/s400/summer+unagi+%2526+tempura.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch! A half eel / half tempura set.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Eel lovers must visit Narita, the town in Chiba that's more famous for the international airport. The street that leads down to Narita San temple is lined with unagi restaurants, and here, you can see exactly how they are prepared. Chefs sit at tables out the front, grabbing squirming eels from buckets and deftly ... killing and preparing them. Venture inside and you can enjoy the results. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEqj5mxlHs3Mj_07USwXlMaH3ZJb91OLkRgPi5Zlt-nH6h5W5ONGWUPf-_HPxKJiJMGWcKZ4UbXBXxUEWyWJ3TCPj4yTfhSVv0PpL9hLrg68Cqlsq_i1J4FKX6tigUKyc4ednwVf0IJE/s1600/DSC00210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEqj5mxlHs3Mj_07USwXlMaH3ZJb91OLkRgPi5Zlt-nH6h5W5ONGWUPf-_HPxKJiJMGWcKZ4UbXBXxUEWyWJ3TCPj4yTfhSVv0PpL9hLrg68Cqlsq_i1J4FKX6tigUKyc4ednwVf0IJE/s400/DSC00210.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard at work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie13gTNzrgc55wK-9o-1VsI3tXxyw3zdnjBRpl5ySmQlTeHckOw_S6Pf_zXW8iiRpywmn6Ecta9szEanm3HLbbRrTTFqbWQUCPPXkHARjdAmz4D7DLhTRcmu1QLv1uKJ-lMzA3gRB6pD8/s1600/DSC00201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie13gTNzrgc55wK-9o-1VsI3tXxyw3zdnjBRpl5ySmQlTeHckOw_S6Pf_zXW8iiRpywmn6Ecta9szEanm3HLbbRrTTFqbWQUCPPXkHARjdAmz4D7DLhTRcmu1QLv1uKJ-lMzA3gRB6pD8/s400/DSC00201.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing the eel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5R73WGN-bbrDamwjfbYoeDKg7lN_oIOEXi__czPIeVOdgKUkUuAeQ2AWHw1csA9-603C0ps7NcLuLTwf-4FHZIhYqnQYD91jWNt2E0h1XUaChUNq7IesAaDHue2O7Vfr9FkTgIC8chA/s1600/DSC00200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5R73WGN-bbrDamwjfbYoeDKg7lN_oIOEXi__czPIeVOdgKUkUuAeQ2AWHw1csA9-603C0ps7NcLuLTwf-4FHZIhYqnQYD91jWNt2E0h1XUaChUNq7IesAaDHue2O7Vfr9FkTgIC8chA/s400/DSC00200.JPG" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilling is a hot job</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHkIG55DgvF-fqD55dw6-faM8J5zYJaop7YMmqDCEPHMjc1m35vVY0zA4acoTsguTmgCXCjfZZ6myTVQTB8lUiIk7EudGlQcLUENDFkI9eGGze0LKfZRAQlHuniQISwTrqylkVLqh5Lc/s1600/DSC00202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHkIG55DgvF-fqD55dw6-faM8J5zYJaop7YMmqDCEPHMjc1m35vVY0zA4acoTsguTmgCXCjfZZ6myTVQTB8lUiIk7EudGlQcLUENDFkI9eGGze0LKfZRAQlHuniQISwTrqylkVLqh5Lc/s400/DSC00202.JPG" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Irasshaimase!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNo1-s9pKwPhyfTGNTLR0cU_nnw1c-odx1r_T-8arl7Hs8VRDX210ZR3GK2kdfDX8H6PM-HzCRCmIhct1747E753yiWeuU-Erd0ER5q9ln1o4JOdhX2VU8NE5FT-qFUTVOqkSqAttLo28/s1600/DSC00204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNo1-s9pKwPhyfTGNTLR0cU_nnw1c-odx1r_T-8arl7Hs8VRDX210ZR3GK2kdfDX8H6PM-HzCRCmIhct1747E753yiWeuU-Erd0ER5q9ln1o4JOdhX2VU8NE5FT-qFUTVOqkSqAttLo28/s400/DSC00204.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished result - about Y2,000 for a set with pickles and soup.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After eating, you can stroll the temple grounds to work off your lunch. The gardens of Narita San are really beautiful. I used to fly to Europe via Tokyo just because Japan Airlines had a good flight deal, with an overnight stay at one of the Narita Airport hotels. If only I had known how close by and how lovely Narita town was, I would have taken the free shuttle bus and had an eel feast! If you've got a few hours to kill at the airport, I really recommend a quick trip to Narita.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TeR4qcZYzn8JJxy8hOaJIAd-fKa4enYyL-SUt1QeCpW3xI151h2o3XvXspu2AB8GRg24hEONvrMWwzZu7AG0jf6mgslD2hRaOf04TKCC3jTHVvTxCX7rqbzWpTUe3UmjPbNxiyWEi48/s1600/DSC00207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TeR4qcZYzn8JJxy8hOaJIAd-fKa4enYyL-SUt1QeCpW3xI151h2o3XvXspu2AB8GRg24hEONvrMWwzZu7AG0jf6mgslD2hRaOf04TKCC3jTHVvTxCX7rqbzWpTUe3UmjPbNxiyWEi48/s400/DSC00207.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road down to the temple, lined with eel restaurants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDm_p2rN30e9yT70q4u6FTWEVY42Xzrx-v8lsEA1TfctnnGmjjiT_CtcULUnYiO6eebDKq9a4DbbqseKeBFdA0ZjCuOLDhNvqpr-GNPsZElIFP5RMzB9NVPZpHOWqoOR8oHYgqXU6CdQ/s1600/DSC00220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDm_p2rN30e9yT70q4u6FTWEVY42Xzrx-v8lsEA1TfctnnGmjjiT_CtcULUnYiO6eebDKq9a4DbbqseKeBFdA0ZjCuOLDhNvqpr-GNPsZElIFP5RMzB9NVPZpHOWqoOR8oHYgqXU6CdQ/s400/DSC00220.JPG" width="323" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SNocAXVK8Ywi4iE_FbquqalX33yvypYqX2qOd4fX-BsntLbEvdAcVnecpJXp8-mnQ9REB4k0Qd8d6CVrli8wd8pr6DINYHwhU3y06L-dXynoBXFPglu6srtUnFgPI2dEjw29iChHpB0/s1600/DSC00327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SNocAXVK8Ywi4iE_FbquqalX33yvypYqX2qOd4fX-BsntLbEvdAcVnecpJXp8-mnQ9REB4k0Qd8d6CVrli8wd8pr6DINYHwhU3y06L-dXynoBXFPglu6srtUnFgPI2dEjw29iChHpB0/s400/DSC00327.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Hitsumabushi</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">I've only been to Nagoya once and at that time, I didn't eat the regional specialty there, hitsumabushi. It's eel, prepared by grilling without steaming, so it tastes a little different and actually, I like it more than Tokyo style unagi, which is sometimes too soft. Hitsumabushi is eel served on rice, but you then divide your bowl into 4. The first quarter, you eat just as is, the next you add sliced negi and wasabi, then the third (my favourite), you make into a kind of ochazuke by adding a little dashi broth. The last is - your choice! While I didn't eat it in Nagoya, there is a branch of a well-known Nagoya eel restaurant called Hitsumabushi Nagoya Bincho (named after the special charcoal used for grilling the eels), in Ginza. It's on the 12th floor of the Maronnier Gate building (between Ginza and Yurakucho). The restaurant website has a little guide to eating hitsumabushi (in Japanese, but with photos) : <a href="http://www.hitsumabushi.co.jp/omeshiagari.html">http://www.hitsumabushi.co.jp/omeshiagari.html</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuYpm7l9T4HqlATSt7zaxT2pHNRFzmqi81wLaNyAO4Kqo8kk7lCZKn3kFdLPJwLOA3B5QdvNGTKkWjduE9LyoB83UC2p64t6ayXaMq-ST8xHoUZ2gaKmNVFgIPF2VJG8Dfb7qf0cx2FA/s1600/summer+unagi+hitsumabushi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuYpm7l9T4HqlATSt7zaxT2pHNRFzmqi81wLaNyAO4Kqo8kk7lCZKn3kFdLPJwLOA3B5QdvNGTKkWjduE9LyoB83UC2p64t6ayXaMq-ST8xHoUZ2gaKmNVFgIPF2VJG8Dfb7qf0cx2FA/s400/summer+unagi+hitsumabushi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a hitsumabushi set. We also ordered some shirayaki (top left), which is cooked without the sauce. You get white soy sauce for dipping.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The restaurant has views over Yurakucho station. After lunch or dinner, you can check out Tokyu Hands in the same building. So, happy eel day, everyone!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
Update:<br />
<br />
Here's what we had for dinner. A nice piece of grilled eel, which I chopped up and put on rice with thinly sliced cucumber, negi, nori and shiso, plus a little extra of the sweet grilling sauce and some sansho pepper. It was good!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEBXFXfCltoZqiA2Ed8ZG1suUzl10nn_frXszkOevGcPy8rh24qyTW8Oahv9ugk2_9aTk0G__o3zfiwBosX-WB5dkr4RTZl8vtXvbE57R0DcHoynxX3nKC8cjpZgEGtoyRHtExXu7C6I/s1600/unagidon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEBXFXfCltoZqiA2Ed8ZG1suUzl10nn_frXszkOevGcPy8rh24qyTW8Oahv9ugk2_9aTk0G__o3zfiwBosX-WB5dkr4RTZl8vtXvbE57R0DcHoynxX3nKC8cjpZgEGtoyRHtExXu7C6I/s320/unagidon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-75732539137445332652012-07-21T20:48:00.000-07:002012-07-21T20:58:39.876-07:00Summer Motifs<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2A4t7pvsgNjt4IXYouqFS55vtU7COAHsULWIHbFuKJnBCpbUSwYgAPzFgsIcwUnZYAHGq06mm7mXKQmqFeuWYE16Oz0p3x0Hag_fD-o2Twbtnvo7ObQHObrIfC4C-_YeEMwiRFrX3oU/s1600/summer+fishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2A4t7pvsgNjt4IXYouqFS55vtU7COAHsULWIHbFuKJnBCpbUSwYgAPzFgsIcwUnZYAHGq06mm7mXKQmqFeuWYE16Oz0p3x0Hag_fD-o2Twbtnvo7ObQHObrIfC4C-_YeEMwiRFrX3oU/s400/summer+fishing.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early summer - fishing for zarigani (crayfish)</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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When you hear the word “summer”, what immediately springs to
mind? Growing up in Sydney, summer meant one thing: the beach. As a kid, I drew
starfish and shell motifs, and summer holidays meant weeks without shoes at my
Grandma’s house on the beach, eating BBQ, going night fishing, building
bonfires on the sand, and the coconutty scent of Reef Lotion (not on me – as a
very pale kid, I had to wear thick, milky sunscreen that left a pearly white
sheen). We’d collect cicada shells to wear like brooches and scramble up the
tracks into the bush to find Aboriginal rock carvings. At night, my Grandma
would set up hurricane lanterns on the table outside, spray us with citrusy
insect repellent and we’d have boiled corn, foil-wrapped, roast potatoes and sausages,
lamb chops or maybe her famous sesame chicken wings and salad in a big wooden
bowl with “French” dressing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If I had to choose typical symbols of Australian summer, I
guess mangoes and cherries, thongs (flip flops) and snorkelling gear, Chiko
rolls and fish and chips, sunglasses and sunscreen? Any others? Since Australia
is so temperate, we could get almost any food at any time of the year and go swimming almost anytime except July and August (midwinter). For me,
oysters are a summer treat – arranged on a platter of ice, with a wedge of
lemon – but my Japanese friends are adamant that oysters are a winter treat,
which taste best cooked. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Moving to Japan, I found a whole new language of summer
motifs. <span style="background-color: white;">Summer greeting cards are popular, often printed with standard messages along the lines of “take care in the summer heat” and a scene redolent of summer. You’ll see summer motifs everywhere – on cards, stickers, yukata fabrics, store curtains, handkerchiefs, chopstick rests and packaging - kakigori (shaved ice), beetles (kids love to spend the summer holidays catching and documenting bugs), watermelon, goldfish, fireworks, windchimes, katoributa, houzuki and morning glory plants, sunflowers, cucumber, corn, uchiwa, yukata and of course, beer.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk0EUrF_ROCgEi1dUoKd3QoNT8hgA3MJfHk16oMginajosmHZhyphenhyphen35arD3PJBheDyeH2ZdyVSJ_GZG1i3oYaylCm4x0az7AU0wzA6TXVUAd-RpiZINhAhXGLCs0tOyeYkqN6lcrZL7nkI/s1600/DSC07066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk0EUrF_ROCgEi1dUoKd3QoNT8hgA3MJfHk16oMginajosmHZhyphenhyphen35arD3PJBheDyeH2ZdyVSJ_GZG1i3oYaylCm4x0az7AU0wzA6TXVUAd-RpiZINhAhXGLCs0tOyeYkqN6lcrZL7nkI/s400/DSC07066.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer postcard: kakigori with matcha syrup, adzuki beans and condensed milk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSxknDyKuy38AidI47cgbEkyEMBrkDoP8oQytgVzzYxdNdB5ddvsgikcvC9MLZCU1vwlxtiy-vTVxL-VHGz98N79XrHsG7r-prgvYDujaLkjKUAmENzwLS3g_WL0RN4Ley0YVBw8YBBk/s1600/summer+asagao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSxknDyKuy38AidI47cgbEkyEMBrkDoP8oQytgVzzYxdNdB5ddvsgikcvC9MLZCU1vwlxtiy-vTVxL-VHGz98N79XrHsG7r-prgvYDujaLkjKUAmENzwLS3g_WL0RN4Ley0YVBw8YBBk/s400/summer+asagao.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Morning glory plants </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhits5xPaUBPxRxtkmPwnho49I96OBY0RuKbKFkIQJkgpUxADK73prwWaxKAjUWtowWR0h5JOawfCrjvzsAgKq4dP6lV3ksKoKBhITGKw1XYwpNAm55Vd6V4weeSbMaKi5Q6hyEPk0MLs/s1600/summer+sunflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhits5xPaUBPxRxtkmPwnho49I96OBY0RuKbKFkIQJkgpUxADK73prwWaxKAjUWtowWR0h5JOawfCrjvzsAgKq4dP6lV3ksKoKBhITGKw1XYwpNAm55Vd6V4weeSbMaKi5Q6hyEPk0MLs/s400/summer+sunflowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunflowers near our house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnzVpN4Gx6yK2S8nwmLCJHXO-m5pd2PIZRsLaraQxpASnQajgA4tdFLJqbP2AWUrd-hVz9-qvbRwVAvcsEQtr7HdR49PrcjTskQXubtVGPvFc0BbzkHC9d7KSrUO4MSDs_eSaIUQxM6o/s1600/summer+mitsukoshi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnzVpN4Gx6yK2S8nwmLCJHXO-m5pd2PIZRsLaraQxpASnQajgA4tdFLJqbP2AWUrd-hVz9-qvbRwVAvcsEQtr7HdR49PrcjTskQXubtVGPvFc0BbzkHC9d7KSrUO4MSDs_eSaIUQxM6o/s400/summer+mitsukoshi.jpg" width="352" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yukata for the whole family at Mitsukoshi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAqbAcTIV_fmONCjycDnRtnOX6ghNatglVyauJzCdDBqibAhUiXt7L1GVEio3EXKaWNSsa761MNwzKZWMkDGKPrhWIDDMBM4CgukPoodHQu-2AuSb4GYep-bZegoqsZHHyevFpDbNq2U/s1600/sumo+yukata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAqbAcTIV_fmONCjycDnRtnOX6ghNatglVyauJzCdDBqibAhUiXt7L1GVEio3EXKaWNSsa761MNwzKZWMkDGKPrhWIDDMBM4CgukPoodHQu-2AuSb4GYep-bZegoqsZHHyevFpDbNq2U/s400/sumo+yukata.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sumo looking for cool drinks in yukata with summery prints.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUCxCAyjqb_z23zKT7F0MWkyxntu957YWn30SQSKqdrAg5QpAOGJpBdL0N8sh_tdhd8PsXl0uSokRUSmj3vBoljqqLMR25CdxFjGIh0rKplkVLkeC_N4i4aXtjl2p4z-scty068yQ6Vs/s1600/yukata+dogs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUCxCAyjqb_z23zKT7F0MWkyxntu957YWn30SQSKqdrAg5QpAOGJpBdL0N8sh_tdhd8PsXl0uSokRUSmj3vBoljqqLMR25CdxFjGIh0rKplkVLkeC_N4i4aXtjl2p4z-scty068yQ6Vs/s640/yukata+dogs.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even your dog can wear a yukata, with goldfish or morning glory designs</td></tr>
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It was interesting to re-watch “My Neigbour Totoro” recently on TV. I
could see immediately that it started around late May or June, just by the
plants and everyone’s frantically planting rice. Then it moves into rainy
season, with hydrangeas, frogs and sudden afternoon downpours, before moving
into summer, with vegetables like cucumber, corn, tomatoes and eggplant washing
in a cool stream; the sound of cicadas, giant sunflowers, the kids sleeping
under mosquito nets, and the Dad using an uchiwa. Before I moved here I wasn't so aware of the strong divide between the seasons.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For many Japanese people, the archetypal image of summer
would probably be Dad in his suteteko (summer underwear that looks like a pair
of long, light cotton shorts), sitting on the tatami floor, drinking beer,
snacking on edamame, fanning himself with his uchiwa (a fixed, rather than
folding fan), watching the annual Koshien baseball tournament, as the
katorisenko (mosquito coil) keeps the mosquitos at bay. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EsB1DuPuV9taCHalp4XLh-6kRugYliqLWFLmjx3zkpN2k5fYNcUWZjOHFzH6sL9gHX3E-MxyC7FdDbcdjEsSJ86SvcpkFHBbKaM7uohVIa59SR5Y7PP_-N4dYVcIx6vnTM27gr5X2RU/s1600/summer+stickers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EsB1DuPuV9taCHalp4XLh-6kRugYliqLWFLmjx3zkpN2k5fYNcUWZjOHFzH6sL9gHX3E-MxyC7FdDbcdjEsSJ86SvcpkFHBbKaM7uohVIa59SR5Y7PP_-N4dYVcIx6vnTM27gr5X2RU/s400/summer+stickers.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stickers with typical summer motifs</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujBkFM_2lbCF5WVJ1CgTJKO-2hU2Bu4bNyEtEYi3WsOZr9nzkAAOK-RYVvagX6vGOvbHhcESLx0WKYTtxXw34dTyVagVVIe7rsQfJxx-5Ig9N7o3f8dvyz8i8_-vkc4ca4aONBob-8Is/s1600/summer+motif+cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujBkFM_2lbCF5WVJ1CgTJKO-2hU2Bu4bNyEtEYi3WsOZr9nzkAAOK-RYVvagX6vGOvbHhcESLx0WKYTtxXw34dTyVagVVIe7rsQfJxx-5Ig9N7o3f8dvyz8i8_-vkc4ca4aONBob-8Is/s400/summer+motif+cat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I plan to spend summer - relaxing on the tatami. It says "sometimes, you're allowed to slack off".</td></tr>
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What are the symbols of summer where you live? <o:p></o:p></div>Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-15672435228191753622012-07-17T20:43:00.002-07:002012-07-17T20:46:05.013-07:00Cold noodles<br />
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Summer is here – with a vengeance. Rainy season has
basically finished, and the temp has settled into the mid-30s every day. I
awoke yesterday morning at 4.30am (it gets light – and hot - then) to the first
cicadas of the season. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In this weather, I avoid the kitchen as much as possible,
but man cannot live on ice cream alone! So, cold noodles are easy to cook and
eat on hot, humid nights. I love hiyashi chuuka (it translates roughly as cold
chinese noodles). It has a vinegar and soy sauce, which is refreshing and easy
to eat. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Natsubate – summer sickness – is a big topic in the news
every summer, as people become listless and lose their appetite. It's been worse since the Fukushima reactor disaster last year - this is our second summer of "setsuden", or energy saving. We're supposed to avoid using the airconditioner in the middle of the day, which is of course, when you need it the most! Vinegar is
believed to stimulate the appetite again, and noodles are light on the stomach. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The main toppings are usually thin strips of ham, omelette,
cucumber and green onion, plus shiso leaves if you like, but you can use
anything. When I want to make it “fancy”, I use strips of char siu pork or
boiled prawns (that’s shrimp to my American friends). Oh, and don’t forget the
bright red “beni shoga”, pickled
ginger. The variety of different colours and flavours on the plate will make
even the most listless of eaters enthusiastic again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The sauce / soup is a simple mix of water, equal parts rice
vinegar and sugar, soy sauce and a drop of sesame oil. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_13jV4F-Xo2VGf6S934F-CEe-UMUeDa4EoLnHYlbTw0DuF2NT_yu_yL_-nJgBP0ocd0FZJZANDde_dXAGDFMzf_Kz6snOfmTklplAGDAXVZY5vJrEGOiBCLK8aqw_M4rTkM9TXP-uV8/s1600/hiyashi+ramen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_13jV4F-Xo2VGf6S934F-CEe-UMUeDa4EoLnHYlbTw0DuF2NT_yu_yL_-nJgBP0ocd0FZJZANDde_dXAGDFMzf_Kz6snOfmTklplAGDAXVZY5vJrEGOiBCLK8aqw_M4rTkM9TXP-uV8/s400/hiyashi+ramen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honestly, it tastes better than it looks.</td></tr>
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A similar dish uses a sesame sauce (I cheat and buy sesame
sauce at the supermarket). It’s also delicious and a little spicy, often
garnished cold chicken, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and chili flakes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaKxJtrNteMsZg4KxMpBK17Ve2Yn0sdLxWWRCELYxjVHIcqmW39XW6kV0wYlA4wipngppTcCAF18hosvSaqgQwMqL0BgHa7qil7ijfNI7s4Z7nW7Q0afPUrczrjh9lrol6xO95m8SPEc/s1600/hiyashichuuka2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaKxJtrNteMsZg4KxMpBK17Ve2Yn0sdLxWWRCELYxjVHIcqmW39XW6kV0wYlA4wipngppTcCAF18hosvSaqgQwMqL0BgHa7qil7ijfNI7s4Z7nW7Q0afPUrczrjh9lrol6xO95m8SPEc/s400/hiyashichuuka2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's one from the convenience store, with sesame sauce, chicken, bean sprouts, etc.</td></tr>
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The key to tasty noodles is to cook according to the
instructions in lots of water (usually about 3 mins for ramen noodles) and
rinse thoroughly. I wash them as if I’m washing my hands – you want to get that
starch off. They’ll start off feeling soft and slimy and become firmer as you
wash.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Another dish borrowed from China is jyajyamen or jajamen;
ramen noodles (or udon if you like) with a cold, spicy sauce of ground pork and
red miso. You can find recipes online (I confess, I buy the sauce ready made,
because it’s a bit of a faff). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaNRJb3jwXo2-qIBm6GO8uYF6M-rC8LY4YKi1t6qu6hJ8Mrm_LP-r3sdeQrg3YctGd5ziUlZ99LwOzK9BrVci2vPSSyI5d2OzgFimvu-gxdvc-WyJqM74ejMcjPiOrMow5_ummlrkGdA/s1600/jajamen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaNRJb3jwXo2-qIBm6GO8uYF6M-rC8LY4YKi1t6qu6hJ8Mrm_LP-r3sdeQrg3YctGd5ziUlZ99LwOzK9BrVci2vPSSyI5d2OzgFimvu-gxdvc-WyJqM74ejMcjPiOrMow5_ummlrkGdA/s400/jajamen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used thicker noodles this time - a kind of udon. The spicy pork and miso sauce is delicious.</td></tr>
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Somen is even easier and comes with a dashi-based dipping
sauce and a plate of grated ginger, thinly sliced green onion, sliced myoga,
etc. and some toppings like cold chicken, okra, cucumber, omelette or whatever
you fancy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Cold udon is delicious with grated daikon, grated ginger,
some shredded shiso leaves and some crunchy tempura bits (which you can buy
really cheaply, about 50 yen for a bag), and a dashi-based sauce poured over.
Garnish with a wedge of sudachi if you can find it – or use a lime if you can’t.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally, cold soba might be my favourite! Zaru soba is cold
soba served in a basket, with shreds of nori and a dashi-based dipping sauce. I
always eat it so fast, I never remember to take a picture! We went to Kanda
Yabu soba, which is a lovely, Edo-era soba restaurant. The waitresses sing the
orders to the kitchen! I also had the lightest, most delicious tempura I’ve
ever tried here. Highly recommended, and not expensive. Around the corner is
Matsuya soba, which my husband says is actually better, but the interior isn’t
quite as pretty, so it depends whether you’re going for taste or atmosphere. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kUymWNkzPRcFnrXH-PRY2AToxqaAhCvYyqZuR_PLEoM9olh5yQg_upwKhIwsJDRoaOJNofDpHeBmU7SBoA3HDhqBXlMAhrKRNfqYoRvJO0qz-R5Ka69uKb0If5LV9wLdNNP97aQ_Fog/s1600/summer+yabu+soba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kUymWNkzPRcFnrXH-PRY2AToxqaAhCvYyqZuR_PLEoM9olh5yQg_upwKhIwsJDRoaOJNofDpHeBmU7SBoA3HDhqBXlMAhrKRNfqYoRvJO0qz-R5Ka69uKb0If5LV9wLdNNP97aQ_Fog/s400/summer+yabu+soba.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kanda Yabu Soba, an easy walk from Kanda or Akihabara station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ez-SPg8DCJcqe6Jlr0OMT3I8T69zWF3S0C_WjJF7_GwniQzHTnqXXOzRKrhl76gMF3S3EZSmHoL_WRF2J0hqXj3KkBw-tOKGBcD5dM1I6itMDztDGhyxXJ7c_hbD1dQCmY2HZziYPwY/s1600/summer+yabu+soba2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ez-SPg8DCJcqe6Jlr0OMT3I8T69zWF3S0C_WjJF7_GwniQzHTnqXXOzRKrhl76gMF3S3EZSmHoL_WRF2J0hqXj3KkBw-tOKGBcD5dM1I6itMDztDGhyxXJ7c_hbD1dQCmY2HZziYPwY/s400/summer+yabu+soba2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside, it's cool and relaxing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWiVcAV3Hfend6b0KkwWh_bLNvSBWKnoV0ayGYOFojAiJ08cwr2eNIUNw7AEN9Wsr9uco8Cb86gYalkMDsBMe-UzRDOF3tSUd5u3utSUxGYYfcZbuHQFU9MUAvnpb0t-r10q4Dwhh8p0/s1600/summer+matsuya+soba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWiVcAV3Hfend6b0KkwWh_bLNvSBWKnoV0ayGYOFojAiJ08cwr2eNIUNw7AEN9Wsr9uco8Cb86gYalkMDsBMe-UzRDOF3tSUd5u3utSUxGYYfcZbuHQFU9MUAvnpb0t-r10q4Dwhh8p0/s640/summer+matsuya+soba.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Matsuya, just around the corner from Yabu Soba.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-26971508029623101712012-07-15T00:36:00.000-07:002012-08-31T01:30:30.390-07:00Horikiri Matsuri 堀切まついりOk, this is about a month late - Horikiri is famous for it's iris garden, "Horikiri Shobuen". Around mid-June they have a festival to celebrate the iris flowers.<br />
<br />
This is what I love about living in Japan; you come out of the supermarket and find yourself in the middle of the neighbourhood festival. I used to live in Horikiri and I loved the laid-back atmosphere. People are chatty here; they'll pop out of their shop to say hello. There's nothing much to see, apart from the iris garden (which is lovely in all seasons - I've posted pictures of the wisteria there, before). There are a couple of good ramen shops and the usual collection of sembei shops around the station. Every morning, a few elderly ladies gather in front of the station with their vegetables. They carry them in boxes wrapped in lovely old fabric, tied to their backs like ad-hoc backpacks.<br />
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The festival is the same - everyone knows each other. There are about 6 different dance troupes and a taiko drum team. The local boy scouts provide "security" - a piece of string to separate the dancers from the onlookers. After the festival, there's a bit of a karaoke competition; the local oldies belting out enka songs from the front of the shrine.<br />
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The moral is, if you hear drums, a flute and drums, or calls of "wasshoi", just follow the sounds!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQb-Q36zPh9w4aIsc2HCmmoNZprcS4Fm7ILdXa8RdMQFSe8_y6u7lhQQgc_jgALNP3YHD30Yseh83E1IX28L5bj950VV_VDVyve0vdrY1KQ-uJDA2WXBMDCsHSQHYw5Rn1TNXesr-EVzs/s1600/DSC04480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQb-Q36zPh9w4aIsc2HCmmoNZprcS4Fm7ILdXa8RdMQFSe8_y6u7lhQQgc_jgALNP3YHD30Yseh83E1IX28L5bj950VV_VDVyve0vdrY1KQ-uJDA2WXBMDCsHSQHYw5Rn1TNXesr-EVzs/s400/DSC04480.JPG" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the parade</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancers with irises, getting ready.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drummers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As I packed my grocery bags, I saw the drummers assembling.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awa odori dancers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy feet</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sponsored by the local paper.</td></tr>
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<br />Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-4256348402802144162012-07-15T00:08:00.000-07:002012-07-15T00:08:11.864-07:00Houzuki market ほうずき市July 9<br />
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Straight after Tanabata, it's time for the Houzuki market. Held in the grounds of Asakusa's Sensouji temple, there are about 200 vendors selling houzuki - chinese lantern plants or ground cherries. It's been a popular event since Edo times. The plant is used in traditional medicine, but the main use is as an offering for ancestors (Tokyo area marks Obon around July 15th, while other parts of Japan celebrate it on August 15th). Some of my friends said they remember playing with the vivid orange pods as kids - they look like papery balloons - and they make a lovely decoration.<br />
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The market vendors dress like Edo-era merchants and the combination of bright orange pods, cool green, and some very pretty plant sellers, brings the amateur photographers in droves. The tinkling sound of glass wind chimes (also for sale) and the cheerful cries of the vendors (and the smell of the nearby yakitori and takoyaki stalls) make it one of those perfect "summer in Japan" occasions.<br />
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As if that weren't enough, visiting Asakusa's Kannon temple on July 10th is said to be worth 46,000 visits! So you really get your money's worth! Early morning or early evening are the best times to visit, to avoid the crowds and the heat. The plants cost around 1,500 yen, but you can also buy branches of the orange pods for around 800 yen, and crowd watching is free. If you go there in the afternoon, be sure to stop by Amuse Museum, just off to the right of Sensouji. The museum always has interesting craft displays and a great shop...but after 6pm head upstairs to Bar Six, tucked away above Asakusa, with great views over the temple complex.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sounds and smells of summer: fuurin (wind chimes) and katori buta (pig shapes mosquito coil holders)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skytree!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Houzuki sellers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIolO4TqrxXJaTmvq81Xrib0HM5ywRukRxUMEvnt74U7vgkEvbRYx1y5eGDnDn2pGgnmgcmlZ2NTvzgqyAW4ehbXiltusSMM1tep55-kMa2AtGZqjbOsBlqq4iyHtVETx647k8Fhf3o4/s1600/DSC07404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIolO4TqrxXJaTmvq81Xrib0HM5ywRukRxUMEvnt74U7vgkEvbRYx1y5eGDnDn2pGgnmgcmlZ2NTvzgqyAW4ehbXiltusSMM1tep55-kMa2AtGZqjbOsBlqq4iyHtVETx647k8Fhf3o4/s400/DSC07404.jpg" width="336" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bought a little basket of pods.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVh9n_1SmNGCRzIo_JvU-MHCXY3Y-DvQI1e3L1Oeo0R_M9SpZ-09wUaPfE5UvnhltqgVnk9gGfvROx0Zm7x44Q-vCLzI1uzjqV4Hesxgt5dcv7aKa2jqIEbrcKrq7jno0H9cPzUJMq_rc/s1600/312199_10150288899046876_2126061643_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVh9n_1SmNGCRzIo_JvU-MHCXY3Y-DvQI1e3L1Oeo0R_M9SpZ-09wUaPfE5UvnhltqgVnk9gGfvROx0Zm7x44Q-vCLzI1uzjqV4Hesxgt5dcv7aKa2jqIEbrcKrq7jno0H9cPzUJMq_rc/s400/312199_10150288899046876_2126061643_n.jpeg" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sensouji as seen from Bar Six</td></tr>
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<br />Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-40732448838159319022012-07-14T23:28:00.000-07:002012-07-14T23:29:37.447-07:00Tanabata 七夕July 7<br />
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I've been terribly neglectful, lately. I could blame it on the hot weather, or the fact that there have been about a dozen summer festivals around Tokyo already, but really, I've just been lazy.<br />
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Last weekend, the area around Asakusa was the place to be. The Iriya Asagao market ("Morning Glory" plants), the Tanabata Festival around Kappabashi street and the Houzuki market ("Ground Cherry" or Chinese Lantern plant) in the grounds of Sensouji, all fell around the same time.<br />
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As usual, Tanabata - the star festival - fell on a cloudy day. The story of two gods (the stars Vega and Altair) who fell in love, neglected their duties and were separated, only to meet on July 7, came from China. It was apparently adopted by the Heian court in Kyoto and later became popular with the general population in the Edo period. According to the legend, if it rains on Tanabata, the literally star-crossed lovers cannot meet. It rained buckets this year, so I guess they'll have to try again next year. If you write a wish and tie it to a bamboo branch, it might come true - you're supposed to wish for improved skills, so just wishing for money isn't going to work.<br />
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Tanabata is very popular with little kids. All the kindergartens and elementary schools around my place decorated their gates with bamboo and paper decorations. The sound of the bamboo rustling makes you feel cooler. The decorations - paper lanterns and paper chains remind me of the Christmas decorations we made as kids in kindergarten in Australia.<br />
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There are a few major Tanabata festivals including Hiratsuka in Kanagawa and Asakusa in Tokyo. Asakusa's festival is held along Kappabashi street, which is famous for selling kitchenware. You get the real downtown atmosphere here - stalls selling cold cucumbers on sticks (a very healthy pre-curser to the popsicle), wedges of watermelon and bottles of ramune soda; the local hula class of old ladies puts on a little show; there's a monkey doing tricks (which looks rather sad); catching goldfish games and a kind of "rock paper scissors" showdown, which I didn't really understand, but looked very exciting! It's one of the first chances in the year to wear cotton yukata or jinbei (a kind of pajamas).<br />
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Don't worry, if you missed it - Sendai also has a famous Tanabata festival around August 7th.<br />
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Here are some photos from Kappabashi:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLG7rC7rap3KVrNjw0mHNhDG0LhcKw17FUaN84mBynBaoPSexBFfudhqBcSuuxq1nnlhLxfcBZCKKuyXWm1Ng2rXwv0FpIpKgI3GJnRndGebmAV1S2vOLCMAkSH9GFEeQf4wvLwq20fGo/s1600/DSC04547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLG7rC7rap3KVrNjw0mHNhDG0LhcKw17FUaN84mBynBaoPSexBFfudhqBcSuuxq1nnlhLxfcBZCKKuyXWm1Ng2rXwv0FpIpKgI3GJnRndGebmAV1S2vOLCMAkSH9GFEeQf4wvLwq20fGo/s640/DSC04547.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1TNkaBReXvztY88qnGDsSvrDKvWedCAsZD_CJouN_B4GmZPDCLudbDWIfN64J8-3XRxP0XAgSm51BHgeHQBBbsazL3mT15z_F5PGD6qJNv9LHnVPF055hxkGgGbsGAfjfGxavg6D314/s1600/DSC04550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1TNkaBReXvztY88qnGDsSvrDKvWedCAsZD_CJouN_B4GmZPDCLudbDWIfN64J8-3XRxP0XAgSm51BHgeHQBBbsazL3mT15z_F5PGD6qJNv9LHnVPF055hxkGgGbsGAfjfGxavg6D314/s640/DSC04550.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The decorations feature a "kappa", the symbol of Kappabashi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYuxM2VqEZtD0jkAQBMNLB96uLlv8KT72dy21J-2IG49RDIfKSqJidcrWgEtMlqEFQY_z-kj8T6h5HYe78hxvdY19moFbv1H7NqRZQEV37lCCy0oWh-9wqgAd8gcIxVu1V5I-Q-ppHxI/s1600/DSC04551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYuxM2VqEZtD0jkAQBMNLB96uLlv8KT72dy21J-2IG49RDIfKSqJidcrWgEtMlqEFQY_z-kj8T6h5HYe78hxvdY19moFbv1H7NqRZQEV37lCCy0oWh-9wqgAd8gcIxVu1V5I-Q-ppHxI/s640/DSC04551.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All these little stars were made of paper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDLooH86Jtc6Vs3p1IO8nQao49tbVXRFOs6mjnNZrUUfrA-gpbHnoFMq-2-BpDsyzJdIZ-9ypKjFnl6RkYJ4eHa23pes9rv11u1v08PlooN-WzjpBUcS5MpySao5-qkiovbmLAanbYuc/s1600/DSC04552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDLooH86Jtc6Vs3p1IO8nQao49tbVXRFOs6mjnNZrUUfrA-gpbHnoFMq-2-BpDsyzJdIZ-9ypKjFnl6RkYJ4eHa23pes9rv11u1v08PlooN-WzjpBUcS5MpySao5-qkiovbmLAanbYuc/s640/DSC04552.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wishes and decorations on bamboo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OwFdGdgCX7tjfFVurEWXyZL9-kMJz6IQh4LRkDxfwfuPQeZTVmN5OfNyCUwTtQej2bMVxGU-ZyBZTyfetszt9krbYjL-tALeDWiN9JJ10O1P9w_SI7w8gqPtYm3A54S1Ozeu4720rFo/s1600/DSC04554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OwFdGdgCX7tjfFVurEWXyZL9-kMJz6IQh4LRkDxfwfuPQeZTVmN5OfNyCUwTtQej2bMVxGU-ZyBZTyfetszt9krbYjL-tALeDWiN9JJ10O1P9w_SI7w8gqPtYm3A54S1Ozeu4720rFo/s640/DSC04554.JPG" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strolling in yukata</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxL2ritOup6cLuX-yhNBi_5gLantqAW_HGRiSwe7eEpiKUB72ByoJUuKuAnggyvSfiGnENjbS7Sb6N-Q9A5ku6kjlLZntZLlwNC9a9zey2m5NXSmxyenZs6tscuZpV8qIkjjgX5ffNBE/s1600/DSC04557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxL2ritOup6cLuX-yhNBi_5gLantqAW_HGRiSwe7eEpiKUB72ByoJUuKuAnggyvSfiGnENjbS7Sb6N-Q9A5ku6kjlLZntZLlwNC9a9zey2m5NXSmxyenZs6tscuZpV8qIkjjgX5ffNBE/s640/DSC04557.JPG" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching fish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvMwJMj12CQRbA44lcLdhWSTwFYM4dogs2EEDTKZw1vdT4bsGUvef4MDqhu67hPekIs65pKwtEBUliNAXUMxTIWoG6e9fNn51Led7iI__GIYoduDQASd0O_kMke1Xo31M_7NHNBEDKok/s1600/DSC04558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvMwJMj12CQRbA44lcLdhWSTwFYM4dogs2EEDTKZw1vdT4bsGUvef4MDqhu67hPekIs65pKwtEBUliNAXUMxTIWoG6e9fNn51Led7iI__GIYoduDQASd0O_kMke1Xo31M_7NHNBEDKok/s640/DSC04558.JPG" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kind of sad monkey</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8_tJ27EhaNT2BKqydQ3BMRLa_F3_vbJzWTxXwsLS-bDYW_bNGkGhd9LLKZMjR48G9q6-ve9YRe3Ez12vX6cWbI3EzzGYUA0pxReOI_NSUdu98xN_qGmzzeyEEurXeS3k2o-ULqqrrBU/s1600/DSC04559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8_tJ27EhaNT2BKqydQ3BMRLa_F3_vbJzWTxXwsLS-bDYW_bNGkGhd9LLKZMjR48G9q6-ve9YRe3Ez12vX6cWbI3EzzGYUA0pxReOI_NSUdu98xN_qGmzzeyEEurXeS3k2o-ULqqrrBU/s640/DSC04559.JPG" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hula hooper and the little girls from The Shining</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDTEyi_djvYMLFaZFZejgxxLGRYIm6lGOBw_e9FP4OG2gG9U86swprhlKj_OG_IyndWAGJ2VB4xFGhh40GmSv5cFBcHzn955JtK0Nhahzh4N8B8DoeB2LlsEvcgRZ7SHxxdMovPjwq9c/s1600/DSC04561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDTEyi_djvYMLFaZFZejgxxLGRYIm6lGOBw_e9FP4OG2gG9U86swprhlKj_OG_IyndWAGJ2VB4xFGhh40GmSv5cFBcHzn955JtK0Nhahzh4N8B8DoeB2LlsEvcgRZ7SHxxdMovPjwq9c/s640/DSC04561.JPG" width="554" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold fish are a typical summer motif. How long will it live?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKgRSpBKUihHxoI2pg8b7QjIVyxWrHiALQedWU9onDhgfSe7nuZ0nUwi-m_X9HCliJ-oQPj0_DfB7_9IKya1OSLQWCZtmvZ5Z3A8_7xMyDPJaFV6iZSCdF-inVgw3n2C5fY2gb2lbf-8/s1600/DSC04562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKgRSpBKUihHxoI2pg8b7QjIVyxWrHiALQedWU9onDhgfSe7nuZ0nUwi-m_X9HCliJ-oQPj0_DfB7_9IKya1OSLQWCZtmvZ5Z3A8_7xMyDPJaFV6iZSCdF-inVgw3n2C5fY2gb2lbf-8/s640/DSC04562.JPG" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying watermelon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXsFvUfq84x8Hj77WjKKzAUFPhyzRal3-PyMsFIUT0r1itnwHHpheEVBFYU3b_wIBKPfcKPbp8d3RVtRassWyw6d-cc2CZoBKkKE-hlph6RZvKj9tUIatGVggdzx7DV-FKerwYS9bqT8/s1600/DSC04563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXsFvUfq84x8Hj77WjKKzAUFPhyzRal3-PyMsFIUT0r1itnwHHpheEVBFYU3b_wIBKPfcKPbp8d3RVtRassWyw6d-cc2CZoBKkKE-hlph6RZvKj9tUIatGVggdzx7DV-FKerwYS9bqT8/s640/DSC04563.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting up wishes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEgckZ98PP1mSrkJJ5_O4UC3seZXdnCc8w9XTWnQTAs91JrWiJlcWJoMXPt-65DW5byY8OvITnFHW3lBGaYjBTP4TC0QwZCDe1MjxxdqtKRXw4IUieDd7ll3k07wBt8RQXrqGefX4omk/s1600/DSC04567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEgckZ98PP1mSrkJJ5_O4UC3seZXdnCc8w9XTWnQTAs91JrWiJlcWJoMXPt-65DW5byY8OvITnFHW3lBGaYjBTP4TC0QwZCDe1MjxxdqtKRXw4IUieDd7ll3k07wBt8RQXrqGefX4omk/s640/DSC04567.JPG" width="409" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the "stadium"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntFKp4gW284dhDGvYe_shsBRZHsYGGnNmjJMHy_JTy74_i5c5y7muJYFiDBk4vwNgi4RDs26tB8FXQZEi03NtkX9tJDy652qjxfmv44c4BjIFwlSQSDoi8yfO5Qryh05UmNfqOGaVrgA/s1600/DSC04569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntFKp4gW284dhDGvYe_shsBRZHsYGGnNmjJMHy_JTy74_i5c5y7muJYFiDBk4vwNgi4RDs26tB8FXQZEi03NtkX9tJDy652qjxfmv44c4BjIFwlSQSDoi8yfO5Qryh05UmNfqOGaVrgA/s640/DSC04569.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a complex-looking hand game, something like a geisha drinking game. Can anyone explain it?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9xXJ92Eq2BW3qx4jM31htKoAVyYTHHCJbYD9-tQOWwEvZqL9HmbG4PE7Zdg5XRSoRK9velXBdIIIxDc_Fj24bNOgS3GW2eM1F8Cu1IcXP-MuTdVyTlS1o-fRtLYU37cJsqQGmtlagDM/s1600/DSC04570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9xXJ92Eq2BW3qx4jM31htKoAVyYTHHCJbYD9-tQOWwEvZqL9HmbG4PE7Zdg5XRSoRK9velXBdIIIxDc_Fj24bNOgS3GW2eM1F8Cu1IcXP-MuTdVyTlS1o-fRtLYU37cJsqQGmtlagDM/s640/DSC04570.JPG" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue and white is the most popular colour scheme for yukata</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzF0kgoh63DP-ClnQGp1PkQtgO0recXxLhJK3sO6ZCypANLkyTfuTWzx3JPPyUp_SWX8_hjFltUbndlfOhY4aFZpINY9-zJiJMShxmCxv8cFDyTDFrW0G2MoJsLWdvryOTMb3V0r85fY/s1600/DSC04572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzF0kgoh63DP-ClnQGp1PkQtgO0recXxLhJK3sO6ZCypANLkyTfuTWzx3JPPyUp_SWX8_hjFltUbndlfOhY4aFZpINY9-zJiJMShxmCxv8cFDyTDFrW0G2MoJsLWdvryOTMb3V0r85fY/s640/DSC04572.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think he won the game.</td></tr>
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<br />Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-10368240328149157942012-06-20T17:59:00.000-07:002012-06-27T17:31:43.058-07:00Summer solstice 夏至June 21<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ImrRfz078_ESpNOaMj3cNb3SBvQyF2zwS1JqXkNRhPra4vcI7FTHnCSmoDVMq3vKGG2F1f5mkY-A6dR8_sUl_E6I98wR1EI1_vI7iI8evCxvbi4_prD9CnZ4ZfFA_iePCk4lrFVOe24/s1600/tT001.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ImrRfz078_ESpNOaMj3cNb3SBvQyF2zwS1JqXkNRhPra4vcI7FTHnCSmoDVMq3vKGG2F1f5mkY-A6dR8_sUl_E6I98wR1EI1_vI7iI8evCxvbi4_prD9CnZ4ZfFA_iePCk4lrFVOe24/s400/tT001.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tokyu Hands advertising their rainy season selection</td></tr>
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Today is officially summer solstice, or geshi. We're not doing anything special. It's the middle of rainy season, so sales of umbrellas, Crocs shoes, Wellies and raincoats are up! Biwa (loquat) are coming into season and my neighbours are curing their onions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0GaOOhE0lylCiGMRHhHZawlXI_2zYZEdIZWo-a9SSGZ-ZOxbBDo73OZ_6EZiYW8_-pcn4oti5I0MwLonXuFWD629ikzfxfjTfy6Rv9ZNyTEZRfsuc19_duvVmDqwo7GAUNa5oU4nAFc/s1600/onions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0GaOOhE0lylCiGMRHhHZawlXI_2zYZEdIZWo-a9SSGZ-ZOxbBDo73OZ_6EZiYW8_-pcn4oti5I0MwLonXuFWD629ikzfxfjTfy6Rv9ZNyTEZRfsuc19_duvVmDqwo7GAUNa5oU4nAFc/s320/onions.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neighbourhood onions hanging like laundry</td></tr>
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Last year, Google had a groovy Takashi Murakami doodle for the solstice, but this year, nothing!<br />
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It's getting hotter and more humid every day. My main concerns now are keeping the clothing and bathroom free of mould, or "kabi". My MIL has about 6 drawers of kimono stored at our house, so I have to be vigilant! Actually, being stored in washi paper wrappings rather than plastic, seems to help keep them free of mould, but I'm stocking up on drying sachets and charcoal. Last year, I found her extensive collection of zori - the traditional shoes - had been damaged by damp.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZlNpxHsXBb9w2g6zCVcP3pe9Cy49Bokw7AsepS9_VXjmjsmrEEE_D9ZwY0pNJcjcGvSnxU8SHoG4tJ6AZvutdfAUgZvm6v4QuOGOlHs93eYg3niAeImTw-dxVJFnHqla7qx6hwsDd8Q/s1600/kimono.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZlNpxHsXBb9w2g6zCVcP3pe9Cy49Bokw7AsepS9_VXjmjsmrEEE_D9ZwY0pNJcjcGvSnxU8SHoG4tJ6AZvutdfAUgZvm6v4QuOGOlHs93eYg3niAeImTw-dxVJFnHqla7qx6hwsDd8Q/s320/kimono.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not my MIL, but I like this lady's summer kimono.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T7qLi62D0AJtm1Hcw7jL46-dxkZI7bb97qDI5oN4LVrtZNVSGyrqhO7xReeZ2YLsvktewWAz23i6pfzacld_TMiz5vB7rRTpclKSBOSWnoCDAQVndaoSt3VQeqXp3vhou_OMZUj5xT8/s1600/DSC07005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T7qLi62D0AJtm1Hcw7jL46-dxkZI7bb97qDI5oN4LVrtZNVSGyrqhO7xReeZ2YLsvktewWAz23i6pfzacld_TMiz5vB7rRTpclKSBOSWnoCDAQVndaoSt3VQeqXp3vhou_OMZUj5xT8/s400/DSC07005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kimono are stored flat, wrapped in paper. There's a handy window to show the colour and pattern.</td></tr>
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Looking fashionable in the rain is a big deal here. "Hunter" wellington boots are very popular this year, as well as the brand's rubber ballet flats. Then, you need to co-ordinate your umbrella to your boots and outfit. Slip-on foam handles are also popular for umbrellas this year, both the make it easier to hold and distinguish yours from dozens of others. Hotels and big restaurants have lockable umbrella storage and most department stores have plastic sheaths for your wet umbrella at the entry. I love the day after a rainy day, when my neighbours hang their umbrellas on their garden trees to dry out, making "umbrella trees".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5AaIqMMWg97Sbg0FbbPUPMD6hYD6xjP9DbvYBEkqCJLmcT6ohvcjDIQeajkTAX7_QM6PGiikzukgiY4iY4h3P0OvKxH-gTMUOZMgjjV5kMr1FMXPdQaUFfgQJbS6CXqq9gg6rCmIREk/s1600/oshare+rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5AaIqMMWg97Sbg0FbbPUPMD6hYD6xjP9DbvYBEkqCJLmcT6ohvcjDIQeajkTAX7_QM6PGiikzukgiY4iY4h3P0OvKxH-gTMUOZMgjjV5kMr1FMXPdQaUFfgQJbS6CXqq9gg6rCmIREk/s400/oshare+rain.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Co-ordinating your rain gear.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRco5oUiK85AXjOqkJzEweiIXq8J4fzQIb4EusgKdonEw5DtthNXCIs5V15IgbyDoX_l2axu6dc8suOPenF54WyVYOkXvjURtVXMeK9aXv4F4zVmIiImTqScf4C8u8YSTmqB0_8SF9IE/s1600/umbrella1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRco5oUiK85AXjOqkJzEweiIXq8J4fzQIb4EusgKdonEw5DtthNXCIs5V15IgbyDoX_l2axu6dc8suOPenF54WyVYOkXvjURtVXMeK9aXv4F4zVmIiImTqScf4C8u8YSTmqB0_8SF9IE/s640/umbrella1.jpg" width="451" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katana umbrellas...may give you trouble at the airport</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJXuwSs1n3fo5KzOCy7XsLOAZh94sDP_bP9zWur3WcPKvzMmVRY2Lwcq6LnpWcU6ad1dtBYH3lrd5cr4Fx1xKKcMk7wm1-13Lf5hVqp7TihWYzSXpnn6NVAbrjafbMwLh3hA41si6WNw/s1600/umbrella2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJXuwSs1n3fo5KzOCy7XsLOAZh94sDP_bP9zWur3WcPKvzMmVRY2Lwcq6LnpWcU6ad1dtBYH3lrd5cr4Fx1xKKcMk7wm1-13Lf5hVqp7TihWYzSXpnn6NVAbrjafbMwLh3hA41si6WNw/s400/umbrella2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For compact samurai and ninja</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEm8i4_3hcuE-4tkV2_An0DIDXJje1vsv7pk5HNhY7GgHfSPvnUwBfuKoo8_pakwymLb_-pt2rF6jnwghqOi4CpP20vf20IRex8WybQHLHs5Ld_0xDpBT1v0m5hwpPoP1XQgvDtG75q94/s1600/rainy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEm8i4_3hcuE-4tkV2_An0DIDXJje1vsv7pk5HNhY7GgHfSPvnUwBfuKoo8_pakwymLb_-pt2rF6jnwghqOi4CpP20vf20IRex8WybQHLHs5Ld_0xDpBT1v0m5hwpPoP1XQgvDtG75q94/s400/rainy.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can send cards to friends in rainy season, or more usually, in high summer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shop in Nezu with pots of hydrangeas makes me happy just to look at it!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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July and August will bring all the festivals and fireworks. I can't wait!Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-600951571220635302012-06-11T17:46:00.000-07:002012-06-20T16:49:51.193-07:00Tsuyu 梅雨<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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June<br />
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Rainy season is here! The kanji for Tsuyu is 梅雨 which literally means "plum rain". It's not that the rain is heavy like dropping plums - in fact, it tends to be light and misty - but this is the season for plums.<br />
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June 11th was "kasa no hi" or umbrella day - the official start of rainy season, which should last till early July. I kind of like rainy season, despite the bother of umbrellas and raincoats. The soft rain intensifies all the lush greens. It's humid, but not yet too hot, and the evenings are still pleasantly cool. Japanese summer is something else - hot, unbearably humid and like last year, we'll be subject to voluntary power saving, which means offices and trains will have their aircon set to 28 degrees. More on that later.<br />
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My 80 year old neighbour is an excellent gardener, and over the past week, tiny eggplants have dropped, runner beans have shot up as if over night, along with what looks like pumpkins, potatoes and flowers. Small green plums (more like apricots, but they call them plums here) are growing on another neighbour's tree and the supermarket is selling big plastic jars and bags of rock sugar, to make your own "umeshu", plum wine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenOSPCO88Wk0i6ypNg9TdCx6yXYDAc0UTWk2QGnpUUW9Lx9hokoiQZuqm4iMhb6zCotqsQ2a7fgE4ReZLubZEpA3IYQsMIoq0fUB3l_Fr0Mw7f1zACrU4zaJXGhmVvIWhw-rMLyk-At8/s1600/umeshu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenOSPCO88Wk0i6ypNg9TdCx6yXYDAc0UTWk2QGnpUUW9Lx9hokoiQZuqm4iMhb6zCotqsQ2a7fgE4ReZLubZEpA3IYQsMIoq0fUB3l_Fr0Mw7f1zACrU4zaJXGhmVvIWhw-rMLyk-At8/s320/umeshu.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My MIL's umeshu. Smells good!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdMH9PA3SOVVZvRwKe3me7sPc4TWb_p63xs64YV_VVxVDdaAksVnPjFdUYwl_8FE1qqOqxiDPDuz91xiLOaS94h6FGq_6r77NJRKPG2PCdsdirBq78lR4v53MIunTKNjZZvtW-LFDbB4/s1600/umeshu2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdMH9PA3SOVVZvRwKe3me7sPc4TWb_p63xs64YV_VVxVDdaAksVnPjFdUYwl_8FE1qqOqxiDPDuz91xiLOaS94h6FGq_6r77NJRKPG2PCdsdirBq78lR4v53MIunTKNjZZvtW-LFDbB4/s400/umeshu2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks a bit daunting, but I think it'll taste good. You can see she made this on June 7th, 2 years ago.</td></tr>
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We have a jar that my mother in law made a few years ago... might be time to try it! Pickled plums, "umeboshi" are also popular. The best come from Wakayama - they're big, soft, juicy and salty/sour, all at once. They're supposed to be a good remedy for heat fatigue and have an alkalinizing effect - which is apparently good. They're also meant to be a guard against food poisoning and a good cure for nausea, so they're a popular hangover cure. I guess if you have too much umeshu, you can pop an umeboshi the next day - a kind of 'hair of the dog' cure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zW-f26Wuww6DErc5zhALuYQYPSk64O20d6ryIoqUJHn6FnxTESdk8_7PHUoOPsjC8uCl2DFiGBGjI75Pyz5RP5Mn171E2gvLUj6mvry_TPjHVPorg9tw9w8DqX27gDL98KzmF2cjbWE/s1600/umeboshi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zW-f26Wuww6DErc5zhALuYQYPSk64O20d6ryIoqUJHn6FnxTESdk8_7PHUoOPsjC8uCl2DFiGBGjI75Pyz5RP5Mn171E2gvLUj6mvry_TPjHVPorg9tw9w8DqX27gDL98KzmF2cjbWE/s400/umeboshi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's an umeboshi, with shiso leaves, which help make it a more vivid red, and add to the taste.</td></tr>
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Our 'garden', which is more like a strip of grass that taunts me with weeds, is now overgrown with dokudami, with white, four-petal flowers. In fact it's all over the neighbourhood now. It doesn't smell very nice. I looked it up and in English it's called 'heartleaf', 'lizard tail' and sometimes "fish mint"! The Japanese meaning is "poison blocker", and it was used as cure for poisoning in the Edo era and now it's used as a detoxifier and diuretic. You can make a tea from its dried leaves. I imagine it tastes pretty bad. My friend Atsuko told me it's also used as a face lotion - if you don't mind the smell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKW7BnRb2PfAqCAT2GoF29h29xHmjecjf9D2hURLW4ZPyx6DqJEDe2MVan7yDi2cioTMd5gcJsbZvIjv5ZuXbp4THK9m4fVKJizt0JwAfeWAIJF5yhTSo7HL3UW1JxWFD0uu7wb8UdVNc/s1600/dokudamibike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKW7BnRb2PfAqCAT2GoF29h29xHmjecjf9D2hURLW4ZPyx6DqJEDe2MVan7yDi2cioTMd5gcJsbZvIjv5ZuXbp4THK9m4fVKJizt0JwAfeWAIJF5yhTSo7HL3UW1JxWFD0uu7wb8UdVNc/s400/dokudamibike.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The family bikes lost in a jungle of dokudami.</td></tr>
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Tsuyu is also the time for hydrangeas - "ajisai", followed in a few weeks by morning glory - "asagao". The colours of ajisai - those lovely soft purples and watery blues - look even better on a softly rainy day, so last weekend, we ventured down to Kamakura, which is famous for its flowers. Actually, my husband pointed out there are many shrines and gardens all over Japan with gorgeous displays of ajisai right now, but Kamakura has marketed itself as "the place" to see them. I went to Kita Kamakura for the first time, to see the "ajisai dera" or hydrangea temple, Meigetsuin, which is a lazy 15 mins walk from the station.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDBMH_xmbiw2-4pXftkZSJMkKPL-Ji2DUJj3BEAtc-9cf73c7tX7kHeAF70iOt8CIPmjRq3dUdUIsjkRiOacfi-RhS8st0ZGpA9ACl-oEttdysBaVVfntZMp9JTy3Woj-pbNxSgAzm3Q/s1600/megetsu2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDBMH_xmbiw2-4pXftkZSJMkKPL-Ji2DUJj3BEAtc-9cf73c7tX7kHeAF70iOt8CIPmjRq3dUdUIsjkRiOacfi-RhS8st0ZGpA9ACl-oEttdysBaVVfntZMp9JTy3Woj-pbNxSgAzm3Q/s320/megetsu2.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This hydrangea had unusual purple edging.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzOLyX7GNAy1WKnQVNVkeCJ7QHrKQnyXwebfysCduyDNBazZi7JukoaYLBs5iEFpo5f41DHn8qBzUp39D2ZJ75cYGxLA8Neb_HaRIAcUPJKULntQ2a2QBcNn_zcHCQRihfHfRZEk0d-w/s1600/megetsu1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzOLyX7GNAy1WKnQVNVkeCJ7QHrKQnyXwebfysCduyDNBazZi7JukoaYLBs5iEFpo5f41DHn8qBzUp39D2ZJ75cYGxLA8Neb_HaRIAcUPJKULntQ2a2QBcNn_zcHCQRihfHfRZEk0d-w/s320/megetsu1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a tea house offering matcha, ice tea and coffee and sweets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11EWe7VG13V6Tu_-pnojheYwoFS2U_aIZinR7wYq4Bz1OKItxZqG-f_d5Ylve4wjakBmEuJexRMaDEYl57xRi1kcF49BmSoXdEPFvzw_57w2mc8WKPV-fo-Oku8hyphenhyphenQZ39KiNy7JfbsQw/s1600/megetsu7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11EWe7VG13V6Tu_-pnojheYwoFS2U_aIZinR7wYq4Bz1OKItxZqG-f_d5Ylve4wjakBmEuJexRMaDEYl57xRi1kcF49BmSoXdEPFvzw_57w2mc8WKPV-fo-Oku8hyphenhyphenQZ39KiNy7JfbsQw/s320/megetsu7.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The jizo statues also get offerings of ajisai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3i_2InAhpli_RBN5yi1_M4Z7Y5Q4x9x9T2U2nKCfpLuVTx-aFhgfWnFH5rwE7ntTs2ZY58ig5a8cOQWz6Q4L4sQsKLo2XOsHWcCeohNRMlGQF8_ih3taG1eptjvmxOdgPHp0v050ZuaA/s1600/megetsu4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3i_2InAhpli_RBN5yi1_M4Z7Y5Q4x9x9T2U2nKCfpLuVTx-aFhgfWnFH5rwE7ntTs2ZY58ig5a8cOQWz6Q4L4sQsKLo2XOsHWcCeohNRMlGQF8_ih3taG1eptjvmxOdgPHp0v050ZuaA/s320/megetsu4.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhzC6RQ-a7JpjHvgHXc0BccUZC7J_b3FnoS-WY6CRcptRlXNFaErzMQb1GWuqHYZqy_FpJlaG8fLybmAaZD4d9tNEiRDgkZZsGnxynMNu7NW3jq2ygFAQe_qPnuNPUA3V5L39QCzz_YQ/s1600/megetsu9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhzC6RQ-a7JpjHvgHXc0BccUZC7J_b3FnoS-WY6CRcptRlXNFaErzMQb1GWuqHYZqy_FpJlaG8fLybmAaZD4d9tNEiRDgkZZsGnxynMNu7NW3jq2ygFAQe_qPnuNPUA3V5L39QCzz_YQ/s400/megetsu9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ajisai paths</td></tr>
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It was terribly crowded on a Sunday, but very beautiful (and, ironically, bright and sunny). Meigetsuin is famous for its long, sloping paths up to the main temple building, which are lined with ajisai.<br />
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The temple also has a room with a round window, which frames the garden beyond. At the moment, the back garden has irises. There's also a small waterfall and a koi pond. The window is one of those classically "Japanese" views, but seeing it without the crowds is almost impossible.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GuEXjf0epfc_PsS80jyrhReKHhWRFMrwPYMUm-HE456OmxZXDcaM4ZfU3yajn-L835zUgEgiS6TCKhHVCMyVI3DE01EoopaR8YmzMAZVZ58dZCn54dZ5eV-HMhm-iy3WHL1zbxImArI/s1600/megetsu5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GuEXjf0epfc_PsS80jyrhReKHhWRFMrwPYMUm-HE456OmxZXDcaM4ZfU3yajn-L835zUgEgiS6TCKhHVCMyVI3DE01EoopaR8YmzMAZVZ58dZCn54dZ5eV-HMhm-iy3WHL1zbxImArI/s400/megetsu5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous round window from the outside</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iiNF-FwpmFgfRkouExKXYVgUiZcGBahzYY038QGP7OnH5IL4YX7Oq3g02o7D5ZAAbQWRD-RX5bqHnkzazfS3nr7FHbmDvEsiZGceT0NTltV5qRCDwmUkP_CpNXIkAyIZ-kXH4FMf9As/s1600/megetsu8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iiNF-FwpmFgfRkouExKXYVgUiZcGBahzYY038QGP7OnH5IL4YX7Oq3g02o7D5ZAAbQWRD-RX5bqHnkzazfS3nr7FHbmDvEsiZGceT0NTltV5qRCDwmUkP_CpNXIkAyIZ-kXH4FMf9As/s320/megetsu8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And from inside. It costs 500 yen to get to this room and 500 yen if you want to walk in the garden beyond, so make a choice: either just look at the garden through the window, or walk in it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1muACBAqxijeJI2NqQuZXFgwR1xiP6-ATmWh2CO6-frGAdHmh66W-7Fw1PE7eQTzb8JNYzG0gQIGhLLYMgNXFNJg9JKrbwUkD1sw449alWdXKPoIw2j1QDaMq-BgA6OwpdkMUC7bvAyo/s1600/megetsu6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1muACBAqxijeJI2NqQuZXFgwR1xiP6-ATmWh2CO6-frGAdHmh66W-7Fw1PE7eQTzb8JNYzG0gQIGhLLYMgNXFNJg9JKrbwUkD1sw449alWdXKPoIw2j1QDaMq-BgA6OwpdkMUC7bvAyo/s400/megetsu6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "back yard" irises</td></tr>
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The shrine opens at 9am, so you could possibly get there super-early, or at the end of the season (say, late June, on a weekday), to see it without the crowds.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIALQ8vqwdQn2cKbSevUKj6nws1z-5gYdxVId9lUUJquwv7fjFDkEqMdn6J_A4J-h81ysgkPGvTLNLpYELvVFrm1SJFlNX64FdjMbDFDsi83lV6MAWRkY90Th0wVS_XA42prxw_nz94I/s1600/more+ajisai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIALQ8vqwdQn2cKbSevUKj6nws1z-5gYdxVId9lUUJquwv7fjFDkEqMdn6J_A4J-h81ysgkPGvTLNLpYELvVFrm1SJFlNX64FdjMbDFDsi83lV6MAWRkY90Th0wVS_XA42prxw_nz94I/s400/more+ajisai.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are ajisai everywhere you look in Kamakura<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f4vgjdKLvmfhFmTWAqrWht2V0v5iAdMdWDOcDZI2tfmgPh2BCo43Loy5C8JRB0nHE5Xmi5o9qdAbEToSZnKD43_d3exOSUskl-RcFuXbzgKZcBB_fFDBYdUqMKxxtHyZxGoBlokquJk/s1600/aji2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f4vgjdKLvmfhFmTWAqrWht2V0v5iAdMdWDOcDZI2tfmgPh2BCo43Loy5C8JRB0nHE5Xmi5o9qdAbEToSZnKD43_d3exOSUskl-RcFuXbzgKZcBB_fFDBYdUqMKxxtHyZxGoBlokquJk/s400/aji2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll also find ajisai designs on summer fabrics.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvsHBAWsQ_b2VEtyWxHBlwJLDyVfhgPrX6ziTEnSfNN4MbMMA7VL5g2OT-GF9qF07ATamNnJc20CRNH0EIkxOLEzEO3lBvnl7E-pKR2Cp_Y7zcvUsjOH9jZmJwb1kGX0aywLKlLgZxE4/s1600/ajisai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvsHBAWsQ_b2VEtyWxHBlwJLDyVfhgPrX6ziTEnSfNN4MbMMA7VL5g2OT-GF9qF07ATamNnJc20CRNH0EIkxOLEzEO3lBvnl7E-pKR2Cp_Y7zcvUsjOH9jZmJwb1kGX0aywLKlLgZxE4/s400/ajisai.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pots of ajisai decorate almost every store.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJBFD1za-R-9Cp1zix-FO260Hu0-m3q4L3WSMJqsEQNY2NtWyFGt-FCyYt7veVf5UBPOnB3-aQVcPszTZd_gz5pRaDRLSAE4IREEq-Uk3HuP16xL2oA0CveEkd0CJb9eMpaybBnc2dpk/s1600/sweets1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJBFD1za-R-9Cp1zix-FO260Hu0-m3q4L3WSMJqsEQNY2NtWyFGt-FCyYt7veVf5UBPOnB3-aQVcPszTZd_gz5pRaDRLSAE4IREEq-Uk3HuP16xL2oA0CveEkd0CJb9eMpaybBnc2dpk/s400/sweets1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summery sweets at Toshimaya, the home of "Hato Sabure"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuVtFIWhAZond4OCQ5bfhtqxe_KT_Kq1y84PZMvNB1IwmaHOVIdVYvrXtC-JzbVNTYTczRan5tgtek9ixCDhz3X42yGJXtAalQr3rCwLUBDqoRptMjcK9ih3V_fMhfSO2sWOedxjdrI0/s1600/wagashi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuVtFIWhAZond4OCQ5bfhtqxe_KT_Kq1y84PZMvNB1IwmaHOVIdVYvrXtC-JzbVNTYTczRan5tgtek9ixCDhz3X42yGJXtAalQr3rCwLUBDqoRptMjcK9ih3V_fMhfSO2sWOedxjdrI0/s400/wagashi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More wagashi at Toshimaya. The lower right one looks like ajisai.<br />
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You can find more about Toshimaya and Hato Sabure in my other blog, here: <a href="http://minimeibutsu.blogspot.jp/2012/04/day-in-kamakura.html">minimeibutsu in Kamakura</a></td></tr>
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<br />Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-12696761662022215662012-06-03T17:28:00.000-07:002012-06-03T17:31:10.501-07:00Holidays are goldenGolden Week<br />
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Golden week is a series of public holidays at the end of
April – early May. With the weekends, you only need take a day or two off work
to get a 10 day holiday. The weather is usually lovely: warm but not yet humid
(except this year, we had freakish storms), and for everyone who started a new
job or school in April, it’s prefect timing to get a little breathing space.
You see, it truly is a golden week. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The main holiday is children’s day or “kodomo no hi” on May 5th.
Originally it was ‘boy’s day’, but it was renamed in 1948 to be more inclusive.
However, the main focus is still boys: families with sons display replica
samurai helmets or dolls, or other figures of strength like Kintaro, in the
hope that their sons will grow up strong and healthy. It’s very similar to the
girls’ doll festival in some ways. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglacOIfrUPljQUx_Uy9biJwgKnhXFnZQfFJEE4To3e0A4x-ChTdEAVkf4Kd3VITM6zCY8LudGKCW8xmjrxF_HTScb63fjl7_hKA3BSy-5fSQ_XuvxAuw2bkc7hlj2Mu8x4iAMaz0ohlmA/s1600/kintaro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglacOIfrUPljQUx_Uy9biJwgKnhXFnZQfFJEE4To3e0A4x-ChTdEAVkf4Kd3VITM6zCY8LudGKCW8xmjrxF_HTScb63fjl7_hKA3BSy-5fSQ_XuvxAuw2bkc7hlj2Mu8x4iAMaz0ohlmA/s320/kintaro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our "Kintaro" doing a sumo pose, while his bear friend flies the carp flags.</td></tr>
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There’s an amazing doll shop near Asakusabashi station in
East Tokyo, which displays all the traditional warrior dolls, but this year
they also had “Darth Vader” and “Storm Trouper” heads; a nice reference to the
way the Star Wars costumes referenced samurai armour. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7G1BgRVaVmduxfxwpk6B8p1H7LwWRK0XpcQNVYm0Ih1T6kOe4XU4XfucBCUzXsUqWhaRcalV7jjOpVYsxOKW85ytyloTyqSsGU7WYEfBItYhy39kZ3hyphenhyphenZPkr0PRW3AZRENXZWHmd6mA/s1600/GWstarwars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7G1BgRVaVmduxfxwpk6B8p1H7LwWRK0XpcQNVYm0Ih1T6kOe4XU4XfucBCUzXsUqWhaRcalV7jjOpVYsxOKW85ytyloTyqSsGU7WYEfBItYhy39kZ3hyphenhyphenZPkr0PRW3AZRENXZWHmd6mA/s400/GWstarwars.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The glass was too reflective, but you can just see the Storm Trouper, for about $1,800</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwp7GTNGfo9IaooSwfB3Q6jZ46cNrZ4c9w_6cCvYEmQ7aq4mLCZsHJ6FdwVyOZf-F3o2GcAvhmUpLxf5ibbQGHwJLWfcmo-8_UEA1IxIbY_hl_99a7lV__snaiXl8yCkYZxLM5mIjVUE/s1600/GWkabuto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwp7GTNGfo9IaooSwfB3Q6jZ46cNrZ4c9w_6cCvYEmQ7aq4mLCZsHJ6FdwVyOZf-F3o2GcAvhmUpLxf5ibbQGHwJLWfcmo-8_UEA1IxIbY_hl_99a7lV__snaiXl8yCkYZxLM5mIjVUE/s400/GWkabuto.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the traditional style with helmet, sword, arrows and irises</td></tr>
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Japanese Irises - “Hanashoubu” - are just coming into season and often feature in displays,
thanks to their straight, sword-like leaves and proud purple flowers. The
Japanese word “shoubu” also sounds like “victory”. Some people put the leaves
in the bath, to hopefully make their kids strong and ward off bad luck. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8t7hhRs2l_RM9jJNfipDZZXRzZhNB-48TH6KaNtBEW0SuVuRE_syjzy0S7KrDuE9ncayt2WzJfnthh3uti1z2MkU6r1RebHg0N5wP54ckzJkrSsUxghR4Tv3KTNLRLXD55y2pY5WOtQ/s1600/DSC06421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8t7hhRs2l_RM9jJNfipDZZXRzZhNB-48TH6KaNtBEW0SuVuRE_syjzy0S7KrDuE9ncayt2WzJfnthh3uti1z2MkU6r1RebHg0N5wP54ckzJkrSsUxghR4Tv3KTNLRLXD55y2pY5WOtQ/s400/DSC06421.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's too early for the spectacular iris displays in parks like Horikiri Shoubuen, but you'll find random clumps of irises growing around the neighbourhood.</td></tr>
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One of my favourite things about Golden Week is seeing all
the carp streamers. Families put up “koinobori” or carp streamers, which
symbolise the energy and strength of carp swimming and jumping upstream,
overcoming any obstacle. Usually there’s a large black carp for Dad, then a red
one for Mum, followed by smaller ones for the kids, in order of age. We went up
to Tatebayashi in Gunma to see the famous koinobori strung across the river.
There are over 5,000 carp streamers! If you time it right and go in early
April, you can see the carp and the cherry blossoms together.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFoUDPzzm3zaoR3jOInOA1vFYAC11N_kF3WMtpbGCVG8LbQeKLe7sD2DXk4XshK_6j66I9Y-GrnRvWyJriCjyePG3DtJDaF1Fs-HdlIggC9VNLOyhNbJaAjPB_OTiQPgAbAfkIovM0YA/s1600/GWkoitunnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFoUDPzzm3zaoR3jOInOA1vFYAC11N_kF3WMtpbGCVG8LbQeKLe7sD2DXk4XshK_6j66I9Y-GrnRvWyJriCjyePG3DtJDaF1Fs-HdlIggC9VNLOyhNbJaAjPB_OTiQPgAbAfkIovM0YA/s320/GWkoitunnel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These koinobori were set up as tunnels for kids to play in</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUNAotky4PzJAgHXyF-6QrdZMsz6LqDihfVE2PMJe-P-wNxskFPuT4PA1fN7FhG3Sucd4t5yegQtYkZyYaWfkWc9QvjOnT3bHxK24wjKHCjYDMWv_DzDb7e4Qrl7W0hvt0OkjBLGkLcI/s1600/DSC06271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUNAotky4PzJAgHXyF-6QrdZMsz6LqDihfVE2PMJe-P-wNxskFPuT4PA1fN7FhG3Sucd4t5yegQtYkZyYaWfkWc9QvjOnT3bHxK24wjKHCjYDMWv_DzDb7e4Qrl7W0hvt0OkjBLGkLcI/s400/DSC06271.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spectacular carp streamers flying over the river in Tatebayashi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntXN3A0KxbsUMpIIFoNsZLCS_9Edwqxy_xanM9RjPnxdcCmPy00NCLBXzFz3dk8xCxZqQ5aOZtBlC4kk1Iiko7I0HQqM2b9YZ46oF6hlgiSI_xwNA-mHw5_XcDRNIXxb4Zzk2cgRHrTE/s1600/koi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntXN3A0KxbsUMpIIFoNsZLCS_9Edwqxy_xanM9RjPnxdcCmPy00NCLBXzFz3dk8xCxZqQ5aOZtBlC4kk1Iiko7I0HQqM2b9YZ46oF6hlgiSI_xwNA-mHw5_XcDRNIXxb4Zzk2cgRHrTE/s400/koi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgsQHFfsN4BYCtDy6FAadcEaw0l1_gyuF1uBTVYFfrswEjgxzssdakRj47Z1l2N2FhAx0mpNCJCNPuFYDiE_fdbXf1_4Ml2ijJYQv3FIEAZW02o1RJpNgyCjdE6wTo-PyCk5rUz8lRTA/s1600/more+koi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgsQHFfsN4BYCtDy6FAadcEaw0l1_gyuF1uBTVYFfrswEjgxzssdakRj47Z1l2N2FhAx0mpNCJCNPuFYDiE_fdbXf1_4Ml2ijJYQv3FIEAZW02o1RJpNgyCjdE6wTo-PyCk5rUz8lRTA/s400/more+koi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb3PqQyGV_ULPb54DiShC7LhUMlxq3eAM62VqGRxbzC25NMCL73I28RrrAfkSYjSyhE6iyqR3aWbUZXB2yAfmRY-HjLPW8obHUyg7zFu7ry3v39xR6nSz_AwhF6iINi8HcDkLDXtCXGc/s1600/koisenbeiGW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb3PqQyGV_ULPb54DiShC7LhUMlxq3eAM62VqGRxbzC25NMCL73I28RrrAfkSYjSyhE6iyqR3aWbUZXB2yAfmRY-HjLPW8obHUyg7zFu7ry3v39xR6nSz_AwhF6iINi8HcDkLDXtCXGc/s400/koisenbeiGW.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are sembei- rice crackers - wrapped up like koinobori, with a plastic iris.</td></tr>
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The traditional treat for Children’s Day is kashiwa mochi –
mochi sweets wrapped in oak leaves. The story is that oak trees don’ t drop
their old leaves until new leaves appear, symbolising the strength and
continuity of the family. Anyway, kashiwa mochi is delicious! It comes filled
with sweet bean paste or a mix of bean paste and miso. You shouldn’t eat the
oak leaf, but you can enjoy the imprint it leaves on the soft mochi. One of
these days I’m going to try to make some mochi sweets. We have a few kilos of
mochi rice here, thanks to our relatives up in Tochigi who send us a couple of
big bags of rice every year (though they stopped sending them last year due to
radiation concerns; we got local tofu and yuba instead). I almost cooked the
mochi rice by accident once, which would have made a gloopy mess of my curry! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij48Jrj2vgHY0DK2N5srGTr3-iIRPfxklwky4ArE7_qQOjUq4evLZPWNcGNi6cnd93a_wIuMlrITmFzcXMD2V9OvvBQOS5OsibsxAQFWNpHIgL7X6xUe_hLEUnDBfDr70hgnXtyP5y3i4/s1600/kashiwamochiGW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij48Jrj2vgHY0DK2N5srGTr3-iIRPfxklwky4ArE7_qQOjUq4evLZPWNcGNi6cnd93a_wIuMlrITmFzcXMD2V9OvvBQOS5OsibsxAQFWNpHIgL7X6xUe_hLEUnDBfDr70hgnXtyP5y3i4/s400/kashiwamochiGW.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kashiwa mochi wrapped in fresh oak leaves. They smell sweet and "green".</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_KGe1nbzOCzX0P90WB0b4t602YSi8dx6J5D9kCviYubswGqmyzvChmQCCi5-hQK7dc3syrIE59Y6iq-dqqZ3JyxQMIA8jvQ85cOIvag71iAwgMx_psbZbjAhOoUHptPO2ycKzghCC7g/s1600/kashiwamochi2GW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_KGe1nbzOCzX0P90WB0b4t602YSi8dx6J5D9kCviYubswGqmyzvChmQCCi5-hQK7dc3syrIE59Y6iq-dqqZ3JyxQMIA8jvQ85cOIvag71iAwgMx_psbZbjAhOoUHptPO2ycKzghCC7g/s400/kashiwamochi2GW.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside: this one is a mix of miso and white bean paste.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-39492874836419305382012-05-27T19:58:00.000-07:002012-05-27T19:58:00.337-07:00Late spring flowersAzalea, wisteria, phlox...<br />
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Just before Golden Week (late April), a whole host of flowers burst into full bloom, sparking a frenzy of flower viewing. I travelled to Tatebayashi in Gunma prefecture, to see "shibazakura" - phlox, and "tsutsuji" - azaleas. Closer to home, Nezu shrine has a spectacular tsutsuji matsuri, Kameido shrine is famous for "fuji" - wisteria, and my old favourite, Horikiri Shobuen (most famous for its irises in late June/July) also has gorgeous wisteria and peonies.<br />
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In Tatebayashi, the newly revamped "The Treasures Garden" has carpets of pale pink, magenta and blue shibazakura, plus an English-style walled garden. It's a lovely place to walk around and they have THE BEST sakura flavour icecream! You can also buy potted plants to take home and honey made from local flowers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP1inkNnW-GDYWoXUF4b-feMq3aCLVK80r0blu8b0fporbmXlcEkAT11Nh6a6bwVHv4O7cWqzYIxm-WlF3SoIBTdXF36ETPSzCr0-pIYZ4F3DGEQfJpBBVEWR_UZR9sbVcBV_-89yxx4/s1600/DSC06153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP1inkNnW-GDYWoXUF4b-feMq3aCLVK80r0blu8b0fporbmXlcEkAT11Nh6a6bwVHv4O7cWqzYIxm-WlF3SoIBTdXF36ETPSzCr0-pIYZ4F3DGEQfJpBBVEWR_UZR9sbVcBV_-89yxx4/s400/DSC06153.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shibazakura at The Treasures Garden</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08_42dBkP7M-934rAK8uZY35shu1gYg60WDJQ1noTilwqTzlE9IvSkdM6jVivzB2yR3LlaLb_KVC8P0ty5FUDIp4XXK-3jK2mNJJidwtzxHNdJTnbRO5_mwjZwAFUiASgvfSAb6GvMhM/s1600/DSC06158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08_42dBkP7M-934rAK8uZY35shu1gYg60WDJQ1noTilwqTzlE9IvSkdM6jVivzB2yR3LlaLb_KVC8P0ty5FUDIp4XXK-3jK2mNJJidwtzxHNdJTnbRO5_mwjZwAFUiASgvfSAb6GvMhM/s400/DSC06158.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the real colour - no enhancement needed!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWNjWtMIXp7UmgP7J849TP2Vp3c93AG-YIvZEH-FpzcDlLXS1V8xJYaxENzyjo_pDTcg7KBHA8ZH8VL9e5CS8DULa6mG6Z2ur4m84xl1E9k-Xw0TwdMuL81WWg_CSsPCVgtaH3v-3ZYY/s1600/DSC06195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWNjWtMIXp7UmgP7J849TP2Vp3c93AG-YIvZEH-FpzcDlLXS1V8xJYaxENzyjo_pDTcg7KBHA8ZH8VL9e5CS8DULa6mG6Z2ur4m84xl1E9k-Xw0TwdMuL81WWg_CSsPCVgtaH3v-3ZYY/s400/DSC06195.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's also a "viburnum walk"</td></tr>
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Getting there: we drove - it's about 30 mins from Omiya on the expressway. You can take a train to Tatebayashi station, then a taxi (about 10 mins) or you can walk from Morinji Station (about 15 minutes). Entrance fee is around 500 yen for adults.<br />
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Then we headed over to the famous azalea park, Tsutsujigaoka park, about 10 minutes drive away. It is VERY popular at the peak of azalea season, which falls at the beginning of Golden Week. Bus loads of old ladies were disgorging into the souvenir shops and tour groups were traipsing through the hills of flowers. It is spectacular, though: over 10,000 azalea trees - they're too big to be bushes - some of them are over 800 years old. I was also impressed that the toilet facilities were clean and new and had real, fresh flowers! There are lots of casual snack places to enjoy a beer and some yakitori or dango.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsWvpVY9aQVH2opL0DJPjBN2nKMjjEKn4yERM6oeDLIOFKIb14ydnuPp84k74qCIW8LRsrRUGLwIKTbG0aE7fCh2z6ongf56_Gj4CagJTS8-6fhJBbrc0gA3kq2Y9b1hjL2JoCQ-_5iE/s1600/DSC06245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsWvpVY9aQVH2opL0DJPjBN2nKMjjEKn4yERM6oeDLIOFKIb14ydnuPp84k74qCIW8LRsrRUGLwIKTbG0aE7fCh2z6ongf56_Gj4CagJTS8-6fhJBbrc0gA3kq2Y9b1hjL2JoCQ-_5iE/s400/DSC06245.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers, as far as the eye can see</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXdoYSON5HbT_XgXlVRJaI1okaEtFKaaOC00iUwBxar7HPGxHZLdm0mHQXX23YjFpOvV3U0Qbn8ZWLPbLOFvqxcgQV4k6pbcnBBR97_dhdDlMueVXbDUcg0P-CBMxxBeUra-0dG75YE4/s1600/DSC06246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXdoYSON5HbT_XgXlVRJaI1okaEtFKaaOC00iUwBxar7HPGxHZLdm0mHQXX23YjFpOvV3U0Qbn8ZWLPbLOFvqxcgQV4k6pbcnBBR97_dhdDlMueVXbDUcg0P-CBMxxBeUra-0dG75YE4/s320/DSC06246.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can also take a mini river cruise, but it only goes in a circle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTCxJ461baBcIA38ulYWEVrEPnhrSZ4lk-F_BpW00aPSGLZtj-9wiHKp5a-9EDeRaCR0Pl5viR3RGlb0sFbGVdkWu8a-6LGjyfzWoOGDh_xxdqB4z-PPjN5mmoTO73rR7uZWJ5GJG-wQ/s1600/DSC06258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTCxJ461baBcIA38ulYWEVrEPnhrSZ4lk-F_BpW00aPSGLZtj-9wiHKp5a-9EDeRaCR0Pl5viR3RGlb0sFbGVdkWu8a-6LGjyfzWoOGDh_xxdqB4z-PPjN5mmoTO73rR7uZWJ5GJG-wQ/s320/DSC06258.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the older trees</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjdiXDX7dlyFheoPlX0HIZuWagoX5uIfi3Q4af4R5MsUbzXMMpAdhz0EJKQ8jcrZfiRJrg1fngT-n7f7nbF4mAlvS8Z3DNf_C4pNdLo5QdotPlPdv7Mh2JX8rWMUjVgHlQCYtx_k75sQ/s1600/DSC06236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjdiXDX7dlyFheoPlX0HIZuWagoX5uIfi3Q4af4R5MsUbzXMMpAdhz0EJKQ8jcrZfiRJrg1fngT-n7f7nbF4mAlvS8Z3DNf_C4pNdLo5QdotPlPdv7Mh2JX8rWMUjVgHlQCYtx_k75sQ/s320/DSC06236.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay! Camera Ojisan!</td></tr>
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Getting there:You can take a taxi or bus from Tatebayashi station. It's about an hour and a half by train from Tokyo on the Tobu Isesaki line. Entrance fee is around 300 yen at the beginning and end of the azalea season, and 600 yen at the peak.<br />
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Closer to home, I love Nezu Jinja any time of year (there are some great taiyaki shops nearby and you must try the karinto - sweet, fried cookies!). The Tsutsuji Matsuri starts about a week before Golden Week and there are lots of stalls selling yakisoba, takoyaki and grilled corn. A lot of women dress up in their spring kimono, which look lovely contrasted with the bright pink hills. It costs about 200 yen to enter the garden, but you can also just see it from the shrine grounds, for free.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBJ2RI5vN0aLs0AHl-dEt344YmqBE0ChdLsL51j361NFMzqGeqivvAw0lb7tmnoGypRIGXFvv_FnDVpeuVajKkQx4Ur9oOh-hrp4DKJPs0LWw9pJ3eWpYuX1-hcOSMQsZX_yRs0NIlKg/s1600/nezu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBJ2RI5vN0aLs0AHl-dEt344YmqBE0ChdLsL51j361NFMzqGeqivvAw0lb7tmnoGypRIGXFvv_FnDVpeuVajKkQx4Ur9oOh-hrp4DKJPs0LWw9pJ3eWpYuX1-hcOSMQsZX_yRs0NIlKg/s400/nezu.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nezu shrine with red torii gates and a hill of azaleas with meandering paths, is lovely.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3eQ1YW4tBTCg6TvsGxHCBfpMLZqhTffWKDzq9zMoBaDCpwy7eh5Vxi3WGQcIZjaD80YddOELQwxsw8Dikg3AQ5nswaZa-b1vKlIoJqU7C-yr2d4OLyG2bwjORhyeTfiKYY1IieDUdgU/s1600/nezu2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3eQ1YW4tBTCg6TvsGxHCBfpMLZqhTffWKDzq9zMoBaDCpwy7eh5Vxi3WGQcIZjaD80YddOELQwxsw8Dikg3AQ5nswaZa-b1vKlIoJqU7C-yr2d4OLyG2bwjORhyeTfiKYY1IieDUdgU/s320/nezu2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The image of wisteria flowers growing over a trellis is a classic in Japanese traditional art, and the most celebrated place to see it is Kameido Tenjin shrine (see my post about Kameido, here: <a href="http://minimeibutsu.blogspot.jp/2012/05/kameido.html">http://minimeibutsu.blogspot.jp/2012/05/kameido.html</a>) But for my money, the best place to go is Horikiri Shobuen, in Katsushika ward. It's just 15 minutes from Ueno on the Keisei line (ok, I'm biased - I used to live 5 mins walk from the park). For one thing, it's free, and on a weekday, you'll have the place almost to yourself. Grab a few onigiri from the shop near Horikiri station and enjoy your lunch sitting under the wisteria.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wisteria at Horikiri Shobuen, a 10 minute walk from Horikiri station.</td></tr>
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<br />Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2727790090870872058.post-11796339341206297852012-05-19T00:20:00.001-07:002012-05-19T00:21:11.652-07:00Sakura sakuraApril 2<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">April is an exciting month in Japan. After the long winter, the signs of spring, even though the days
are still chilly, make everyone feel upbeat and hopeful. Shops are decked out
in pink and spring green. Kids start school and new employees start at
companies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwYQgJdlhkjlbjw0yZ_wpwLTqAq-bwNqomh7db-xQaPh_4munPMw55ENBpFJvLVch-9VCVj6JUGd3MP_2g-TNavIugj90JDOx_tCw1taI6RldLhWgafNkxTO00L5ls5DG0KTwiRSQhqM/s1600/sakura+blossom.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwYQgJdlhkjlbjw0yZ_wpwLTqAq-bwNqomh7db-xQaPh_4munPMw55ENBpFJvLVch-9VCVj6JUGd3MP_2g-TNavIugj90JDOx_tCw1taI6RldLhWgafNkxTO00L5ls5DG0KTwiRSQhqM/s400/sakura+blossom.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Near the Imperial Palace, Tokyo</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last year, of course, spring was pretty subdued after the
disasters in Tohoku. Most hanami (cherry blossom viewing parties) were
cancelled. The sakura still bloomed, but it was a really bitter-sweet feeling,
especially when news cameras showed the glorious blossoms in the abandoned
towns in Fukushima. Beautiful ghost towns. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This year, it was all on, with a focus on sake and foods
from Northern Japan, to show support. The sakura bloomed late this year, due to
the cold, and we actually got two weekends with lots of blossoms. A friend
visiting from England asked me why Japanese people seem so crazy about cherry
blossoms. Looking at the huge number of sakura-themed foods, alcohols,
decorations, accessories, fabrics and pop songs, I’d have to agree – people go
a bit sakura-mad!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZqYUkKFUJSRyRF3btSVWqaeJ4Q8RALswW5JZwqL6HnLD4zeo_jA7JAP0SHkMWRVrrVB7pgb-t27EcTleiRlLP_W0EskACicTisMKRbIzRNG3bw2AAcKBcyxB8I5t89LZkabH9Em6KQw/s1600/sakurahashi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZqYUkKFUJSRyRF3btSVWqaeJ4Q8RALswW5JZwqL6HnLD4zeo_jA7JAP0SHkMWRVrrVB7pgb-t27EcTleiRlLP_W0EskACicTisMKRbIzRNG3bw2AAcKBcyxB8I5t89LZkabH9Em6KQw/s400/sakurahashi.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sakura theme chopstick rests</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNwdgHP_5E_16Gx5r14rJ80-hqrn0E650xKy7pwGMC_fTgfYenOrsVGw9MmwTxW2XfLP1nf1WPPDkNjf0ROdhsY1aheNF5MOFKJX8B_2Va3ELwfftKsKJ3GqjM9wYb0KKE7wqUDulxbY/s1600/sakura+plates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNwdgHP_5E_16Gx5r14rJ80-hqrn0E650xKy7pwGMC_fTgfYenOrsVGw9MmwTxW2XfLP1nf1WPPDkNjf0ROdhsY1aheNF5MOFKJX8B_2Va3ELwfftKsKJ3GqjM9wYb0KKE7wqUDulxbY/s400/sakura+plates.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's surprising how many sakura themed dishes we have at home</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For one thing, I guess, there’s the fleeting beauty aspect.
The flowers reach full bloom for such a short time, then they fall and drift on
the breeze like confetti. You have a week at most to enjoy them. On the other
hand, they bloom every year, so there’s a feeling hope – no matter how bad
things are / how cold the winter, spring and sakura will return. It’s also a
time of endings and new beginnings in life. This means farewell and entrance
ceremonies at school and drinking parties for new recruits. Everyone feels
nostalgic remembering their first days on the job, or starting high school at
this most photogenic time (many schools have a cherry blossom tree in their
grounds, perfect for new class photos).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvau0rv2h9DEkDOyhMLuRuzWOXDx3QZwWD42tUOu-UbRFiCU14gEOjSNx-WvK6R1f5fF8NqpKgaSup_H_QsFPc8JwfYAlclJbLseriwinE9pxvBkLhRz_WQWtGTMkQOV97ReL0YTEDuwA/s1600/sakurananasato.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvau0rv2h9DEkDOyhMLuRuzWOXDx3QZwWD42tUOu-UbRFiCU14gEOjSNx-WvK6R1f5fF8NqpKgaSup_H_QsFPc8JwfYAlclJbLseriwinE9pxvBkLhRz_WQWtGTMkQOV97ReL0YTEDuwA/s400/sakurananasato.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our local shrine</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4U1Ux1xLed-G915oFcqbxLsgeoV-ChC-y4tFYRWr9HnowyTT38BK0RlGZHWzvwhwCdz-pvcGKtNyCMBMEMHRMaxdKDPpXTbTksr4tKBitQlIs11foTj-KneioI4TM8GQyKspYGzInqc/s1600/sakuraconfetti.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4U1Ux1xLed-G915oFcqbxLsgeoV-ChC-y4tFYRWr9HnowyTT38BK0RlGZHWzvwhwCdz-pvcGKtNyCMBMEMHRMaxdKDPpXTbTksr4tKBitQlIs11foTj-KneioI4TM8GQyKspYGzInqc/s400/sakuraconfetti.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sakura "confetti" at Asukayama park, Oji</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Capturing this nostalgia, of course, are annual
sakura-themed pop songs (it’s not so different to the Western rush to release a
Christmas song each year). The theme is almost always bitter-sweet. One of my
favourites is “Sakura” by Kobukuro. The harmonies are lovely but the lyrics are
a sad tale of loneliness and lost love. I’d also recommend “Sakurabito” by
Every Little Thing (lost love encapsulated in a flower petal) and “Sakura” by
Ikimono gakari (graduation and saying goodbye to young love). See? They’re all
beautiful, but terribly wistful. Addictive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYK2NhIbye0QcZHVQblG5JotIKB_7YciaSpAFc3jF5uQksNWxA-cbdkkUuPm4b5_icPVVHNOWxJYOkQ_XJmGG2LaJOnf-0AV9KEpNFBgHY37XLOXFVkQSzmJQN7a2iYb-S61qAuqaeMQE/s1600/sakurajelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYK2NhIbye0QcZHVQblG5JotIKB_7YciaSpAFc3jF5uQksNWxA-cbdkkUuPm4b5_icPVVHNOWxJYOkQ_XJmGG2LaJOnf-0AV9KEpNFBgHY37XLOXFVkQSzmJQN7a2iYb-S61qAuqaeMQE/s400/sakurajelly.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love the colour of these sakura jellies</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94SO4b3t-908t9FJlCk_LpUeiZATo2G2fGZXBOmboosnFhRbFbaspNbW4Nv8vTqefZv2GInwHTeNUm5ibQ1XMqPx0zaO5KJXB2aa4IreN6YGHaU4PUBGNxWB1zX_QR18B5NW_8Fkdyrw/s1600/5611126609_1af70d0189_m.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94SO4b3t-908t9FJlCk_LpUeiZATo2G2fGZXBOmboosnFhRbFbaspNbW4Nv8vTqefZv2GInwHTeNUm5ibQ1XMqPx0zaO5KJXB2aa4IreN6YGHaU4PUBGNxWB1zX_QR18B5NW_8Fkdyrw/s400/5611126609_1af70d0189_m.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sakura mochi is sweet bean paste enveloped in pink mochi, finished with a lightly salted, preserved cherry leaf</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggK4_9Og_3TF8OAeHqos1bxiQYpj0f3H3dxWUNv3h5eiVqqJ2RMcJ56GzPTC04Ge6ufmkN71uF3rBTTqH4Vd3NqmET9WHLG8QHWuzFAjNVV5aAVGKk6wfA63zwO8x65uDD-gxn_fV3bmM/s1600/sakura+cherry+jelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggK4_9Og_3TF8OAeHqos1bxiQYpj0f3H3dxWUNv3h5eiVqqJ2RMcJ56GzPTC04Ge6ufmkN71uF3rBTTqH4Vd3NqmET9WHLG8QHWuzFAjNVV5aAVGKk6wfA63zwO8x65uDD-gxn_fV3bmM/s400/sakura+cherry+jelly.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Delicious jellies with a whole cherry inside</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I lived near Ueno park, we’d always have a huge,
raucous hanami party. It’s one of the most popular parks in Tokyo, with around
1,000 sakura trees, so you can imagine, it gets packed! A few brave friends
(thank you, Emiko!) would camp out overnight on the Saturday, so we could have
a great space under the blossoms for Sunday. Actually, the party goes all
night, with departing groups handing left-over alcohol and snacks on to the next
people. We met otaku guys who brought their Gundam figures along for the party,
and questionable cosplayers (why do guys always want to dress like Sailor
Moon?), who would save space for us and share their hot coffee (it’s still
really cold at hanami time – sleeping bags and snowboarding gear are essential
for camping out). You’ll see people at their convivial best and drunken worst
in hanami season! Sometimes, the camping party went so well, those hardy folks
would have to go home to recover and miss the ‘official’ party, but we’d all
meet up later at an izakaya. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuO4dzuDfcs8d9KEJjO7wUKCHVL8D80hkFXSPkEWfsrLQMrWqHE-ElsDHEszakjRf8zkZlkDfmmh7EfMyDBv1UsZvvFCYEthgJWNu0pUrT13wDCqx-I9m0cLf0hR6kXLCd613EfdR762c/s1600/sakura+night.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuO4dzuDfcs8d9KEJjO7wUKCHVL8D80hkFXSPkEWfsrLQMrWqHE-ElsDHEszakjRf8zkZlkDfmmh7EfMyDBv1UsZvvFCYEthgJWNu0pUrT13wDCqx-I9m0cLf0hR6kXLCd613EfdR762c/s400/sakura+night.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ueno park at night</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbf_bbr1rCMROKAT_SY2RK6VzxJHN7HZIVoV_clx7M6pjU7pTSdoS1VMRvAbk3CWumWYhkaDAdIEBHkYAA4S17v9p7LTw34K_bAN6UfJUBIVEQjwoPU8ZgW5QzkD0WbtOdCcaSl-NQz8/s1600/sakura+space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbf_bbr1rCMROKAT_SY2RK6VzxJHN7HZIVoV_clx7M6pjU7pTSdoS1VMRvAbk3CWumWYhkaDAdIEBHkYAA4S17v9p7LTw34K_bAN6UfJUBIVEQjwoPU8ZgW5QzkD0WbtOdCcaSl-NQz8/s400/sakura+space.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our precious space!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I have
fond memories of young guys running around the park in pink nurse costumes,
yakisoba stalls, the wine shops and pizza guys that deliver to the park,
receiving random, huge bottles of sake from passers-by, chatting with the
homeless guys, finding sakura petals in your hair or (very lucky) in your sake,
everyone bringing treats they’d made, like onigiri, tamagoyaki, potato salad
and lots of fried chicken and the organised way everyone cleaned up and
disposed of their rubbish for recycling. Not so fond memories: waiting for 30
minutes or more in the toilet line, feeling like creatures in a zoo as
thousands of people shuffled past, staring and taking photos.</span>
</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2i9Pj-ZXL4kgy4DLl2zGH4fbMWdsPOMn1SQ3tP73po7tXv_2NFvFBeyRsAuk2yc_tz_R4x9_HKiIvwBSuVqsSi2YxdIx0JxDciZiO0AfyuBMah-eGikXranl7y5Ay4CMDRZnZpQ2Nmc/s1600/sakurafood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2i9Pj-ZXL4kgy4DLl2zGH4fbMWdsPOMn1SQ3tP73po7tXv_2NFvFBeyRsAuk2yc_tz_R4x9_HKiIvwBSuVqsSi2YxdIx0JxDciZiO0AfyuBMah-eGikXranl7y5Ay4CMDRZnZpQ2Nmc/s640/sakurafood.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'd love to say everyone makes gorgeous bentos, but we're not quite so organised</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLw3ACc-46DSd6YfIFhHcJ8oFB4gYsC3YbeZ9i6tUnWaH0zqTIfUXPXGLOoAmTOQYY0Bu4tN4bI423d3ViPj3lXeCkxxYCTs0ppelOS6PBDTLOT55ZIh2N-y2zNaq7laDJUtkbBaqKyY/s1600/sakurafood2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLw3ACc-46DSd6YfIFhHcJ8oFB4gYsC3YbeZ9i6tUnWaH0zqTIfUXPXGLOoAmTOQYY0Bu4tN4bI423d3ViPj3lXeCkxxYCTs0ppelOS6PBDTLOT55ZIh2N-y2zNaq7laDJUtkbBaqKyY/s640/sakurafood2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There's a saying, "hana yori dango" - food over flowers, but maybe it should be "hana yori beer".</span></td></tr>
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<br />Meibutsuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03880063999432978745noreply@blogger.com2