setsubun event in London

Setsubun is the day before beginning of the spring on the ancient calendar in Japan. It means "division of season" but this is usually refers to the Spring.
This Setsubun was influenced from China in 8th Century.

So, this Setsubun has long history in Japanese culture, but depending on the different region, the way of celebrating is different from each other.
However, every region has same custom which is we thrown roasted soy beans either out the door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni(demon) mask, and we say "Demons out, Luck in!"
Then after that, we eat roasted soybeans as one for each year of one's life.

When I was a kid, I love eating roasted soy beans on Setsubun. Even though, I should have eaten same number of beans as my age, I ate so much more than my actual age, and I felt I am being so cheeky.

When we were little, we always make Oni masks at the nursery or school. And the Setsubun day actually comes, it could turn hell nightmare for youngers.

The teacher dressed as Demons, which is usually red, blue, yellow or green demon costumes with massive spiky stone pestle (it not real stone. Obviously), and big shoes, loud voice, walking stumpy in the room and just so big and loud! So most of the kids were run to the teacher and cry or at least hide from the demons. But only brave boys and some girls would thrown the beans towards those Demons and try to war off. I was one of the brave one as well as hiding behind teacher. I still remember the demons were so loud and tall, my knee were shaking so much.

Also at home, we do thrown beans.
My mum were shouting so loudly while throwing the beans and I felt embarrassing.. After you finish the beans throwing, you'll have to pick up all beans from the floor. Sometimes you will find remaining beans 6 months later though.. haha.

To introduce the tradition of setsubun,  Oliver from Tengu sake, and myself will be hosting the Sake+Dinner event based "Setsubun" at the Shackfuyu in Soho.
Selections of sake with finger licking delicious foods will be served. So if you are craving for something educational, fun, delicious and good sake, Please join us at Shackfuyu! The ticket can be purchased from here...

節分と言えば、日本では子供も大人も楽しめる季節のイベントですね。
節分とは、そもそも春の始まりをお祝いする季節のイベントです。中国から8世紀頃に日本へと伝わったとされる、とても長い歴史のある行事なのです。
その長い年月をかけ、日本全国へ広まったのですが、地域により独特の違いが有るとてもユニークな行事とも言えるのではないでしょうか。

今でも小学校や保育園、幼稚園ではお祝いすると思いますが、私が子供の頃も保育園では鬼のお面を作ったりして楽しみました。
しかし、いざ節分の日に先生が扮装した鬼が表れると、ある子供は泣きじゃくりながら先生の陰に隠れたり、ある子は泣かなくてもやっぱり怖くて先生の近くで座り込んでいたり、またはとても勇敢な男の子や女の子達は、豆を思いっきり投げつけて鬼退治をしてくれたりと、それはそれはにぎやかだった事を今でも覚えています。
私はと言うと、鬼に豆を投げつけた事も有り、また先生の近くで隠れていた事も有り、な感じでした。鬼が大きくて、うるさくて、怖くて膝がいつまでもガクガクしていた事は今でも覚えています。

また、家で豆まきをする際、母の、「鬼は外ー!　福は内ー!」のかけ声が余りにも大きくて、ちょっと恥ずかしいなんて思った時期も有りました。。

さてさて、私の節分のお話はここまでで、この節分をロンドンでもちょっと意識してみたいなと思い、 テングサケのオリバーと、私がホストを勤めさせて頂きます、日本酒とお食事のイベントが、SohoにあるShackfuyuで開催されます。
日本酒と、”finger licking”なお料理との楽しいイベントを企画しています。日本の文化と、おいしいお酒やお料理、少しだけためになる楽しいイベントをお探しの方、是非お友達やご家族をお誘いの上、お越し下さい!
席数に限りが有りますので、お早めにお申し込みください!
チケットの購入は、こちらから

sake event vol18. at Yashin Ocean House report

I love reading about Japanese history. If possible, I would love to study Japanese history and get Ph.D.

So, learning Japanese history is one of my passion as well as sake. There are so much fascinating  stories and I wanted to organise a sake event to share some of my knowledge, about sake and history.

My mysterious themed sake event was held at Yashin Ocean House on 9th September, the day of Choyo no Sekku (Chrysanthemum festival).
Used to be 9th September was really important day, however the custom of this celebration has collapsed in Meiji Era.

私は日本史が大好きです。
もし可能なら、今からでも日本史を勉強して博士号(があるなら)をとりたいとも本気で思っています。

歴史を読んだり勉強したりする事は、私にとって日本酒と天秤にかけてもどちも勝る事が無い程、同等に興味にある事なのです。
そこで、私の知識を少し、日本酒の会と合致させたイベントをやりたいと思い、9月9日の重陽の節句に、日本酒の会を主催しました。

この、9月9日はその昔はとっても大事な節句の一つだったのですが、残念な事に明治時代辺りからその文化はだんだんと姿を消して行く事になってしまいました。

この、ちょっと聞き慣れないミステリアスなイベントにご協力頂いたのは、Yashin Ocean Houseさんでした。

Luckily I have worked in Japanese restaurant when I was worked in Park Hyatt Tokyo, and learned so much about Japanese culture, traditional Japanese cuisine, and sake. So, I had really good ideas and knowledge of this celebration. 

Yashin Ocean House had prepare wonderful tasting menu for the special event.

幸運な事に、過去Park Hyatt Tokyoに勤務していた際、日本料理のレストランで日本文化、日本食、器とそして日本酒を学ぶ事が出来たので、今回イベントを主催するにあたっては、はっきりとしたアイディアとプランがありました。

 Yashin Ocean Houseの皆さんのご協力のお陰もあり、本当に素晴らしいお料理の数々をご用意頂きました。

 Welcome drinks... Sparkling sake from Takasago Shuzo.
ウェルカムドリンクは、高砂さんのスパークリング酒で。

Starter was so simple yet, every single bite has got jucy umami... We tried this dish with
Masumi Nanago Junmai Daiginjo
Rice: Miyama Nishiki
AVB: 16%
Producer:Miyasaka Brewing Company, Ltd.
Distributer in UK: World Sake Imports

コースの始めに頂いたのは、八寸でした。
シンプルではありますが、旨味がジュワッと詰まっていて、一口一口本当に美味しく頂きました。
このお料理と一緒に頂いたのは、真澄七號純米大吟醸。

Then, we had this gorgeously presented sashimi. The steam were scented of yuzu citrus... it was really pretty and smells amazing.
The sake we tried with sashimi was...

Dewazakura Junmai Ginjo
Rice: Omachi
AVB:16.50%
Producer:Dewazakura Sake Co., Ltd.
Distributer in UK: World Sake Import

そして、こちらはとってもゴージャスな盛りつけのお刺身です。
ホワーンと広がるこのスチームには、ゆずの香りがついていて、優しいゆずの香りで癒されました。
この、お刺身の盛り合わせと一緒に頂いたのが出羽桜純米吟醸です。
色々な工夫がされていて、本当に美味しく頂きました。

This is the simmered pumpkin with sweet corn sauce. It was very unique texture but taste of the Autumn. The sake was

Shirakabe Gura Kimoto Junmai
Rice: Yamadanishiki
AVB:15-16%
Producer:Takara Shuzo Co.,Ltd.
Distributor in UK: Tazaki Foods

 そして炊き合わせ、のお料理がカボチャの含め煮。トウモロコシのとろんとした餡がかかっていました。
とてもユニークな食感でしたが、秋を感じさせるお料理でした。
一緒に頂いたお酒は、白壁蔵、キモト純米。

This is pan flied foie gras with plum sauce..
This dish was pared with plum sake called,
Mon Mume Plum sake
AVB: 14.50%
Producer:Kinmon Akita Sake Brewery
Distributor in UK:

そして焼き物のフォアグラと優しい風味の梅ソース。
こちらは、 Mon Mumeと言うちょっとユニークな梅酒と一緒に頂きました。

In the end, we had selections of Sushi, with homemade gari. 
Aratama Tokubetsu Junmai
Rice:Kairyo shinko
AVB:15%
Producer:Wada Sake Brewery, Ltd.
Distributer in UK:


そして最後に頂いたのは、お鮨と自家製のガリ。やっぱりお鮨はおいしかったです。
こちらは、秋田県のあらたま特別純米のお酒と一緒に頂きました。

Then finished with fresh icecream with Japanese green tea.

そして〆はさっぱりしたアイスクリームと、緑茶でとてもホッとした瞬間でした。

It was just wonderful, fun and tasty night.
All about was Choyo no Sekku and seasonal dishes. Every dishes were so sophisticated and elegant... I loved the whole experience at Yashin Ocean House.
The restaurant became quite busy in the evening, but Raku san the Manger of the Ocean House and Chef  Yasushi san, and all staffs has provided wonderful service and dishes. Truly great experience.

I can not wait to return to the restaurant again.


今回は勉強と言うよりは、日本文化に触れると言う感じではありましたが、限られた時間の中で満足いく会になったと思っています。
お料理もとても美味しかったし、楽しく、あっという間に時が過ぎてしまいました。
今回は全てが重陽の節句について、そして季節感を全面に出して頂いたお料理でした。一品一品がとてもエレガントで、私にとっても素敵な経験になりました。
レストランがとても忙しくなってしまい、きっと私達のイベントのお料理を準備するのにも大変だったとは思うのですが、そこは流石、マネージャーの楽さんやシェフのヤスシさんの率いるチームのお陰で何事も無く、楽しく過ごす事が出来ました。

また、Yashin Ocean Houseでお食事を頂く事が、もう待ちきれない程です。

今回のイベント開催にあたり、Yashin Ocean Houseの皆様、World Sake Importsさん、そして Tazaki Foodsさんには特にご協力頂きました事、ここに改めて御礼申し上げます。
また、ご参加頂いた皆様、本当に有り難うございました。

また、次回もわくわくする様なイベント、待っていてください！

御礼

japanese wedding

Japanese wedding is something very sophisticated.

I've been asked by few people, how the Traditional Japanese wedding is like.

I've found few videos on vimeo. Everything is different style and I couldn't pic "one", so I've attached three of them.

The last one is really homely warm wedding. The old ladies in the village in Nagano reminds me my grand ma..

Thomas and I got married in England, however I always wanted to have a Japanese wedding. Today I saw those videos and realized there is a groom has to read the vow in Japanese... I don't think Thomas would be able to read them in Japanese... in front of all family.

We've taken some photos last time when we went back to Japan. So I think that's enough..:-P 

日本の結婚式って、本当にエレガントだなぁと思います。

最近、日本の結婚式ってどんな感じ?と、聞かれた事が有ったので、探してみたらvimeoでこんな素敵なクリップを見つけました。

スタイルは違えども、どれも素敵だったので全部アップしちゃいます。特に最後の長野の結婚式はとってもアットホームで、手作り感が有って、懐かしい気持ちになります。ご近所のおばあちゃん達もとてもかわいくて、自分の祖母を思い出してしまいました。

私達が結婚したのはイギリス。私も日本の結婚式にはとても憧れていたのですが、今日、改めてビデオを見てみると、男性が誓いの言葉を日本語で読むんだったっけ??

トーマスが家族全員の前で、日本語であの長い誓いの言葉を読めるとは想像がつかないなぁ。

去年の一時帰国で、写真だけはとったからアタシ達はやっぱりそれで十分だわね…:-P




Japanese Wedding Film from "OUNCES" on Vimeo.


Japanese Style Wedding // Kenichi & Ayaka from TaQ Inoue on Vimeo.

tohoku festivals

I can not believe that July is nearly over.

Since my maternity leave has started, I always felt such an empty feeling without working like used to be. Sometimes I feel a day is so long and a week is like a month...

The weather finally got calmed here in London. We had really hot days in past couple of weeks and I couldn't go out much with Hugo under that strong heat.

But compare to Japanese summer, I still think England's summer is moderate.

I remember one summer in Tokyo, I lost 8kg in 2 weeks. Because the heat took my energy away and I lost appetite completely. It was not great diet to try... 

Even in this heat, the northern Japan is getting hotter in August.

The biggest summer festival called "Tohoku Sandai Matsuri"will be held in Aomori, Akita and Miyagi prefecture.

My mother's relatives are all living in north Japan. My 95 years old grandma, many aunties, uncles and cousins... My first ever trip to Aomori prefecture where my mother's home town, I was 6 years old. I've never met so many families and I was the youngest one in the family.

So I've got comic books (my parents never got them for me) and toys, fizzy drinks, sweets that I've never tasted before... my older cousins took me to everywhere. As I'm only child, I felt so much fun to spend some time with somebody else than my parents and my friends who is same age as me.

One night we went to Nebuta festival.

I was so excited with everything. Music, dancers and off course Nebuta float.

Nebuta is a HUGE illuminate float made by hand. Each float has a meaning and most of them are based on brave worrier in the historical or mythical figures from Japanese or Chinese culture or gods. This float is carried through in the city for 6 days(02/08-7/08) and on the last day, it will be carried to the sea. The dancers called Haneto, dressed in costume are jumping all night long.

You can be joining this festival as Haneto, but you have to be fully dressed.

When I participated in Nebuta, my auntie put so many little bells all over my costume and told me jump as much as you can tonight and drop everything off.

Coming home with some bells left, she was always telling me and my cousins, "I thought you'll coming home more quietly!" Sadly she's past away 2 years ago, I still remember her telling me this with big smile. 

It was not well known festival for foreigners until recently, but last time when I went to Nebuta festival, I was really surprised with amount of tourists from overseas. I've spoken to some of them on my journey and told me they are returning in this year to see the festival because they can not forget the excitement. I totally understand. I'm the same. It is really addictive feeling once you've experienced this.

Such a dynamic, beautiful and energetic nebuta festival is really get you. 

And music... When I hear that music, I feel my blood is bubbling inside of me.

If you are planning to visit Japan in early August, why not to visit Aomori and other festivals in Tohoku region. Don't forget to catch the bells that fall off from Haneto's costume. The bells are bringing the luck to you. 

more useful info: wikipedia, Japan guide.com,
tohoku festival 
tohoku 6 summer festival

もう7月も終わるとしているなんて、本当に信じられません。

産休に入ってからと言うもの、今までの激務から逃れたのはいいのですが、それはそれで心にぽっかり穴があいたような気分に。1日が長く感じるのは勿論、1週間なんて1ヶ月の様。

今日はやっと気温が下がって、ロンドンも過ごしやすくなりました。

ここ最近、ずっと猛暑が続いていたので、ヒュウゴを連れてなかなか外出出来ずにいました。

それでも、日本の夏とを比べると、イギリスの夏はやっぱり過ごしやすい。

昔、ひどい夏バテを経験し、2週間で8kg体重が減った事が有りましたが、あれは良いダイエットではなかったです。

さて、この暑い夏、東北ではもうじきもっと熱くなるイベントがやってきます。

東北３大祭。秋田、青森、そして宮城県で繰り広げられるお祭りで有名ですが、実はこの時期、東北全部で6種類のお祭りが有るとか。

母の実家が青森県に有る為、母方の親戚は皆東北住まい。95歳の祖母、沢山の叔父と叔母、そしてもっと沢山の従兄弟達。私が初めて青森に足を運んだのは、私が６歳の時でした。初めて見る親戚にびっくりしつつも、私が親戚一同の中で最年少。

従兄弟達にはかわいがられ、どこに行くのも一緒、漫画に(両親は絶対買ってくれませんでしたが)、お菓子、そして炭酸飲料、今まで経験した事の無い物を、大きい従兄弟達のお陰で思う存分味わいました。(親にとってはさぞかし迷惑だっただろうに…) 

一人っ子のため、両親や同じ歳の友達と遊ぶのとはまた違い、本当に楽しかった思い出が残っています。

そしてある夜、皆で見に行ったのが近くの通りで練歩くねぶた祭。

あれには衝撃でした。はねとの衣装、そして音楽とねぶた。

ねぶたは毎年8月の2日から7日までのスケジュールで行われます。最終日にはねぶたは海に流されます。

一般客もはねととして祭に参加出来ますが、衣装の装着は絶対条件。

私が昔、はねととして参加した時、叔母が衣装を着るのを手伝ってくれ、そして衣装に沢山の鈴を付けてくれました。そして、今夜はこの鈴が残らないくらいいっぱい跳ねておいでと見送ってくれました。

祭の後、じゃらじゃらと鈴を鳴らし、疲労感と充実感を抱えて家路に着いた私と従兄弟に、叔母が“アンタ達、もっと静かに帰ってくると思ってたよ−。”と笑顔で向かえてくれるのがお約束。2年前に他界した叔母ですが、あの時の優しい笑顔は今でも鮮明に記憶に残っています。

この東北祭、以前は全く外人には知られていませんでしたが、最後にねぶたに行った時に、外国人の多さにびっくり。道中、何人かの外国人と話す機会がありましたが、皆、以前ねぶた祭に参加して感激したので今年も参加しに行く、と言う人が何人もいました。

その気持ち、本当によく解ります。

あの音楽、そして迫力を体験してしまうとこんなに魅了されるのは、人間皆同じなんだなあと思いました。今でも、私はねぶた祭の音楽を聴いただけで、わくわくそわそわ、居ても立っても居られなくなってしまいます。 

もし、今回ねぶた祭に初めて参加しに行くと言う方、はねとの落とした鈴は忘れずにお持ち帰りください。縁起が良いそうです。

celebrate first meal: Okuizome

Okuizome is one of the very important celebration event for baby in Japan.

Usually it is held on the baby's 100th day, (could be 110th or 120th too).

"Okui" means eat and "Zome" means first, so this is the celebration for the baby to eat a meal for the first time.

But you would probably think, 100 days old baby wouldn't eat!!

No, they don't.

The oldest person in the family would pretend to feed the baby and wish to the baby to never suffer from hunger in their life.

Apparently this celebration has started sometime in Heian Era(794). Traditionally 1 soup and 3 vegetables and grilled whole sea bream is the menu to be served.

This is the classic menu.

Osui mono: Clear soup with clams or prawn.

Sekihan: Rice cooked with red beans

Taki mono: Simmered vegetables or chicken

Kou no mono: pickles. usually pickled plum, called Ume boshi  

Hagatame: this is a stone that you could received from temples/shrine. This represent strong teeth. 

Some area use boiled octopus instead of stone.

Tai: a grilled whole Seabream. Symbol of celebration. 

It was Hugo's 100th day yesterday and we did this Okuizome under the blue sky in our garden with close friends.        

As we don't have any family living in UK, Thomas is the oldest person in our family. He pretended to feed Hugo from Sekihan to Hagatame.

Sake is not traditionally on the menu, but as I'm Japanese (and my occupation..) I wish Hugo to have good sake in his life. I used a sparkling sake from Ninki Inc. One day, we would drink sake all together, older Hugo, older us... I'm really looking forward to it.

This is what I've done for today!!

Sekihan

Chikuzen ni: simmered chicken, carrot, shiitake mushroom, and parsnips instead of Japanese taro potato.

Red radish pickle: the color of red and white are also symbol of celebration. You'd see it in any kind of celebration in Japan,  

Ume boshi

Clear soup with Prawn dumpling

Hagatame

And off course, Tai!!!

When Thomas brought the food in front of Hugo's mouth, Hugo looked at it very confused. He must have thought "Mmm..where is my milk?"

 

The ceremony lasted about 6-7 minutes.  After that we enjoyed a nice long BBQ lunch. 

My parents celebrated Okuizome with me, and I'm sure my grandparents also did it with my parents... Just think about it, it is such a amazing custom that carry on for so long, generation after generation. I understand now, how my parents felt and what they wish when they did Okuizome to me when I was a baby.

It's been 100 days since my son was born.

He was so tiny when he's born to this world and hospitalized after... we were so worried about him and we've been through really stressful time at the beginning. 

But he's growing perfectly and we were so happy to cerebrate this day which very important in my culture.       

I'd like to thank everybody who's been really supportive and helpful. Without your support, we won't be here... Really, thank you.

And Congratulations Hugo!! 

昨日、息子ヒュウゴの誕生100日を祝うお食い初めを、我が家で行いました。

いつも親しくしている友人も駆けつけてくれ、青空の下、バーベキューを楽しみつつのお食い初めとなりました。

初節句の二の前にはならないように、今回は結構前からいろいろと考えていました。

初節句は恥ずかしながらも2日前まで気が付かず、気が付いたというのも母との国際電話で、“ヒュウゴ、日本に居たら初節句だねぇー”と言われてから。

それで急遽家にあった折り紙で鯉のぼりを完成させ、ホッと一安心。

海外だし、手に入る分けないし、そんなに大した問題でも…と言う思いは脳裏を過りましたが、長男の、しかも初めての端午の節句をそんな言い訳で見過ごす訳には!!と半ば没頭し(←実は結構楽しかった) 自分でもちょっと納得の鯉のぼりを作りました。

ただ、今回はお食い初め。

これはとっても重要と、何週間も前からトーマスに言い聞かせ、昨日に至りました。

私もトーマスも、家族が近くに住んでいない為、我が家の長老はトーマス。彼がヒュウゴを膝に乗せ、お赤飯から歯固めの石まで順々に食べさせて行きました。

日本酒は…伝統的でもないし、無くても良いのですが、私が日本人である事(そして職業柄)から、ヒュウゴが一生お酒に困らないように、との思いを込めて。

今回、人気酒造のスパークリング酒を使わせて頂きました。

いつか家族そろって、日本酒が飲める日が来るんだろうな。楽しみです。

今回作ったのが、こちらのお食い初め善。

お赤飯ならぬ五穀米。

筑前煮

赤かぶの浅漬け

梅干し

海老シンジョウのお吸い物

歯固めの石

そして鯛!!

鯛は逆向きだった事に焼き上がってから気が付き、他が完璧だっただけにかなりショックでしたが、ま、物は考えよう。お食い初めをする事に意義が有ると自己満足。

お食い初め自体は約6,7分で終了。今回お食い初めを無事に終える事が出来て、日本の大事な文化を一つ達成出来、ホッとしています。

私は両親から、そして私の両親はそのまた両親から、代々お食い初めが受け継がれて来たと言う事、そして皆どんな気持ちで我が子にお食い初めをしたのか、今、親になってみて初めて解ったように思います。
昨日で100日を迎えた息子、産まれた時は本当に小さくて、入退院をしたりで、本当にちゃんと育つのかと心配だったけど、お陰様でこの日を迎える事が出来ました。

ご協力くださった皆様、いつも温かく私達を見守ってくれてる皆様、本当にありがとう。

こうしてお祝い出来るのも、皆のお陰です。

そしてヒュウゴ、おめでとう!!!

tanabata

On 7th July is always fun for children. Tanabata is a very old custom event held in all over Japan.

The history is way back to Nara era (710). It was a popular in nobles at the beginning then this event were slowly spread to common people. Its based on the story that Hikoboshi and Orihime. Apparently there is few theories but this is what I've heard when I was a kid.

Orihime (Vega) were only daughter of the god, she's talented to make a beautiful textiles.

When she became a certain age, the god were start to look for a man for Orihime to get married.  

One day, hard working young cattleman called Hikoboshi (Altair) were introduced to god and god has approved their marriage.

Both Orihime and Hikoboshi were so in love each others, however after they got married, they were not working hard as used to be. One day god were very upset with both of them and he split this couple and run the really wide river called Amano gawa between them. 

Since then, Orihime and Hikoboshi were not allowed to see each others, but both can cross the river to see each others once in a year, which is 7th July. 

Amano gawa 

(Vega and Altair is shining across the river...)

 So for the children usually decorate bamboo with cut out colorful Origami.

Also write their wish on small strip of paper and attache to the bamboo.

 Tanabata decoration

Yesterday, Japan were officially announced the end of rain season and beginning of summer. Hopefully sky will be clear in the night, otherwise Orihime and Hikoboshi can not cross the Amanogawa...

happy girl's day for every girls!!

My mother sent me a little Hina dolls and Hina-arare from Japan.
It is easy to forget such a things when I'm living in far away from home.

Happy girl's day for every girls!
先日母が送ってくれた荷物の中に、小さなひな人形と、ひなあられが入っていました。
遠く離れた土地に居ると忘れがちな日本行事。

全ての女子へ、Happy girl's day。

http://satomisfridge.blogspot.com/2010/03/happy-girls-day.html

Ippodo tea tasting

Ippodo Tea Co. has almost 300 years history in Kyoto.
"Tea" is not only a "Tea". Tea has many different styles, taste, and production method.
Especially, for most of the Asian culture are very close to tea since ancient time.

More than just a retailer, Ippodo is a multifaceted tea company directly involved in the procurement and blending of highest quality of green tea.
I've been kindly invited to Ippodo tea tasting at L'etranger restaurant, from Miss Keiko who has a great passion of introducing and importing Japanese tableware into UK.
京都に本店を構える一保堂茶舗には、300年近い歴史があります。たかがお茶、されどお茶。土地柄や、製法によってその酒類は様々で、特にアジア人にとってお茶は、日々の生活に無くてはならないものではないでしょうか。

英国在住で、日本の食器や、食品などの輸入、販売、を手がけるけいこさんから、先日ご親切にもL’etrangerで行われる、お茶のテイスティングに呼んで頂きました。

The tasting started very smoothly.
Iced Gyokuro Kanro tea greeted us.
There are 35 colorful different tea leaves from Ippodo on the table.
当日は、各料飲店等の関係者が集まり、テイスティングは和やかに行われました。
レストランに着くと、まずは冷たく冷えた玉露甘露、でリフレッシュ。
テーブルには、35種類もの一保堂が扱う茶葉が並べてあり、その色のきれいな事。

I didn't know that 70% of ingredient are extracted with first drip.
And last drop is always important for any kind of tea.
I thought about my ex-boss when I was working at Hyatt... he is the one always telling me that.
70%もの茶葉に含まれる成分は、始めの一番出しに出てくるとか。
そして、どんな酒類のお茶でも共通して言えるのは、最後の一滴がとても大事だと言う事。
そういえば、昔、ハイアットに勤めていた時、料理長が言っていたのを思い出しました。

We've tried about 10 different types of tea.
All selections were so different, tasty and made me relax.
When I tried some of the Bancha, it brought back some nostalgia....
school trip, sports day at junior school, my mother used to give me a bottle of Bancha tea.
私達は全部で、10種類のお茶を順番に頂きました。どれも本当に美味しくて、ホッとする香りと味でした。何種類かの番茶を頂いた時、とても懐かしい香りに、私は子供の頃の、遠足や運動会で母がいつも持たせてくれた水筒が思い浮かびました。

Also we had a Maccha with chocolate.
I haven't had Maccha for AGES! It was beautiful, and I had 2 cups...
And 2 volonteers were trying to make Maccha in the traditional way.
Both of them looked very serious.
We've also tasted new vintage tea that were released on the market in May 2010 and sold out in July 2010. How lucky!!
後半では、抹茶をチョコレートと一緒に頂きました。
抹茶なんて本当に何年ぶり?!とても美味しく、2杯も頂いてしまいました…。
参加者の2人が、ボランティアで抹茶を立てています。かなり真剣。
5月に販売し、7月には売り切れてしまうという今年の新茶も運良く頂く事ができました。
なんてラッキー。

I had a really good time.
I've learned many things and tasted many teas.

Special thanks for Miss Keiko and L'etranger.
とても素晴らしいお茶をテイスティングし、いろいろ勉強になり素晴らしい方々に出会え、素敵な午後になりました。
けいこさんと、L'etrangerに深く感謝します。
ありがとうございました。

Hanami: Flower viewing

In this season, all Japanese people are starting to talk about cherry blossom and Hanami at work and with friends.
Hanami is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms. From late March to early May, Cherry blossoms bloom all over Japan. In modern-day Japan, Hanami mostly consists of having an outdoor party beneath the cherry blossoms during daytime or at night. Most of the younger student in university or youngest employees at work, they are usually stay orvernight (sometimes days) to keep best site in the park for other friends and bosses. You can see those peoples with sleeping bags and card games sitting lonley on picnic seat, any where under the cherry blossom tree in this season in Japan.

The practice of Hanami is many centuries old. The custom is said to have started during the Nara Period (710–794) when the Chinese Tang Dynasty influenced Japan in many ways; one of which was the custom of enjoying flowers. Though it was plum blossoms that people admired in the beginning, by the Heian Period, sakura came to attract more attention.
Cherry blossom originally was used to divine that year's harvest as well as an announcer of the rice-planting season. People believed in gods' existence inside the trees and made offerings at the root of Cherry blossom trees. Afterwards, they partook of the offering with sake.

Under the sakura trees, people had lunch and drank sake in cheerful feasts.


Today, the Japanese people continue the tradition of hanami, gathering in great numbers wherever the flowering trees are found. Thousands of people fill the parks to hold feasts under the flowering trees, and sometimes these parties go on until late at night.

The Japanese people continue the tradition of hanami by taking part in the processional walks through the parks. This is a form of retreat for contemplating and renewing their spirits.

Happy Girls' Day!!

When I was little, I always enjoyed displaying Hina doll with my mother. Everything is so tiny and I was really excited to take many small parts and decorations out from many different size boxes and place them on the shelf.

We say, if you display hina doll too long (after 3rd March) the daughter would get marry later in life. My hina doll were displayed almost end of March every year. My mother was telling me hina doll could see sun light once in a year so that's why we should display as long as we can, but I thought I won't be able to get marry with anybody when I grow up.....

The Japanese "Girls' Day" or "Doll Festival" is held on 3rd of March.
Families with daughters celebrate it by displaying Hina Dolls on a stepped shelf to express the wish for their daughters' good health and growth.
The custom of displaying dolls began during the Heian period. Formerly, people believed the dolls possessed the power to contain bad spirits.
The customary drink for the festival is "shiro zake"(white sake) and eat "hishimochi", "chirashi zushi" and "hina arare". And clam shells in food are deemed the symbol of a united and peaceful couple, because a pair of clam shells fits perfectly, and no pair but the original pair can do so.

The dolls are dressed in such a gorgeous kimono modeled after those worm by women in the ancient Heian court (794-1192). Hina (empress) and Dairi (emperor) sit on the top shelf, followed by three ladies of the court, five court musicians, escorts and guards.

shiro zakephoto from: http://irie.syouten.jp/jpg/amazake1.jpg