3月 2020

Rice balls are indeed convenient as a portable food.  It is said that, during the time when people, even the nobility, ate unpolished rice, people began pressing rice into balls because the unpolished rice easily fell apart.

Shimpachiro Tamura wrote in his book “Nihonjin to Tabemono (Japanese and Their Food)” (published by Maruzen) that the triangular shape of rice balls, which is now regarded as the most popular shape of rice balls, started to spread from the middle of the Meiji era (1866 to 1912).

Before that time, the standard shapes of rice balls were round (shape of a ball) and rectangular round (shape of a rice bag).

The Japanese fairy tale “Omusubi Kororin (The Runaway Rice Ball)” has an episode where a rice ball rolled over and over and fell down a hole.  Because it rolled around, there is no mistake that this rice ball was in the shape of a ball.  Also, it appears that most rice balls packed in lunch boxes for field trips or other outdoor excursions have the shape of a rice bag.

Nowadays, however, most rice balls sold in stores are triangular in shape.  So how did triangular rice balls become predominant?

It is said that the spread of triangular rice balls had its beginnings from an illustration in a schoolbook compiled by the state during the Meiji era (1868-1912).

Schoolbooks compiled by the state began to be published from 1903.  One of the schoolbooks introduced the fairy tale “Sarukanigassen (The Crab and the Monkey)” that contained an illustration showing the children of the crab holding rice balls.  These rice balls were triangular in shape.

Whether or not the shape of rice balls that had not existed until then captured the hearts of children, it is said that this illustration led to triangular rice balls becoming popular throughout the country.

It is not known, however, why the rice balls in the illustration for the fairy tale “Sarukanigassen” were triangular in shape. Triangular rice balls thus spread throughout the country due to the influence of the schoolbook.  However, it seems that most of the rice balls that are sold in stores nowadays are triangular in shape for a business reason.  That is, for the same amount of rice, the triangular shape gives the appearance of being the biggest.

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The Seto Inland Sea

Japan’s main transportation artery with an abundance of unspoiled natural beauty

Overview of the Seto Inland Sea

The Seto Inland Sea is surrounded by the three islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in the Japanese archipelago. As Japan’s largest inland sea, it runs approximately 450 kilometers from east to west and anywhere from 15 to 55 kilometers from north to south (depending on the location). Including the coastal areas, it is also called the “Setouchi.” With the lake-like tranquility of the sea’s surface, myriad islands, beautiful stretches of sandy beach dotted with green pines, terraced rice paddies and other beautiful sites, the area’s pleasant view and rich nature are alive. Such Europeans as Philipp Franz von Siebold and Thomas Cook, who came to Japan during the time from the ending of the Edo Period on through the Meiji Period, offered high praise of the area’s beauty, as they kept its memory dear. In 1934, the location centering on the so-called “Bisan Seto” area of the sea, which stretches between Okayama, Hiroshima, and Kagawa Prefectures, was designated as “The Seto Inland Sea National Park,” Japan’s first national park.

The Seto Inland Sea has come to play an important role as a marine traffic route. The area has, since long ago, acted as a major artery for people and materials going back and forth, a route in which cultural elements from the mainland came to be transmitted and which, during the Edo Period, saw the coming and going of shipping vessels. People, material, and information have been exchanged in a fluid manner on the islands and coasts of the sea, and various cultures and traditions have taken shape there. The appeal of the Seto Inland Sea lies in the way that the lives of the people have come to be one with the area’s nature.

On the other hand, large scale industries developed hand-in-hand with rapid economic growth after the 1960s. Along with this economic development came worsening environmental pollution in certain parts of this beautiful place.

Including both the positives and the negatives, the Seto Inland Sea has accumulated much in the way of history and culture.

Setouchi International Art Festival “100-Day Art and Sea Adventure”

The Setouchi International Art Festival will be held in hopes of bringing the vitality back to the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, where the beautiful nature and the people have mingled and become synchronized together. People in the Seto Inland Sea believe that the realization of art created through the collaboration of modern artists, architects, and local residents will bring about new discoveries in the workings of our daily life, attract people from all over the globe, and become an opportunity for local citizens to interact with the world. The Setouchi International Art Festival blends the folk customs, entertainment, festivals, and regional characteristics that have transcended the ages with the art, architecture, and drama that evoke the feeling of the contemporary times. It is a project that conveys the charms of the Seto Inland Sea to the world.

Tokyo’s huge Tsukiji fish market is a popular spot for foreign visitors, who enjoy watching the trading as well as being able to enjoy fresh seafood close by. Now, there’s an unusual treat available also at Tsukiji called “maguro-yaki.” The griddle cakes, which contain a sweet bean filling, closely resemble the already popular confection known as “tai-yaki,” except these are shaped like *maguro* (tuna) instead of *tai* (sea bream).

A new skating rink made its sudden appearance in Omotesando, the elegant tree-lined street that’s regarded as Tokyo’s Champs Élysées. The rink’s surface is made of a new plastic material that does not use water or require temperature adjustment, making it environmentally friendly. The sound, lights and images combine to make a dreamy atmosphere.

Curry Rice Became One of the Most Popular Dishes Thanks to the Military

Popular dishes among children these days include expensive items such as sushi and steak.  However, curry rice has retained the top spot of popular dishes from very early.  People have always been widely fond of curry rice.

The reason curry rice has managed to become this popular is due to the military.  In particular, curry rice has its origins in a cookbook created by the army.

In the military, it is essential that meals be nutritional and able to be easily eaten on the battlefield.  Curry rice met both of these conditions.

In 1910, the Japanese Imperial Army created and distributed to the troops a small booklet called “Military Cooking” that contained recipes for the military.  The booklet contained a recipe for curry rice (curry soup on rice).

The following are the ingredients for one serving of “curry soup” introduced in the 1937 edition of “Military Cooking.”

Beef (or pork, rabbit, mutton, chicken, shellfish) 70 grams, white potato 100 grams, carrots 20 grams, onion 80 grams, flour 10 grams, curry powder 1 gram, salt small amount, and lard 5 grams.

This “curry soup” is similar to the standard curry of today that contains carrots and potatoes

Besides having a high nutritional value and being able to be cooked in large volume, curry can be prepared easily.  It’s no mistake that curry was highly appreciated.

Curry rice was also introduced in a cookbook prepared by the navy.  However, it is said that the amount of meat was 30 grams more than the curry of the army.  It appears that physical strength was given greater emphasis in the navy than in the army because sailors had to live on shipboard for a long time.

Upon being discharged from the military or when they returned home, the soldiers that enjoyed the curry rice served in the military taught the military recipe to their friends.  In this way, the curry that first gained popularity as a military meal before long became one of Japan’s most popular, well-beloved dishes.

In the popularization of curry rice, the military played a large role.

KOYA-SAN:  Spiritual Place

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Koya-san is a region surrounded by 3 peaks and 5 mountains in Wakayama Prefecture, located south of Osaka, in a 900m high valley. Koya-san was first settled by a famous priest, Kukai, 1,200 years ago for the study and practice of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Kukai, also known posthumously as Kobo-Daishi, was a priest who established the sect during the Heian period (794-1185). Shingon Buddhism arose after the monk Kukai went to China in 804 and studied in the city of Xian under Hui Ko and returned with many texts and art works. He made great efforts to spread Shingon Buddhism throughout Japan.

Koya-san has two major holy areas essential to the doctrines of Shingon Buddhism. One is Okunoin, the heart of the faith, where the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi is enshrined. There is a vast cemetery where some famous Japanese people are laid to rest including Toyotomi Hideyoshi, as well as the spirits of soldiers killed in the Pacific War.

The other is Danjo Garan, the precinct for religious practices, with temples, halls, pagodas and Buddhist statuary. When Koya-san was founded on this very ground, Kobo Daishi held a groundbreaking ceremony and then dedicated his life to its construction.

In the last 1,200 years, the teachings, rituals and traditions of Koya-san have not changed. Through the efforts of countless people, the community has been able to preserve its rich heritage and customs, but there have been some notable changes as well through the centuries. Although many of the ancient buildings have survived for many years, some of them have been lost due to fire.

Another significant change occurred in 1872. This was the year that the law prohibiting women to enter Koya-san was revoked. This change not only brought women to Koya-san, but with them, many other common people and children came to the mountain community. Koya-san, once a place for male priests only, gradually transformed into a small town.

In 2004, Koya-san was registered through UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range” is the official title. Since being registered as a World Heritage Site, more and more visitors have come to Koya-san to appreciate its rich history and unique atmosphere.

February 3 in Japan is “setsubun,” a traditional holiday at which beans are tossed in a ritual to exorcise evil spirits from the home and pray for the family’s health and safety. Shouting “Oni wasoto!” (out, devils!) the beans are thrown from the interior of the house to outside. Shouting “Fuku wa uchi!” (good fortune in!), the beans are thrown into the house. This photo is at the Sensoji temple in Tokyo’s Asakusa district, where men who were born in the calendar year corresponding to the 12-animal Asian zodiac throw beans at revelers below.

Just because society is aging doesn’t mean that people should be disheartened. These days many retired people are signing up to serve as volunteer guides. Their only remuneration is something to keep them active and good health. When one becomes older more than anything else, those factors are most important. More than the accumulation of wealth, isn’t the key criteria for happiness about the ways we can be of use to others?

The political funds scandal led ex-Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to pay the gift tax of about 600 million yen on 1.26 billion yen he has received from his mother since 2002. These photos show a western-style house built by his grandfather Ichiro Hatoyama, the 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Prime Minister of Japan. So-called Hatoyama Mansion in Tokyo is now open to the public and with the scandal taking media attention, the number of visitors is skyrocketing. After seeing the house, the visitors are all convinced that Yukio was born with a gold spoon in his mouth, but not convinced with his explanation on where the gold came from.

Idea of Unadon Occurred to a Man Who Wanted Warm Broiled Eels

Up to a certain time during the Edo period (1600 to 1867), eel cuisine simply meant kabayaki or broiled eels, which is made by dipping eels in sauce and broiling them on skewers. Broiled eels have a long history. It is said that they existed from as long as 350 years ago and it seems that they had even taken root among the common people of the Edo period.

Then, unadon (bowl of eel and rice) was added as another way of enjoying eels. It was born from a man’s desire for eating eels in a delicious way.

During the Bunka years (1804 to 1818), there was a theater in Edo, specifically in the area of present-day Nihonbashi Ningyocho, owned by a man by the name of Imasuke Okubo. This man began working as a houseboy and, due to his quick nature, finally became the owner. He liked eels. It is said that he often had a nearby eel restaurant Onoya deliver his meals.

When eel restaurants at that time made deliveries, they would first wrap heated rice bran in a bamboo sheath and place the eels on it to keep them warm during delivery. In spite of this, the eels would be cold by the time they arrived at the customer. And, when cold, half of the good flavor of the eels would be lost.

Thinking of how he could eat his eels hot, Imasuke one day suddenly hit upon the idea of placing the eels on or between hot rice. When Imasuke asked that the broiled eels be delivered on the rice, it was like killing two birds with one stone. The eels remained hot and the sauce also added flavor to the rice.

This unadon invented by Imasuke immediately became a sensation. The restaurant Onoya became the original house of unadon. Unadon spread so quickly that there was not a single eel restaurant in Edo that did not sell unadon.

Unadon first sold for around 100 to 200 mon, but after a while some restaurants began to sell it at around 60 mon. It seems that a heated price competition was going on.