by Elizabeth Andoh | Sep 4, 2023 | Recipes
Farmers around the world deploy “scarecrows” to guard their crops from undesirable flying, crawling, and burrowing creatures. Japan’s kakashi 案山子 scarecrows that stand guard over rice fields tend to be more whimsical than frightening figures. Above, rice fields in...
by Elizabeth Andoh | Aug 2, 2023 | Recipes, Summer
Rooted in Buddhist tradition and practice, Obon is the time when spirits of the departed are believed to return to this world for a short, annual visit. It is not a morbid occasion but rather a pleasant and respectful way for younger generations to stay connected to...
by Elizabeth Andoh | Jul 17, 2023 | Recipes
Originating in Mesoamerica about 7,000 years ago, tomatoes arrived in Japan early in the Edo period (1603-1868) having traveled the globe and being domesticated along the way. The first tomato plants in Japan were considered an ornamental — they were not...
by Elizabeth Andoh | Jun 13, 2023 | Recipes
KAKI-GŌRI: Japan's contribution to Icy Confections Long before refrigeration was invented, people around the world went to great lengths to keep food chilled. The world’s earliest written record of such efforts is an Iranian inscription dating back to 1700 BC that...
by Elizabeth Andoh | May 18, 2023 | Recipes
The Japanese use a wide variety of tools and vessels to prepare and serve food and beverage. This post is devoted to TEA POTS called KYŪSU 急須. They are typically small, used to brew just a few portions of tea (each about 100-120ml/scant 4 fluid ounces) at one time....
by Elizabeth Andoh | Apr 27, 2023 | Recipes
FUJI (Wisteria floribunda) A species of flowering plant in the pea family, fuji is native to Japan. In culinary matters, graceful wisteria vines inspire a seasonal motif for traditional wagashi confectionery. Fuji is often a symbol of longevity (plants have been...
