MOCHI KAGAWA STYLE
2011年02月01日
Now I have to admit one of the perks in my job is getting out of the office … and if there’s food on hand as well, then it really is hardly work at all and to be both enjoyed and stretched out for as long as possible I reckon.
My ever modest and wonderful self, a Korean and Chinese colleague were invited out to make a short video in the beautiful Kinashi area. Specifically, to Nakanishi san’s very traditional bonsai farm and report on a few of Japan’s New Years customs, which included making mochi. This is one hell of a beautiful homestead and we were pretty impressed with spaciousness of the place and the traditional architecture.
Our hosts from the local area first showed us the ‘kadomatsu’ traditional pine, bamboo, plants and arranged twigs in picture 5. The kadomatsu are seen everywhere in Japan at this time of the year and there are slight stylistic variations in some prefectures and I was told? But now can’t remember because I was too busy fidgeting and blowing into my hands to keep warm. In fact when it came around for my turn tot do the video interview for a couple of seconds my lips wouldn’t work it was that damn cold!
Somehow I got through this and was at the same time fascinated by the beauty of the bonsai.
A part of what we were to report on was the upcoming 11th Asia-Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Convention & Exhibition in Takamatsu running from Nov. 18th (Fri.) through to the 21st (Mon.)
This will be held in a few locations: Takamatsu City, Sunport Takamatsu, Tamamo Park, Ritsurin Garden, Kinashi and Kokubunji area. It will also include Niihama City and Ehime prefecture and Takasago-an Bonsai Garden.
The 11the ASPAC Takamatsu Conference Organizing Committee
31-14 satoh, Kinashi-cho, Takamatsu Kagawa, JAPAN Tel: 087-813-1787 for more information.
info@aspac-takamatsu.jp
http://www.aspac-takamatsu.jp/en/
On show, there will be bonsai from the Imperial Palace, bonsai masterworks, demonstrations, workshops and field tours. The website has more information on this.
Let’s get back to my blog …the last demonstration was making mochi and we all chipped in including a group of kids from the local kindergarten who were invited along. How come kids don’t seem to get cold? I swear they just smiled all the time while I was wriggling around in my clothes.
The ‘mochi gome’ (special rice cultivated for making mochi was steamed for about 30 minutes then pounded into a sticky paste. I enjoyed this bit as I could keep warm!
Then we wrapped bits in dried seaweed and dipped it in soy sauce. Apart from locking my jaws together and at least stopping the teeth from chattering it was delicious.
Keep all them cards n’ letters coming in. I’ll be back in February with some good stuff I’m working on now. Have a safe and prosperous year everyone!
My ever modest and wonderful self, a Korean and Chinese colleague were invited out to make a short video in the beautiful Kinashi area. Specifically, to Nakanishi san’s very traditional bonsai farm and report on a few of Japan’s New Years customs, which included making mochi. This is one hell of a beautiful homestead and we were pretty impressed with spaciousness of the place and the traditional architecture.
Our hosts from the local area first showed us the ‘kadomatsu’ traditional pine, bamboo, plants and arranged twigs in picture 5. The kadomatsu are seen everywhere in Japan at this time of the year and there are slight stylistic variations in some prefectures and I was told? But now can’t remember because I was too busy fidgeting and blowing into my hands to keep warm. In fact when it came around for my turn tot do the video interview for a couple of seconds my lips wouldn’t work it was that damn cold!
Somehow I got through this and was at the same time fascinated by the beauty of the bonsai.
A part of what we were to report on was the upcoming 11th Asia-Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Convention & Exhibition in Takamatsu running from Nov. 18th (Fri.) through to the 21st (Mon.)
This will be held in a few locations: Takamatsu City, Sunport Takamatsu, Tamamo Park, Ritsurin Garden, Kinashi and Kokubunji area. It will also include Niihama City and Ehime prefecture and Takasago-an Bonsai Garden.
The 11the ASPAC Takamatsu Conference Organizing Committee
31-14 satoh, Kinashi-cho, Takamatsu Kagawa, JAPAN Tel: 087-813-1787 for more information.
info@aspac-takamatsu.jp
http://www.aspac-takamatsu.jp/en/
On show, there will be bonsai from the Imperial Palace, bonsai masterworks, demonstrations, workshops and field tours. The website has more information on this.
Let’s get back to my blog …the last demonstration was making mochi and we all chipped in including a group of kids from the local kindergarten who were invited along. How come kids don’t seem to get cold? I swear they just smiled all the time while I was wriggling around in my clothes.
The ‘mochi gome’ (special rice cultivated for making mochi was steamed for about 30 minutes then pounded into a sticky paste. I enjoyed this bit as I could keep warm!
Then we wrapped bits in dried seaweed and dipped it in soy sauce. Apart from locking my jaws together and at least stopping the teeth from chattering it was delicious.
Keep all them cards n’ letters coming in. I’ll be back in February with some good stuff I’m working on now. Have a safe and prosperous year everyone!
"Pat has lived in Takamatsu continuously since arriving here on a one year study and leave 1981. Originally from Tasmania, Australia, he was involved in education at a variety of levels including as a specialist teacher for children with learning difficulties, and at senior high schools throughout the state. Pat is employed full-time by the i-pal Kagawa International Exchange as a co-oridintaor for international relations amongst other duties including traveling to schools and giving talks in Japanese to kids about Australia. He has been involved with youth education exchanges between Japan and Australia for many years.
Pat has been many things in his colorful life including a seaman, helmsman, welder, carpenter, traffic warden, scholarship/studentship winner at the university of Tasmania, staff at the Australian Embassy in London to name but a few. Pat has far too many hobbies which include tennis, playing jazz flutes and saxes, riding bicycles with the Takamatsu Cycling Club all of which his long-suffering family tolerate. Recently he's become interested in painting again. His wife wishes he would put more time in to helping around the house and the garden which he artfully avoids ..."
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Posted by pat at 09:00
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