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Bento Pink
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 JAPANESE BENTO LUNCH BOX / Fork Spoon Chopsticks Case Set / Animal Yellow Pink  US $3.50
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My timing was perfect, even if the place was not as I imagined. How could two cities be so different yet share something so distinct as to make them like sisters in a family? There was no doubt in my mind that it was the cherry blossoms that created the illusion before me - an illusion of something Japanese, in a place as American as New York City. Today was the annual Sakura Matsuri or cherry blossom festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden where more than 200 cherry trees were in full bloom. I remembered the Japanese because of the cherry trees.
In this shimmering spring day
Ah, with ever anxious heart
The blossoms are falling...
Ki no Tomonori
Japanese waka poet
What could be more joyful than this moment, when all the Japanese flowering cherry trees or Sakura were bursting with pale pink and white blossoms? I could see the delicate blossoms falling to the ground even before withering out, as if someone had shaken the cherry trees and thrown the petals in the air. The scent of cherries wafted the cool breeze in the garden, blending like a symphony with the laughter of the people who posed under, besides or in front of the cherry trees.
The radiance of cherry blossoms
Their scent, ever fresh with every passing year,
So man grows old, eternally.
Ki no Tomonori
Japanese waka poet
Like any tourist, I admired the cherry blossoms for its aesthetic value, not knowing the Sakura symbolized something more profound to the Japanese. The falling leaves or blossoms are a metaphor for death in Buddhism. That's because the Japanese compared the short life of a cherry blossom to the life of a samurai or warrior who was fully prepared to sacrifice his life in the cause of his master. I thought the samurai was rather like a Christian martyr who was fully prepared to sacrifice his life in the cause of his faith in Jesus.
Myriads of things past
Are brought to my mind -
These cherry blossoms!
Basho Matsuo
Japanese haiku poet
A few days ago, we were at the Senso-ji Temple, in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan where I noticed the cherry blossoms within the courtyard of the famous Buddhist Temple. Our good friend Yachiyo explained a little about the cherry and Buddhism.
"Those are not real anymore but made of plastic," she said. "They are there all year round so that people could hang their prayer petitions under the trees. We don't have a mass like you do. We don't worship a God like you do."
Yes, I did notice several sheets of paper (with characters on it) hanging under the shade of the cherry trees. It was something that even I could relate to. The scene reminded me of how the Jews inserted prayer petitions between the bricks of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Even Catholics have prayer petitions thru lighted candles or written paper that are burned after praying.
From a Buddhist's perspective, however, the cheery tree is a deity and each petal of cherry blossom is a person who sacrifices himself for a certain mission or ideal. It is as simple as the flower will wither, the warrior will die, and the world will fade away.
The rains poured down as I sat to eat our bento lunch underneath a large tent. Surrounded by cherry trees, I understood how people see the world from the perspective of their own faith but regardless of faith, I sensed the connection of mankind to nature and to a higher power above. Yes, immortality was never meant for man on earth but how beautiful it is to know that we have a purpose to strive for and like the Buddhists, we could live well at the moment with eternal spring in our heart.
This year on, forever,
It's all gravy to me now-
Spring arrives.
Issa
Japanese haiku poet
http://friendelaine.blogspot.com
How To Make Japanese Ramen Tips
Ramen is one of the popular dishes in Japan, aside from sushi and bento. This comforting ramen is now widely known around the world because it's healthy and complete. Japanese ramen consists of full flavored broth, egg noodles, meat and vegetables. There are many kinds of ramen in Japan, each restaurant in every region has its own special and distinct version of ramen.
Did you know that ramen is originally from China? In China they call it La Mian which literally means hand-pulled noodles. Ramen was introduced to Japan around the 19th century. After that, ramen became very popular across the country. Ramen even helped Japan during the World War II. Then around 1958 the founder of Nissin foods Momofuku Ando invented instant noodles which became really popular around the world because it is cheap, handy and easy to prepare.
Preparing ramen broth is the complicated and time consuming part in making ramen because some ramen broths will take you hours or even a day to prepare it, but the results will be delicious. Once you know how to make the broth, everything will be easy for you because you can put any toppings you like.
Here are the common ramen toppings:
- Narutomaki or fishcake with pink swirl in the middle.
- Nibuta or simmered pork
- Hardboiled egg
- Spinach
- Nori or seaweed
- Wakame another type of seaweed
- Corn
- Shiitake mushrooms or Chinese black mushrooms
Feel free to mix and match, you can even add your own toppings. The real secret of good ramen is its broth.
Here are the basic ramen broths that you can also try
- Fish broth. This broth is a bit salty and savory. Fish broth is a perfect for those who are health conscious because it is made up of katsuboshi or dried tuna shavings, kombu or kelp, niboshi or anchovy, salt, pepper and water. This is the easiest broth to prepare. Fish broth is usually used for shio ramen or salt based ramen.
- Chicken broth. This broth is made up of chicken bones, leeks, ginger and water. It has this very light chicken flavor with the hint of ginger and leeks. This broth is usually used for shoyu ramen or soy sauce based ramen and miso ramen.
- Pork broth or also known as tonkotsu not tonkatsu. This broth is the most complicated broth to prepare because you will cook or boil pig's feet for 15 to 20 hours which makes the broth cloudy and tasty. This broth is perfect for miso based ramen and tonkotsu ramen topped with nibuta.
Before I forget, there are three flavors or bases for ramen. You will just add these as additional flavor or taste.
- Shio ramen or salt based ramen. Shio ramen is salty and clear, perfect for fish or seafood and vegetable toppings.
- Shoyu ramen or soy sauce based ramen. You will just add about 4 tablespoons of soy sauce in the ramen bowl before you add the broth.
- Miso ramen or miso based ramen. This ramen is salty and tangy, and it really goes well with pork and vegetable toppings.
Now that you know the basics of Japanese ramen, it's time for you to make your own ramen. Enjoy eating!
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I'm looking for a bento box?
Im looking for a Bento Box, it cant be pinku (thats japanese for pink) or any girl color. It has to be of 2 or more kotoba (thats japanese for 2 compartments) and has be be chibi (small) sized. And has to be really kawaii (cute). Also It has to be about 10-20 bux. And you have to post pics of it first (i want to make shure it's kawaii (cute)). And it would be nice if it came with matching chopstick holder (WITH chopsticks). OH! and it CANNOT have any cartoon pictures, or be made out of plastic. It has to be made of ceramic, or something like that. Also it would be nice if it was made in japan. and not in china or corea (korea) or whatever. I have found a Bento Box similar to the one im describing in e-bay, but it was 1 kotoba, and i dont want my gohan (rice) to touch my other things (it can get wet and i would not like that, plus 2 compartments looks more kawaii).
most bento boxes are plastic or lacquer , ceramic will get broken too easily however here's a site for you to browse.
http://search.borderless.rakuten.com/borderless/search.action?p=3&l=en&tl=407057&m=false&uc=true&vm=2&f=1&sm=2&k=bento+box
Japanese dietary tips to prevent summer lethargy
Anyone who has spent a summer in Japan will likely be well- acquainted with natsubate, or "summer fatigue" — a general state of lethargy and tiredness, lack of concentration, sleeplessness and even mild depression. Dealing with the relentless heat and humidity, which only lets up slightly in the evenings, is enough to get anyone down. Air conditioning helps, but as it often blasts out ...
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