December 2022

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[Snowman in Japan (Yuki-Daruma)]

"Snowmen" are a winter tradition. When snow piles up, don't you make a "snowman"? We Japanese call snowman "yuki-daruma." The "daruma" in "yuki-daruma" refers to the Buddhist monk, Daruma. Daruma is regarded as the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism, which spread the teaching of "zazen" (sitting meditation). Daruma brought Zen Buddhism to China, which in turn greatly influenced the Rinzai and Soto sects in Japan and other religions in Japan. "Daruma" means "dharma" in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India, and is said to represent the root of Buddhism.

Daruma's doll, "okiagari-koboshi," was introduced from China in the Muromachi period (1336-1573). The doll was made to resemble the indomitable spirit of Daruma Daishi, and because the doll was weighted and would get up even if knocked down, the phrase "seven falls, eight rises" was also coined. The white-eyed "meire-daruma" seen during the year-end and New Year's holidays is a good-luck charm in which a person prays and puts in his left eye, and when the prayer is fulfilled, he puts in his right eye as well, a custom that has continued since the Edo period (1603-1868).

Japanese snowmen are made by overlapping two snowballs, one for the head and the other for the body. Ceramic Japan's Shuki Daruma is a sake container made directly from such a snowman. The set includes a tokkuri and two sake cups, and comes in two types: "Glazed," which looks like the smooth surface of ice, and "Bisque," which looks like fluffy snow. You can enjoy your favorite sake in a way that suits the season: hot in winter while watching the snow, cool in summer with chilled sake. And this snowman will not melt in a warm room. Have a wonderful holiday season!

Ceramic Japan's Shuki Daruma
https://www.shokunin.com/en/ceramicjapan/daruma.html

References
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/雪だるま
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/達磨
https://true-buddhism.com/history/daruma/

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[Gold Leaf]

Gold has attracted people's attention for a long time since the dawn of history because of its beautiful luster and its unchanging nature over the years. Gold is also a metal that has been used by humans since early times because it is soft and easy to process.

In Japan, gold has long been used to decorate Buddhist statues and halls. The Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple, built in the Nara period (710-794), was gold-plated on its surface and shone like gold at that time. During the time of its construction, gold was discovered for the first time in Japan in Michinoku, and a large amount of gold sand from there was used. Michinoku later became a major gold-producing region and supported the gold culture of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, as represented by Chusonji Konjikido. As large quantities of gold were exported to mainland China, rumors spread that gold could be found in abundance in Japan, and even Marco Polo's "The Travels of Marco Polo." mentions the legend of "Zipangu, the Land of Gold."

Gold mines were developed in various regions from the late Muromachi period (1336-1573), and gold production increased rapidly during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1573), when Toyotomi Hideyoshi came to power. The gorgeous Momoyama culture flourished, and paintings, crafts, architecture, armor, and many other items were decorated with gold. Hideyoshi ordered the Kaga Clan to produce gold leaf, which was indispensable for the production of these items, and this led to the birth of the gold leaf production area that continues to this day, "Kanazawa is known for its gold leaf."

However, in the Edo period (1603-1867), as part of its economic policy, the shogunate issued a "ban on foiling" that restricted the production of gold and silver leaf to Edo and Kyoto. Production in other areas was prohibited, and gold leaf production in Kanazawa ceased. The turning point came in 1808, when Kanazawa Castle burned down and a large amount of gold leaf was needed to rebuild the castle, so gold leaf craftsmen were brought in from Kyoto. The Kyoto craftsmen taught the techniques to the Kanazawa craftsmen, but they were not successful, so the Kanazawa craftsmen went to Kyoto to learn the techniques. They brought back the techniques they learned there, continued to make gold leaf, and were allowed to have a factory in Kanazawa. When controls were lifted during the Meiji period (1868-1912), production increased even more, and today 98% of all gold leaf produced in Japan is made in Kanazawa.

Nosaku's Kuzushi Tare LL Gold Leaf is a gorgeous bowl with a tin body decorated with gold leaf. By slightly losing its shape, Kuzushi expresses the soft characteristics of tin, giving it a warm feeling despite its metallic nature. How about a bowl that will add color to your table for Christmas, New Year's, and other special occasions?

Nosaku's Kuzushi Tare LL Gold Leaf
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nousaku/zakka.html

References
https://hakukumiai.jp
https://kanazawa.hakuichi.co.jp/about/kinpaku_history.php
https://www.kanazawa-museum.jp/kinpaku/history/index.htm
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/金#日本

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[Chicken with Mayonnaise]

I saw this recipe for "chicken with mayonnaise" 20 years ago by the famous Japanese cookery researcher, Kentaro. It goes well with both sake and white rice. To make it, cut chicken meat, and fry it with salt and pepper until it is cooked to some extent, then transfer it to a heatproof container, top with about 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise and a piece of melted cheese, and put it in a toaster oven for 4 to 5 minutes. Hasami's Toy Gratin S is the perfect size for snacks as well!

Hasami's Toy Gratin S
https://www.shokunin.com/en/hasami/toygratin.html