Missing Japan, where fall is so lovely . . .
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
28 Aug 2012 Leave a Comment
in film Tags: documentary, excellence, food, Japan, master, obsessed, perfectionist
It looks so simple
Jiro Dreams of Sushi delights as it presents the story of a sushi master par excellence. Like Bill Cunningham: NY, this documentary gives us a glimpse of a man whose a master in his field and finds great joy in his art. Jiro is 82 and has a small, unassuming sushi restaurant in a mall that seems to be part of the subway pedway in Tokyo. You would not expect this to be a 3 star Michelin restaurant. It’s maintained that elite status for years.
Jiro and his two sons will make anyone appreciate sushi, even folks like me who don’t particularly like fish. He works so hard at making his food perfect. He’s probably the only chef who insists his apprentices massage octopus for 50 minutes so that it’s perfectly tender. Some may find this sexist, but he gives women smaller portions so that both male and female diners finish eating their sushi at the same time. Evidently, he’s noticed that women would take longer to eat the same size sushi as a man.
I found each moment of Jiro Dreams of Sushi mesmerizing. His description of his childhood and getting kicked out of the house to fend for himself at age 7 or so, his reunion with old classmates, the trips to the fish market – it was such a joy to watch Jiro delight in his work.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Wrong
10 Aug 2012 27 Comments
in Blogging Challenge, photos Tags: Japan, postaday2012, postaweek2012, Thailand
It’s wrong not to clean up
Because it’s wrong to do so in front of our house
Share a picture that means WRONG to you!
New to The Daily Post? Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, you’re invited to get involved in our Weekly Photo Challenge to help you meet your blogging goals and give you another way to take part in Post a Day / Post a Week. Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.
Here’s how it works:
1. Each week, we’ll provide a theme for creative inspiration. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog anytime before the following Friday when the next photo theme will be announced.
2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “Weekly Photo Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use a “postaday2012″ or “postaweek2012″ tag.
3. Subscribe to The Daily Post so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.
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I Saw Sunday
05 Feb 2012 1 Comment
in architecture, art, Blogging Challenge, meme Tags: Aida, art, art deco, Art Institute of Chicago, Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Japan, Lyric Opera House, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Mushroom Cloud, Nagasaki, opera, wood block prints
Here’s a new meme: I Saw Sunday
So, what did you see this week?
One thing or a whole list! – Words or photos or both!
Share it here with us.
The Rules
1. Write your post on your blog and include a link back to I Saw Sunday.
2. Leave the link to your post in the Mr Linky widget so we can find you.
3. Leave a comment after linking so that I know you have been here.
4. Please be sure to visit the other participants and share what they saw.
Aida depicted on the Lyric's permanent curtain
I had a splendid week and saw so much.
First I’m still blown away by the production of Aida that I saw at the Lyric Opera. Such pageantry! Such voices! I also love the Lyric Opera House‘s interior. Beautiful Art Deco (above).
The last few days due to the warm weather, I’ve seen a dozen or so ducks, which is quite uncommon in this area in February.
I got to see my friend Yuki, whom I haven’t seen for a couple years. I also got a copy of her book Beyond the Mushroom Cloud. Yuki’s a religious studies professor and her niche is the spirituality of the bombing of Hiroshima, which she explores by examining speeches, writings and films about the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I look forward to reading this book.
After brunch with Yuki, I went over to the Art Institute of Chicago where they have a lovely exhibit of Japanese prints from the 1960s and 70s.
“Slow down and take the time to really see. Take a moment to see what is going on around you right now, right where you are. You may be missing something wonderful.”
- J. Michael Thomas
Related articles
- Susannah’s I Saw Sunday Post
- The After-Effects of The Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima & Nagasaki (zazenlife.com)
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Hope
27 Jan 2012 15 Comments
in Blogging Challenge, meme, travel Tags: Asia, China, DailyPost, Flower, fortunes, hope, Japan, Kyoto, marriage, Photograph, postaday2011, postaweek2011, sacred, Thailand, values, wishes
Hoping this house is blessed, Thailand
Spirit houses are in front of Buddhist Thai homes. Each morning, they’re filled with sacrificial fruit and flowers as an expression of hope (in part).
Tie your wishes here, Kyoto, Japan
At Japanese shrines you can get a fortune and tie it up.
Guangzhou, China
What new marriage doesn’t start with hope?
New to The Daily Post? Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, you’re invited to get involved in our Weekly Photo Challenge to help you meet your blogging goals and give you another way to take part in Post a Day / Post a Week. Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.
Here’s how it works:
1. Each week, we’ll provide a theme for creative inspiration. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog anytime before the following Friday when the next photo theme will be announced.
2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “Weekly Photo Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use a “postaday2011″ or “postaweek2011″ tag.
3. Subscribe to The Daily Post so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.
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Missed Opportunity?
18 Jan 2012 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: Asia, education, Ethnicity and Multiculturalism, free guest speaker, Japan, JETAA, social studies, teaching
Image via Wikipedia
The Japanese consulate pays JET alums to talk about Japanese culture at local schools. It’s a good idea. I wrote to a few schools hoping to make $200 or more while on break. I haven’t heard from all, many just said no, which is fine. My mother’s former school, where she taught for many years had a teacher contact me. This teacher’d like me to come but not till May because that’s Asian Heritage month. She’s not sure about teaching about Asia in another month. I proposed the topic of Japanese school life, which isn’t seasonal. I hope this teacher isn’t as short-sighted as she seems.
Really? It’s not like Asian Heritage it’s so integrated in our culture that it would be like teaching Christmas in July. There are festivals in Japan every month of the year.
I expect the public schools are so busy with test prep that they won’t be interested. Whatever. I just think if I were a teacher, I’d jump at such a guest speaker – for free.
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- Honne and Tatemae and Acting (and Art) (redheadjourney.wordpress.com)
Manga Showdown: Chicago
03 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in culture Tags: art, culture, Japan, pop culture
Manga Showdown, a popular comic event series with prominent Japanese comic writer Rieko Saibara, is coming to Chicago!
Manga Showdown Website
This time, Rieko Saibara will have a “comic match” with Mari Yamazaki, another prominent Japanese comic writer who lives in Chicago. The event will be only in Japanese without English translation, but any manga fans are welcome to join!
There will be a photo session with the comic writers at the end of the event.
Sunday, June 26, 2:30 – 4:00 PM
Harper College, Wojcik Conderence Center
1200 W. Algonquin Rd. Palatine, IL 60067
ITickets are $10
Tickets and information is available on the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Chicago.
Ticket registration
Topping My “Must See” List
01 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in movies Tags: animation, Japan
Tatsumi is a film that played at Cannes this year. An animated biography of a Japanese manga artist.
Shichi-Go-San Day
27 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment
Shichi – Go – San Photo shoot of kids in Japan from Encore Media on Vimeo.
One of my favorite posts from Ruined for Life and it makes me so nostalgic for Japan.
By fellow former Nara JET, Troy Sheather.
smkelly8
