In my high school history textbook, there were only 4things that were associated with Ii Naosuke (1815 – 1860): Tairo (大老)… He became a Tairo, which is a very high-ranking post in the Tokugawa Shogunate late in the Edo Period. Harris Treaty… He signed this treaty with the US without the Emperor’s consent. Ansei Purge… …
March 3rd, the day of Hinamatsuri, is coming up! As I explained in my previous blog post, Hinamatsuri is a Japanese celebration especially for girls. Since it’s about the season that peaches are in bloom, Hinamatsuri is also called “Momo no Sekku 桃の節句”. Momo means peach in Japanese. How do you celebrate this occasion in …
First Ikebana flower arrangement, and then tea ceremony… Now my two main practices are both conducted online. I use my old iPhone as an external webcam. I connect the webcam to my computer so that I can see what the webcam is capturing on my computer screen. Before the class starts, I double check the …
This old Japanology video on NHK made me almost cry… It’s a rather long video, but I hope at least you watch the part starting at 19:00 and 26:26. Please let me know what you thought after watching these parts. “The important thing is that the host and the guests get together and enjoy each …
People are angry. They are occupying streets everywhere in the world, demonstrating, protesting, and marching. People have every right to demand social justice, end of police brutality, end of racial discrimination. To whom am I to demand? How do I achieve these changes? Discrimination doesn’t exist on the street nor in the city hall. It …
The eighth Senses from Japan is now over. During the four days, 138 people, to be exact, came to see our tea ceremony demonstrations and DIY Make Your Matcha time. For many of them it was the first time experiencing this form of Japanese tradition. I hope they enjoyed the moment. This event wouldn’t have …
The 8th Senses from Japan event is coming up! Many thanks to Fran’s Chocolates for hosting once again this 4-day showcase dedicated to sharing Japan’s rich traditions exquisite craftsmanship and artistry. Watch a traditional tea ceremony, try making your own matcha green tea, and shop the Heiando America urushi lacquerware popup shop. And there will …
When asked to teach a group of airline crews Japanese hospitality by demonstrating tea ceremony, I was not sure what to do. The venue is a conference room at their office…. Not much space to set all the tea utensils. Won’t it be boring for the crews to simply watch somebody making a bowl of …