Ready for a new year's day

Finally, only 1 day is left in 2011><

It is so fast, isn't it?

And this will be the last post of this year.

Today, I would like to introduce about the new year's day in Japan.

As you lnow we eat "Osechi" for celebrating the beggibgin of the year

and therd are some special meanings for every food.

I also would like to tell you about my original "Date-maki"

and tips to make it.

There are a prenty of food in Osechi,

so I will introduce some famous food in here.

1) kamaboko (Fish sausage):

it is eaten because of its celebrational colour.

2) Date-maki:

"Date" means fabulous and gorgeous.

it also originate a famous Samurai, Date Masamune.

its shape looks like scrolled book,

so it is used for improvig knowledge.

3) Kurikinton (Sweet chestnuts):

"Kinton" means gold and it looks like a real gold.

4) Kombu (Seaweed):

Japanese pronunciation is similar to "Yorokobu (Preasure)".

5) Namasu (Sweet-soured carots and Japanese radish):

it imitates white and red band for celebrating.

6) Renkon (Lotus root):

to be able to look into faraway.

7) Tai (Sea bream):

Its Japanese name sounds "Medetai (Happy)".

8) Shrimp:

its shape and barbel is similar to old man

so it means wish for liveing longer.

9) Kuwai:

it grows long germ so it means wish for success.

10) Gobo (Burdock root):

because it grows strong root into the ground.

11) Satoimo (Taro)/Yatsugashira:

wish for having lots of children.

12) Kuromame (Black bean):

To be able to work harder and frequently.

In my house,

every yeay we prepare the Osechi

and eat it with relatives.

In case of Datemaki,

it is homemade in my house.

Using "Hampen (Fish minced and stamed)" and toss in the blender

is secret tip to make it^^

Please try it!!

You can be able to make it delisious!!

We also eat "toshikoshi-soba" in the new year's day.

People eat it with wish for live longer, thiner.

However, basically we have to finish eating it before entering the new year.

Eating after the new year,

it is said that

it may bring bad luck...

oh, me gosh.

I have done this before many times...^^;

Anyway,

I heartily hope that

you everyone will have a wonderful day

and spend a meaningful year of 2012.

It is a little bit earlier, but......

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

My dear Soka City!!

Hello, everyone!!

Finally we enter the last month of this year!!

Time flies so fast...><

Today I would like to introduce about my town which is...

SOKA CITY!!

...What?

Don't you know where the Soka city is?

It doesn't seem to be related to Food?

Don't you care about Soka City at all?

Come on!

This is a good opportunity to know about  Soka city, isn't it?

Besides, It also has very famous food!

Then, let me introduce about my dear town!

First, Soka city belongs to Saitama prefecture.

This city is almost beside Adachi-ku, Tokyo prefecture,

so sometimes people say this;

"Tokyo-to, Soka-shi"

or

"Saitama-ken, Adachi-ku"

That is a kind of irony that

Soka city is close enough to Tokyo even though it is a city of Saita prefecture.

In fact, I can get to Adachi-ku within 5 minutes.



The very red part of the below is Soka city which shape is like a dog.



Secondly, I would like to tell about food in Soka city.

I guess you have ever heard the name of "Soka Sembei" once.

It is the most famous snack made from rice!!

Soka sembei (Rice cracker) is a local brand product.

During the WWII, its trend was temporary weaken because of the lack of rice,

but later it begun to be famous again.

In 1970s, its name started to be known widely,

and over 120 shops have being run until today.

The basic flavour is strong soy sauce.

If you eat it once,

you absolutely cannot stop eating it!!

Because it is located next to the Tokyo,

sometimes Soka sembei are sold as a specialty food of Tokyo.

There is a interesting story related to its origin.

Once upon a time,

in about Kanei period,

there are a old lady who runs tea house, whose name is Osen.

One day,

she tries to discard the leftovers of rice dumpkings.

However, a viatic Samurai said;

"Wait a second!

Make them thinly even, dry them under the sun, and bake them!

That is good idea without the waste of food."

He tald her about the new recipe using rice cake.

Later, she attempted to make it as she was said,

then she was surprised at its wonderful taste.

She thinks it is good to sell at the shop.

It made great success and its reputation spreaded.

That is called that it is the origin of the Soka sembei.

When I was a primary school student,

I was taught this story by teacher.

Students also visit the factory of Soka sembei

and have an experience making it.

Originally it was baked on the charcoal stove,

but nowadays the number of the people who use it is not so large.

The statue of the Osen-san making Soka sembei.
It is located in front of the Soka station.
(Near from my house ^^) 

Soka sembei has interesting story for its origin

and citizen of the Soca city are proud of our local food!

Especially I am ^^

The origin of the Soka sembei is based on the idea of "No waste".

I think this is important idea for the people living in present.

We rate lower the value of the food too much.

If you think about the poor people around the world,

you cannot do like that.

I guess the samurai who tells this story is important point.

He knew the importance of the food more than anyone

because he survived in difficult period.

So I love this story very much

and I love the Sembei sooooo much!!

The most famous food is Soka sembei in my city,

but Saitama prefecture has many delicious food!

I just don't know about other cities' local food

because I don't visit main town in Saitama.

Tokyo is far nearer than centre of Saitama...><

I am a "Saitama Tomin"^^

(which means the citizen of Saitama prefecture

but mainly visit Tokyo more than Saitama.)

I will give examples of the local famous food in Saitama at last.

↓↓↓


 

 ←(1)       (2)→   



(1) Saika no hoseki (The jewel of Saitama):

It is the fruit flaoured gummy candy.

soooooo delicious^^!!

(2) Jumangoku manju:

It is steamed bean jum ban.

I love this type of food so much.

Why don't oyu try them and come to Saitama?

(especially Soka city ^^ !!)