Showing posts with label Mochi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mochi. Show all posts

Tuesday, 3 June 2014

Chopsticks

English: Chopsticks for cooking Français : boi...
English: Chopsticks for cooking Français : bois à manger (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You are probably well aware that in Japan rather than using knives or forks, chopsticks are the most common eating implement. How much do you really know about chopsticks?


The chopsticks お箸(Ohashi)

At the home in Japan, each family has their own chopsticks. Parents tend to use long chopsticks and children use short chopsticks. There are a variety of colors and designs in department and other stores in Japan.

Many Japanese people carry around their own set of chopsticks. By doing this they avoid having to use the cheap throw away chopsticks (waribashi) that are often supplied at bento shops. Most Japanese find chopsticks easier to use that a knife and fork.

When eating at a restaurant in Japan you will see a Chopstick rest (箸置き hashioki) on the table. If there is no chopstick rest and you need to put your chopsticks down then simple fold the wrapper your chopsticks came in, into an accordion shape and use that as the rest.

Never ever ever

  1. Lift chopstick above mouth height.
  2. Tear food apart by holding one chopstick in each hand
  3. Shake off liquid on tip of chopstick.
  4. Swing hand that is holding chopstick.
  5. Shovel food into mouth with chopsticks, with the edge of you mouth on the rice bowl
  6. Let chopsticks roam around plate while you are deciding what next to eat.
  7. Hold chopsticks with hand that is already holding dish.
  8. Put food in your mouth that is dripping.
  9. Lick cop sticks.
  10. Use chopsticks upside-down.
  11. Eat with unmatched pair of chopsticks.
  12. Tap plate with chopsticks.
  13. Pass food from one person to another using chopsticks.
  14. Use as toothpick.

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Friday, 2 May 2014

Golden Week continued

Golden Carp
Golden Carp (Photo credit: chooyutshing)
Carp streamers
Carp streamers (Photo credit: hexion)
Today is May 3rd or in Japan 憲法記念日 Kenpō Kinenbi. This is Constitution Memorial Day and is apart of Golden Week. It is a day where people celebrate the Constitution of Japan and think about democracy.

Since in Japan if two holidays have a day between them that day also becomes a holiday so on the 4th there is also a holiday since the 5th is こどもの日 Kodomo no Hi which is Children's day (also known as boy's day).
This holiday is also celebrated in  China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Korea.
black carp
black carp (Photo credit: hexion)

This Celebration takes place right at the start of the summer. The day has become dedicated to the appreciation of children and mothers.
JaPan kaNto
JaPan kaNto (Photo credit: ~Alia~)

Traditionally families would raise one carp shaped flag for everyone of their children. This comes from an old Chinese legend of a carp swimming upstream and becoming a dragon.

Traditionally Mochi is eaten as a sweet treat on this day.
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