Though Starbucks has indeed invaded the Japanese archipelago, this country has traditionally run on tea. Since its importation from China sometime in the 9th century, tea has become the drink of choice, the gatorade of the samurai class and the Miller Lite of the masses.
In keeping with the musical theme of the last Crash Course, I decided to do a post on the shakuhachi, Japan’s traditional flute. This isn’t an instrument people stumble across too often on their journeys through Japan but recently, my husband actually started taking shakuhachi lessons. Perhaps his … shall we say … “considerable” attempts … Continue reading »
Last week, I posted about a great find of a restaurant in the Asakusa neighborhood where diners were treated to a shamisen concert during their meal. For those of you who may not be familiar with the shamisen, here is a brief introduction to this Japanese traditional instrument.
When most travelers come to Japan, they don’t necessarily envision themselves bedding down in the nearest Best Western. Yet ryokan (Japanese inns) may seem a bit mysterious and intimidating. So, what exactly goes on behind the curtain? Here’s a quick look at what staying in a ryokan entails. Ryokan came to prominence in the Edo Period (1603-1868), when … Continue reading »
Six months of the year, I actually turn on my television. As the only channels we really get are the public NHK ones, I often don’t bother … Japanese game shows have yet to grow on me. But when the sumo tournaments are on, I’m glued to my set for at least the final hour.
Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! Happy New Year to all of you! I’m still recovering a bit from the holiday – not from the late night, mind you (parent of a toddler that I am I was in bed by the usual 10pm!), but from all of the food we scarfed down at our friends’ New Year’s … Continue reading »
A grievous insult. A man wronged. A life avenged. Conspiracy. Murder. Honor. It’s the plot of one of Japan’s most popular kabuki plays, Chushingura. Only this story is no fiction, but the famous tale of the 47 Samurai (or 47 Ronin). The story begins back in 1701, when the country was in the throes of … Continue reading »
A true tea ceremony is not for the faint of heart. Or rather, for the weak of knee. Traditional tea ceremonies (ie those not performed for tourists) can last up to four or five hours, depending on if a meal is served or not. Thankfully, all of my experiences have been brief. But an hour’s … Continue reading »
Let’s see. When last I left you, you all – in your unrestrained desire to know more about chado and all things tea – had followed me through the nijiri-guchi and into the tea house. (Hmmm. Sounds a bit too Lewis Carroll for my tastes. I never did think Alice made good decisions.)
Welcome to tea week! No, there’s no official pronouncement anywhere that makes this week the one to celebrate all things chado (the way of tea) related, but a quick glance through some of my old pictures the other night reminded me of one of my favorite experiences of the past three years - leading the tea … Continue reading »
