Nabe: mixed stew cooked at the table

It is very cold outside this week in Tokyo.
The snow has melted, but we will have another snowfall this weekend!

In Winter, we often have "Nabe" at home or at the restaurant.
"Nabe" is a general name for cooking vegetables, meats, or fish in a same pot at the table.
There are various kinds of  "Nabe" recipes, and are the  name differs.
When cooking  "Nabe", we use small electric or gas stove on the table.
It is very good and popular food for the party.

At the bottom of "Nabe"
you can find empty
I always find full satisfaction

Norie

photo: "Nabe"

Sumibi : charcoal fire

I went to a Potluck Party at my friend's house last week.
He is my haiku friend and is a very good party organizer.

This time, he prepared "Shichi-rin", a kind of charcoal stove for making foods.
"Sumi" is a charcoal in japanese, and "Sumibi" is a seasonal word for winter.
And "Binchotan charcoal" is the best one for cooking because of its quality.

We enjoyed the charcoal fire by cooking vegetables, mushrooms, meats and fish.

Around the charcoal fire stove
everybody is smilling
as one's childhood face

photo: Shichirin : charcoal fire stove

Hatsu-shibai : New Year theatre

Last Saturday, I went to"YOSE" theatre in Ueno.
"YOSE" is a theatre name especially for "Rakugo".

"Rakugo" is japanese comic monodrama which is one of the oldest theatre amusement.
The story of "Rakugo" is very funny. Most of them are based on people's common life.
We can enjoy the story with storytellers facial and body expression.
The storyteller uses handtowl as a book or folding fan as chopsticks!
And New Year "YOSE" is a special fun for many rakugo lovers.

Also, I went to "KABUKI" for New Year theatre.
New Year theatre, "Hatsu-shibai"  is a favorite kigo for me.

Nanakusa-gayu: seven-herb rice porridge

Today, January 7th is still New Year "Matsuno-uchi".
We have seven-herb rice porridge "Nanakusa-gayu" today for perfect health this year,
or stomach treatment.
These days, we can buy these "seven-herb package" at a supermarket.
(but unfortunatelly, I don't like rice porridge : -)

Far away from my hometown
I am now having "Nanakusa-gayu"
my mother's homemade taste

Norie

sugoroku: japanese dice game

Happy Holidays!

When I was a child, New Year day was the most important day in a year.
 All relative adalts give a special money, "Otoshidama" to their nephew or niece,
so children can get big income at New Year season.

At the family party, we play New Year game.
"Hanetsuki" is outdoor game like badminton, "Sugoroku" is a dice game.
But computer games are becoming so popular that traditional games fade away in these days.

All happiness of this year
are waiting for you
at the goal of "sugoroku"

Norie