Tamanoishi

While I was in Matsuyama, I walked to the Dogo Onsen Main Building. On the side of the building was a large stone surrounded by a gate. It had a sign that said, "Tama no Ishi" (Precious Stone). When I returned to the hotel, I saw a painting with a description of the stone.

According to legend, two Shinto gods were visiting the hot springs. Suku na hikona, a small god, became sick. The grand god, Okuninushi No Mikoto, became concerned and put him in the hot spring. Suku na hikona returned to health and to show his thankfulness, he danced on on top of a stone. That stone is "Tama no Ishi".

Singapore Chicken

While in Japan last week, I had Singapore Chicken for the first time. The restaurant was located down the street from the Azabu-Juban Subway station.

My college buddy picked out the place. He has been to Singapore before and thought this place does a good Singapore Chicken. When we sat down, we noticed the helpful place mat with instructions.


A) With a spoon, dab some sauce on top of steamed chicken - you could sauce it individually or mix all sauces together.

B) Using a spoon like a knife, cut the steamed chicken into desired portion.

C) Using a fork, shove the cut chicken and fragant rice together onto a spoon.

D) In one shot, EAT! Just focus on myriad of bursting flavors.

E) Have a sip of chicken soup to cleanse your palate.

F) Ahh!! Give yourself a root canal. (OK it doesn't really say that. But, it sure looks like a root canal)

F) Ahh!! The perfect balance of juicy chicken and heavenly flavors of fragrant rice, complimented by complexity of the sauces. Yum!!

The Marginal Way

Happy Memorial Day!

I arrived back from Japan and spent a perfect Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday, we decided to drive to Maine and visit Ogunquit. From our house, it takes about one and a half hours to drive to Maine.

We like Ogunquit because it has a great walk called The Marginal Way.


The pathway goes a little over a mile from Ogunquit beach to Perkins Cove. Along the way, you can climb down the rocks and see tidal pools.


Even though our kids are teenagers, they had fun exploring and looking for sea creatures.

I liked looking at the ocean, and my wife loved the sound of the waves.

The Onsen Experience

When I was in Matsuyama, I stayed at a Ryokan type hotel that had its own Onsen (hot springs bath).

I have written about Japanese Baths before, but I've never had a chance to take a picture. This time, I got up early and found myself alone in the onsen. So, I rushed back to my room, picked up my camera, and took some pictures.

Here is my version of how you go to an Onsen.

First, you have to figure out which side to enter. The picture above shows the entrance to the men's side. The Chinese character at the top means "man".

Once inside, you enter the dressing area. You pick a basket against the wall and remove all your clothing - think of it like gym class without the angst of the teenage years.

You pick up a towel and head to the next room. The towels are for modesty but are only the size of a dishtowel.


Once inside, you select a spot against the wall that will be your "washing area", and you pick up a bucket. You fill your bucket with water from the main pool and rinse off. Then you can soak in the pool or start to wash up. You sit on the small stools, turn on the faucet, and lather up. In this Onsen, there were dispensers for soap, shampoo, and conditioner.

You use your bucket to rinse off.


Once you are finished, you head back to the pool area. These are usually designed to to have a combination of natural features against the side. The water is very hot. When you sit down in the pool, the water comes up to your chin. I spent long enough in the pool that I felt lightheaded when I tried to stand up.

The Onsen experience may seem strange for a westerner, but it is actually quite relaxing. I would never pass up an chance to go to an Onsen.

Moyashi-kun (Mr. Bean Sprouts)

I tried a new dish in Matsuyama. It is called Moyashi-kun or Mr. Bean Sprouts. It was cooked at our table in a pot on a portable burner.

They put a miso based broth in the pot, added thinly sliced meat, and placed a huge mountain of bean sprouts on the top.

As we talked and ate other dishes, the bean sprouts cooked down. It was very tasty.

Noh in Matsuyama

I flew to Matsuyama yesterday for some meetings. After work, I checked into my hotel and found out that there was a small Noh Theatre inside. My colleague from Matsuyama suggested that we go by and see it.

We were just in time to catch a few minutes of a demonstration. I didn't understand any of the song - neither did my colleague. But, it was really interesting to see. Click on the video below to get an idea of what Noh is like.

Narita's helpful health inspectors

Japan is taking extraordinary measures to control the spread of Swine Flu. I got on my flight in JFK and was handed a form to complete. It included questions about flu symptoms and where to find you in Japan.

Not wanting to have an extended quarantine stay in Japan, I wanted to fill out the form correctly. But, it started with what seemed like a possible trick question:

"Please check any of the following symptoms for the past 10 days before arrival."

I did my best answering that one and moved on to the statement:

"the question mentioned above is a thing to protect you and a family".

I'm not sure who the family is that I was protecting in Japan, but I imagine that they are grateful that I filled out the form.

I was feeling like I had the form under control until I turned the page and read:

"If an address in Japan is the same as an address of the state of health question vote entirely. It is not necessary for you to write the follows."

I have to admit I was paralyzed. So, I just signed the bottom and hoped for the best.

When we landed, the inspectors came on board. They were wearing, blue hospital gowns, blue hair nets, goggles, masks, and long blue gloves that were taped at the wrist. They had a camera that could tell if anyone had a fever. They came to each person, checked us, and took our forms. When we passed, we received a yellow form and a mask to wear inside the terminal (see above). I'm glad no-one was coughing on our flight.

Time to plant some seeds

Over the past month and a half, I've been spending my spare time making a garden. It seemed like an easy project at first but was complicated by things I kept digging up.

After getting the sod dug and the rocks out, I started working on a simple fence. I made a gate from some pickets and put in the posts. Actually, before putting them in position, I used the 4x4 posts as levers to move the piece of granite we had unearthed.



Above is a picture of the garden with a couple of the raised beds complete. And, you can see the granite in its position as a bench.

Finally, we finished the "construction" part of this project. The garden has four raised beds and one long bed. I mulched a path between the beds and around the fence.

I got the kids out yesterday to plant some seeds. But, I am on my way to Tokyo today. Maybe when I get back, there will be some seedlings...

Wisteria

Years ago we lived outside New York City. We rented part of a house that had wisteria growing on the side. Every summer, the owner would come out and hack away at the vines. At first, I thought he was crazy with the amount he would prune. But, he knew what he was doing, and his wisteria bloomed every year.

I've followed his example with the wisteria we have in our yard. I prune it after it flowers and again in mid-summer. And, it blooms every year.

Blossoms

Our trees have bloomed. In the yard, we have a couple of crab-apple trees that bloom every spring. They fill the air with a light, blossomy fragrance.

It makes working in the garden even better.


I'm trying to help a weeping cherry tree get healthy again. It looked pretty weak when we moved into this house three years ago. But, now it is doing ok.

I've decided that I have to think of things in terms of years for my yard. I planted a peach tree last year, and maybe next year, I'll get blossoms and peaches.

Home Plate Seats

Yesterday, I got an early morning email with an offer to go to the Red Sox game last night. The seats were at home plate - front row. I wasted no time accepting the offer.

When we got to our seats, we were sitting just a couple of feet outside of the home plate TV shot. Since our neighbors hadn't arrived yet, we moved over so I could see myself behind the batter on the TV monitors built into the wall. OK, I admit it sounds like I'm 11 years old. But, we're talking Fenway here.

Here is a picture of David Ortiz at bat.


And a picture of Jason Veritek starting to swing.


The Red Sox lost, but I did get to see the 2004 and 2007 World Series Trophies before the game in the EMC Club. I hated to see the Sox lose, but those were some amazing seats.

Break out the grill

On Sunday, we decided to grill some chicken. I have a recipe for a soy sauce based marinade that my kids call "Dad's Secret Recipe". The truth is I made up the marinade using several ingredients in the fridge.

The basic recipe is soy sauce (I use Kikkoman), cooking sherry, garlic, and fresh ginger. I add a couple of other ingredients that are my secret. But, it's worth trying the base and creatively adding your own secret ingredients.

I marinade the chicken for an hour or two before it goes on the grill.

Bleeding Hearts

I am amazed at how fast the Bleeding Heart plant in my yard is growing. One week ago, it was just starting to develop new shoots. This week, it is over 2' high.

We've had a few days of summer-like heat that probably made the difference. I'm glad winter is over but not really ready for summer heat.