Mar 5, 2005 | The Opinion
Sashimi is thinly sliced raw seafood, one of the most typical and popular Japanese foods. Before visiting Japan, I have got to known about it but had strange prejudice as I had about Filipino food “Balud”. How it possible to eat raw fish! How is it possible to eat chicks including feather and stomach! Is it heritage of primitive culture!
I have taken both Sashimi and Balud. However, I did not forget the surprise of Balud as I have felt the feather and raw intestines test of chicken. Balud is also the most typical food in Philippines. When inside egg chicks grownup, before day of born – it makes boiled! Making fractures in the top of egg and mixing salty spice it is eaten. However, I vomited after take half of Balud; but now I can take easily Sashimi with satisfaction.
Before I thought Sashimi, the raw fish has a strong smile as like as Bangladeshi river fish. Actually, Shashi fish has no strong order and bone, very soft as like as cooked fish. Because of good test and morning-sun-red, looking sashimi becomes my favorite. It is generally served in the special occasion of Japanese family. Its pieces are eaten with soya sauce plus, or mastered. There are many kinds of Sashimi depending on type of sea fish, such as Maguro: Tuna, Toro: Fatty Tuna, Ebi: Prawn, Saba: Mackerel, Ika: Squid, Tako: Octopus; but all are boneless and soft. The most popular Sashimi are Maguro and Toro.
Feb 14, 2005 | The Opinion
Yesterday I have got an interesting experiences in my life by taking bath Sento. Sento is the Japanese traditional public bathhouses. . I took shower without cloth in Pivot Power city in Fukushima. To take bath hot bath in publicly is a part of general life in Japan. Pivot power city at Fukushima main city.
For the Japanese case the Sento equation is simple and clear; “Sento = cleanliness + nakedness + togetherness”, but for me as like as another foreigners “Sento = hesitation + shyness + relax + satisfactions”.
My experience was such, my relative guided by my bother in law to Sento. After arriving in power city, we locked shoes in box. After being ticked electrically, we enter main arena of Sento. After arrival, he quickly put off his all cloths in front me but I was felling shy severely; but my appearance was bravely to absorb other culture as like world cultural activist. I was so surprised to see all people naked, just have one small white towel! At last, I also put off but did not forget to put my small white handkerchief to protect my secret organ. However, I was failure!
By following my relative, I first was my body and hair. After that, we start to take bath in hot water < 44 degree C >. There was continuously moving hot water in the big bath top < like small pond > electrically. After finish almost 12 minutes bath in this top, we moved to open air hot spring < where do not have electrical system, fully natural > to be relax. It is very essential as after take hot bath generally body becomes excited and awake up absolutely.
After finishing relaxes stage, we went in a hot air house < 84-degree C >. During entrance, I felt burring hotness; I just touched the wall of room for test. I astonished, very hot! Quickly move moved my hand. To generate artificial swatting people set here for few minutes like meditation and watch TV until swat out! After just comeback from the hot room, I was felling from my all cells coming out water! Very relax. After 2 minutes take rest, we take bath again in opposite quit cold water < 22 degree C >. Suddenly temperature change, so my body becomes fully conscious! I felt heavenly relax and happiness, little trusty and tried!
At last, after finish relax bath in the “grave wine water top” we washed finally our body and comeback from Sento to dressing room. However, I did not forget to protect my secret organs by my white handkerchief. Even my brother in lawmen of room is moving without hesitations. To take photo and laughing in Sento is prohibited. There are different type Sento always separated for man and woman.
It should say Sento culture was started over 400 years in Japan, but a post-war construction boom in residential housing without bathing facilities or running water cemented the Sento culture get wide recognition and popularity in the community. Hover Sento is civil and respectful arenas, and privacy is respected. Now every Japanese house has small version of Sento.
Feb 12, 2005 | The Opinion
Before come, I was learned – Sushi is the most delicious and favorites to both Japanese and non Japanese. I was waiting to enjoy it. My mother-in-law has a Sushi shop. So just after come in Japan, I was served with Sushi. I was impressed to see the beautiful arrangement of raw fish in plate. I never imagine to eat raw fish, however unique color. In Bangladesh, fish have lurid order! So Bangladeshi never imagine to eat raw fish. I was having Bangladeshi prejudices on fish bad smell, but did not get during eating. Fist piece I took with fear, but my perception and prejudices was vanished after eat. I was impressed with boneless softness and unique test.
In Japan, Sushi is usually considered a special meal for special occasions or to guest. As a new guest I also was served with Sushi and Shashimi by my parents-in-laws.
In Bangladesh also I ate one day Sushi, made by my wife. But in Fukushima by taking real test I am very impressed with its real flavors. In 3rd February there was a Japanese traditional ceremony Setsubun ( on this day people practice a ceremony called Mamemaki (bean-throwing) at temples and home to expel demons that is misfortune and invite good fortune.). On the eve of Mamemaki and my Japan coming, three neighbors of my wife family presented delicious Sushi
There are many forms of Sushi. But one ingredient Sushi rice, (Japanese rice cooked with Sushi vinegar). The common forms are nigiri zushi (small rice balls with fish and other small pieces of food on top), gunkan zushi (seafood in small cups made of Sushi rice and seaweed), norimaki (Sushi rolls), temaki zushi (Sushi rice, seafood and other food in cones made of seaweed), chirashi zushi (seafood spread over Sushi rice), inari zushi (Sushi rice in small bags of deep fried tofu) and many more.
Feb 11, 2005 | The Opinion
Natto, is a traditional Japanese food. As like as all Japanese my wife also like very much Natto! However, I can not tolerate Natto’s lurid smile and stickiness. Most of foreigners can not eat first time natto like me. Natto is soft soybeans with unique smell and the stickiness, which create for fermentization of beans. It is very popular as it contains all nutrition and ingredients that have in soybeans. Additionally Natto contains unique enzyme, which is called Nattokinase. Nattokinase creates good blood circulation. It is very effective to prevent adult diseases.
Young, especially girls like Natto very much as it increases 3-4 times vitamin B2 of soybeans . Vitamin B2 burns fat, make slim the body and increase the beauty. Natto makes skin velvety-smooth. Natto’s vitamin B2 is not available in common food, which is a very important ingredient to keep bones healthy. Natto’s fiber also fixes the balance of intestinal bacteria and makes the intestines function well.
Natto is very popular in Japan for its anticancer, antiulcer, anti-stress, antibacterial action; and inhibition of menopausal disorder, neutral fat, and cholesterol, and prevention of aging and dementia, impaired liver function, allergies, cold and flu. There is many sub products of Natto in which name also different based on ingredients and making process.
Natto has been made just by soybeans and water.
Feb 8, 2005 | The Opinion
For my family purpose I am now Iino, is a small town of the Fukushima Prefecture. It lies within 200 kilometers of Japan’s capital of Tokyo. Fukushima is the third largest prefectures of Japan. The map-shape of Fukushima is resembles to Australia. Fukushima Prefecture is famous as ‘hot springs paradises’ of Japan. To go Fukushima it takes 4 hours by bus and 1.5 hours by Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) from Tokyo .
Now here is winter, daily average temperature is minus 1.2 – 4 º C. It is very cold for Bangladesh. I got first experiences to see son and frosting. Although facing suffering to adapt, but new culture and lifestyle. Every house has seating table ( Kotatsu) with electronic hitter. Now I am writing from Kotsu, and feeling hot in winter! After daylong work, drinking and taking delicious food as like as Japanese I also enjoy ohuru ( bath in hot ) in night. During taking ohuru, I feel myseof as half boil, but it gives new life and refresh to all of my cell. I am very impressed by Iino’s life, sea food, hospitality. I am enjoying Japanese creativity, disciplines and modest life style. Its really a creative nation!
Note: The official website of Fukushima: http://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/site/english/
Jan 18, 2005 | The Opinion
At last we have decided my first son name as ‘Coronet’. He born at 18th January, 2005 in the hospital of Fukushima. I am glad to receive him in family. His coming in our family makes sure the presence of God. I would like to practice parental love by loving and educating him instead of God to make a social leader, educator as well as peace maker. This is my eternal desire.
The are a meanings of Coronet ( Japanese pronunciation Koronetto ) which are –
– A small crown worn by princes and princesses and by other nobles below the rank of sovereign.
– A chaplet or headband decorated with gold or jewels.
– The upper margin of a horse’s hoof.
But I and my wife understand it as a “Crown of Peace”, “Crown of True Love”, “Crown of God”.
