Japan
Teriyaki Chicken
Chicken covered in Teriyaki Sauce, steamed white rice, sesame seeds, lettuce & potato mash
Ikebana (Japanese Flower Arrangement)
One of the many characteristics of Japan that I personally love, is their love of nature. This love of nature has resulted in a refined appreciation of the beauty of nature in landscapes, miniature gardens hakoniwa, miniature trees bonsai, flower arrangement ikebana, the tea ceremony chanoyu, short poems called haiku and even the art of cookery.
Today we were able to visit one of the Japanese exchange students that we made friends with in Australia and she cooked a beautiful Japanese banquet in her mum and dad’s home. Her mum was the arranger of this beautiful ikebana.
Ikebana (flower arrangement) was developed in the 15th century. The underlying principles of ikebana can be seen here, indicated by the three main branches (they symbolise Heaven, Man & Earth). The stem representing Heaven is the ‘primary stem,’ centre of the entire arrangement and for this the strongest branch is selected. Next to this is the ‘secondary branch/stem,’ which represents Man. It is placed in such a manner as to give the effect of growing sideways and forward from the centre line. It should be three-quarters of the height of the ‘primary stem’ and inclined toward it. The ‘tertiary branch/stem’ symbolises Earth. This is the shortest and is placed to the front or slightly to the opposite side of the roots of the first two. All stems are fastened securely in the vase to give the effect of growing from one stem.
In this particular ikebana, additional flowers have been added to fill out the beautiful arrangement, however they have still kept the correct position of the three principal stems, which is of paramount importance.
Yudanaka Shibu Onsen
Yudanaka Shibu Onsen is one of those places I make the effort to go to every time I am in Hakuba. From Happo One to the Onsen it only takes approximately 60-80 minutes by bus. This was my third time visiting Yudanaka Shibu Onsen and it was well worth it.
In the few hours that we were there, we saw saru playing, running around, having baths together in the onsen and being fed. There were so many more baby monkeys (saru) this time.
This beautiful baby saru melted my heart with his shyness.
Monkeying around.
Prowling along the edges of the onsen.
Baby faces.
Sitting in the Onsen.
On the run.
Snow covered rocks.
The way I always feel after a day with the snow monkeys.
Sake & Alexander McQueen
This Alexander McQueen Skull Ring is available from sensse.com This type of Sake is clear, served chilled and slightly sweet. It is available from the local markets in Happo Village.
Little Black Bambi 