Saturday, June 19, 2010

wagasi

I have introduce you about wagasi here and here and here. and the holl story is here.please the eye
please the ear
These cherry blossoms please the eye.
The sound of steams please the ear.

please the eye as much as the palate 味覚だけでなく見た目も楽しめる

konpeito candy was brought into Japan from Portugal.
Kanji characters were brought into Japan from China.

konpeito:金平糖
steam: 川
palate :味覚
confections :菓子
petal :花びら
delicacy :ごちそう
dough:生地
sweet bean paste :あん
luxury:高級品
sweet fish:アユ

魅力的:
紫陽花:
朝顔:
describe:
perticaly:

Friday, June 18, 2010

miso

I have introduce you the miso here and here .
In Japan, virtually every family has a rice cooker.
every aspect of Japanese cooking. 日本料理のあらゆる方面
ferment: 発酵させる
virtually : 事実上、ほとんど
soybeans:大豆
barley:大麦
broth:だし汁
ingredient:材料
seasoning:調味料
eat soup

Thursday, June 17, 2010

macha

I have introduce you macha here and here and here .混ぜる:
① stir: コーヒーに砂糖を入れるなど、ゆっくり混ぜる
②whisk: 抹茶、泡立てるように、すばやく混ぜる
③whip: クリーム、whiskよりも力を入れて混ぜる、クリーム状になる迄かき混ぜる
tea whisk : 茶筅

the first calligraphy of the year: 書き初め
the first dream of the year: 初夢
the first sunrise of the year: 初日の出
grind:挽く [^]
pour: 注ぐ
teapot: 急須
plantation: 農園
*** the hole story is ***
A millstone turns gently,slowly emitting a fine green powder. This is a form of tea known as macha that has been drunk in Japan for over 800 years. Like other kinds of Japanese tea, macha is made from the dived leaves of the tea plant. However, in the case of macha, the leaves are ground to a fine powder. The way it's served is very different,too. To prepare ordinary green tea, hot water is simply poured over the leaves in a teapot. The tea is infused and then poured out. The leaves remain in the pot, so they are not directly consumed.
Now let us see how macha is placed directly in the bowl from which it will be drunk. Hot water is added, using a bamboo scoop. Then it is whisked briskly, using a special tea whisk, also made from bamboo. Once the tea is properly mixed with the water, it is ready to be drunk.
The start of the tea harvest is in April or May, depending on the region. Macha is a high-quality kind of tea because it is made from the first leaves of the year, nipped while they are still budding. Each leaf is carefully plucked by hand one at a time. Tea bushes grow best in places with direct sunlight and on slopes that are well drained. However, in the plantations where the tea is to be made into matcha, reed screens and straw are placed on frames over the tea bushes to avoid direct sunlight. Reducing the amount of light gives the leaves a greater depth of flavor. This method was developed during the EDO period to protect the tea bushes from frost damage in order to ensure that the SHOGUN and his court would have a stable supply of high-quality tea. Because macha was considered so valuable, it was carried to the SHOGUN's capital in elaborate processions.
These days, macha is no longer confined to the tea ceremony. Here is an array of dessert, all made with macha. The unique fragrance and flavour of green tea go well with diary products,so it is perfect as an ingredient in Western deserts. Because macha is regarded as a healthy drink, and can be used as an ingredient in many types of food, today its popularity is gradually spreading around the world.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

bonsai

I have introduce you about the bonsai here .
A reflect B : AはBを表している

Dry landscape gardens reflect Zen ideas.
These wagasi reflect the coming of spring.

the most common type of bonsai are pines. 代表的な

dry lanscape garden:枯山水
pines:松の総称
Japanese apricot:梅
maple:カエデ
azalea:サツキ
zelkova:ケヤキ
horticulture:園芸
pastime:娯楽、気晴らし
seedling:苗木
craftsman:職人
cultivate:栽培


















Wednesday, June 9, 2010

health tips for travelers

Travel is fun. Travel is exciting. But it is not fun or exciting if you get sick. You may think,"Not me. I won't get sick on my vacation!"But , for many people, that is what happens. Of course you do not want to spend your vacation sick in bed. If you have heart trouble, you do not want to make it worse. So what can you do to stay in good health? There are three things you should remember when you travel: relax,sleep, and eat well.
A vacation is supposed to be a time for relaxing. But very often it is not. Think about what you do when you are a tourist. There are so many places to visit: museums,shops,parks and churches. You may spend most days walking around these places. This can be very tiring. Your feet may hurt. You may have a terrible headache after a few hours. If this is the way you feel, you should take a rest. Do not ask your body to do too much. A tired body means a weak body. And a weak body gets sick easily. So sit down for a few hours in a nice spot. In good weather. look for a quiet park bench. Or you can stop at a cafe. you can learn a lot by watching people while you rest.
Sleep is also important. If you want to stay healthy you need to get enough sleep. you may have trouble sleeping at night when you travel. Your hotel room may be noisy or the bed may be uncomfortable. If this is true, do not be afraid to change rooms or hotels. Or, you may not get enough sleep for another reason. You may want to stay out late at night. In many cities the night life can be very exciting. Then you should plan to sleep for an hour during the day. That extra hour can make a big difference.
Finally, if you want to stay healthy, you must eat well. That means eating the right kinds of foods. Your body needs fresh fruits and vegetables, and some meat, milk or cheese. When you are in a new country, you may want to try new foods. But your need to be careful about how much you eat. Lots of rich food is not good for you.
So, remember this: if you want to enjoy your vacation, take good care of yourself. Give your body some rest. Get enough sleep and eat good, healthy food.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Do you know your right brain from your left?

The human brain is divided into two sides, or hemisphere, called the right brain and the left brain. The two hemispheres work together, but each one specializes in certain ways of thinking.Each side has its own way of using information to help us think, understand, and process information. The left side of the brain controls language. It is more verbal and logical. It names things and puts them into groups. It uses rules and likes ideas to be clear, logical, and orderly. It is best at speech, reading,writing,and math. You use this side of the brain when you memorize spelling and grammar rules or when you do a math problem.
The right side of the brain is more visual and creative. It specializes in using information it receives from the sense of sight,sound,smell,touch,and taste. This side of the brain likes to dream and experiment. It controls your appreciation of music,color,and art. You use this side when you draw a picture or listen to music.
Although we all use both sides of our brains,one side is usually stronger or dominant. Some people are more "left-brained", and others are more "right-brained". Our dominant side influences the kinds of jobs and hobbies we have. Politicians, artists,architects,and musicians depend on their right brains. Accountants,engineers,doctors,and lawyers usually rely on their left brains.
*** jok!***
"Doctor, you've got to help me. I think I am losing my mind. I can not remember anything any more,"said the new patient.
"I see,"said the psychiatrist."how long have you had this problem?"
"What problem?"

Monday, June 7, 2010

what are your worries and wishes?

several years ago,1500 people in the U.S. responded to this survey. Before you read some of the results, try to guess how they answered the questions.


Q: what are your worries and wishes?


Past and present:

1. Is your life more or less satisfying that it was five years ago?

2. Is your life more or less stressful that it was five years ago?
3. What in your life gives you the most satisfaction?

4. What in your life gives you the most stress?

Future:

5. Do you expect your children's lives to be easier to harder than yours?

6. What is your biggest worry about the future?

7. Complete this sentence with two of our choices or your own "I wish I could.."

...attend the Cannes Film Festival

...camp in the wilderness

...find a cure for cancer

...fly in a hot air balloon

...gamble at Monte Carlo

...go on safari

...go white water rafting

...have dinner at the White house

...same someone's life

...take a flight to space

...visit Australia

...win a lottery

The results of the survey were mixed. For example, 50% who took the survey said their lives were more satisfying than they'd been five years earlier. But 50% also said they were more stressful! The majority said their children and marriages gave them the most satisfaction, but 44% said their children gave them stress.

In general, Americans are optimistic; 66% expect their children's lives to be easier than their own. Their biggest worry about the future is whether they will have enough money.
When they dream about the future, visiting Australia is one of the top three wishes for both women and men. Women dream about gambling at Monte Carlo and having dinner at the White House while men are more likely to choose going a safari ore camping in the wilderness.
Americana's optimism shows again when it comes to winning a lottery. Eight out of ten dream about winning, and seven out of those ten spend at least $1.00 a month trying.