Showing posts sorted by date for query asakusa. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query asakusa. Sort by relevance Show all posts

5/06/2008

Fujisan Specialities

[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO TOP . ]
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Mount Fujisan, Fujiyama

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: See below
***** Category: Earth


*****************************
Explanation


CLICK for more photos

Mount Fuji (富士山, Fuji-san),
is the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776 m (12,388 ft). Along with Mount Tate and Mount Haku, it is one of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains" (三霊山 Sanreizan). An active volcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji straddles the boundary of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures just west of Tokyo, from which it can be seen on a clear day. It is located near the Pacific coast of central Honshū. Three small cities surround it: Gotemba (south), Fujiyoshida (north) and Fujinomiya (southwest).
Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and photographs, as well as visited by sightseers and climbers.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !


Fujisan overlooks the Kanto plain.
He was north of Edo and was a protective deity, symbolized also in the "Genbu 玄武
black warrior" of Chinese lore.
"Tozai Nanboku 東西南北 The Four Heavenly Directions

There were many "Mount Fuji worship groups" in Edo, "Devotional Fuji confraternities" (Fujiko(fujikoo, fujikou 富士講).
Worshiping the mountain from the north (modern day Tokyo) would be considered an Edo religion.
The Fuji Asama Shrine in Asakusa


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Let us look at some food specialities with FUJISAN.


富士山新五合目のレストハウス Resthouse at the 5th station
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



Fujisan karee 富士山名物カレー "Curry a la Fujisan"
The rice is heaped like a little mountain top
. . . CLICK here for Photos !



:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



Fuji no kokemomo 富士のこけもも
"Bilberries from Mount Fuji"

A sweet of the rakugan pressed sugar type. Each stick is pressed in a wooden form by hand.
kokemomo , lit. "peach from the moss", is a bilberry (cowberry, Preiselbeere) that grows in the area and the berries are prepared to a paste (an). These sweets with their red and white color make an auspicious present for the New Year.


苔桃も節句に逢ふや赤い花
kokemomo mo sekku ni au ya akai hana

bilberries too
for the Boy's festival -
red flowers


Kobayashi Issa


kokemomo no hana 苔桃の花 (こけもものはな)
flowers of the bilberry
kigo for late spring
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


kokemomo 苔桃 (こけもも) bilberry, Preiselbeere
kokemomo no mi 苔桃の実(こけもものみ)bilberry berries
Vaccinium vitis-idaea
kigo for early autumn




kokemomo sofuto こけももソフト
soft ice cream with bilberries


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



Fuji manjuu 冨士饅頭 
Manju cakes in the form of Fujisan
For the outside flower from mochigome is used.



富士山名物 小麦まんじゅう
komugi manjuu 小麦まんじゅう manju made from wheat
They look white like snow.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


富士山育ちのニジマス trout from Mt. Fuji

CLICK for more photos
Fujisan masu no sushi 富士山ますの寿し
sushi with trout from the clear waters of rivers from Fujisan



masu baaga 富士宮 虹鱒 マスバーガー
trout hamburger from Fujinomiya Town
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


CLICK for more photos
Fujisan meronpan 富士山メロンパン melon bread
Mount Fuji Melon Pan
With the snow on the top.
Sold at many local bakeries and at the 5. Station.


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


CLICK for more photos
Fuji no mizu 富士の水 bottled water from Mount Fuji


富士山美水 Fujisan Bisui Brand
"beautiful water from Fuji"
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



Fuji sabure 富士サブレー butter cookies "Fuji"
in the form of Fujisan with almonds and a white top. They come in a box in the mountain shape.



富士山さぶれ butter bisquits


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Fuji sanchoo 富士山頂 "top of Mount Fuji"


also called
oppai manjuu おっぱい饅頭 "nipples manju"


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



Fuji wain 冨士ワイン wine called "Mt. Fuji"
From Yamanashi


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



Mt. Fuji Yokan (富士山羊羹)
matcha green tea and sweet beans jelly
by Kindaruma Japanese sweet shop, Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi

- source : Just Love Japan - facebook -

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


CLICK for more photos

Fujisan Yakisoba 富士山焼きそば fried noodles
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


Fujinomiya Yakisoba 富士宮焼きそば
This town is famous for its yakisoba fried noodles.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


Fujinomiya nijimasu baagaa 富士宮 虹鱒 マスバーガー
trout hamburger from Fujinomiya Town. masu baagaa
. . . CLICK here for Photos !





Fuji yakimeshi senbei 焼きめしせんべい
Rice crackers
With sweet soy sauce flavor

. . . . .

The town of Fuji at the foot of Mount Fuji is using Kaguyahime as a tourist attraction.
The story goes that her prince came after her and they lived happily in a stone cave in the mountain, which is named FUJI 不死 Mountain where you do not die.


Kaguyahime chazuke 富士かぐや姫茶漬け bowl of rice with tea
. Kaguyahime .  


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


CLICK for more photos
Fujisan yamamori 富士山盛り
buckwheat noodles

extra large portion "like a mountain" yamamori


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



Yoogantoo 溶岩糖 "Lava Sugar" sweets
The red ones remind us of the still burning lava.


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



Fuji no Yuki 富士の雪 "Snow on Mount Fuji" Tofu
a kind rough yosedofu よせ豆腐, prepared with the fresh water of Mt. Fuji


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


CLICK for more
Furoshiki


富士山土産 Fujisan o-Miyage souvenirs
More Photos of famous FUJI souvenirs
Reisemitbringsel


*****************************
Worldwide use


*****************************
Things found on the way


EXTERNAL LINKS

fujibrand.jp/brand/gourmet/index.html



*****************************
HAIKU and SENRYU


Fuji, Mt. Fuji, Fujiyama, Fujisan
Mount Fuji and Haiku



hatsu Fuji 初富士 first view of Mt. Fuji
kigo for the New Year


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


source : www.shinmura.co.jp

Fujisan Nabe 富士山鍋 pot to heat food

*****************************
Related words

***** WASHOKU : Regional Japanese Dishes



[ . BACK to DARUMA MUSEUM TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

4/19/2008

Senbei Arare

[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO TOP . ]
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

rice crackers (senbei 煎餅)

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Topic
***** Category: Humanity


*****************************Explanation

CLICK for more Japanese photos CLICK for more English Information

There are many specialities with the name ... senbei.
Some are made from rice flour, some from mochigome rice flour and others from wheat flour.

age senbei 揚げせんべい deep-fried crackers
chibimaru senbei ちび丸せんべい, for Chibi Mariko Manga
ebisenbei, ebisen えびせんべい with shrimp
goma senbei 胡椒せんべい with sesame seeds
haatogata senbei ハート型せんべい shape of a heart
oshiage senbei 押上せんべい
shoyu senbei with soy sauce 醤油せんべい (しょうゆせんべい)
shio senbei with salt 塩せんべい
tai senbei 鯛せんべい with sea bream
teyaki senbei 手焼きせんべい handmade senbei

ebisenbei from shiba-ebi, Aichi prefecture

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

- - - - - other types are made from glutinous rice:
arare あられ
okaki おかき (御欠き)
kakimochi 欠き餅(もち)

quote
Arare (あられ "hailstones") is a type of bite-sized Japanese cracker made from glutinous rice and flavored with soy sauce. The size and shapes are what distinguish arare from senbei.
CLICK for more photos There are many different sizes, colors, and shapes of arare. Some are sweet, and others savory. One, called norimaki arare (nori meaning an edible seaweed foodstuff in the form of a dried sheet; maki meaning roll shape) is wrapped with dried nori seaweed. Another, kakinotane (柿の種, kakinotane), takes its name from its resemblance to a persimmon seed. (Kaki is Japanese for "persimmon".) Kakinotane are often sold with peanuts, a combination called kakipī (かきピー, kakipī. These are a popular snack to accompany Japanese beer.

Japanese typically consume arare to celebrate the Doll Festival (Hinamatsuri), on March 3, Girls' Day in Japan. The arare made during the festival are very colorful - pink, yellow, white, brown, light green, and so on. Regular arare can be bought throughout the year, but the colorful ones are only available around January to March in anticipation of the Doll Festival.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !


. arare ochazuke あられお茶漬 Arare with green tea
from Mie prefecture


- - - - - My Photo Album - - - - -
Senbei


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Senbei (irimochi) (煎餅, せんべい)
are Japanese crackers, made from nonglutinous rice. They come in various shapes, sizes, and flavors, usually savory but sometimes sweet. Senbei are often eaten with green tea as a casual snack and offered to visiting house guests as a courtesy refreshment.

Senbei are usually cooked by being baked or grilled, traditionally over charcoal. While being prepared they may be brushed with a flavoring sauce, often one made of shoyu and mirin. They may then be wrapped with a layer of nori. Alternatively they may be flavored with salt or so-called "salad" flavoring.

In China, senbei are called jiānbang (煎餅). There are varieties like Shandong Jianbing and Tianjin Jianbing. However, these are in actuality a different food. In China, they are more like wraps and pancakes, similar to okonomiyaki, whereas in Japan they are hard (not floppy), and are bite-sized snacks rather than meals.

Sweet senbei (甘味煎餅) came to Japan during the Tang dynasty, the first recorded usage in 737 AD, and still are very similar to Tang traditional styles, originally often baked in the Kansai area, of which include the traditional "roof tile" senbei. These include ingredients like potato and wheat flour or glutinous rice, and are similar to castella cakes. (Not like what people most think of senbei today).

What Japanese commonly refer to as sembei nowadays was popularized by a shop in the Edo Period, Sōkajuku, which spread salty soy sauce flavored sembei throughout Japan.
- Soka Senbei, see below -

There are several types of traditional Japanese senbei. They include the 2 categories, sweet sembei (over 15 types) and rice candy senbei (米菓煎餅),
and others, which include even fish senbei (魚せんべい), lotus senbei (蓮根煎餅) and bone senbei (骨せんべい) from fish bones.

Modern senbei versions are very inventive and may include flavorings can which range from kimchi to wasabi to curry to chocolate.

Kansai senbei tend to use glutinous rice and have a lightly seasoned and delicate in texture (saku saku). Kantō senbei were originally based on uruchimai, a non-glutinous rice, and they tend to be more crunchy (kari kari) and richly flavored.
© More in the WIKIPEDIA !


. Food vendors in Edo .

senbeiya, senbei-ya 煎餅屋 Sembei shop, Senbei shop
Senbei were very popular in Edo and sold at many shops.

Danjuroo senbei 団十郎煎餅
named after the popular Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro were especially popular. They were round and imprinted with the family crest of the Danjuro family, the 三升 Mimasu.

Asagao Senbei 朝顔煎餅 / 朝顔せんべい morning glory rice crackers
were mentioned in the Kabuki play
. Sukeroku yukari no Edo-zakura 助六由縁江戸桜 .
The funny clown actor was named 朝顔仙平 Asagao Senbei. The painting of the actor's face was related to various parts of a morning glory.


source : kabuki-za.com/syoku

The play has a long monologue about the various uses on senbei.
senbei zukushi せんべい尽くし

「事もおろかやこの糸びんは砂糖煎餅が孫、羽衣せんべえはおれが姉様、
双六(すごろく)せんべえとは行逢(ゆきあ)い兄弟、姿見煎餅はおらがいとこ、
竹村の堅巻せんべえが親分に、
朝顔仙平という色奴(いろやっこ)様だ」

They were sold by Fujiya Seizaemon.
- reference source : tukitodora.exblog.jp -

and modern Kabuki Senbei 歌舞伎せんべい



:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Kokeshi Senbei こけし せんべい .

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Darums Senbei from Maebashi だるま煎餅 
前橋の丸福本舗

Gunma Prefecture



七転び八起き
Nanakorobi yaoki
seven times down, eight times up
- - - Daruma Lore

八起せんべい Yaoki Senbei







:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Asakusa Iriyama Senbei shop 入山せんべい





- reference source : shinise.tv/iriyamasenbei... -


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Edo Daruma Hakkei 江戸だるま八景
Eight views of Daruma in Edo






Eight different flavors of Daruma Senbei!
だるまの形をした8種類のおせんべい。Nihonbashi Nishiki Horin
- reference source : 日本橋錦豊琳 -


. Hokusai, Great Wave and Tsunami
北斎 津波  .



:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Fish bones roasted "like senbei",
hone senbei 骨せんべい


If you grill fish at home, you can grill the big bones in a final round to produce your own. They are full of calcium and good for children and the elderly. They are sold as a snack.

CLICK for more photos
Knochen-Kräcker

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Ebisenbei from Hokkaido えびせんべい
ebisen えびせん


source :  store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp

かにせん kanisen with crabmeat
わかめせんwakamesen with wakame seaweed
うにせん unisen with sea urchins

えびせんべい・抹茶 ebisenbei macha .. shrimps with green tea
えびせんべい・かぼちゃebisenbei kabocha shrimps .. with pumpkin
えびせんべい・いかすみえびせんebisenbei ikasumi ... with ink from the squidえびせんべい・えびせんべい・わさびせん kawaebi ... with river shrimp

and many more !

Buson-An and Sakura-Ebisen 蕪村菴 さくらえびせんべい




Darume Ebiesn だるま海老せん
桂新堂




「和物」プリントえびせんべい福だるま

.......................................................................

Kappa Ebisen かっぱえびせん



- quote -
Kappa Ebisen (かっぱえびせん) is a Japanese snack food produced by Calbee of Japan in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima. It is a crunchy, shrimp-flavored snack resembling Krupuk, Indonesian traditional snack food and It became very popular in Japan. The version produced by Calbee America is called Shrimp Flavored Chips.
The primary ingredients of Kappa Ebisen are wheat flour, vegetable oil, starch, shrimp, sugar, salt, baking powder, amino acid and sweetening.
Kappa Ebisen was first produced and sold by Calbee in 1964 and has gained wide popularity among Japanese consumers as a snack food. Its simplicity makes it a popular snack in many settings, and is often a popular choice for karaoke or as a bar snack. ...
- - - More in the WIKIPEDIA !


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Ichiyo Senbei 一葉煎餅(いちようせんべい)  
In honor of the poetess Higuchi Ichiyo 樋口 一葉

. Ishida Mitsunari 石田三成 せんべい
In honor of the famous samurai
 

.................................................................................


Jibachi senbei 地蜂煎餅, 地蜂せんべい
Wasp rice crackers


CLICK for more

In Omachi, 120 miles northwest of Tokyo, there is a fan club Omachi Jibachi Aikokai (Omachi digger wasps lovers group) that has teamed up with a local biscuit maker to create jibachi senbei, or digger wasp rice crackers.
Elderly wasp hunters from the village, who are mostly in their 80s, catch the insects in nearby forests, boil them in water, dry and sprinkle them over the cracker mix, which is then stamped by hot iron cracker cutters.
Five or six black digger wasps are added to the rice cracker each, clearly visible to the naked eye and while the senior citizens love them, young Japanese see the bugs and refuse to eat the senbei!
source :  japansugoi.com

Sold in a bag with 20 pieces.

More about
Konchu Ryori, konchuu ryoori 昆虫料理 Insects as food


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

- - - - - 18 types of senbei - - - - -

CLICK for enlargement to read
Imaya Senbei Store, Kanazawa 今屋のおせんべい 


burandii senbei, burandei senbei ブランデーせんべい / ブランデー煎餅
senbei with brandy flavor
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
from Tsukui Senbei Shop 津久井せんべい本舗
They even got an official prize 内閣総理大臣賞受賞.
They are normal senbei covered with a layer of flour mixed with real French brandy.
The owner was inspired by whiskey bonbons and tried his family trade, senbei, with various flavors. Now they create 30 different ones for example
koohii senbei 珈琲煎餅 senbei with coffee flavor
wain senbei ワインせんべい wine flavor senbei


There are also wine senbei in memory of Takeda Shingen from Yamanashi.
武田信玄のワインセンベイ
CLICK for more photos

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

karee senbei カレーのおせんべい sembei with curry flavor
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


kootsuu anzen senbei 交通安全せんべい
senbei used in campaigns for safe driving


. Masakado Senbei 将門煎餅 .
for Taira no Masakado 平将門 / 平將門 (? – 940)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Nanbu senbei, Nambu senbei 南部せんべい
from Morioka, former Nambu province

Nambu Sembei, waffles from Nanbu
Made from wheat flour, salt and water. The dough is pressed into round waffle molds with long handles and baked over charcoals. The overflowing baked dough is cut off and also sold as "ears" mimi to put into soup.
They come in variuos flavors. Originated in Hachinohe, where there are many local brands in the shelves of the supermarkets.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

senbeijiru せんべい汁 senbei soup
Make soup with vegetables, mushrooms and meat and add Nanbu senbei just before eating.
There is a special senbei brand which does not dissolve in hot water.

CLICK for more photos


senbei aisu せんべいアイス Senbei filled with ice cream !




- - - - - Nambu-Waffeln
Die berühmten Nambu-Waffeln kommen aus der Stadt Hachinohe, die in der heutigen Präfektur Aomori liegt, einst die Domäne Nambu. Früher dienten die Waffeln als haltbare Nahrungsmittel für die langen Wintermonate.

In den Supermärkten von Hachinohe finden sich endlose Regale mit über 40 Sembei-Sorten, allein zehn davon mit Sesam. Meistens werden sie in kleinen Familienbetrieben von Hand gebacken, sodass jede Sorte ihren einzigartigen Geschmack erhält.

Bei ganz einfachen Waffeln besteht der Teig lediglich aus Weizenmehl, Salz und Wasser. Die Sembei werden in Waffeleisen mit langen Griffen über glühenden Holzkohlen oder in einem elektrischen Heizgerät gebacken. Die Temperatur für Waffeln ohne Füllung sollte 130 °C betragen. Der Bäcker muss darauf achten, sie ständig zu wenden, damit sie nicht anbrennen. Mittlerweile wurden auch spezielle Maschinen zur Waffel-Herstellung entwickelt, die in Kleinbetrieben bis zu 3000 Waffeln täglich backen können. Die Bäcker allerdings müssen stets wachsam sein, da gleichzeitig Teig in die Formen gegossen und Waffeln aus den Formen herausgenommen werden mussen.



Zur Geschmacksverfeinerung wird häufig schwarzer Sesam mitgebacken, der den Waffeln einen unverwechselbar aromatischen Geschmack gibt. Einige Hersteller bestellen das unverzichtbare Salz für den Teig sogar aus den Hochebenen von Tibet, weil dieses Natursalz dank seines Mineralgehaltes dem Gebäck überraschenderweise eine gewisse natürliche Süße verleiht.

Für andere Sorten werden klein gehackte Erdnüsse mit etwas Zucker eingebacken. Andere Mischungen ergeben sich aus Äpfeln und Kürbissen, Süßkartoffeln und Shiso-Blättern. Auch verschiedene Getreidesorten werden beigemischt. Für einen herzhafteren Geschmack kommen Zwiebeln, Sojasauce, Chili, Tintenfisch oder Jakobsmuscheln mit in den Teig.

Der bei der Herstellung am Rand herausquellende Teig wird nicht entfernt, sondern mitgebacken, und in Körben gesammelt. Viele Kunden lieben diese von den Japanern »Ohren« genannten Reststücke als Zutat für die tägliche Suppe. Sie kommen daher auch in den Verkauf. Ebenfalls als Suppenzutat, und zwar für Eintöpfe im Winter Senbeijiru, werden weiße Sembei gebacken. Sie sind sehr hart und lösen sich im heißen Wasser nur langsam auf. Weitere Zutaten dieses Eintopfs sind Hühnerfleisch, Wintergemüse, Pilze – und alles, was der Familie schmeckt.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


ninniku agesenbei ニンニク揚げせんべい
fried senbei with garlic



from Northern Japan, Fukushima
also with cheese flavor

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Soka senbei, Sooka senbei 草加せんべい
Soka (Sooka), Saitama, a famous senbei city
埼玉県草加市
CLICK for more photos

A Senbei (Rice Cracker) is the traditional confectionery of Soka. There are, however, many people make a mistake that it is Tokyo's specialty product. For this reason, we would like to let you have a correct understanding that how our local special product "Senbei" has been made and has become famous in all over Japan. Also, in February 2006, Soka Senbei was specified as " regional food brand (the genuine product made at the genuine place)", and in June 2007, it was registered as "regional organization trademark". For such the situation, Soka Senbei has been recognized as the brand name nevertheless there are many similar products being manufactured and sold. Here, we would consider how we should make more popular the brand name value of the real genuine "Soka Senbei"

Origin of Soka Senbei
When Town Soka was busy as the post town point on Nikko Kaido (Nikko Highway leading to Nikko) during the era of Edo, Ms "Osen-san" was selling dumpling cakes. One day, under suggestion from a passerby "samurai", she made a sort of Senbei in the shape of a baked rice cracker by crashing dumpling cake to flat and keeping it dry under the sun heat. It has been told that she, then, began making and selling it.

History of Soka Senbei
With regard to the history of our special product "Soka Senbei", we would herein introduce how it has finally become popular all over Japan as follows.
Hard Baked Rice Crackers were changed to Flat Salty Senbei during the era of Edo.

The Soka region was the typical village for cultivation of rice and in order to store surplus rice, people made Senbei, initially called Kata-Mochi (Hard Rice Cake).
When the Soka Post Town was set up during the era of Edo, there were many teahouses and food shops along with Nikko Kaido Road and this preservative food were being sold to travelers, which finally became very popular. At the early stage, salt was mixed into the Senbei rice cracker, but after the end of Edo era, it changed to put soybean sauce (shoyu) on a flat shaped Senbei after baking. At the beginning, some shops were called Salt Senbei Shops.

Turning Point was when the Senbei was presented to the Emperor
-- Eras of Meiji to Taisho

From the later of Meiji era, Soka Senbei shops had been gradually increased but many of them handled the Senbei as the side job in addition to sell other general merchandizes.
At the time of Taisho (after the era of Meiji), the Japanese army had a comprehensive military practice in Kawagoe and Soka Senbei was presented to Emperor Taisho, who was, then, the general commander of the Japanese army. This fact became the good turning point to expand the Senbei business.
The Soka Senbei was specified and expanded to all over Japan because "the emperor family purchased the delicious senbei". The local Soka Senbei Industry has been established, which was further expanded around that time and begun to enjoy making the product as the Soka's specialty product. It, then, continued making a prosperous progress for expansion.

Time of Sufferings, Glory and Fog
-- From Eras of Showa to Heisei
The Soka Senbei industry had made a good progress when entered to the era of Showa. However, during the Second World War, it had become very difficult time to obtain the material - i.e., rice - due to the severe control by the government on rice, so that many Soka Senbei Manufacturers (shops) had to discontinue the business one by one. Some of them, however, continued business obtaining the rice material somehow under the severe control by the authority (police). That time was the most difficult time for the Soka Senbei industry.

But only the good thing was Soka Senbei Manufactures maintained the manufacturing method (technique) under the dangerous situation (by police and military group). This was very good and lucky because the police authority is controlling rice distribution at the black market very severely, but some shops obtained the material (rice) somehow. Under such situation, the industry kept the traditional technique to make the Senbei, which is now greatly contributed for the industry and the market.

During the time of 1960s, the rice control was discontinued and the industry could follow the way of the high degree economic growth as the same as other main industries. Again, the name of Soka Senbei had been well known through special sales campaigns at department stores and big railway station's shopping areas.

However, in a proportion to rising of the well-known product name as "Soka Senbei", Senbei makers of other regions had begun making similar products even under different production methods. They began selling under the name of Soka Senbei at many places in Japan nevertheless the quality and taste were not good as the genuine Soka Senbei. As the result, although the name of "Soka Senbei" could obtain the good popularity, its reliability was deteriorated and the definition of "Soka Senbei" could badly become vaguely. The tendency has been continued to today.
source :  www.city.soka.saitama.jp

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Takabe Jinja Senbei 高家(たかべ)神社煎餅
In honor of the God of Cooking,
God of Iwakamutsukari no Mikoto 磐鹿六雁命


. Tokyo Sky Tree Senbei 東京スカイツリー .
May 22, 2012 - Grand Opening

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Unzen yusenpei ゆせんぺい senbei from hot spring water
Nagasaki, Mount Unzen

. Urashima Taro 浦島太郎 Ebisen えびせんべい .

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

CLICK for more photos

Lucky Waffles with Toys inside, fukutoku senbei 福徳せんべい

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Yaotsu Senbei 八百津町 せんべい
From Yaotsu Town, Gifu.
They produce about 100 different kinds of senbei with many flavors.
The latest is a huge one of 1 meter diameter, made for events to share with the kids.
sauce yakisoba senbei ソース焼きそばせんべい is loved by younger people.
Senbei as containers of local ice cream, eaten with a senbei formed like a spoon.

. . . CLICK here for Photos !


*****************************
Worldwide use

Reiskräcker, Waffeln, Nanbu-Waffeln
Gebäck

*****************************
Things found on the way


- - - Naschen erlaubt: Sembei
Unter Sembei fasst man in Japan verschiedene Gebäck-, Waffel-, und Kräckersorten zusammen, die entweder aus Reismehl, Mochigome-Klebreismehl oder Weizenmehl gebacken und flach gepresst sind. Sie können süßlich oder salzig schmecken. Eine Sembei-Dose ist in jedem japanischen Haushalt zu finden, denn Sembei bilden das Mindestmaß an Gastfreundschaft. Kommen Gäste ins Haus, wird als erstes grüner Tee gekocht, gleich darauf werden Sembei aus der Dose genommen, auf einem Servierteller angerichtet und vor die Gäste auf den niedrigen Tisch gestellt. Der grüne Tee folgt unverzüglich. Sembei sind nicht nur für Gäste ein beliebter Snack, sondern auch für die ganze Familie. Sie werden zu jeder Tageszeit gegessen.

Das Gebäck gibt es in unzähligen Geschmacksrichtungen mit Sojasauce oder anderen Zutaten gewürzt. Sie sind rund oder viereckig, sternförmig oder wie ein Dachziegel geformt. Am beliebtesten ist die flache, runde Sembei-Sorte aus einfachem Reismehl mit dem Geschmack von Sojasauce. Sie verbreitete sich ab dem 17. Jahrhundert von Edo (heute Tokyo) aus über ganz Japan. Diese Sembei sind besonders knusprig und werden durch weitere Zutaten im Geschmack variiert.

In vielen Städten mit Sehenswürdigkeiten gibt es Geschäfte, die gleich am Ortseingang oder Bahnhof frische Sembei herstellen und einzeln verkaufen. Der verlockende Röstduft zieht die Kunden schon von weitem an, die hier Reisemitbringsel (meibutsu) aus der Gegend erstehen können. In Japan ist es üblich, von einer Reise etwas für die Daheimgebliebenen, insbesondere Arbeitskollegen, mitzubringen. Sehr gern werden Sembei, die zusammen in der Pause genascht werden können, nach einem Urlaub verschenkt.

*****************************
HAIKU


煎餅をいぬがかむ音花の雨
senbei o inu ga kamu oto hana no ame

the sound of senbei
when my dog crunches them...
rain on the cherry blossoms


Hoshino Tatsuko 星野立子
Tr. Gabi Greve

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


long autumn rain -
the smell of senbei and
smoked cheese




These senbei, rice crackers, have a very typical smell. They are called mame mochi with roasted soybeans, from Tokachi, Hokkaido. Each one is wrapped in an extra pouch and when you open one, the rich fragrance of rice emerges from it.

Gabi Greve, September 2009


*****************************
Related words

***** WASHOKU : General Information

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

[ . BACK to DARUMA MUSEUM TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #senbei #sembei #ricecrackers #kappaebisen #ebisen -
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

4/05/2008

Edo Shokubunka

[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO TOP . ]
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Die Esskultur von Edo
Edo no shokubunka
江戸の食文化

source : www.kabuki-za.com

External LINKS
Copyright(C) 2002 松竹株式会社 
株式会社歌舞伎座 歌舞伎座事業株式会社


VOL.1 “芝居と食べ物”
NO.20
“芝居と食べ物”の連載を振り返って
NO.19
芝居茶屋の食事-安永3年2月3日-
NO.18
伊達家正月料理
NO.17
芝居茶屋の料理-安永4年8月16日-
NO.16
芝居茶屋の料理-餅-
NO.15
芝居茶屋の料理-菓子(2)-
NO.14
芝居茶屋の料理-菓子(1)-
NO.13
芝居茶屋の料理-そば屋-
NO.12
芝居茶屋の料理-安永2年11月26日-
NO.11
芝居茶屋の料理-食材の肉とは?-
NO.10
芝居茶屋の料理-主食-
NO.9
柳沢信鴻の芝居見物と食事
NO.8
観劇記録の「宴遊日記別録」
NO.7
楽屋のあたり振舞 gakuya
NO.6
歌舞伎座での“かべす”の再現 kasube
NO.5
芝居見物の食べ物
NO.4
芝居見物の楽しさ
NO.3
芝居茶屋
NO.2
江戸の芝居小屋と木挽町
NO.1
中村座の観客席 Nakamuraza

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



VOL.2 “江戸の美味探訪”

NO.173 Yokohama port opening
開港当時の横浜
NO.172 Iseebi lobsters
伊勢海老
NO.171 Chuushingura and Fugu
忠臣蔵とフグ
NO.170 Meat in Edo
江戸の肉食
NO.169 Kagurazaka
神楽坂の今昔
NO.168
楽屋の酒宴
NO.167
不忍池と蓮飯 shinobazu no ike, lotus rice
NO.166
魚仙と生作
NO.165
雑司ヶ谷の茗荷屋
NO.164
多摩川の鮎
NO.163 kurimochi chestnut mochi
粟餅
NO.162
花火と役者と刺身 hanabi and sashimi

NO.161 Kasamori no O-Sen
笠森おせんと水茶屋
NO.160
秋田の大ふき
NO.159 ukai cormorants and ayu fish
鵜飼(うかい)と鮎
NO.158 Mizuame sweets
水あめ
NO.157 Tsukudani
鉄砲洲と佃島の佃煮
NO.156 hatsugatsuo first bonito
江戸の初鰹人気
NO.155
日暮里の景観と谷中しょうが
NO.154
浅草寺奥山と雷おこし
NO.153 Hanami box lunch
花見の重箱
NO.152 Carp dishes
鯉の料理
NO.151 Doll Festival dishes
雛の料理
NO.150
梅屋敷の沿革と梅干の効用
NO.149 Kanrobai plums
甘露梅(かんろばい)
NO.148 New Year in Edo
江戸の正月
NO.147 Asakusa Kannon and Asakusa mochi
浅草観音と浅草餅
NO.146
塗箸と割箸 nuribashi hashi
NO.145
酉のまちの土産物 Nishi no machi
NO.144
顔見世月の芝居茶屋
NO.143 kyoka and food
狂句と八百善
NO.142 kikumi chrysanthemum viewing
菊見と菊の花のさしみ
NO.141
重陽の節句の食べ物 chooyoo chrysanthemum

NO.140 Tsukimi and sashimi
月見と刺身
NO.139
鱸と紫蘇と金目鯛 kinmedai
NO.138
鯖と蟹と朝顔
NO.137 mountain ascetics and nigirimeshi !
江戸の山岳信仰と握り飯

NO.136 Ryogoku
両国の涼み船

NO.135 Tanabata offerings
七夕の供え物
NO.134 kujira whale

NO.133
日本橋魚市の魚介類
NO.132
粽と柏餅
NO.131 sakura and seaweed
桜と海苔
NO.130 sakuramochi
桜餅
NO.129
吉原の桜と台の物
NO.128
江戸の雛人形と雛道具
NO.127 buri and fugu
鰤と河豚
NO.126 umemi and dishes for plum viewing
梅見と梅の料理
NO.125 koi, carp
二十四孝と鯉
NO.124 Nihonbashi new year
日本橋の正月
NO.123
三井越後屋と棒手振
NO.122 sweets or fruit
菓子か果物か
NO.121
台の物と鯛
NO.120 shibai chaya no shokuji
芝居茶屋の食事
NO.119
旅籠の食事

NO.117
笹折と散蓮華
NO.116
上戸(じょうご)と下戸(げこ)
NO.115 Water ... mizu no mono
水の物

NO.113 otsumami
屋根船での酒肴
NO.112 hanashoobu
落雁と花菖蒲
NO.111 ajisai and tokoroten
紫陽花とところてん
NO.110 mi no koku tsukemono
巳の刻の漬物売り
NO.109
辰の刻のご飯炊き tatsu no koku gohan
NO.108
潮干狩のいまとむかし shiogari

NO.107 education of children and food
飲食のしつけ
NO.106
祝儀と鰹節
NO.105
式三献と熨斗鮑
NO.104 Inari and inarizushi
稲荷と稲荷ずし
NO.103
芝居茶屋の料理
NO.102 yukimizake, for snow viewing
雪見酒
NO.101
屠蘇と繭玉
NO.100
曽我物と巻狩 soga monogatari
NO.99
日本橋魚市場と『魚鑑』
NO.98 suzuharai and food
煤払いの食べ物
NO.97
頭の竿と黄金餅
NO.96 Chitose ame
千歳飴など
NO.95 nakamise
「顔見せ」の桟敷の食べ物
NO.94 kakesoba
風聞きゝと「かけそば」
NO.93
草津のうばが餅
NO.92 Tsukimi Meeting
月見の宴
NO.91
賀の祝と鰹節
NO.90
干瓢の名産地
NO.89 nijuuroku ya
二十六夜待の料理
NO.88 Tanabata good
江戸の七夕
NO.87
麦湯

NO.85 hamaguri
焼蛤と時雨蛤
NO.84
江戸の評判娘と刺身
NO.83 Zoojooji temple and fish sellers
増上寺と魚売り
NO.82 shiogari
潮干狩とあさり
NO.81 white fish
白魚
NO.80 Hinamatsuri food for doll festival
雛祭の料理
NO.79 white sake
白酒
NO.78
摘み草
NO.77 terakoya at new year
寺子屋の正月
NO.76 Shoogatsu new year
江戸の正月のおせち
NO.75 Mochitsuki
江戸の餅搗き
NO.74
棟上の撒餅
NO.73 momijigari maple leaves and tea
紅葉狩と茶
NO.72 nihachi soba
「二八そば」と「二六そば」
NO.71 tororojiru soup
とろろ汁
NO.70 Konpeitoo sweets
金花糖
NO.69 tsukimi and hamaguri
月見と蛤
NO.68
菓子の外郎
NO.67 awabi
鮑の美味

NO.66 Ryogoku
江戸両国の納涼花火

NO.65 nooryoo ... food to feel cool in the hot season - Ryogoku
江戸両国の納涼

NO.64 kaiseki
納涼と会席
NO.63 River Fish
川魚料理と床、生簀
NO.62
梅屋敷と梅干
NO.61 seeweed in Edo
江戸の海苔
NO.60 Kashiwamochi
江戸の柏餅

NO.59
御殿山の花見と花見弁当
NO.58 Hanami Bento
東叡山の花見と花見弁当
NO.57 sweets and sake
菓子と酒の戦い
NO.56
野菜と魚の合戦
NO.55 Vegetables in Edo
江戸の野菜
NO.54 Fish markets in Edo
日本橋の魚市場
NO.53 Rice in Edo
江戸の米食
NO.52
江戸三座の正月
NO.51 mochitsuki
江戸の餅搗き
NO.50
料理と酒器
NO.49
鍋料理と酒器
NO.48
江戸の鍋料理
NO.47 Nabe hodgepodge eintopf
鍋料理
NO.46 Dengaku and oden
田楽とおでん
NO.45
八百善と『料理通』
NO.44 Tsukimi dango
月見と団子
NO.43
書画会と河内屋 Kawachiya
NO.42
百川と卓袱料理
NO.41 Sumo and Tai fish
相撲と鯛の焼物
NO.40
朝顔煎餅
NO.39 noodles for Tanabata
七夕の素麺
NO.38 selling cold water
冷水売り
NO.37 rakugan
落雁
NO.36
練羊羹と船橋屋
NO.35 kashiwamochi
柏餅
NO.34
江戸の菓子屋
NO.33 Sumidagawa no Sakuramochi
隅田川の桜餅
NO.32 shiogari
潮干狩
NO.31 hinamatsuri doll festival
ひなまつり
NO.30 shiruko
汁粉
NO.29
吉原の弾き初めと名物 yoshiwara
NO.28
七福神と吉原の料理
NO.27 yakiimo sweet potatoes
焼芋
NO.26 Dango
江戸の菓子 -団子-
NO.25
江戸の菓子 -飴と飴売り-
NO.24 Sweets, Manjuu
江戸の菓子 -まんじゅう-
NO.23 Sushi
すし-すし屋の案内-
NO.22
すし-押しずし-
NO.21 nigirizushi
すし-握りずし-
NO.20 Sushi
すし-すしの移り変わり-
NO.19
てんぷら屋
NO.18 tenpura
てんぷら
NO.17
役者に見立てた瓜の評判
NO.16 gourds and melons
西瓜
NO.15
鮎料理
NO.14 Sashimi
刺身と刺身屋
NO.13 katsuobushi and dashi
鰹節のだし
NO.12
江戸の初鰹
NO.11 Edo Time egg dishes
江戸時代の卵料理
NO.10
扇屋と卵焼
NO.9
飛鳥山と花見弁当
NO.8 Tofu Dengaku
豆腐田楽
NO.7 dengaku
甲子屋と田楽
NO.6
鯛は魚の第一位
NO.5 ushiojiru
“平清”と潮汁
NO.4 shoojin ryoori vegetarian dishes
蓬莱屋と精進料理
NO.3 wakamochi
黄金の若餅



*****************************
Related words

***** WASHOKU : General Information

. - - - Welcome to Edo 江戸 ! - - - .

. Thirty-six Fashionable Restaurants of the Eastern Capital .
(Tôto ryûkô san-jû-rokkaiseki, 東都流行三十六會席 / 東都流行三十六会席 )
Utagawa Kuniyoshi

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

4/01/2008

Ameyoko Kappabashi Ueno

[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO TOP . ]
. 河童 The Kappapedia .
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Ameyoko Street in Ueno

***** Location: Japan
***** Season:
***** Category: Humanity


*****************************
Explanation

Ameyoko あめよこ (アメ横) is a famous shopping street running from Ueno station to Okachimachi in Tokyo.
Ameyoko street market.Ameyoko shopping alley.

It is a MUST for the shopping for New Years items, everything is cheap ...
After WWII it was a place for smuggled itmes, and also a famous sweet shop, ameya 飴屋 was in the area. AME also was an abbreviation for AMERICA in these days.

There is also a lot of other discounted stuff there. There is second-hand fashion, super bargains and a lot of candy! It is a heaven for bargain shoppers.

CLICK for more photos

Officially the name is Ameya Yokocho, ameya yokochoo アメ屋横丁.
yokochoo is the normal name for a small alley.

CLICK for more English information !



Ameyokoyaki アメ横焼き Ameyoko-style pancake
. . . CLICK here for Photos !


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Close to Ameyoko is the famous

Asakusa KAPPABASHI 東京都 かっぱばし/ かっぱ河 / 合羽橋

where you can buy all kinds of wax or plastic replica food.
They are used by restaurants and shops to decorate their windows and inform customers about their dishes. This is very useful for foreigners to see what is served in a restaurant.

CLICK here for more photos

. . . CLICK here for Photos !

. Kappadera かっぱ寺 Kappa temple - 曹源寺 Sogen-Ji .
and the legend of Kappa Kawataro Kihachi.


道具街, the kitchen district
In Kappabashi, they also sell all the equipment and utensils you need for a restaurant and kitchen, pots and pans, chopsticks and plates ... you name it.


Gujo Hachiman Town 郡上八幡 in Gifu is a famous producer of these food replicas. There are still four factories which produce these plastic items.
Iwasaki Mokei in Gujo was one of the first to produce these sample foods since 1932.




Kappabashi-dori, also known just as
Kappabashi (Japanese: 合羽橋) or Kitchen Town,
is a street in Tokyo between Ueno and Asakusa which is almost entirely populated with shops supplying the restaurant trade.
- reference - Kappabashi -



source : R on facebook
Seen by a friend in Kappabashi


. Asakusa Kannon Temple 浅草観音 .
Temple Sensooji 浅草寺 Senso-Ji

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Asakusa and the Kaminari Okoshi sweets
"waking up the thunder"
made by Tokiwadoo

. . . CLICK here for Photos !

Kaminari-okoshi is a snack popular for its crispy texture. It was originally sold by street venders near the Kaminarimon gate in Asakusa sometime in the mid Edo period. Kaminari-okoshi is made by roasting steamed sweet rice to pop, mixing them with other ingredients such as peanuts, and forming them into a shape with sugar and mizuame. It is believed that the name "okoshi" came from a Japanese verb "okosu," which means "to establish" a family or a name, and therefore the snack was considered as a good-luck item. It is known as one of popular Asakusa souvenirs today.
source :  www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp

Further Reference

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Asakusa nikomidoori 浅草煮込み通り street with shops of nikomi stew in Asakusa
浅草2丁目の「煮込み通り」

浅草煮込み通り

CLICK here for PHOTOS !



CLICK for more photos
Ningyooyaki 人形焼, 人形焼き figure waffles


::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Akihabara, the Electric Town
originally
Akibahara with Shrine Akiba Jinja at its center.

Some shops have Oden hodgepodge in cans.

Maid-Coffeeshops. They welcome you : O-kaeri nasai.
Maids write a greeting with ketchup on your omuraisu omelette.
meidokissa, メイド喫茶 maid kissa
meidokafee メイドカフェ
meedokissa メード゙喫茶
. . . CLICK here for Photos !



LaoX features a large store with items for tourists.

Bridge Manseibashi 万世橋
niku no mansei 肉の万世 the first to make kurokke, croquettes.


Agemanjuu 揚げまんじゅう / 揚げ饅頭
normal manjuu with koshi-an bean paste, deep-fried afterwards for a crispy taste.
. . . CLICK here for Photos !

Shotaro Ikenami (Ikenami Shootaroo) wrote about Mukashi no Aji in Edo/Tokyo, discribing the restaurants and eateries of the times.


Jinbocho jinboochoo 神保町 district with books sold.
Part of Kanda.

Inventer of Hiyashi Chuka ... gansoo hiyashi chuuka
from a Chinese who got the inspiration from the cold soba noodles of Japan. He arranged his noodles with vegetables and chicken meat like a Mount Fuji on your plate. His son now cares for the restaurant.
Chinatown in Jinbocho has disappeared, now Chinatown is in Yokohama.



Kanda Daruma 神田だるま
shop which sells taiyaki waffles in a wrapper with Daruma





*****************************
Things found on the way



*****************************
HAIKU




ameyoko ni matsutake tataki uri ni keri

at Ameyoko
they sell matsutake mushrooms
at such reduced price !


Umi no Ko san . 海の子 さん

tataki-uri, the vendor hits his board with a stick and reduces the price with every slab. It is a kind of backward auction and raises the attention of all other buyers around !


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


. Ueno 上野 Ueno district - Taito .

- - - - - Kobayashi Issa in Ueno -

夕涼や草臥に出る上野山
yuusuzu ya kutabire ni deru Ueno yama

evening cool--
weariness sets in
on Ueno Hill

Tr. David Lanoue

- - - - -

露三粒上野の蝉の鳴出しぬ
tsuyu mi tsubu ueno no semi no nakidashinu

three drops of dew
and the Ueno cicadas
are crying already

Tr. Chris Drake


This humorous mid-autumn hokku was written in the eighth month shortly after Issa returned to the city of Edo on Sept. 23, 1812 after making a trip to his hometown to try to negotiate with his half brother about their mutual inheritance. Ueno was an area of Edo with many temples, ponds, and trees that was famous as a good place to hear birds sing, so presumably it was also a place where many insects could be heard. Perhaps the cries of the cicadas in Ueno seemed much stronger to Issa than the weaker cries of the cicadas he'd been hearing in his highland hometown, where the air was probably several degrees cooler than in lowland Edo.

The three drops of dew seem to be hyperbole. Adult cicadas drink tree and bush sap, but in East Asia it was widely believed that cicadas live by drinking dew on the leaves and branches of trees and bushes. In the hokku, almost as soon as the early evening dew begins to appear in Ueno, the cicadas drink it, gain strength, and begin to cry out vigorously and loudly. It's common for cicadas to begin crying intensely at the end of the day, but Issa is amazed by the way the vigorous Ueno cicadas suddenly and almost in unison begin to create loud, throbbing waves of sound even before the light begins to fade. Perhaps these lively cicadas, which still show few signs of weakening in autumn, remind him of the brash, loud, assertive way commoners in Edo live their lives.

Cicadas are above all a summer image, but there are many different types, and some appear in spring (haru no semi), while many others (aki no semi) continue to cry out vigorously until the end of the eighth month (September). Some cicadas were even known to cry in the tenth month (November). Lunar autumn starts with the seventh month, which usually begins in the first week of August, and many kinds of cicadas in Edo/Tokyo don't begin to cry loudly until late July, and they continue to cry loudly until mid-autumn or later. These autumn cicadas are not long-lived (they only live 1-2 weeks) but simply cicadas of types that mature and mate later in the year. Likewise, dew is primarily an autumn image, but spring dew (haru no tsuyu) and summer dew (natsu no tsuyu) are also fairly common, depending on the context in the hokku.

Chris Drake

. Kobayashi Issa 小林一茶 in Edo .


- More about Ueno in the Edopedia

. Ueno 上野 (Taito ward) .

*****************************
Related words

***** WASHOKU : General Information


[ . BACK to DARUMA MUSEUM TOP . ]
[ . BACK to WORLDKIGO . TOP . ]
- #ueno -
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::