Photographs from a small group of islands
With an increasing number of canned oden varieties on the market indicating that its popularity is on the rise, it is perhaps not surprising to see that Sanrio has stepped in and released a Hello Kitty version of the far from cute foodstuff.
Kitty-themed corn soup and condoms are next in line.
Apparently.
With maid cafes now mainstream and seemingly every conceivable variation on the theme exhausted — all the way from watering holes for women to cafe-cum-convents — the black and white clad beauties are now apparently branching out further; reflexology rather than a refined cup of tea very much the order of the day at this establishment.
Reassuringly though, the regalia remains the same.
Whilst spring may bring warmer weather and the fleeting beauty of cherry blossom, for many Japanese it also heralds the start of hay fever season — a time of misery for most, except money making medical men and mask makers. The work of the latter in particular resulting in a tremendous amount of Tokyoites trotting around town wearing these.
Yet for the more fashion conscious sufferer, the Japanese site Daily Portal Z suggests popping down to the local sewing shop for material to make your own. A prettily patterned protector perhaps perfect for a big night out.
Or alternatively, if a night of naughtiness is on the cards, this lacy little number could be ideal.
For the food-loving fashionista however, a trip to the supermarket and the purchase of some seafood is deemed necessary.
Shell size it seems is the only concern, and once bought the insides can be either made into dinner or discarded. Then, after a quick dab of paint and the attachment of some elastic to hold it in place, it’s ready to wear.
With considerable pride.
(via Japan Probe)
As a child, a cheese sandwich, an apple and perhaps a biscuit or two was more than fancy enough for a five year old who cared much more about Lego than the look of his lunch. A view apparently not shared by young Japanese kids of today, or more accurately their mothers, who seem to see the humble lunchbox as much more a means of expression than merely something edible.
Osaka housewife Miho Tsukamoto explaining the oeuvre by observing, “This is rather about my pride. My son boasts about my cooking to his friends, so I can’t stop doing this.”
A statement that was also supported by Kazumi Shimomura (pictured above) whilst working away on her current creation; a design based on one of her son’s dinosaur drawings. “I never make the same thing twice. I just think about what to make next time.”
A painstaking task that often sees slivers of carrot become crabs and Mickey Mouse materialise from seaweed, sesame seeds and a section of sweet potato — perhaps. Such dedication meaning that the day starts very early indeed for some Japanese housewives, although Shimomura-san declined to disclose what time she rose to finish her rumoured radish-based recreation of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper last week.
Lovers of Japanese food in London are currently up in arms over a chef preparing a pricey dish round the back of a restaurant and next to some dustbins. A spokesperson for the local council commenting, “While preparing food outside is not strictly against the law certain measures need to be taken to avoid the risk of contamination.â€
Yet as the restaurant, cleverly called ‘eat Tokyo’, is supposed to be a supplier of authentic Japanese cuisine, customers and the council alike should learn to stop being so squeamish, especially if it’s the real deal they are after — some blue fin being hacked up in far from hygienic surroundings simply the starting point for faithful fare.
A point perfectly proven at Tokyo’s Shin-Koiwa station last week, as a noodle stand served up its delicate breakfast dish of curry and noodles without knowing that an 8-centimetre-long rat had somehow positioned itself in the pot. The manager of the stall only finding out there was a foreign body in his breakfast broth after the animal got lodged in the ladle when the curry was being stirred; by which time it was already 8:30 a.m. and 18 people had happily wolfed down the hearty treat.
Not one of them making a complaint.
With millions of people travelling on Tokyo’s trains everyday, the price for real-estate and rental properties inevitably increases the nearer to a station one gets — regardless of how big or busy it is. A system that is presumably the same as far as advertising space is concerned, meaning that the costs at stake make producing a perfect promotional poster a prerequisite.
Which, as well as concerns about the looks and the layout, should probably include at least a little look at the language being used.
Especially if it’s a restaurant — or even a cafeteria — that primarily provides ramen rather than a place popular with police officers.