Pop Culture and Japan

Appreciating The Beauty And Craftsmanship Of Jizai Okimono

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Japan is known for having some of the most unique art in the world. Building on centuries of feudal culture, Japanese art has its own style. A famous example of Japanese art is jizai okimono, which translates to ‘move freely decorative object.’ Jizai okimono involves the crafting of articulated sculptures. Beginning in 17th century Japan, the art form is highly specialised and fascinating.

But what are the origins of this beautiful artform and how has it evolved in modern times? Continue reading “Appreciating The Beauty And Craftsmanship Of Jizai Okimono” →

Pop Culture and Japan

What Kind Of Legacy With Lady Deathstrike Leave Behind?

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Controlling how you’re remembered is part of the human condition, even when it’s impossible to do. Everyone will be remembered differently, but it doesn’t stop some people from wanting to define their legacy. When a person is gone, what do they leave behind? That is the essence of legacy.

A character that’s battled to define herself is Lady Deathstrike. An enemy of Wolverine, Deathstrike has fought against the X-Men for years. When her motivations are pulled apart, an intriguing character is revealed. Deathstrike’s upbringing and nature have shaped the way she wants to be remembered. Continue reading “What Kind Of Legacy With Lady Deathstrike Leave Behind?” →

Japanese Cuisine

Nduja Udon With Bacon And Polenta Recipe

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Nduja udon with bacon and polenta recipe.

Cooking fusion food is an excellent way to experiment with different flavours and influences from other cultures. And I’m back with another recipe that brings together my two favourite types of food: Japanese and Italian. I wanted to create a dish that celebrated my Calabrian heritage, while maintaining a Japanese aesthetic.

The result was a spicy bowl of udon noodles coated with Calabrian nduja sausage and mixed with bacon, polenta and a nori garnish. It’s an easy, delicious meal to make for when you want a quick lunch or dinner. Continue reading “Nduja Udon With Bacon And Polenta Recipe” →

Japanese Cuisine

Shimane Weizen Beer Review: Golden, Glorious And Gentle

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The Shiname Weizen wheat beer has an ABV of 5%.

The craft beer boom has given breweries an unprecedented amount of freedom to test new flavours and constantly reinvent the idea of what makes a refreshing pint. Japanese breweries like the Shimane Beer Company are at the forefront of this runaway success, producing a wide range of craft beer that can now be found all over the world.

A beer I tried from the brewery recently was Shimane Weizen, a 5% German-style hefeweizen that went down only too well. Continue reading “Shimane Weizen Beer Review: Golden, Glorious And Gentle” →

Pop Culture and Japan

Japan’s Deadly Female Ninjas: Walking The Path Of The Kunoichi

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The phrase 'female ninja' has only gined popularity in the modern day. Even kunoichi was rarely used during the Edo period.

Ninjas are undoubtedly one of the most well-known tropes in Japanese pop culture. As practitioners of ninjutsu, the warriors who followed this path were referred to as shinobi. But it would be incorrect to assume that the role of black-clad assassin was reserved solely for men.

Women could be moulded into the ultimate expression of death as well and they were known as Kunoichi, a term that’s evolved to mean ‘female ninja’ in the modern day. So, what is the history of these mysterious figures and how did they function within Japanese society? Continue reading “Japan’s Deadly Female Ninjas: Walking The Path Of The Kunoichi” →

Japanese Cuisine

Wafu Shiitake Mushroom Fusilli With Tomato And Nihonshu Sauce Recipe

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Wafu food is the meeting of Japanese ingredients and western cooking and pasta is a wonderful arena for wafu experimentation. My latest recipe is scrumptious fusilli pasta that features savoury shiitake mushrooms slathered in homemade tomato sauce infused with sake. Continue reading “Wafu Shiitake Mushroom Fusilli With Tomato And Nihonshu Sauce Recipe” →

Sake Reviews

Tobiroku Festival Of Stars Sparkling Sake Review: Elegant And Astringent

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Tobiroku translates to festival of stars. It's an elegant and smooth tasting sparkling sake.

Sake is becoming increasingly popular in the west, with more consumers seeking more information about the different grades and tasting profiles. And to cater to the tastes of a new generation of nihonshu drinkers, some breweries have developed sparkling sake that has similar notes of champagne or prosecco.

A must-try sparkling sake is the Tobiroku ginjo produced by the Dewazakura brewery of Yamagata Prefecture. Airy, light and elegant, the Tobiroku has a star-inspired name that’s sure to bring joy on a night out with friends. Continue reading “Tobiroku Festival Of Stars Sparkling Sake Review: Elegant And Astringent” →