Culture

Aug 05 2004 3 Comments

I for instant ramen

Japan is the land of the bento, or the packed lunch as it was referred to when I was a kid. In those days my lunches contained a staple of sandwiches and a bit of fruit. Perhaps even a biscuit of some description if I was lucky. The Japanese bento on the other hand is far more exotic beast. Often more akin to a work of art than something to eat.

But to conjure up something as elaborate as the above picture takes time, and presumably a considerable amount of skill. So if like me you definitely lack the latter, and quite often the former, there is thankfully a saviour at hand. The trusty bowl of instant ramen.

Yet don’t for a second think it’s a poor second choice. Well, actually it is, but considering the vast array of options available, it’s fairly easy to convince yourself otherwise. Just look, this is merely a small selection that can be found in my local supermarket.

Pour in some hot water, wait 3 minutes or so, and you are all done. Now that’s my kind of cooking!

Jul 11 2004 4 Comments

Soporific shogi

It’s probably true to say that wherever you find yourself in the world, daytime TV is decidedly dull. And that’s being generous. So it came as no surprise to find that in this respect Japan is no different from anywhere else. Insipid presenters, countless food based bore-fests, and hour upon hour of housewife dramas are your daily staple should you find yourself at home on a weekday afternoon.

But even these sleep inducing efforts at entertainment pale into comparison when pitched against the boredom behemoth that is televised shogi. Click on the picture below for a small snippet of this disturbingly dull excuse for distraction, and I challenge you to get to the end without at least stifling a yawn.

Jul 08 2004 5 Comments

Sumo shimmy

It’s sumo time once again, with the current tournament being held in Nagoya. And to celebrate 15 days of televised action, here is a picture I took in Tokyo a few years ago.

Before the wrestlers do their stuff, they enter the arena and show themselves off on the dohyo. Yet perhaps the most surprising aspect of this ritual is when all the wrestlers very daintily lift up their kesho-mawashi (the ceremonial aprons they are wearing in the picture).

To see these big and imposing men performing such a feminine looking act is fascinating to say the least. And whilst it’s a word not often associated with sumo, perhaps the best way to describe it is cute.

Which is very dissimilar to the decidedly un-cute, but supremely talented yokozuna, Asashoryu.

Jul 05 2004 1 Comment

Romantic requisite

Matchmaking parties (gokon) have long been popular in Japan, but having suffered something of a slump over the last few years, they are now apparently very much in vogue again. Especially with so called OL’s (office ladies).

But whereas in the past any old salary man would do, it seems today’s young ladies are much more picky. As according to a recently published book, many OL’s are not only looking for men with good jobs, but good jobs with good companies.

A survey of 4,434 young women found that advertising giant Dentsu came out on top when gauging a prospective partner. Closely followed by Sony in second, and Toyota in third. The main reasons for choosing men from these companies included job security, good salaries, and reasonable holiday allowances.

And some people say that romance is dead…

Jun 27 2004 1 Comment

Fuji foray?

This coming Thursday marks the start of the official Mount Fuji climbing season. Not that you can’t climb it any time you wish, but unless you know what you are doing when it comes to climbing mountains, the next 2 months are the ideal time to give it a go. If you really want to that is.

Ascending Fuji-san has a fair few advantages and disadvantages. Perhaps the main disadvantage (apart from slogging up the mountain for 7 hours or so) is that up close Fuji isn’t all that pretty. Although that’s something of an understatement, as basically it’s ugly and strewn with all kinds of rubbish. Those postcard images of a snow capped conical beauty are hard to imagine when you actually get on the mountain itself.

Also, if you choose to make a bid for the top during August, be prepared to deal with thousands of other like-minded individuals. Get your timing wrong and you are going to find yourself in a slow moving and very frustrating queue for the top.

But like I said, there are advantages. Well, a few anyway. First off, imagine the sense of awe and wonder you’ll feel upon reaching the top and finding numerous vending machines placed there just for your convenience. Dispensing all kinds of tasty hot beverages, and if you are partial to it, canned corn soup too.

But if that doesn’t amaze you, I’m sure the ramen shop that opens just before sunrise will at least raise an eyebrow. I’m not joking here. There is actually a restaurant on top of Mount Fuji. Ok it’s no 5 star establishment, but it serves hot and (relatively) tasty ramen. So in my book that’s a restaurant. And at some ungodly hour in the morning, after just climbing the mountain and finding it a lot colder than that you expected, that humble little shack looks like the most enticing eatery you could ever imagine.

And if these man-made wonders don’t make the jaunt worthwhile, there is always the view.

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