Satomi Kimpara 


Japanese Culture: Traditional Japanese Foods

Japan has many traditional Japanese foods. And there are also Japanese foods famous in other countries. For example, most Japanese like Sashimi. Sashimi is sliced raw fish. When we eat it, we dip it in soy sauce before eating. I have heard that the British and Americans don't usually eat raw fish, so it may sound strange.

Next, Shabu-shabu is a popular Japanese meat dish. It is similar to sukiyaki. It is consisted of thinly sliced beef and vegetables dipped in boiling water and eaten with special sauces. The sauces are two contrasting sauces. One is a vinegary dip called ponzu, and the other is a thicker sauce flavored with sesame called gomadare. First, everyone sits on the floor in a tatami room. They use the special pan for it on the table. It's filled with water kept boiling on the fire. They put meat and vegetables into it slowly and boil it. And they can eat it with the sauces.

Then , Japanese also like Tempura. Tempura consists of seafood and vegetables deep-fried in a light, crispy batter. We usually eat it after dipping it in the soy sauce based sauce called tentsuyu. But eating it with salt and lemon is also popular. It's style of cooking was introduced into Japan by Portuguese missionaries in the late 16th century. It became popular in the 19th century, when it was sold from yatai, street stalls. I like Tempura. So I have made Tempura, but it is too difficult for me to deep-fry prawns well. Japanese restaurants offer delicious Tempura.

There are not only these Japanese food but also many other delicious Japanese foods in Japan and we can enjoy different tastes each seasons. So if you have a chance, please try them.


Africa: The Art of Henna

WHAT IS HENNA?

Henna is powder made from small leaves of the henna tree. The powder is transformed into a paste by adding water to it. The paste is put on hands, feet, hair and so on. And then the color of paste changes to orange. Henna was used not for dressing up and hobbies but for an incantation which is included meaning of an amulet originally.

HOW TO PAINT THE ART

  1. Transform the powder into a paste by adding water to it.
  2. Draw a detailed pattern on the skin after putting the paste in a hypodermic syringe.
  3. Pat the skin with a thick sugar water as glue after the skin is dry.
  4. Rub off the dried powder after the skin is dry again.
  5. Just sleep. Never wash the skin soon after painting because it will be peeled off easily if you get it wet too soon.

INTRODUCTION OF PATTERNS

Henna is orange generally, but there are many other colors. For example, black, brown, blue, red, green and so on. And henna also has many patterns. Barbed wire, phoenix, sun and long strip from the foot stencils used as wrist wrap. Henna is made especially in the wedding ceremonies and in the religious holidays. But when you travel in Morocco, you can try it in the streets or tourist resorts.

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