Atlanta- JapanFest 2009 September 19-20

JapanFest Weekend will be held on September 19-20, 2009, from 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday) and 10am to 5pm (Sunday) at the Convention Center at Gwinnett Center (located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097). JapanFest, now in its 23rd year, is the largest Japanese festival east of Houston and south of Washington, DC, and typically draws crowds exceeding 18,500. Organized by The Japan-America Society of Georgia, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, and the Consulate General of Japan, JapanFest is designed to promote understanding between Japanese and Americans in the Southeast. Tickets are $8, children age 6 or younger free. Teachers can bring their students to JapanFest for free by applying online at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102655503852&s=5441&e=001Auikzie_27HJ3TYp9diZn5DzLU0w7nqCrbx1tBJuLZ21n8Bg7dq0fXc3wTxNgqA6gcLIZ0NJCYsUkjXjquCLnY1vPa8u693p_moxpC7KYiF3jfEbg-rvNW-w3u4DeKCaheUpkzDAD2Dl890bKIbzaCgZG1CITYon-ZJdRH2-fzDuzYDucPp1EW0YwYaPkIqY.

Larger organizations can save money by purchasing advanced ticket packages at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102655503852&s=5441&e=001Auikzie_27Goa9HmuupZBKSWabJIDs0CZGgfPTqyYHafNEEo1ZYcVtlC_KkA3zZq2jwRaTayM8zmcegXAsSqj4CxayFkzRj_ccZqV2geBcwcIwdSsEYPYSj_NKBTHIFp2yNa_y1JXIe2oEggDvFYIxYa0U2TUqwFT9O5cp_jC0N5jsFyxytJ6_-sxXSeNGtQ!


Cultural Performances and Workshops

The theme of this year's festival is Cool Japan. "Cool Japan" is a term that describes the growing international interest in Japanese culture, especially in the realms of fashion, anime, music, cuisine, and technology. JapanFest 2009 will explore these aspects of modern Japanese pop culture through a modern kimono fashion show, anime screenings, fun Japanese foods such as shaved ice and plenty of sushi and the latest products manufactured right here in Georgia by Japanese companies!God of Shamisen, the world's first rock band to combine elements of metal, funk, and progressive rock with the Tsugaru-Shamisen, a fretless lute from Northern Japan, will headline JapanFest 2009. Effectively merging the cultures of east and west, this mostly-instrumental outfit is unleashing a unique sound and a worldwide perspective to battle conventional music. Their concert is sponsored by the Japan National Tourism Organization, which will present a seminar filled with useful tips of traveling to Japan! JapanFest 2009 will feature some of the latest in Japanese technology: the therapeutic robot baby seal "Paro"
presented at the Consulate General of Japan's booth. Paro was developed in order to interact with human beings and to make them feel emotional attachment to it. He has a diurnal rhythm of morning, daytime, and night, which means he is active during the daytime, but gets sleepy at night. He has five kinds of sensors: tactile, light, audition, temperature, and posture sensors, with which he can perceive people and its environment. Paro can learn to behave in a way that the user prefers, and to respond to his new name. He is an autonomous robot, so he can express its feelings, such as surprise and happiness, voluntarily by crying, blinking his eyes and moving his head and legs. Paro feels happy when you stroke and hold it softly and feels angry when you hit it. Come experience the phenomenon of Paro at JapanFest 2009!In addition, JapanFest 2009 will feature music performances by Chambers County Taiko, Hiro Sasayama (folk), Lisa Furukawa (folk/pop), Madoca & Company (jazz), Matsuriza (taiko), and Okinawa Kenjinkai Taiko Group. Dance performances include traditional Japanese dance by Hiko no kai, International Mai No Kai, Nishizaki Suiga no Kai, Pegasus Education Center, Sho No Ryu, members of which will travel all the way from Japan for a special performance, and Winters Chapel Kindergarten and Daycare Center and Okinawan dance by Hateruma Nanae Miyagi-ryu Dance School and Ryu Kyu Bana. There will also be modern dance performed by Breakdance Club at Georgia State University, Golden Ribbon Gymnastics, Nebula Dance Theater, Para Para Mahou, and Smyrna School of Ballet. All are invited to join in the spirited Bon dance! If you have always wanted to try on an authentic Japanese kimono, Konnichiwa Club will dress you from head to toe in the latest kimono from Japan. Shimazakura will host a kimono fashion show that will highlight the variety of ways to wear this incredibly beautiful and flexible piece of clothing.

Martial Arts

For fans of martial arts, JapanFest 2009 will feature demonstrations of virtually every Japanese martial art in existence. Demonstrators include Aikido Association of Atlanta, Aikido Center of Atlanta, Aikido School of Athens, Atlanta Katori, Georgia Japanese Language School Kendo Club, Georgia Kyudo Renmei, Inc., Georgia Sumo Association, Miki Judo Club, Trammell Fitness and Martial Arts, U.S. Taido, World Oyama Karate Organization, and World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization.

Shopping

Visitors can purchase an amazing array of Japanese goods, including books, kimono, Japanese tea, dolls, and rice paper. The Japan-America Society of Georgia will have t-shirts and temporary tattoos; the Ginza-dori, organized by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and named after Tokyo's famous shopping district, will feature Japanese ceramics, traditional Japanese clothing and accessories and fun items such as masks and toys. At the Bazaar on Sunday, organized by the Georgia Japanese Language School, you will find books and household goods. Atlanta Okinawa Kenjin Kai will sell traditional Okinawan items.

Just for Kids

Kids will have a fantastic time experiencing Japanese culture firsthand. In our Children's Area, they can paint their own Japanese lantern or fan, and the Suburban Atlanta Kite Enthusiasts will be on hand to teach them how to make a Japanese kite. They can get out all their energy jumping on our Hello Kitty moonwalk, before enjoying special Japanese shaved ice, called kakigori. The Ginza Dori shopping arcade has tons of games and activities for kids as well, such as ring toss, water yo-yos, Japanese toys, and more!

Workshops

JapanFest will also feature a variety of exciting workshops, were visitors can learn about the intricacies of kimono, arrange flowers Japanese-style, learn to play the shamisen, find out the best Japan travel information available, learn some phrases in the Japanese language, appreciate sake, and dance para para.

Made in Georgia Exhibit

Many of the Japanese companies based in Georgia will display their products in the Made in Georgia exhibition. 2009 participants include Elesys North America, Inc., Hoshizaki America, Inc., Kubota, Murata Electronics, Seigakuin Atlanta International School, TOTO USA, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing of America, and Yanmar Amric Corporation.

Japanese Food

JapanFest features the best of Japanese cuisine in Atlanta! Shoya Izakaya, Suno, Sushi Niko Niko, Sushi Yoko, Taka Sushi Cafe, Tomato, and Waraku will offer a tantalizing menu of bento lunch boxes, sushi, kakigori (shaved ice), curry rice, rice bowls, udon and somen noodles, oden, yakisoba noodles, and more!

Contact: Jessica Cork
Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta
(404) 926-3020mailto:926-3020cork@cgjapanatlanta.org

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

How to Make Sushi at Home in the U.S.

Components
1. Sushi Rice
2. Seasonings
3. Seaweed (4x6 inches)
4. Fillings
5. Dipping Sauce

Ingredients
raw rice, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, wasabi, gari, avocado, tuna, cucumber,Crab meat and soy sauce

Utensils
rice cooker, spoon, bamboo roller, knife and dipping sauce dishes

Preparing Sushi Rice Steps
1. Cook three cups of rice in rice cooker. Wash and rinse prior to cooling.
2. Let cooked rice sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
3. Drizzle rice vinegar over the rice and cut the rice with a spoon to spread rice vinegar throughout the cooked rice.

MENU ITEM #1- California Roll
1. Place seaweed smooth side down.
2. Wet hands in bowl of water.
3. Grab a handful of sushi rice and massage it into a ball. Just smaller than a tennis ball.
4. Spread the rice over the seaweed.
5. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the rice.
6. Turn over.
7. Place avocado, cucumber and crab meat down the middle of the seaweed sheet over the rice going from left to right.
8. Apply wasabi to your finger. Dab your finger over the filling. (OPTIONAL)
9. Roll the seaweed over in the forward direction.
10. Place plastic wrap over the rolled seaweed.
11. Place bamboo roller over the plastic.
12. Press down gently and hold.
13. Wet the tip of the knife.
14. Remove the bamboo roller. Leave the plastic wrap on the seaweed.
15. Cut the seaweed into 6 pieces.

MENU ITEM #2- Tuna Roll or Cucumber Roll
1. Place bamboo roller in the middle of the preparing area.
2. Place seaweed on the roller, smooth side down.
3. Wet hands in bowl of water.
4. Grab a handful of sushi rice and massage into a ball.
5. Spread the rice over the seaweed.
6. For a tuna roll, add sliced uncooked tuna fresh from the market to the middle of the bed of sushi rice.
7. For a cucumber roll, add sliced cucumber to the middle of the bed of sushi rice.
8. Apply wasabi to your finger. Dab your finger over the filling. (OPTIONAL)
9. Roll the bamboo roller in the forward direction.
10. Press down gently and hold.
11. Wet the tip of the knife.
12. Cut the seaweed into 6 pieces.

MENU ITEM #3- Nigiri Sushi (raw fish or seafood over a handful of sushi rice)1. Grab a small handful of sushi rice and massage into a ball. Just smaller than a golf ball. Form the ball so that it becomes flat and oval.
2. Apply wasabi to your finger. Dab your finger over the sushi rice. (OPTIONAL)3. Place raw fish or seafood over the sushi rice and press gently together.
4. Raw fish should be cut into pieces of 1/4 inch thick, 2 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. Same for raw seafood such as octopus and squid. Shrimp should be gutted and cut so that it looks like a butterfly when flattened.

MENU ITEM #4- Dynamite Sushi Dish
Additional items of scallops, mushrooms, onions, olive oil and shiracha sauce.
1. Dice the onions. In a sauté pan, cook the diced onions in olive oil until golden color.
2. Add mushrooms and scallops. Cook together for about 2 minutes.
3. Remove to a baking pan and add the shiracha sauce.
4. Bake until golden color.
5. Follow the same steps of making a tuna/cucumber roll.

Summary
Out of all of these menu items, only #3 is found in Japan. The others were invented in America. For a copy of this video, please let me know.

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

【米国ブログ】サービスが素晴らしい日本のコンビニ

新商品や新サービスが次々と展開され、話題となるコンビニエンスストア。発祥の地と言われる米国の人々は、今日の日本のコンビニに驚かされることが多いようだ。

　　以前日本に住んでいたというブロガーＴｈｅ　Ｄｉｖｉｎｅ　Ｗｉｎｄ　Ｖａｕｌｔは、日本のコンビニでのサービスについて次のように記している。「先日地元でガソリンスタンドへ行ったとき、店員の接客態度があまりにひどかったのを見て、日本でよく通っていたコンビニのことを思い出した。いつもその店にいた店員は、まず私がレジの前に立つと一度お辞儀をし、商品のバーコードをスキャンして値段を言う時に私を見てお辞儀をし、お金を受取るときにお辞儀をし、おつりをくれるときにまたお辞儀をした。店員は誰に対しても同じように接客していて、おそらく毎朝何千回も同じことを繰り返していたのだろう。日本での暮らしを経験した後に帰国してからは、米国の接客サービスの悪さを恥ずかしく思うようになった。」

　　記事では他に、日本の空港やファーストフード店での接客サービスの素晴らしさについても言及している。また米国のファーストフード・チェーンであるマクドナルドやＫＦＣは、日本の店のほうがメニューが豊富でおいしいと述べ、コンビニで売られている商品についても次のように説明している。「お菓子や飲み物、その他の商品が豊富に揃っている。コンビニの総菜は、ホールフーズマーケット（米国のオーガニックストア）で売られているものよりも新鮮でおいしい。日本のコンビニエンスストアという名前は、近場で手ごろだから付けられているのではなく、本当に便利だから付けられているのだ。」（編集担当：松井望・山口幸治）

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The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

NEW- Bike is Man's Best Friend in Japan

For three years, I didn't have to worry about gas, car insurance, maintenance on a car, etc. This was because I lived in the Greater Tokyo area of Japan. I relied on public transportation because it was reliable. When public transportation wasn't enough, I took to my bike which came in handy.

Today's video clip is titled, "Warabi to Nishi Kawaguchi Snow Bike Ride". I lived 10 minutes away from Warabi Station's West Exit.

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09

Japanese cooking ideas at home in the U.S.

Japanese dishes, known in the motherland as washoku, can be conveniently made at a reasonable cost at your home in the U.S. Take it from me, if I can find the proper ingredients to satisfy my Japanese wife in Middle America, it can be done. Here is a listing of recent dishes made in our home since the turn of the year.

1. Name of dish: Okonomiyaki
Where the dish is prominent in Japan: Osaka and Hiroshima
About the dish in the picture: Being a half Yankee whose mother hails from Wisconsin, I grew up on cheese. What is added to the dish in the top picture are slices of American cheese with sprinkles of red ginger, aka shoga.

Okonomiyaki with American cheese

Okonomiyaki with shoga, QP mayonaise and Otafuku sauce. Otafuku is the maker of sauces that resemble a thick Worcestershire sauce in the U.S.

2. & 3. Name of dish(es): Gyoza, aka "Potstickers" (oval shaped) and Shumai (smaller round shape) with Wakame Soup

Where the dish is prominent in Japan: Gyoza, shumai and wakame soup are popular dishes throughout Japan. Gyoza is wildly popular in Tochigi Prefecture. In the U.S., gyoza and shumai can be found and just about any grocery outlet in the U.S.

About the dish in the picture: Gyoza, pictured in the far left, is an import to Japan from China. The dipping sauce, just to the right of the dish consist of soy sauce, vinegar and Rayou (Chinese chili oil). Shumai, a steamed Chinese pork dumpling, is pictured just right of center. The dipping sauce for this dish, can be soy sauce with a dab of karashi-flavored mustard. To wash it down, wakame soup, a clear soup of sea vegetable native to the coasts of Japan, is an easy fix however, tough to find in Middle America. The pack that is added to hot water was sent to us from Japan. Lastly, to compliment this dish, steamed broccoli with QP mayonaise is on the side. At high noon in this picture, between my wife's elbows, is a bowl of steamed rice.

Clockwise: Potstickers, broccoli, steamed rice, shumai, wakame soup with dipping sauces

4. Name of dish: Japanese Cheese Hamburg Steak over shredded cabbage
Where the dish is prominent in Japan: Throughout Japan
About the dish in the picture: This import to Japan from Europe is modified with the German immigrant from Wisconsin side of me coming out with a slice of provolone cheese melted on top. Just as in Japan, this dish is drizzled with the drippings from the cooked beef which are caramelized in red wine, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. The recommended Worcestershire sauce is the Bulldog brand found at any Japanese grocery outlet.

Like the famous Japanese dish, tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet), the dish on the far left is prepared the same way.

Japanese cheese hamburg steak with shredded cabbage (left) and steamed rice and garden salad (right)

5. Name of dish: Tekka-don
Where the dish is prominent in Japan: Throughout Japan
About the dish in the picture: Similar to chirashi zushi, tekka-don is raw fish on top of thinly sliced seaweed and white rice flavored in vinegar. The difference between chirashi zushi and tekka-don is chirashi zushi is rice dressed with vinegar and topped with egg and various seafood whereas tekka-don is tuna only. To the left of the dish is a small glass of beer. These sorts of glasses are popular in Japanese pubs (izakayas) throughout Japan. Just behind the glass, is a bottle of Icehouse, an American beer with a Japanese taste. A group of Japanese businessmen working at my wife's company swear by this beer as being close to a Japanese beer in terms of taste. At the bottom left corner is a dipping dish of wasabi and soy sauce. The intent is to dip the chunks of tuna with a portion of rice into the dipping sauce then into your mouth without dropping it.

Tekka-don

The south paw that I am, a piece of tuna is behind a chunk of sushi rice with shreds of seaweed (nori). Please note the left portion of the bowl where I poured soy sauce over the rice. I cheated since dipping what I have on the sticks then dipped and eaten is more than I can handle. 私は白人です。しょうがない。

6. Name of dish: Yakisoba
Where the dish is prominent in Japan: Throughout Japan
About the dish in the picture: Yakisoba, an import to Japan from China, literally means "fried noodles". This dish is topped with shoga as previously mentioned in okonomiyaki and can be topped with QP mayonaise and Bulldog sauce seen in the top left of this picture. American military installations throughout Southeast Asia have this dish in heavy rotation due to its popularity among officers and crew.

Yakisoba

Conclusion: Four of the six dishes made in our home located in Middle America at a reasonable price are Japanese dishes with origins outside of Japan. In particular, the Japanese dish, Tekka-don contains the key ingredient of raw fish which washoku is known for. The two pictures added for Tekka-don were taken on different occasions thus the difference in appearance. The top picture is pinkish whereas the bottom picture is reddish. The color difference is due to coming from difference parts of a tuna or a different tuna altogether.

I realize that dishes such as yakisoba and ramen (not pictured) are in question as to where they come from. Japanese in northern Japan claim it originates from their neck of the woods. The same could be said by some about yakisoba but it is to my understanding that items such as gyoza and shumai are from China but adopted by the Japanese as their own dish.

While these imports to Japan do not originate from Japan, they are just and authentic in terms of Japanese cuisine, meaning Japanese diets are made of these dishes. In any given week, the average Japanese person will eat one or more of the dishes listed above.

Lastly, these dishes' ingredients and their preparation took place on a budget in Middle America. I was fortunate that my wife is Japanese and knows how to make these dishes as they ought to be. "How a Japanese dish ought to be" is key since most Japanese eateries throughout Middle America are ran by Asians other than Japanese, Americans that have never been to Japan or Hispanics. The few Japanese eateries that are ran by Japanese in Middle America often are supported by the Japanese expatriates in the community and a guy like me, but this is few and far between. Even a guy like me will have to cut corners such as pouring soy sauce over the sushi rice since dipping it is more trouble than it is worth.

For more information such as a recipe and where to source your ingredients in the U.S., please let me know.

NEW- Customer Service for Japanese Online Shopping is Second to None

Last night, my wife and I were celebrating technology by using Skype for our nightly conversation with my mother-in-law in Tokyo. She was born before the war and has done quite well with getting the computer set up, the Skype application up and running and more importantly, the microphone plugged into the right slot with the video camera turned on. For nearly two months, my wife and mother-in-law talk for about an hour every night. It is a good way to show what was recently bought or will be the next meal, for example, since we can see each other.

In 2007, when we left Japan for the US, we decided that we would still make an effort to assist my mother-in-law. It was our goal when we first when to Japan in '04 and will do the same despite the time difference. This has been accomplished due to another celebration of technology, online shopping. One to two times a month for the past 24 months, my wife has been using Seiyu's online store to buy groceries for my mother-in-law. American retail giant, Wal-Mart is operating in Japan under the Seiyu flag. For example, Wal-Mart's "Roll Back" signs can be seen in Seiyu stores despite the average Japanese person not really understanding what the sign means.

Last night, my mother-in-law read her upcoming list to my wife while on Skype. My wife wrote down the order and while my mother-in-law was still connected through Skype, my wife accessed the Seiyu site, placed the order, paid for it with her American credit card and selected that the order be delivered later that day to my mother-in-law who was waiting in Tokyo. A few minutes after this, we told my mother-in-law good night and turned in for the night. While we slept in the US, the order was accurately delivered to my mother-in-law in Tokyo. She took a picture of the order and e-mailed the picture to us. My wife woke up this morning, and while the coffee was brewing, checked her e-mail to confirm that the order had been received.

My American mind assumed that the order placed prior to going to bed would be delivered in a few days. After all, the order was placed on a Sunday, around noon, needed time to be processed, payment confirmation, etc. A mere four hours later, the order that originated in the US, was delivered in Japan. Since the order was more than 5000 Japanese Yen (roughly US$60), you'd think that due to the size of the order, there would be a pretty penny charged for shipping. Shipping for this order was free, less than 5000 Japanese Yen would cost a whopping 500 Japanese Yen (roughly US$6).

With the way this American economy is, and it is so sorry that it is bringing down places like Japan as well, who could afford to perform less than the benchmark that Seiyu set for all to follow? I'm so impressed with how efficient Japanese customer service is. While us Americans hope for the best and settle for the worst, the Japanese get the best.

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C) 2006-09

Reverse Culture Shock- First Time Grocery Shopping

Written on August 7th, 2007

The other day, we went grocery shopping for the first time in the US. Although we have been back home for just over three weeks, we have been spending most of our meals around my parent's dinner table. It was good to finally get to the grocery store and get some food that we like while we house-sit at my sister's place.

While this grocery store, Ingle's, caters to the average American, we found the product, Shirataki noodles. Shirataki is the konyaku (vegetable with no taste and also available in a jello in Japan). Also, we were surprised to see the amount of chicken breast available. In Japan, chicken breast was rare and the kind of chicken that we ended up eating was chicken thigh. The boneless and skinless chicken breast looked appealing but held off on it for now.

Tomorrow, Van Halen tickets go on sale for the Charlotte, NC show which happens to be the first show of this reunion tour. While I wait on hold to buy tickets, my wife will be behind the wheel of a rental van as we drive down to Atlanta to pick-up my in-laws who are traveling from Saga-ken, Japan. They are traveling from Saga-ken to Fukuoka in Kyushu by car and then flying from Fukuoka Airport (an old military air base) to Narita International Airport. Then they will fly the US carrier, Delta all the way to Atlanta where we will meet them and then return to Greenville.

Today's picture is of me at Fukuoka Airport returning to Tokyo in August 2005.

The Divine Wind Vault
http://divinewindvault.blogspot.com
(C)2006-09