White Day, which falls on March 14th, is the day men return the favor of candy giving, and pony up the treats to the women who gave them chocolate the month before. Originally, marshmallows were given on White Day, hence why it was dubbed White Day. I think that’s uber weak, and so did the ladies who eventually received white and/or milk chocolate and other goodies instead of marshmallows.

So you gents who were showered with choco last month need to get some treats handy for this Friday. For those who didn’t get showered with choco, no problem, show that special gal in you’re life there’s no hard feelings by making her some white chocolate chip cookies or better yet, by making her some Chizukeki Chichi Dango.

Chizukeki Chichi Dango is an easy chichi dango with the rich taste of cheesecake. Tell her your feelings for her are as pure as the white mochiko this treat is made from!

Chizukeki Chichi Dango

• 1 3/4 cups mochiko
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 Tbls lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup water
• potato or cornstarch for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil enough water to fill a shallow baking pan.
Whisk together the mochiko, sugar and baking powder. Set aside.

Cream the cream cheese, lemon juice, vanilla and water with a hand held mixer on high. Add the mochiko mixture to the cream cheese mixture and mix on high.

Pour the mochi batter into a greased 9×13 pan. Cover the top of the pan with aluminum foil. Place the pan in a shallow baking pan and place the baking pan in the preheated oven. Pour the boiling water into the baking pan till it’s full. Cook at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Let the chichi dango cool completely then turn it onto a starch dusted cutting board. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts. Dust the hearts with starch and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Heat briefly before serving, if desired, for a softer texture.

Makes 12, 2 inch Hearts

Difficulty: Easy | Time: 1 hour 30 minutes | Ingredient Availability: Moderate

Arare (hail stones) are made with glutinous rice (mochi kome). They can be either fried or baked, and have a crunchier texture than senbei. I like arare since they’re smaller than senbei and seem to come in more flavors as well. This particular snack, Tsuna Age Arare, is tare, “dressing” flavor.

Bon Chi Corporation is the manufacturer of today’s snack and they make all manner of senbei and arare.

Packaging

Great packaging for this snack. The green is appealing as is the bold kanji and equally bold romanji. The contrast in colors and reflective textures made this bag eye-catching in a sea of other Asian snacks. The actual arare are proudly displayed on the front and the back gives a brief description of the contents: “Japanese crispy snack. Dressing and salty taste. Good quality.” I like it when I’m informed how a particular food will taste. Score: A+

Appearance

Tsuna means “rope” and Age means “fried” in Japanese, it’s a fitting description for a snack that looks like twisted bits of deep-fried rope. The matte texture is a departure from the shiny sugar and shoyu glaze many rice crakers sport. Score: B

Texture

Tsuna age arare has a truly gratifying crunch. However, the crunch quickly melts way and becomes a greasy paste. These arare are definitely different than other rice crackers; they’re really greasy and oily. The oil sticks to the back of the throat and is too cloying. It’s actually disgusting how oily these crackers are.

One of the main reasons I like Japanese snacks is because the majority of them have a light taste and texture, even in the instances they’re fried. The grease in these rice crackers is a major turn off. I keep having to clear my throat or drink hot tea to get the oil out. My hands are also greasy. Gross. This is an unexpected find in a Japanese snack and very, very unwelcome. Score: F

Flavor

Dressing? Tare? These are supposed to taste like dressing? I wasn’t expecting a Catalina salad dressing flavor, but I was expecting some sort of vinegary tang. I’ve made many tare (dressings) and they utilize vinegars, miso, sesame, ginger and shoyu. Tuna age doesn’t even come close to any of those. One of the ingredients is vinegar powder, but it’s the seventh one listed. Vegetable oil is number two on the ingredient list. Oil wins over vinegar in this round.

These lil’ nasties remind me strongly of the American snack, Bugles. They taste like greasy, deep fried corn snacks, but there’s no corn in tsuna age. So there’s vinegar, but I can’t taste it, and there’s no corn and yet I taste corn…Score: F

Verdict

I’m very unhappy with this Japanese snack. It’s disgusting and nasty. This Japanese cracker is just like many American junk foods, right down to the grease and lack of sophisticated flavor. Even prior arare, which have let me down in the flavor department are way, way better than this. I’d rather eat shoyu and sugar then these icky deep fried concoctions.

Well, not every anime depicts ninja to be godlike. In Ninja Nonsense, poor ninja-in-training, Shinobu, is having a difficult time learning even the basics of ninpo:

plot summary

Shinobu is a hardworking, if not very bright ninja-in-training. She’s wanted to be a ninja ever since she first learned of them (erroneously) from period dramas, anime and manga. But her reasons for becoming a kunoichi (female ninja) are pure and righteous. If only the ninja headmaster had such ideals!

For her first ninja exam, the Headmaster gives Shinobu her choice of tasks to successfully complete. Shinobu has chosen the dreaded task #412: Stealing high school girls’ underwear!

During her panty pilfering, Shinobu is detected by one of her pilfering victims, Kaede. Kaede demands Shinobu cease and desist her undie robbery. Shinobu calls on her raunchy ninja partner, Onsokumaru, to help her finish her panty-thieving, but to no avail. Kaede eventually just gives a pair of her underwear to Shinobu to calm her down after the NIT (ninja-in-training) collapses in a heap of tears and despair when she thinks she’ll fail her exam.

Kaede and Shinobu become good, and I mean good (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) friends after that. Now Shinobu has someone who believes in her ninja abilities, kind of, and someone who she can call a friend. Shinobu wants to become a ninja so much it hurts, but with Kaede around, it doesn’t feel so bad!

review

Ninja Nonsense, Volume One had me rolling on the couch in a constant fit of giggles. This is not a comedy for the young ‘uns, however. From the start, this anime was filled with naughty jokes and innuendo. Among other things which ranks this anime as “adult”, the Headmaster, who’s just a giant yellow head, is a certified pervo and Shinobu has a lustful heart towards a certain someone.

The series pokes fun at itself and other anime by acknowledging the overuse of fanservice rampant in the medium. There are many instances and mentions of cat maids, yuri, boobs, and the like. All done with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

Character Development

There hasn’t been any character development so far in Ninja Nonsense and I doubt there’ll be much. This anime is a full-on, random comedy. It spends so much time jumping around and poking fun at itself and other anime, it doesn’t focus too much on rounding out pasts and backgrounds. And it really doesn’t need to.

Shinobu (a play on Shinobi) is adorable in her lack of ninja abilities and common sense. She can’t do even the basics of ninpo, but she really truly tries. She even goes as far as saying “Ninja Technique” before she does something, in the hopes that by saying it it’ll work. For all her vapid cluelessness, Shinobu isn’t all that moe. She’s not even annoying, and the reason for that is Kaede.

Kaede is a regular high school girl who’s the (not so) random victim of the Headmaster’s panty lust. She’s more down-to-earth than Shinobu, light years smarter too, and has a good heart. She’s able to see through Onsokumaru’s ruses and is able to outwit him. Often. Shinobu and Kaede play off each other beautifully.

Onsokumaru is the outrageous mascot/ ninja partner/ pervert who’s always looking for ways to disturb, disgust, or disrobe Shinobu. He’s nothing more than a giant, morphing yellow ball with extremities and wings. When Kaede demands to know what the heck Onsokumaru is, he claims he’s a hawk, and Shinobu believes him. D’oh!

Character Design

Designs for Ninja Nonsense have achieved a good, but weird, balance of quasi-realistic (the crocodile is brilliant), hilarious and fantastic. The happy, rosy colors give the anime a sense of innocence out of character with the “adult” feel of the series.

Shinobu and Kaede have been drawn like pretty anime dolls. Which is to say, they’re bright, shiny and plump. The two remind me of sexy versions of the Kewpie mayonnaise mascot.

The Sasuke Army, i.e. the black-clad, stereotypical ninja extras, are exact duplicates of each other. Their glowing red eyes, black hoods and matching attire is very intimidating, that is until the ninja open their mouths.

Onsokumaru is hilarious as the yellow anthropomorphic sidekick. We’re not supposed to take this guy seriously, but Kaede does. She can’t understand why everyone doesn’t scream and run away when they see him. He’s just a frick’n yellow head with arms and wings, after all. I believe his character design may be a commentary on other anime sidekick/ animal mascot thingies and their easy acceptance by other characters.

Animation

Ufotable, the studio responsible for animating Ninja Nonsense, did a good job with the animation. Not great, good. There aren’t many detail shots, but they’re some in the anime. Most shots, however, are simple and clean. The action moves fairly well; I’m not distracted by obviously bad mistakes. The style of the animation suits the subject matter, anything more detailed would be a distraction in itself.

Music

Ninja Nonsense has a great OP and a fantastic ED. “Shinobu Sanjou!”, the OP by Kumano Kiyomi is a good example of an apropos opening theme.

The ED, “Kuru Kururin” by kaoru, accompanies a stop motion end scene. I love the upbeat, cheerleader-esque feel of the song. It’s an all round fantastic ending; one of the best I’ve seen and heard in a long, long time. I could actually listen to the song by itself, I like it that much.

Voice Acting

The English voice cast for Ninja Nonsense is pretty decent. I liked Onsokumaru’s voice actor, Sean Schemmel the best out of the English cast. He captured the essence of the little yellow pervert nicely.

While the English voice cast is good, the Japanese voice cast is terrific. I really liked all the actors from the Japanese cast.

In Conclusion…

Ninja Nonsense, Volume One made me laugh like I haven’t in a long, long time. The series doesn’t take itself seriously, and steps back from time to time to better poke fun at itself and established anime stereotypes. This is a random series which so far has been consistently funny through every episode so far.

Rating

Ninja Nonsense, Volume One gets 3.5 outta 4 Hammies!

Retail Info

• Publisher: Right Stuf
• Release Date: July 25, 2006
• Retail Price: $29.99
• Number of discs:1
• Run Time:80 minutes
• Rating: 15+
• Language: English, Japanese
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled

On Valentine’s Day in Japan, the women give all the men in their lives chocolate (choco- チョコ). If the recipient is a co-worker, or someone the woman sees casually, she gives him giri choco (obligation chocolate). Giri choco is cheap and can be bought at stores everywhere.

The man a woman has special feelings for receives honmei choco (prospective winner chocolate). Honmei choco is a superior variety of chocolate and can either be bought or handmade. Men who get handmade food stuffs from a woman know where they stand in her affections: at the top!

Female friends also get chocolate in the way of tomo choco (friend chocolate), but the main recipients of Valentine’s Day goodies are the men. However, the men don’t return the favor of giving chocolate or gifts to their lady friends on this day; they do that on White Day (March 14th).

This way of celebrating Valentine’s Day won’t fly here in America, but I’ve noticed many anime fans find this practice intriguing. Some want to make honmei choco at home to give to their sweeties or they want to give giri choco to their classmates and coworkers. I say make a compromise and celebrate the day in a unique way with a Japanese flair.

If you’d like to give your special someone, male or female, something inspired by the Japanese way of celebrating Valentine’s Day, make them a Valentine’s Day bento. Or craft a handmade Valentine with と書いたり (From Your Valentine) or と書いたりもする。(Be My Valentine) written on it. For some Japanese inspired sweets make them a selection of goodies, either yogashi, wagashi or both, and put them in a simple, elegant heart-shaped box.

There’s no need to leave the ladies out of Valentine’s Day fellas, even if you want to celebrate it Japanese-style. Make her something nice in the way of honmei choco, and you’ll be the winner!

Need some ideas for some honmei goodies? Here’s a recipe sure to please the mochi fan in your life!

Chocolate-Covered Cherry Daifuku

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups mochiko
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 Tbl. plus 1 tsp corn syrup
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• red food coloring
• potato, corn or wheat starch for dusting
• 10 maraschino cherries, rinsed and patted dry
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 squares unsweetened chocolate, minced

Directions

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate chips and unsweetened chocolate on high in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir the mixture and return to microwave for an additional 30 seconds. Mix again. Repeat the steps until the chocolate is melted.
2. Dip the cherries in the melted chocolate and coat them well. Drop them onto a plate lined with wax paper and put them in the freezer for 20 minutes.
3. After the cherries have been in the freezer for 15 minutes, make the mochi by whisking together the mochiko, sugar, water, 1 Tbl. corn syrup and extract. Remove 1/2 cup of the mochiko mixture and tint it a desired shade of red or pink with the food coloring. Set aside.
4. Dust a clean work surface liberally with starch. Keep a bowl filled with starch handy for dusting your hands and any utensils used. Place the tsp. of corn syrup in a small bowl and keep it nearby.
5. In a medium saucepan, cook the uncolored mochiko mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan. Spoon some of the cooked mochi onto the dusted work surface. With either a well dusted rolling pin or with well dusted hands, carefully roll or pat the hot mochi to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness, depending on your preference. Cut out circles two and half times as big as the chocolate cherries.
6. Place a well chilled chocolate cherry in the center of each of the mochi circles. Quickly wrap the mochi circle around the cherry, pinching the bottom to seal it. If you’ve having problems smoothing or sealing the bottom, use a tiny bit of warm water to seal up the mochi. Place the finished mochi on plate dusted with starch. If the mochi cools too much when you’re working with it, heat it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
7. For the hearts, repeat Step 5 with the pink mochi, but cut out hearts instead of circles.
8. To decorate the mochi, you can:

• Attach the hearts to the finished mochi with a dab of corn syrup.
• Coat the finished mochi in the leftover chocolate.
• Wrap some cherries in pink mochi and make white hearts for contrast.
• Drizzle some chocolate over the finished mochi.
• Sprinkle colored sugar onto the warm mochi then form the balls.

Makes 10 Bon Bon-sized Daifuku

The traditional clothing of Japan are also quite artistic, if in a more subtle and refined way. Most clothing worn at the time were utilitarian and served a purpose: keep a person dry and warm or to better enable the drawing of a sword. Some was ornamental, like the many layered kimono favored by women of rank.

How much do you think you know about Japanese fashion and attire, past and present? A lot? A little? Do you consider yourself a Japanese clothing historian, or are you up to date on the latest in Shinjuku? Find out in Past to Present: A Quiz for Fans of Japanese Fashion!

(Answers and actual fashion facts given are below the quiz. The quiz is off site but come back to rate your score and see how you did!!! No peeking until you’re done!)

Rate your score!

• 100-90%= Sugoi!! You’re a regular Japanese fashionista!!!
• 89-80%= Yatta! Way to know your Gothic from your Lolita!
• 79-60%= Genki. You’re learning Japanese fashion one geta at a time!
• 59-40%= Ma-ma. Meh, you can do better.
• Below 40%= Baka! You need to spend some serious time in Harajuku!!

1. False. Geta are wooden clogs much favored for wearing during the rainy and snowy season since they keep feet dry by virtue of being elevated on two wooden blocks.

2. True. Obi is translated literally as kimono sash. These sashes can be simple and utilitarian or beautiful and artistic. They serve as both closure and decoration.

3. False. These are all hairstyles worn by women in different stages of their geisha training. Wareshinobu, Ofuku, Katsuyama and Yakko-Shimada are worn by maiko (geisha in training.)

4. False. Tabi are the split socks used when wearing geta or zori. Anyone can wear them, no matter their rank.

5. True. Yukata are light weight summer kimono. Cotton is an ideal choice for yukata since the fabric “breathes” well.

6. False. This elaborate kimono from the Heian Period is actually made of twelve (ju ni) layers, not fourteen.

7. True. Kanzashi are seasonal, decorative hair ornaments worn by women to compliment their elaborate dos. It’d be a no-no to wear momiji (maple leaves) in spring.

8. False. Happi are traditionally short coats worn by shop keepers. Nowadays, sushi chefs, taiko drummers, and festival goers also sport happi.

9. True. And like their American counterpart, zori hurt like the dickens.

10. True. Shibori is the Japanese term encompassing, but not limited to, tie-dyeing.

11. False. The line of the kimono should be on the right hand side. Only the dead wear the kimono aligned to the left.

12. True. Hakama were originally worn only by samurai, but the practice spread to other classes as well.

13. False. Yukata are summer kimono, and are worn by both men and women. Kimono are also worn by both sexes.

14. False. Yo- refers to the West and -fuku translates as clothing. Yofuku: Western clothing.

15. False. Street fashion is genre of fashion which is anything but “mainstream”. Wearers of street fashion really stand out in a crowd, not blend into it.

16. True. The wa- refers to traditional Japan. The fashion was made popular by Japanese fashion designer, Takuya Sawada.

17. False. This is one school uniform worn only by girl’s. Sera, is “sailor” and fuku is clothing or uniform; in this case, uniform. It’s popular in anime for schoolgirl’s to be wearing sailor suits.

18. True. But Aristocrats don’t have much in common with their colorful, puffy counterparts. Aristocrats like to dress in a dignified manner reminiscent of Victorian schoolmarms.

19. True. These “gals” prefer to spend cash and show off how they spent it. High heels, dark tans and blonde hair are indicative to the style. There are also various sub-styles to the Kogals, but Kogal was the first on the scene.

20. False. This fashion craze has been going strong for some time now. Schoolgirls like to accessorize their rather blah uniforms with these baggy leg warmer-like creations. The style shows no sign of letting up any time soon, either.

21. False Actually, Yamanba, characterized by wild hair, super-dark fake tans, and aboriginal-style makeup, is a sub-style of Kogal.

22. False. Yet again we have another sub style of Kogal. Ganguro (black face) sport blonde hair, white eyeliner and lipstick, long nails, short miniskirts, and high heels.

23. True. But only on the weekends. However, many street style-wearing young people flock to Harajuka to hang out and be seen, not just goth lolis.

24. True. Long, highly decorative nails are a favorite among young women.

25. False. Those dark colors won’t go anywhere near a sweet loli. Pinks, lilacs, creams and baby blues are the only colors fitting for a confection such as a sweet lolita.

26. False. Gotcha! Mana is the person responsible for creating the EGL/ EGA brand of clothing, however, Mana is a man, not a woman.

27. True. And how! Decora fans look like over qualified applicants for the Rainbow Brite show. They practically glow with all the blinding colors they adorn themselves with.

28. True. Goodbye black hair, hello auburn!

29. True. Ojisama means prince, and the men who follow this style do look like European princes in their tails and ruffles.

30. False. Think of Japanese street styles as young people’s way to express themselves within a highly conforming and homogenized society. It’s their way of making a statement via fashion.

When it gets cold, we all like to munch on comfort foods in the warmth of our cozy abodes. Many comforting foods happen to be cooked in one pot, making them easy and delicious. One simple Japanese comfort food is oden. Oden is a popular winter Japanese hot pot stew, with regional ingredients varying across the country. A hot pot is defined as a dish in which foods (veggies, meats, etc.) are boiled in a simmering broth.

Most ingredients for oden tend to be vegetable, seafood or tofu products, although anything can be used. I made this simple oden variation with ingredients I love:

Oden

• 1 daikon, peeled and cut into chunks
• 6 chikuwa, cut in halves
• 3 soft boiled eggs, peeled
• 1 block konnyaku, cut in half, then cut into 16 triangles
• 2 blocks satsuma age, cut into 8 triangles
• 3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 2 large potatoes, cut into chunks
• 10 squares atsuage, cut in halves
• 14 tsukune
• 2/3 cup sake
• 10 cups dashi
• 1/3 cup soy
• 1/4 cup mirin
• scant amount spicy mustard

1. In a large pot, mix sake, dashi, soy sauce, and mirin. Add all the ingredients to the broth, except the spicy mustard. Bring all to a boil then cover and simmer on low for an hour.

2. Remove from heat and spoon ingredients equally into bowls. Serve with hot mustard on the side.

Makes 8 Servings

That was easy, but the oden tasted great! Some other traditional options for a hearty oden are:

• tako
• abura age
• shirataki
• ganmodoki
• gobomaki
• hanpen
• fuku-bukuro ni
• konbumaki

This Japanese 7-11 page has some excellent photos of national and regional oden ingredients. The site language is Japanese but the pictures translate the names into a language we all know: Yummm!

Difficulty: Easy | Time: 1 hour 20 minutes | Ingredient Availability: Moderate to Difficult

But, how true is this portrayal? Who were the ninja and how did their art begin, but most importantly, why?

Hatsumi Soke Photo © Detroit Bujinkan Dojo

One theory states that a fugitive Chinese princess, living in exile in Japan, developed the art as a means of self-defense. Some people believe that the ninja were influenced in their art by a group of mystics known as Shugenja. And since records have been lost or destroyed over the years, no clear time in history has been defined as the birth date of ninjutsu.

People will agree, however, Daisuke Nishina started a school of ninjutsu, Togakure Ryu, over eight hundred years ago, which would eventually evolve into a modern form of ninjutsu: Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.

Today’s Grand Master of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, Hatsumi Masaaki Sensei is the 34th Soke to hold the title in the Togakure Ryu. Hatsumi Sensei invited the world to discover ninjutsu when he opened his dojo’s doors to all nationalities; a first in an art which was only taught to native Japanese.

The “how” of the ninja equation can go much deeper, and for in depth answers as to “who” and “why”, I turned to someone who’s been training in the art for 15 years: Patrick Lee.

Patrick agreed to answer a few questions about common ninja misconceptions. He also shared his personal experiences with ninjutsu and what he’s gained from the art.

Interview

Rachel: Why did you get into ninjutsu? Why that and not karate, judo or any of the other martial arts?
Patrick: Well, I’ve done other arts before and there seems to be many limitations with the ones I took. There’s always something that is missing – there are gaps.

Rachel: So what drew you into the art was how it fills in the gaps that were missing in the other arts?
Patrick: In this art there’s more than just real fighting that it posses. There’s a deep history of spirituality in it; a way of life, of how people just want to live peacefully.

Rachel: What are some popular misconceptions about ninja?
Patrick: Well, the most popular are that ninja can disappear, they can be in multiple places at one time, walk on water, climb on walls…

Shuriken Photo © Ed Green

Rachel: What did ninja really look like?
Patrick: They were like everybody. But they practiced medicine, chemistry, meteorology, etc., which at that time was really ahead of the their times.

Rachel: What kinds of weapons did they use?
Patrick: They should be able to use anything. The weapon is an extension of one’s self. The ninja sword was used at a certain period due to its cost, but any sword can be one (ninja sword). There were certain situations in the old days where in narrow quarters it was impossible to draw the long sword, but the short sword was able to be brought in.

Shurikens are popularly associated with the ninja, but many samurai learned throwing stars and spikes. Shuriken are not throwing stars – they are hand blades/spikes. Throwing stars are called “Senban”. That’s another misconception.

Rachel: Did samurai really hate ninja?
Patrick: That is a doing of the silver screen. Samurai were the army, while ninja were the equivalent of special forces. Sometimes samurai were ninja too, if they were called into a special op.

Rachel: Can ninja be samurai?
Patrick: The famous Hattori Hanzo’s family were samurai and have ties to Iga, which were the birthplace of the ninja. So here’s the perfect example.

Rachel Most samurai had a very well rounded education. What can you say about the ninja’s education?
Patrick: It would be equivalent – perhaps even more intense. There were more weapons, philosophy, medicine to learn.

Rachel How do the Japanese view ninjutsu versus the Western view?
Patrick: Very ‘mythic’…like Batman. It’s not understood and sometimes laughed at.

Rachel What are some day-to-day ninjutsu activities?
Patrick: Like any good citizen. As a practitioner, I look at in not as a way to fight or take down an enemy but it transcends it. It’s about problem solving, it’s about living. It’s, ‘How do I change a situation that is dangerous to be better?’ This can be in a relationship, job or at play.

Rachel: What’s the difference between nin, shinobi, etc?
Patrick: The word ‘nin-ja’ can be pronounced as ‘ninja’ or it can be pronounced as ’shinobi’. Both are the same word with different pronunciations. The shinobi is a lower-level practitioner of the art. In order to be a ninja, you have to be elevated to a higher level of understanding the art; the way of life and the way you contribute to life.

Senban Photo © Jinenkan Seigi Dojo

Rachel: In movies, sometimes ninja run away. Was that part of that ‘getting the job done’?
Patrick: Yes, but the most important code – especially in the Iga school – at all cost, you must not kill unnecessarily. By running away, you would avoid killing. Their skill levels were very high in order to survive. Blinding powder and all of that were used to buy time in order to get away. They usually have several planned escape routes.

Rachel: This art used to be called ‘ninjutsu‘ and now it’s called ‘Budo Taijutsu‘. Why the name change?
Patrick: The name changed because in the 1980’s anyone with a mask, clad in black and carrying throwing stars and doing non-Japanese and non-Ninjutsu martial arts called themselves ‘ninja’; playing up the assassins, movie portrayal as the villains. So Hatsumi-sensei changed the name to reflect that this is also budo – which is the martial way towards enlightenment.

Rachel: What’s Taijutsu mean?
Patrick: Taijutsu is the art of using the body. The ‘jutsu‘ part of it means the warrior art. So if you put Budo Taijutsu together, there’s a duality. It’s like yin and yang. You’re practicing one thing that can enrich your life and at the same time if you practice it and use it for the wrong purpose it can take life. We’re not practicing on one end or the other but learning to be in the middle of it. It creates a balance.

Rachel: Will people find Budo Taijutsu online?
Patrick: There are three main schools that practices it; the Bujinkan, Jinenkan and Genbukan. A Google search will lead you there. The school that I study in is the Bujinkan and that can be found in winjutsu.com

Rachel: What kind of role did women play in ninjutsu?
Patrick: Yes, they played a tremendous role throughout history. In fact, they would be the ones who were most employed due to the ease of women blending into the household. They’d pose as servants, dancers and other roles. Once accepted into the household, they’d pick up intelligence. This is a really high form of getting information without bloodshed.

Rachel: What kind of role does the modern ninja play in today’s society? How do you fit in?
Patrick: To be a ninja..there’s a misconception. We do not train to assassinate, to spy or any subversive activity. A ninja in modern times, as in ancient times would be a person practicing perseverance, endurance. In modern times, they’re practicing to persevere through hardships; not to just give up. As Hatsumi-sensei would often encourage us, “Gambatte Kudasai” which means ‘keep trying, keep going’. In this modern day and age, we need that. Just like the old days, nothing has really changed. In order to change things, you have to persevere through hard work, go in with a lot of clarity and no ill intent.

Rachel: Were the Iga and Koga real?
Patrick: Yes, there were two neighboring regions separated by a lake. They were different families.

Rachel: Were they bitter enemies?
Patrick: A lot of that may have been exaggerated. Different schools were employed by different lords for their mastery of spying skills. When they came across each other, they’d sometimes have to fight in order to get the message back to the people who sent them to retrieve it.

Rachel: Is there a ‘ninja code‘?
Patrick: Yes. Most importantly, you’re not to take a life unnecessarily. The art that you study must be used for the sake of the country, your region, your town, your family and lastly yourself. It’s for the greater good – not personal gain.

Rachel: What sort of mindset is needed for someone just going into this art?
Patrick: Good-hearted people who are willing to endure a lifetime of training for the betterment of society and self.

If anyone has any questions for Patrick about Budo Taijutsu, please leave them in the comments section below!

We also have a noble heritage when it comes to decorating our yards with giant inflatable reindeer and blinding displays of seizure-inducing lights. And what would Christmas be without the endless parade of obligatory work-related and family Christmas parties? Let’s not forget about the hours upon hours spent in the kitchen pouring over cookie cookbooks and rolling out endless varieties of Christmas confections. And for what? To give cookies and bon-bons away to people who will hate you for blowing their diet.

Since everyone in the US is familiar with what goes on here-and I know you are- why don’t we look at how Japan handles this time of year. Is their holiday season anywhere near as hectic as ours? Do they even celebrate Christmas? New Year’s Eve? The answers to that are no, somewhat and yes, and how.

Japan does celebrate Christmas, just not with the fervor and extreme enthusiasm as over here. The beginning of their shopping season coincides with ours; the day after Thanksgiving, sans blood-letting. They do have Christmas carols, in English, and they do exchange gifts.

However, the focus of gift giving is mainly directed between couples. This is a romantic night for couples, and is seen as a night when magic can happen. For someone to be single on Christmas in Japan is almost as bad as someone being single on Valentine’s Day in the US. The analogy of Christmas in Japan being like Valentine’s Day in America isn’t far-off. The gifts exchanged on both days are similar; teddy bears, jewelry, roses, personal gifts, etc.

Instead of a Christmas dinner consisting of a ham, goose, or turkey, a Christmas cake is standard fare in Japan. Every household tries to buy a Christmas cake before Christmas Eve to celebrate the season. These cakes are pretty things topped with fresh fruit arranged artfully on a frosted cake.

Bakeries do a booming business with Christmas cakes, up until the 24th, and then they discount their cakes on the 25th to get rid of ‘em. There’s a horrible analogy comparing marriageable women to Christmas cakes: Both are good until the 25th, then it’s hard to get rid of them, i.e. it’s difficult to marry a girl off after they’re 25 years old.

The Christmas tree does exist in Japan, but it doesn’t have nearly the prominence as it does in the West. Instead, pine trees, are more apropos for the Japanese New Year- a holiday much, much larger and more important in Japan than Christmas.

Traditionally speaking, New Year’s in Japan, shogatsu, is a time to give thanks to everything and everyone that helped make the previous year a good one.

Doorways are adorned on either side with twin kadomatsu, decorations made from pine branches, bamboo, and straw. The pine is a symbol of longevity and the bamboo represents prosperity. Other decorations adorn households, including kagami mochi. Kagami mochi is a large stack of two mochi cakes topped with a mikan (orange). These displays are meant to attract luck into the household.

Mass mailings of New Year’s post cards, nengajō, similar to our mass mailings of Christmas cards, flood post offices the days before New Year’s. Everyone writes to their friends and family to inform them of what’s passed in the former year, much like the American practice of stuffing annoying family newsletters into Christmas cards.

The following days of New Year’s are filled with “firsts”: Hatsumōde, first prayer at a shrine; Hatsuhinode, first sunrise and Hatsuyume, first dream. During the first visit to a shrine, people will dress in kimono and line up to pray and to purchase good luck talismans for the new year. The first dream of the New Year’s is a special one as it’s believed to portend what will come in the following year. The first food and drink of New Year’s has traditionally been toso or sake and ozoni.

During the first three days of New Years, no one works if they have the choice. The food has already been prepared, the gifts have been bought, the cards have been sent, and the house and streets are cleaned. People sit back, relax and enjoy themselves for three work-free days.

Our holidays may not be celebrated the same way they are in Japan, since Christmas is a Western import. However, we also consider New Year’s Day a time to relax, a time to reflect on the past year and to draw up resolutions for the upcoming one.

We haven’t imported any Japanese holidays of yet, but let’s allow some of Japan’s New Year’s traditions rub off on us: Going into this holiday season, let’s try to relax and be thankful that we survived the past year and grateful we’re here to celebrate the next.

Images copyright:
Japanese Santa
Christmas Cakes
Kagami mochi
Kadomatsu

I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to discuss Japan’s Cool Biz Initiative, which aims to reduce Japan’s emissions of greenhouse gases! Actually, this turned out to be perfect timing – I was driving to work the other day and listening to National Public Radio. Suddenly, science reporter David Kestenbaum was on the air discussing the Cool Biz Initiative! He discussed his recent trip to Tokyo, where he did a full-feature on the Cool Biz Initiative.

Japan Trades in Suits, Cuts Carbon Emissions

“Two years ago, the Japanese government essentially with the stroke of a pen instituted a new policy that has so far trimmed more than two million tons of greenhouse gases from the country’s growing emissions.”

Yuriko Koike, the previous Japanese Environmental Minister started the Cool Biz Initiative, Yuriko Koike is currently the Minister of Defense (First Abe Cabinet).

Cool Biz Initiative Facts and Figures

• Since 2005, Japan has trimmed more than 2 million tons of greenhouse gasses
• Office air conditions must be set no cooler than 28 degree Celsius = 82.4 degree Fahrenheit
• 95.8% of respondents knew Cool Biz
• 32.7% of 562 respondents answered that their offices set the air conditioner thermostat higher than in previous years.
• set summer office temperatures at no lower than 28°C as well as work to have the Cool Biz concept take permanent root in society.
• 460,000-ton reduction in CO2 emission, the equivalent volume of CO2 emitted by about 1 million households for one month.

Dress code suggestions for the Japanese workplace

• Starch collars so they stand up
• Wear pants that breathe and absorb moisture (like cotton)
• Wear short-sleeved shirts
• Don’t wear jackets or ties to work

Additional Cool Biz Initiative Reading

• The Cool Biz Look Sweeps Japan. Sort Of.
  

  The Japanese government has officially launched the Cool Biz initiative, designed to promote more casual business attire and save energy during the summer months. While you would expect to hear cheers from Salarymen around the country, the reaction to the new program has been decidedly mixed.

• Official Cool Biz Intuitive website (Japanese only)
• ‘Cool Biz’ dress code spreads through halls of promotion
  

  “Cool Biz” has received a bigger response than the “Energy-Saving Look” campaign of 1979 did, when then Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira encouraged people to wear short-sleeved shirts and take ties off in the office to cut down on air-conditioning during the world’s second oil crisis.

• Cool Biz Initiative on Wikipedia
  

  The Japanese Ministry of the Environment (MOE) began advocating the Cool Biz campaign in summer 2005 as a means to help reduce electric consumption by limiting use of air conditioning. This idea was proposed by then MOE minister, Yuriko Koike under the Koizumi cabinet.

While we’re thinking about the environment and how it impacts our Japanese friends (and our own environment), I encourage you to watch (or discuss) these two Hayao Miyazaki films:

Princess Mononoke

Princess Mononoke is about the struggle between the guardians of the forest and the humans who need it. “Mononoke” is Japanese for “spirit of the natural world”. It’s a really exciting, action-filled story with a really deep heart. Miyazaki’s main theme of the film centers on the effects of humans on the environment.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

The story of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind takes place 1,000 years after most of the Earth’s ecosystem and the entire human civilization was destroyed by ‘Seven Days of Fire’. There were a few groups of humans who survived. The main character Nausicaa, is princess of the Valley of the Wind, a peaceful community. Nausicaa can talk to bugs and is very close to nature. When another group threatens war, Nausicaa must fight for the creatures and her people.

What sorts of tips can you think of to help out our environment?

Delivered to your mouth in Takuma Shokuhin’s uninspiring but promissory packaging, Kozakanani will party on your taste buds all. Night. Long!

Ok, not really. But I was looking for the thrill of a near death experience when I brought yet another Shokuhin product into my home.

I love fish and oceania critters in their many, varied and sometimes frightening forms. Kozakanani had not one sea treat, but three. That’s a bargain to me!

Sardines, flatfish and shrimp compose the mixture offered up in this snack. Dried whole and then, no doubt, boiled in sugar, salt, seaweed, red pepper and MSG. The ingredient list states that sesame seed is the fourth additive but I see only one lonely sesame seed at the bottom of the bag. What a rip.

These guys are sad on the plate. Once again I must turn away as their lifeless, dried eyes beg for an answer as to why they were given such an ignominious fate. Hey, don’t look at me fishies, blame Shokuhin; they happen to like drying up and sweetening your ilk.

Picking up a scant handful, I’m reminded of another snack: Maze Maze Ichiban. Maze Maze Ichiban is a cracker nut mix with the same sugared flatfish included in Kozakanani. It’s de-lish-us.

Moment of truth! Do or die! No pain no gain! And so forth and so on. It’s after the first bite and I’m not dead! Nah, these aren’t so bad. The initial impression is SUGAR followed by, crunchy, then, fish? and ending with bitter!

Taking a sample of each individual critter yields that the sardines are the culprit for the bitter aftertaste, although they don’t deliver a strong fish impression. The dried shrimp are very fishy and have a strong flavor. The flatfish are milder than the shrimp but stronger in flavor than the sardines.

I’m not too terribly impressed with kozakanani, nor am I disappointed. It’s a snack that would do well as an additive in something like okonomiyaki, yaki soba, or a dull cracker mix. I could also see myself resignedly and mindlessly chowing down on these if there wasn’t anything left to snack on the house. It feels like one of those snacks.

There are other, more flavorful and imaginative sugared fish snack mixes out there (Tom Yum Goon mix) but this is a good sampling of what dried fishies taste like when they’re relatively unseasoned.

This snack is an improvement over Shokuhin’s previous snacks I’ve reviewed. However, Shokuhin still hasn’t redeemed itself enough that I don’t scoff at the notion that everything they make isn’t all suck.

Texture:Flavor:Appearance:Packaging:

Giving Kozakanani an overall: