Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts

March 9, 2016

Eric Clapton Performs "Little Queen of Spades"

By: Joaquin Quiros


Source for the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52CfwR9ZfjY
                                       
Eric Clapton is undoubtedly one of the foremost guitar gods still alive and kicking today in 2016. Still performing at 70 years old, he has truly earned the right to be called a "God". The video above is taken from his 2014 tour in the Far East.The video was taken from his concert at the historic Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. At this particular performance he was actually celebrating his 200th performance at venue. This song "Little Queen of Spades", is a wonderful blues piece written by the legendary bluesman Robert Johnson. Clapton's known for his various renditions of other songs, its amazing to note that he has the ability to really leave his own original marks to these songs. Examples of which are "I Shot The Sheriff" by Bob Marley, "I'm Tore Down" by Freddie King and many others.
Retrieved from: http://www.whereseric.com/eric-clapton-photos/1990s 


 Eric Clapton's rendition of this song is basically divided into 3 parts, opening with a slow, mellow introduction for the first verse, followed by 2 piano solos with Chris Stainton on keyboards and Paul Carrack on the Hammond organ before the second verse, and finally the best part of the piece is undoubtedly the final solo right after the final verse, Clapton bursts into so much passion as he plays the final guitar solo, you can feel the emotions he is trying to convey to the listener. The beauty of this performance is that it has the ability to touch your soul, you feel what the musician feels. This blues song is not meant to be sung along to, but to be felt for it has so much to offer the listener. Clapton has once again showed his prowess and passion in playing music. Excellent indeed.




Source:
Eric Clapton Photo Gallary: The 1990S. www.whereseric.com/eric-clapton-photos/1990s




February 27, 2016

5 Things That You Should Avoid Doing When Using Chopsticks in Japan

By: Sachiko Sasaki
After sharing an article about my top 5 most preferred Japanese food, I thought of sharing about the things or habits that you should not do when using chopsticks in either Japan or around Japanese people because for some reasons, it might be rude for them if you are doing it without any idea about it or why it is a bad manner. I also posted some GIF's that I made so that you guys would have a better visualization about the things that I listed in this article. This article is basically a Japanese manner etiquette guide and give you more idea on when you should and should not do such habits or activity with chopstick on certain situations.

Retrieved from: blog.joinsmsn.com/minddr

Chopsticks are one pair of thin stick that are used for picking or eating food. Chopsticks are popular in Asia particularly in Eastern Asia just like China, Japan and Korea. Chopsticks existed long time ago, China has been using chopsticks since 1200 BC and Chinese culture made its way to expand in Japan through Korea then had migrated and adopted to other Asian countries. Now, chopsticks are popular in Eastern Asian people as their eating utensils and now it is part of their daily routine as well. As for now, I am going to share you about the cultures and beliefs of Japan in using chopsticks, but I also believe that some of the Japanese beliefs are also part in other countries' beliefs as well because they share the same religion which is Buddhism. Here are the top 5 that you should avoid doing when you are using chopsticks in Japan:


1. Don't get the bowl or plate using chopsticks


Don't ever get the bowl or plate closer to you using chopsticks because it is considered as a inappropriate manner. Chopsticks are not invented to get a bowl or a plate, it is for eating and picking food purposes. Instead of using chopsticks to get your bowl or plate closer to you, just use both of your hands to get it and it will be easier and more formal to get your desired dish.


2. Don't pick or dig in the food


You should not be picking food because it is not a formal type of manner when you are eating with friends especially when you are in public. You should not browse for food or dig in the dish to look for something good but get what is on the top of the dish.


3. Don't stick the food using chopsticks



On the picture that is shown, you should never stick or skew your food on chopsticks just like that. Although, I know that it is hard to pick food using chopsticks especially when you are getting for a small portion or a small piece of food like peas and beans. However, it is also important to have right manners and be polite by doing what is acceptable to the eyes to whom who are around you.


4. Don't pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks


Passing food from chopsticks to chopsticks is considered as a bad habit and manner because this is significantly done for a reason. This is forbidden because you can only do this when a person died and being cremated, the funeral attendees will pass the dead persons bone from a pair of chopsticks to another pair of chopsticks as a part of Buddhist funeral ritual and ceremony.

5. Don't stick your chopsticks in the middle of the rice


In Japan, you can just usually do this when you mourn your loved ones who is dead. Putting or sticking chopsticks upright in the middle of the bowl of rice is a way of offering food to the spirit of loved ones. That is the reason why this is a big no when people do this for no reason at all.



January 28, 2016

Top 5 Authentic Japanese Foods

By Sachiko Sasaki




Konnichiwa minna or hello to everyone. After the Christmas break, my Mom told me that we are going to Japan for our summer vacation then I thought of posting some interesting information regarding to Japan's mouthwatering dishes which is uncommon to other countries dishes in the world. I really want something to share to you about Japan, specifically Japanese foods. Basically I will be talking about my top 5 most favorite foods in Japan that I want you guys to try. I posted the links of the dishes that shows the simple ingredients and teaches the procedures as well so that you guys could give yourself a try then let me know about your opinion and thoughts concerning the listed foods that I will be sharing with you guys in the comments below.

First things first, Before we get started I want you guys to know that Japan has one of the most famous cuisines in the world. The way they prepare their specialties food are different from a regular cooking. There are no doubts that they are really fantastic and creative in making their own dishes. If you go in a Japanese street food or a Japanese restaurant, you will be amazed on how they cook and serve their specialties not only because of how their dishes tastes and looks like but it is also because that these Japanese people are devoted with their wonderful and humble culture. They apply the beauty of their culture in their way of cooking and designing their dishes that is why the dishes there in Japan are surprisingly unique.
Retrieved from: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/japanese-restaurant-bans-couples-on-christmas-eve-to-stop-single-customers-feeling-lonely-9921081.html




OKAY. LETS START!


1. Sukiyaki (すきやき)
Retrieved from: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/27/food/la-fo-hotpotsrec27c-2010jan27

- Sukiyaki is a popular Japanese hot pot dish which is often cooked and served at the table. Sukiyaki certainly reminds me of Shabu Shabu (しゃぶしゃぶ) as well because they almost look alike but it also has difference, Sukiyaki is richer and sweeter when it comes to flavor while the Shabu shabu is more on savory than sweet compare to Sukiyaki. The reason why I love this dish because of my Dad's way of cooking and preparing it, he visits here in the Philippines once a year and usually on the month of May. He goes here so that he could celebrate my birthday with my Mom and I. I started loving this dish when my Dad served this on us for the first time. I could say that was actually my love at first taste. My dad is a great businessman and I am really impressed to him because knowing the fact that he is a fantastic cook as well.



2. Yakisoba (やきそば)
Retrieved from: http://www.timetravelturtle.com/2013/04/yakisoba-japanese-food/

- Yakisoba is well known as one of their street foods in Japan. Yakisoba is a Japanese dish of fried noodles, vegetables, meat and served with some sweet sauce. Yaki means "cooked, grilled or fried" while soba is a thin type of noodle, therefore it is also called Japanese fried noodles in English. Yakisoba is a great quick and light meal that you guys should eat if you don't want to eat heavy dishes..



3. Katsudon (かつどん)
Retrieved from: https://pinkpensandhighheels.wordpress.com/tag/katsudon/

- Katsudon is also one of my favorite Japanese food because it has egg and vegetables on it. I'm a type of girl that really loves to eat any type of vegetables because of my dad who also really loves to eat vegetables. Our breakfast, lunch and dinner would not be the same without any vegetable dish on our table, like literally. Tonkatsu and Katsudon are somewhat similar because of the breaded fried pork cutlet. However, the Tonkatsu is served with sweet sauce while the Katsudon is served with vegetable stir-fry and a small amount of omelette on top of the Katsudon. A brief definition of this in English is Pork in a bowl because Katsu means pork while Don is a short word for Donburi which means "bowl".



4. Onigiri (おにぎり)
Retrieved from: http://jpninfo.com/27798


- I am sure you guys are familiar with Sushi. In my opinion, my fourth favorite Japanese food is more likely similar to Sushi but I am not that fan of eating Sushi. Like sushi, the Onigiri is a rice that can be shaped like a triangle or circle and it is stuffed with some freshly cooked tuna inside the rice then it is wrapped with seaweed as well. However, the Onigiri is a lot more bigger compare to a piece of sushi. I would want to thank the person who invented Onigiri because it is very creative and very handy that you can just eat it without using any utensils. Onigiri is a good way to bring and eat when you guys are in a hurry.



5. Miso Soup (みそしる)
Retrieved from: http://afcsoyfoods.com/recipe/miso-soup/

- Miso soup or Misoshiru is a traditional Japanese soup consisting of dashi and miso paste. From what I have observed, when we ate in one of the Japanese restaurant, the miso soup in a bowl is always served with some steamed rice. It is actually basic to make miso soup because all in all the ingredients are easy to find while the preparing time is 5 mins and the cooking is time is just 5 mins as well, so all in all it is just 10 mins in order for you to have it. Time saver isn't?



THAT IS ALL FOR NOW GUYS. HOPE YOU GUYS LIKED IT AND I ALSO HOPE THAT YOU GUYS WOULD TRY IT AS WELL. I SUGGEST ALL OF YOU TO TRY IT AND YOU WILL ALSO LOVE IT, I SWEAR. DOMO ARIGATO GOZAIMASU!