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I spent years researching sake and food. When I lived in L.A. I used to attend the sake conventions once a year at the New Otani Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. I would walk around in amazement looking at all the different sakes, sampling them and talking to so many drunk old women(jukujo). I remember it was a black tie event, you'd pay your $60.00 admissions fee, they'd seat you, then serve you a full five course menu complete with sashimi, and other h'orderves.
That was a good memory for me !
After coming to Japan, the knowledge of sake began to open up for me. I used to choose favorite brands and labels, make recommendations, acted like there was only one good sake. I soon learnt that ALL sake is made with the intent to taste good, so in short, all sake is good, and every sake has its own individual characteristic. I never choose favorites now. Just drink and drink !
This book is for the wayward Westerner and the Japanese backslider who has forsaken an interest in hot springs and onsen ryoukans in exchange for modern living and business hotels.
It is also geared towards the person whose interest in Japan goes far deeper than green tea, temples and hentai. This book is an educational piece with the power to inspire others to seek out that ancient beauty that lies trapped at the very heart and soul of the Japanese nation.
Take for example, the verve of that lovely elderly Japanese woman who works tirelessly behind the scenes weaving dreams that breath life into this dreary reality, or that Japanese man who puts his samurai sword to rest in exchange for a briefcase and rushes off to work in order to carry out his life sentence as a salary man for the rest of his natural life without parole.
But it's the Hinomaru that waves high in the sky with fuji san in the backdrop.
I am a hedonist and I want to teach others how to hedon(ize) and together we can realize our dream together...forever under the cherry blossom tree after we die...together...whenever...however.
It was the fall of 1998 when I received a book from a Japanese lady who was involved in a strange marriage with an African American. The book she gave me showcased the 'Life & Times' of Mishima Yuko - Japanese author and playwriter. “How could a man love his country so much and be so in love with his God that he would split his own gut open for all the world to see,” I said to myself.
It was November 25th that Mishima Yukio chose to commit suicide which is also the same date the emperor of Japan enacted the special attack core(kamikaze). I firmly believe this even though it hasn't been proven. What better way, then for a man to showcase his life as a living document of sacrifice for the one single principle of “for the emperor, it is an honor to die.” For him and him alone.
Amy Yamada, a well-known Japanese novelist, has written several books on the destructive nature of black and Japanese relationships. As such, she has gained huge popularity in Japan. Most of her readers are young Japanese women who seek to take part in the new slave trade by owning and controlling a black man.
In order to satisfy her sadomasochistic desires she opted for a black man because he is the most difficult to tame, not like his white counter-part whose only aim is to please his Japanese goddess; henpecked. The black man only wishes to use and abuse and ultimately wipe his arse with her like toilet paper. And although this is a sweeping generalization, it is a reflection of the reality, and the under current of truth for many.
The chalice of Japanese 'culture and civilization' is the Japanese womb; from it all samurai flow. The Japanese man is inferior to his own better half because intellectually he is inept and void of soul and meaning. Every sake ever made is a reflection of this chalice or womb of fermentation of the Japanese bijin(beauty). It is like drinking the very soul of Japan as demonstrated in ceremonies across the country and in ritual lore.
Without the Japanese woman Japan would cease to exist. Mount Fuji wouldn't even have meaning as it is the symbol of a Japanese woman's nipple ( if you pinch a nipple then turn it clockwise and pull it while looking from unerneath it you will see an image of Mt. Fujii !). The fully grown fine pubic hair is symbolic of seaweed in the ocean. The Ebb & Flow of seawater(sake) graces the seaweed(pubic hair) causing it to move 'to and fro.' Japan is even in the shape of one huge penis ! from Honshu to Hokkaido pointing northward. (wakame sake & Nyutai Dori; sake pouring through the vulva which was introduced in the Meiji era).
Soon, western imperialism encroached upon this land and stripped her of her very soul: western clothes, western ideals, westernization became the phrase of the day. The women forgot that they came from gods when they bit into the apple of the 'Knowledge of Good and Evil' they lost their soul to the devil for a 9 inch penis. They had forgotten that they came from greatness - 2600 years of greatness. Did you know that Japan had 8 reigning emperesses ??? (historical fact).
When Emperor Meiji came into to power he changed the 'house law' stipulating that only men could ascend to the throne. Aiko may be the next Emperess of Japan making her the 9th emperess of the current 'house law' is repealled.
After Potsdam Japan was castrated and was forced to accept a constitution that forbade it to have a collective right to self defense( which means the ability to act in its own interest militarily which it cannot. Instead it has to act only in self-defense, hence the name Self Defense force).
Instead, millions of Japanese men became salarymen sent off to work over 14 hours a day for the rest of their lives. The family infrastructure suffered greatly under this system of 'work until you die'. Showa era was the most disasterous for Japan in terms of family & soul. People began to forget that it was the 'old way' that made Japan great !
The Madame Butterfly Mystique that charmed so many G.I's during the occupation was the corner stone of Japanese beauty and wonderment. The green tea ceremonies with their meticulous attention to detail had fascinated so many people. The natural beauty of the four seasons which is symbolic in food and sake and kimono is also part of this mystique. Most Japanese have forgotten these virtues and have exchanged them for western ideals.
Letter to His Excellency Prime Minister Wen Jiabao of the People’s Republic of China
As we wish China and Japan the best of friendship and amity, we extend our heartfelt welcome to Your Excellency’s visit to Jaan. We have been conducting research on the Nanking incident, which is said to have occurred during the war between Japan and China in Nanking in December 1937.
Results of our research have caused us to have serious doubts regarding views of this incident commonly held in your country. Thus, in this matter, we would appreciate receiving your respone to the questions posited below.
1. The late-leader Mao Zedong never mentioned the “Nanking massacre”. His only reference to the Nanking occupation was a personal observation he made when he stated, “The Japanese forces had many surrounded, but not many were killed,” in his book titled, On Protracted War, a summation of his lectures given at Yanan, China six months after the battle occurred in December. If the incident, with claims of 300,000 citizens massacred, did take place, it must have been like last century’s holocaust. Is it not unnatural and strange that Mao Zedon did not say a word about the incident ? How do you account for this fact ?
2. In November 1937, just before the siege of Nanking, the Nationalist Party, organized by the nationalist and communist organizations, created an international propaganda department within its Central Propaganda Office. According to a confidential report titled, “Outline of Operations: the International Propaganda Department, the Central Propaganda Office”, between December 1, 1937 and October 24, 1938 the International Propaganda Department held 300 press conferences in Hankou. According to records kept at the time, an average of 35 people attended these press briefings comprised mainly of journalists and officials of foreign embassies. And, in the 300 briefings, no mention was ever made of “citizens being massacred in Nanking,” or “hostages being murdered unlawfully”. What do you think of this fact ? If massacres were committed, is it not a mystery as to why they were not mentioned ?
3. The activities of an international committee which cared for the Nanking citizens who congregated in the Nanking Safety Zone were recorded. under the auspices of the Council of International Affairs of the nationalist government, the record was published in book for titled Documents of the Nanking Safety Zone by a publisher in Shanghai in 1939. According to the book, the population of Nanking stood at 200,000 prior to the Japanese occupation. This population level remained unchanged during December. Records show the population to be 250,000 one month after the Japanese occupation of the city began. Then, based on these records, it would have been impossible for 300,000 people to be massacred. Cou you give us your thoughts about this ?
4. In the book Documents of the Nanking Safety Zone, mentioned above, there is a list of detailed complaints against the Japanese army’s criminal activities. The list includes a total of 26 murder incidents, of which only one case was witnessed but it was judged to be lawful killing and thus noted in the book. These records and yoru country’s claim of 300,000 people massacred are at extreme odds with one another. What do you think about this ?
5. Numerous photographs said to be proof of the Nanking massacre are being displayed in books and at many exhibitions including the Massacre memorial Museum in Nanking. However, it was revealed by scientific studies that there is not a single authentic photograph offering proof the massacre actually happened. If your country has photographs which can provide proof, please allow us to see them. We would like to examine them.
6. Given the above, it appears to us that the Nanking could not have happened. But if you suspect that it occurred, we would like to ask that you conduct a verification examination in an objective manner with consideration of materials we will submit to you. In realisty though, your country has built the memorial museum in Nanking, which is promoting the massacre of 300,000 people extensively. This act is unfair as it undermines history. Also, it amounts to a contradiction, since your country’s official position is promotion of a policy aimed at establishing friendly relations with Japan. Furthermore, as this years marks the 70th anniversary of the Nanking Incident, various organizations inside your country are said to have planned a movie production about the Nanking massacre with many now under way. We perceive these acts as an unbearable humiliation to us who really hope to be friendly with your country. Could you give us your thoughts about this ? We would like to receive your Excellency’s replies to the above poitns. As this is a concern to many Chinese and Japanese alike, we are submitting the questions in an open forum. As we wish to maintain a strong friendship between China and Japan for future generations, we sincerely hopt to hear from you.
Aprile 10, 2007
Committee for the Examination of the Facts about Nanking
Kase Hideaki, Chairman
Fujioka Nobukatsu, Secretary General
Tony Alexander, supporter
Let's begin with crab since it's the most recognizeable seafood in the world. In Japan King crab is imported from Alaska and Queen crab is fished right from the Sea of Japan ! The best season to enjoy queen crab is from early November to the end of March.
Next up, we have another very recognizeable seafood dish called sardine or (iwashi 鰯 in Japanese). Sardines have rich and beneficial oils for our health. Mackerel and herring fish which are called "pelagic fish" or shiny fish are rarely served in sushi bars, as they spoil very quickly once landed.
Horse Mackerel(あじ）, is a summer fish with rosy flesh and is moderately fat with a deep taste !
Next up is a fish called Plaice(karei in Japanese) is easy to confuse with hirame, whose fillets are all very similar in appearance. All flat fish with eyes on the right of head as "karei" family. Their succulent texture and white fleshes make it suitable for sushi.
Toro or maguro in English is graded and priced according to fat content, the fattiest part of the fish, "TORO" cut from the belly and taken only from the blue-fin tuna, is the most expensive item on sushi menus. "Toro" flesh is light pink and extraordinarily tender.
Sea Bass or SUZUKI in Japanese is grown and developed through a series of stages, starting off in fresh water and ending up in the sea, attains 90cm length. This fish has firm white meat with a mild flavor, like "Hirame" flesh cut paper-thin.
Hamachi(buri) or yellow tail in English is a migratory fish and the flesh is as rich as "Maguro", smooth and buttery with a deep taste in early winter, but not as the fattiest part of the tuna belly. Youg yellowtail named as "hamachi" is available year round, as it can be cultured abundantly in the coastal waters of Japan.
Saba-Bozushi (saba), Mackerel in English is inexpensive and availabe all year round in sushi-bars. Only the freshest mackerel are eaten raw as is it deteriorates rapidly; marinating fish in vinegar enchances flavor and also helps to preserve and tighten its oily flesh !
Ikura(sake), or Salmon Roe in English isi the most common roe in sushi menus year round, and is salted and marinated in soy sauce with rice wine "Sake". The chef forms a small oval of sushi rice and rolls it with a band of seaweed, then he puts a spoonful of "ikura" ono top.
Kochi or flathead in English, is best eaten only in early to mid-smmer. Although this fish is bony, sushi shefs us tweezers to remove any bones their fingers feel, One-day ripe fillets are sliced, rather thich, for sushi, and have a delicate flavor with a beautiful peach color. The body is elongated and reaches 50cm in length.
Kajiki, or Marlin in English is bright red in color and flesh and is very easy to recognized. It's a year round fish
The “Rape of Nanking” - The Power of Propaganda
“Propaganda is the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behaviour to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist.” The ‘Rape of Nanking’ is testament to the power of propaganda. Controversy suggests that this statement deserves consideration, if not just to amend and restore respect towards Japan. While the Japanese recognize that atrocities were committed by their ground forces, they maintain that they were not as extreme as the Chinese propaganda machine would have people believe. This essay will discuss propaganda as the powerful war weapon used by the Chinese to reign in western sympathy and support against Japan.
On 13 December 1937, Nanking, the capital of Chiang Kai Shek’s Nationalist Chinese Government, fell and Japanese troops entered the city. A Chicago Daily News story later read:
The story of Nanking’s fall is a story of indescribable panic and confusion among the entrapped Chinese defenders, followed by a reign of terror by the conquering army which cost thousands of lives, many of them innocent ones.
This ‘reign of terror’ lasted for over a period of six weeks. Japanese troops carried out mop-up operations to filter out soldiers and those disguised as civilians, who had sought refuge within the safety zone. As battalions sifted through the city, looting, arson and torture was not uncommon. However, many other acts of wanton cruelty occurred such as the rounding up and killing of combatants and non-combatants by various means.
"Not only did live burials, castration, the carving of organs and the roasting of people become routine, but more diabolical tortures were practiced, such as hanging people by their tongues on iron hooks or burying people to their waists and watching them torn apart by dogs."
It is reported that over 200,000 Chinese were killed by these random killings or systematic massacres. Moreover, females were shown no mercy.
"Many soldiers went beyond rape to disembowel women, slice off their breasts, nail them alive to walls. Fathers were forced to rape their daughters, and sons their mothers, as other family members watched."
Between 20,000 – 80,000 Chinese women and girls of all ages were raped; most were murdered following these attacks. This period of time is referred to as the “Rape of Nanking” or “Nanking Massacre” and is known as one of the worst cases of systematic massacre and brutality of civilian against humanity committed by a country in our modern history.
It appears, however, that Japan is not solely responsible for all atrocities levelled at her. The key to resolving the controversy of the Nanking Massacre can be found first within the Battle of Shanghai. Chiang Kai Shek did not want to lose Shanghai due to it being the core of his political and economic administration, and since no formal declaration of war had been made, and the loss of other territories had occurred, the realisation that China could not defeat Japan single-handedly was realised. With the major powers not being members of the League of Nations, Chiang Kai Shek’s hopes rested on the Quarantine Speech of Roosevelt’s summoning for an international “quarantine of the aggressor nations”. His only option was to attract western powers into the war by eliciting international sympathy through courageous Chinese “fight to the death” resistance at Shanghai. However, this did not eventuate and by the end of November, an exhausted, depleted Chinese army retreated to Nanking. Chiang Kai Shek’s political strategy was directed now towards Nanking; however this strategy would not be the same as the failed one he had used in Shanghai. The new strategy was to be far more manipulative in order to gain the support Chiang Kai Shek so desperately required.
We are now approaching the final juncture, and we must make sacrifices, demonstrating firm resolve and courage. … We, your leaders, must sacrifice ourselves, as must all our fellow countrymen. … We must resolve to reduce every Chinese and every clod of earth to ashes, rather than render them unto the enemy. … We must leave nothing – absolutely nothing – for the enemy to claim.
This speech highlights the barbaric characteristics of Chiang Kai Shek who intended to use his own people – both combatants and non combatants – to win his war and savour victory over the Japanese Imperial Army. The devastating destruction of Chiang Kai Shek’s military strength coupled with the loss of his political leverage resulted in a leader whom would resort to any extreme to achieve his purpose. The creation of the Nanking Massacre was this opportunity.
Both Chiang Kai Shek and Commander-in-Chief Tang Shengzhi deserted the city of Nanking without surrendering. This action left their soldiers without command and consequently created chaos.
References
Chang, I. (1997). The rape of Nanking: the forgotten holocaust of World War II. New York: Basic Books
Higashinakano, S. (2005). The Nanking Massacre: Fact Versus Fiction. Japan: Sekai Shuppan, Inc.
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