ikisho Blog

to inspire wonder and curiosity about sushi, sake and Japanese culture.

Wonderfully fiddly Japanese Past times

Japanese culture is abundant in fiddly handicraft which is a wonderful way to spend long evenings huddled inside with a nice cup of tea or a glass...

Beautiful Japanese ceramics since 1600

Takatori-yaki ceramics are made with a mixed clay; clay with iron content obtained from Koishihara, and white clay from Nanakuma, Fukuoka. The...

Eat away the Tsuyu, Japanese rainy season, Blues!

Eat away the Tsuyu blues! Beautiful wagashi and health promoting seasonal foods that also reach the peak of their tastiness alleviate uncomfortable...

Japanese Folktale - The Clever Crab Babies vs Cheeky Monkey

You may have come across pictures like the above, of Japanese macaque also known as snow monkeys. bathing in the hot springs. Makes for a pretty...

Warming Japanese 'Nabe' for Icy Winters and Casual Gatherings

'Nabe' 鍋, hot pot, literally means 'saucepan' but when it's used as a name of a recipe, the possibilities are infinite. 'Nabe' can be spicy hot,...

Colourful November is also known as Shimotsuki, the Frosty Month

The old Japanese name for November is 'Shimo-tsuki'. 'Shimo' means frost, and it was given this name as it is considered the start of winter. The...