IBUKI Magazine Vol.03 January & February 2010

Japanese Inspired Food and Lifestyle Magazine

Furniture & Art Bringing Japan Home

Japanese Snack Paradise SAKE Drinking Vessels DINE OUT In Search of Nabe ART Junko Yamamoto New Bilingual Comic by Enfu Recipe, Travel, Fashion and More January & February 2010 Vol. 03 Seattle / Bellevue / Portland

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CONTENTS

FEATURE 4

16

Bringing Japan Home

Add a touch of Japan to your interior this winter. The Pacific Northwest has a rich array of Japanese furniture and art to choose from.

4

Snack Paradise

The packaging is oh-so cute and the tastes are exotic and fun. Japan is a snacker’s paradise, and now those snacks are available here.

EAT & DRINK 9

10

Dine Out

13

The Saké Story

14

Recipes

Best spots to enjoy nabe (Japanese hotpot) this winter

Restaurant Directory

Saké drinking vessels of all shapes and sizes are introduced Salted salmon and edamame with rice Curry with udon noodles

LIFESTYLE 18 20

Store & School Directory Exploring Kanazawa and Takayama

22 24

Art — Junko Yamamoto i fart rainbow

26

29

22

Two gems of culture and art (not to mention natural beauty) that often get overlooked

New bilingual comic series by Enfu Movies: Kabei — Our Mother / Music: Misia Fashion: Garconshinois /Place: Reversible destiny lofts Food Trends: Tokyo tops Paris in 3-star Michelin restaurants

Local News and Events

IBUKI Magazine Vol.03 January & February 2010 Publisher Misa Murohashi Chief Operating Officer English Cartier Editor-in-Chief Bruce Rutledge Editor and Translator Yuko Enomoto Feature Designer Josh Powell

Contributing Writers & Artists David Kowalsky Enfu (Ken Taya) Jessica Sattell Johnnie Stroud (Saké Nomi) Julian Waters Steven Corless Special Thanks Chin Music Press Cover Photographer Doug Sims

Published by Axia Media Group, Inc. 12727 Northup Way Ste. 3, Bellevue, WA 98005 TEL 425-440-9939 Comments and general inquiries info@ibukimagazine.com Advertising Info advertise@ibukimagazine.com www.ibukimagazine.com 3

息吹 IBUKI_FEATURE ARTICLE:

JAPANESE FURNITURE & ART

Photo by Charles Bickford

Bringing Japan Home

Japanese furniture & art fit well in the Pacific Northwest

by Bruce Rutledge lean lines, craftsmanship and a reverence for natural materials. That description of the guiding aesthetic behind Japanese architecture and carpentry could just as easily be used to describe the Northwest style of architecture, with its love of exposed wooden beams and warm interiors to offset the grey outside. Perhaps that’s why this region is home to so many people inspired by the Japanese aesthetic, from antique dealers to woodworkers to gallery owners. It’s a natural fit.

Japanese carpentry also taps into our 21st Century desire for simplicity, environmental responsibility and things made with care and attention. As we lose interest in McMansions, we start to riff through pages of Dwell and other magazines hawking a cleaner, simpler way of life (or at least we did before our 401Ks went south). These magazines embrace an aesthetic closer to the Japanese penchant for a small, well-tended living space.

And yet the pieces of Japanese furniture you may see at an antique shop or gallery — the heavy tansu chest of drawers, elegant wooden chairs and low-lying tables — are connected to a tradition that goes back more than one thousand years.

C

4 息吹 ibuki • January / February 2010

Dale Brotherton, owner and founder of traditional Japanese design/build firm Takumi Co. of Seattle, has been studying this style of woodworking for decades. “Japanese carpentry is an evolved approach to creating wooden structures,” the San Francisco native writes in an email. “Its roots are lost in antiquity. We do know that the methods and tools first reached Japan in the 9th Century in connection with Buddhist temple architecture. Japanese craftsmen quickly began to adapt and refine this building system, applying it to all structural forms, from temples to shops to residences.

“Over time, as tastes changed, various uniquely Japanese architectural forms sprang forth,” he continues. “Most notably, in the 16th Century the chashitsu (teahouse) and its related sukiya residential styles. The emphasis in design moved from heavy ornate to simple, clean straight lines and light, elegant proportions.”

Those architectural forms influenced not only the residences the Japanese lived in, but the furniture they had in those residences.

Tatami-mat rooms are used in various ways throughout the day, for example, so the furniture tends to be lightweight and small.

“The craft and techniques used in making Japanese furniture are mostly derived from the carpentry tradition,” Brotherton explains.

“Traditional lacquer is often applied to tables and tansu but always with an eye for enhancing the natural beauty of the materials.

Because of the care and methods used, these objects age gracefully, radiating a timeless beauty such that they easily serve as accents in even the most modern format.”

At Ming’s Asian Gallery in Seattle’s International District and on Main Street in Bellevue, one can see firsthand just how gracefully the tansu and tables age. One can also browse through ancient screens, carvings, paintings and much more. The store’s Japanese items, displayed together in the Zen Collection, could fit in the home of the most discerning modernist.

“Aesthetically, Japanese furniture is so clean, it can go into an Arts and Crafts home,” says proprietor Jim Russell, who owns the store with his wife Doreen. “They fit well with oak.

It’s not restricted. And then what’s nice too is that a tansu can go in a bedroom or a living room.”

In the Pacific Northwest, craftspeople — many of them promoted by the Kobo @

Dale Brotherton’s Takumi Co. brings the clean lines and simple aesthetic of Japanese carpentry to homes in the Pacific Northwest.

Higo gallery in Seattle’s International District — have melded Japanese and sustainable design to come up with decidedly modern alternatives that respect the centuries-old traditions. Go Green Design of Ballard, for one, uses reclaimed wood and bamboo to make its small tansu and other furniture.

“Every piece has a story,” says Kobo co-owner John Bisbee. “We try to learn that story.”

Turn the page to learn the stories of some special shops offering Japanese furniture and art.

Ming’s Asian Gallery boasts an impressive collection of antique tansu as well as modern riffs on the classical chest of drawers, such as the stacking tansu (right) that can be rearranged into different shapes and has drawers that open on either side.

Below photos by Doug Sims.

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息吹 IBUKI_FEATURE ARTICLE:

JAPANESE FURNITURE & ART

Classic The proprietors of Ming’s Asian Gallery in Bellevue and Seattle have been bringing antiques from around the world to the Pacific Northwest since 1966. But it wasn’t until 1980 that the store turned its focus solely to Asia, Jim Russell says. The store’s collection is vast and deep, with treasures from China, Tibet, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Myanmar, Cambodia and Japan. Its Zen Collection of Japanese antiques were “harder to get in abundance,” Russell says, but persistent traveling and deal making in the country for the past three decades has given the store strong connections.

The gallery feels like a museum. A display of samurai armor selling for $6,800 sits on a shelf; an exquisite kimono hangs from the wall, displayed like a piece of art; and by the cash register is an impressive collection of netsuke sculptures. It’s clear the collection has been assembled with a discerning eye.

In fact, the family has had a special taste for Japanese items since the 1950s, when Russell’s mother and father collected porcelain. The store boasts an impressive collection of Japanese textiles as well.

Some of the most interesting pieces are modern takes on the classic antiques. A tansu that can stack and unstack both vertically and horizontally is a good fit for a family that may use the chest of drawers in different ways and in different rooms over the years.

Screens done by modern painters accent a

The Zen Collection at Ming’s includes a complete set of samurai armor ($6,800), beautiful kimonos displayed as wall art and a fascinating collection of Japanese dolls — one of the stores most popular items.

Photos by Doug Sims.

room in an elegant way. Russell says antique Japanese dolls are some of the store’s biggest sellers.

While Ming’s caters to everyone from hardcore collectors to academics, lately, the store has noticed a rise in the number of young Asian people shopping there. “Young people want to have part of their history,” Russell says. Walking through the beautiful offerings of Ming’s Asian Gallery, it’s easy to see why.

Ming’s Asian Gallery

Kobo @ Higo

Bellevue Location

International District

www.mingsgallery.com 10217 Main St. Bellevue, WA 98004 (425) 462-4008

www.koboseattle.com 602-608 S. Jackson St. Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 381-3000

Seattle Location

Capitol Hill Location

519 6 Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 748-7889

814 E Roy St. Seattle, WA 98102 206-726-0074

Momo

Takumi Co.

th

www.momoseattle.com 600 S. Jackson St. Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 329-4736 6 息吹 ibuki • January / February 2010

www.japanesecarpentry.com info@japanesecarpentry.com (206) 622-2804

Sculptural lighting by HiiH (pronounced “Hi Hi”) adorned Kobo @ Higo in late 2009.

Hybrid If you ever wondered what the Japanese concept of wabi sabi referred to, one glance around the Kobo @ Higo gallery, shop and meeting place in Seattle’s International District should explain it. This unique space is alive with the tasteful restraint implied by wabi and the refined rustic sense of sabi.

This gallery and its sister gallery in the Capitol Hill neighborhood are run by John Bisbee and Binko Chiong-Bisbee. In the International District store, the couple has

created a space to showcase the work of craftspeople inspired by Japan and other cultures. It’s a place where customers go to understand “the process of how things are made,” John Bisbee says.

Kobo @ Higo showcases some of the most innovative craftsmanship in the Pacific Northwest, including the contemporary and sustainable furniture of Go Green Design in Ballard and the wonderful mix of traditional and modern created by Rom Lee. Lee designed the Artifact Table, which incorporates people’s family heirlooms into modern furniture. On display recently at Kobo @ Higo was a glass table showing off an old koto. The piece seems to embody the Kobo @ Higo features a gallery space where beautiful pieces can shine (left).

Kobo approach.

“We tell people when we show them these pieces, this is not made in a factory; it was made by a person. And we know who it is and we can tell you about that person,” Bisbee says.

Right next door to Kobo is Momo, a boutique and consignment shop run by Luann Shiramizu. The eclectic shop is a place for local homeowners to bring family heirlooms they can no longer keep but don’t want to throw away. Perhaps people are downsizing their home, or an elderly parent has passed away. Momo accepts pieces on consignment as long as they are appropriate for the store. “We want it to go to a good home with the same familial energy,” says Shiramizu.

Browse the shelves of Kobo and neighbor Momo.

They’re always chock-full of objets and knickknacks from Asia.

Playful A touch of Japan in your home doesn’t have to cost a lot. Momo and Kobo offer many inexpensive options for accenting a room.

At Momo you can pick up a sash made from discarded kimono material and use it as a table rider. Or purchase a kokeshi doll as a table ornament. At Kobo you can find bilingual calendars featuring the woodblock prints of Clifton Karhu You can also find natural interior objects such as African nobs and sunset flowers to brighten a room. And there are modern prints from enfu (a regular Ibuki contributor; see page 24), Toshi Asai and many other established and up-andcoming artists.

Kobo always has a beautiful array of ceramics and pottery on display too (Binko studied ceramics in Tokyo, and she and John are passionate about the country’s mingei folk craft), as well as textiles and lots of books to

help generate ideas.

Thus a one-block stretch of Seattle on Sixth and Jackson in the International District and a two-block walk down Sixth to Ming’s Asian Gallery can connect you with a treasure trove of Japanese furniture and art.

Or as Momo’s Shiramizu puts it, “a dash of Japanese flavor for your home.”

Momo’s recycled kimono sashes (left) make beautiful table riders. The scroll-like Clifton Karhu calendar for 2010 (right) features some of the renowned artist’s most impressive woodblock prints.

www.ibukimagazine.com 7

息吹 IBUKI_FEATURE ARTICLE:

JAPANESE FURNITURE & ART

Art on the Wall

by David Kowalsky Seattle is home to several vibrant galleries that specialize in Japanese woodblock prints, contemporary Japanese art and hand-colored photos.

The Cullom Gallery, on Occidental Mall between Main and Jackson streets on the mezzanine of Davidson Galleries in the Pioneer Square neighborhood, specializes in the tradition and influence of Japanese woodblock prints and works on paper.

Carolyn Staley Fine Japanese Prints, located at the north edge of the Pike Place Market between Virginia and Lenora streets on Western Avenue, focuses on fine-quality rare Japanese prints, paintings, scrolls and books. Everything for sale is by artists who are no longer living.

In the International District and Bellevue, Ming’s Asian Gallery features woodblock print reproductions for as little as $10 as well as collections of erotica, calligraphy and hand-colored photos that co-owner Jim Russell confidently says “nobody can top.”

Azuma Gallery at 530 1st Ave. S. in Pioneer Square is a leading collector of contemporary prints from Japan that also displays an impressive array of screens, paintings, ceramics and baskets. The gallery has been brining Japanese art to Seattle for more than 25 years.

Carolyn Staley, a veteran of the Seattle art community, opened her Fine Japanese Prints gallery in 1980. What makes the gallery unique? It specializes in fine quality prints.

Not all galleries do. The gallery features Japanese ukiyo-e prints of the Edo era (16031868), primarily from the 19th century.

8 息吹 ibuki • January / February 2010

These hand-printed masterworks of famous kabuki actors, courtesans, landscapes, heroes and legends reflect the styles, history and pleasures of the Japanese middle class during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Beth Cullom opened the Cullom Gallery in 2007. Prior to this, she worked at Carolyn Staley Fine Japanese Prints for 11 years, where she worked her way up to manager and assistant director. Why did she open her own gallery and what makes it unique? According to Cullom, she wanted to do something different than a traditional Japanese print gallery. She offers prints by ukiyo-e masters of the 18th and 19th centuries, Sosaku and Shin hanga prints from Japan’s modern age, and contemporary prints by Japanese and nonJapanese artists who draw on Japanese print traditions and techniques.

Ming’s Asian Gallery features samples of Japanese folk art, calligraphy, erotica and woodblock prints collated over three decades of frequent trips to Japan, where the owners participate in antique auctions, shows and flea markets looking to add just the right pieces to their already formidable collection.

Cullom and Staley sell to both collectors and people new to Japanese prints. Staley said her most valued customers are collectors and museums, but she still has prints for decorating and gift giving. Cullom said it is often surprising to people that many Japanese prints, even from the 19th century, are still quite affordable. Contemporary prints by emerging artists are also affordable and offer the thrill of discovering someone new whose fame may take off down the road.

Left: The actor Nakamura Shikan II as Ume no Yoshibei. “Moon” from the series Snow, Moon and Flowers by Hirosada (1819-1865). Courtesy of Cullom Gallery.

Middle: Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, from the series “Pictures of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets, as Told by the Nurse,” by Katsushika Hokusai. Cullom Gallery.

Right: Matsushima Godaido by Rey Morimura.

Courtesy of Azuma Gallery.

Art Galleries in Seattle Azuma Gallery www.azumagallery.com 530 1st Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 622-5599 Carolyn Staley Fine Japanese Prints www.carolynstaleyprints.com 2003 Western Ave., Suite 107 Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 621-6493 Chidori Asian Antiques www.chidoriantiques.com 108 S. Jackson St. Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 343-7736 Cullom Gallery www.cullomgallery.com 313 Occidental Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 919-8278

Your Options in Oregon

Want to find Japanese furniture and art in Oregon?

Here’s a list of stores to get you started.

Shogun’s Gallery www.shogunsgallery.com 1111 NW 23rd Ave. Portland, OR 97210 (503) 224-0328 Tokugawa Antiques www.tokugawaantiques.com 303 Marine Drive Astoria, OR 97103 (503)325-2577 Armas Imports Inc. www.trocadero.com/armas 14803 NW Jack Road Banks, Oregon 97106 (213)814-8677

DINE OUT

In Search of Nabe - Japanese Hot Pot Nabe Takes the Chill out of Winter

By Bruce Rutledge In the dead of winter, the Japanese fend off the bone-chilling cold with a festive nabe (hotpot) meal. They gather friends and loved ones around the table to cook thinly sliced beef and vegetables, followed by rice and noodles cooked in the broth. Or perhaps they’ll substitute the beef with tofu or seafood. A Japanese-style hotpot meal is restorative, delicious and very social.

In the Pacific Northwest, there are several places where groups can gather to fight off the cold, grey days with a convivial hotpot meal.

There are even a few places that will let you cook the meal at your table, the way it’s done in Japan.

Chances are that you’ve heard of sukiyaki and maybe even the razorthin slices of meat that make shabu-shabu. Those are both nabe meals and winter favorites in Japan. But hotpots lend themselves to variation, so a curious diner can try all kinds of combinations. Some nabe meals feature monkfish; others called chanko nabe are favorites of sumo wrestlers and contain a hodge-podge of ingredients including chicken and Chinese cabbage; yose nabe also includes meat, fish, tofu and vegetables.

Because nabe is such a social meal – the ingredients simmer in the hotpot at your table while you talk and drink — it’s a good fit for large parties.

At Miyabi in the Southcenter Mall (Tukwila,. WA), groups can taste nabe as it’s made in Japan. The restaurant offers yose and chanko nabe as well as hotpots with monkfish (called anko nabe in Japanese) and shabu-shabu. For $30 a person, a winter feast is delivered: assorted appetizers, kushi-katsu (deep-fried skewers) or yakitori, a plentiful nabe of your choice, followed by rice soup or udon noodles.

Other options around Seattle include Warabi in North Seattle, where the hearty eater can dine on all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu for under $25 or have the normal portion for $17.99; Shiki Japanese Restaurant in Queen Anne, which has an extensive choice of nabe meals and is one of only 19 restaurants in the US (all of them licensed by the FBI) Warabi’s all you can eat shabu-shabu. allowed to serve pufferfish, also known as blowfish; Bush Garden in the International District ($13.95 for sukiyaki or shabu-shabu); Kushibar in Belltown ($28 for two); and Wann Izakaya on 2nd avenue ($27.95 for two) Vegetables for yose nabe at Bush In Portland, try Bush Gargarden Portland den, Koji Osakaya in Hills-

Miyabi’s yose nabe overflows with seafood and fresh vegetables.

boro, Yuzu Japanese Restaurant and Syun Izakaya.

Nabe is typically a group meal, so if you’re not sure about the restaurant’s policy, it’s a good idea to call ahead for reservations. However, if you’re dining alone and hankering for some sukiyaki, don’t fret: many of Japanese restaurants will serve single portions made in their kitchens. Again, it’s best to call ahead and ask.

So next time you feel the midwinter blahs coming on, call some friends and loved ones and gather around a hotpot, Japanese style.

It’ll warm you up inside and out.

Restaurants serving nabe cooked at your table Bush Garden Seattle 614 Maynard Ave S, Seattle (206) 682-6830 Shabu-shabu and sukiyaki

Wann Japanese Izakaya 2020 2nd Ave, Seattle (206) 441-5637 Yose nabe, seafood nabe, and chicken nabe

Kushibar 2319 2nd Ave, Seattle (206) 448-2488 Shabu-shabu

Bush Garden Portland 900 SW Morrison St, Portland (503) 226-7181 Shabu-shabu, sukiyaki and yose Miyabi [R] 16820 Southcenter Pkwy, Tukwila nabe (206) 575-6815 Koji Osakaya –Hillsboro Shabu-shabu, yose nabe, chanko 2215 NW Allie Ave, Hillsboro nabe and anko nabe (503) 629-1815 (and most other Koji Osakaya Shiki Japanese Restaurant [R] chains) 4 West Roy St, Seattle Shabu-shabu and sukiyaki (206) 281-1352 Fugu (pufferfish), shabu-shabu, yose nabe, anko nabe etc.

Warabi 13754 Aurora Ave N, Seattle (206) 361-2620 Shabu-shabu (All-you-can-eat)

* [R]: Reservation required

Syun Izakaya [R] 209 NE Lincoln St, Hillsboro (503) 640-3131 Shabu-shabu, sukiyaki and yose nabe

Yuzu Japanese Restaurant [R] 4130 SW 117th Ave, Beaverton (503) 350-1801 * [R]: need reservation.

Yose nabe www.ibukimagazine.com 9

>> EAT & DRINK

Restaurant Directory

SEATTLE Greater Seattle Mashiko Japanese Restaurant (206) 935-4339 4725 California Ave SW, Seattle Check out sushiwhore.com You’ll like it.

Shiro’s Sushi Restaurant (206) 443-9844 2401 2nd Ave, Seattle www.shiros.com

Boom Noodle, Capitol Hill (206) 701-9130 1121 E Pike St, Seattle www.boomnoodle.com

Ajinobo Japanese Gourmet Restaurant (206) 728-6204 82 Stewart St, Seattle Aoki Japanese Grill & Sushi Bar (206) 324-3633 621 Broadway E, Seattle Blue C Sushi - University Village (206) 525-4601 4601 26th Ave NE, Seattle Blue C Sushi - Fremont (206) 633-3411 3411 Fremont Ave N, Seattle Blue C Sushi - 7th avenue (206) 467-4022 1510 7th Ave, Seattle Bush Garden Restaurant (206)682-6830 614 Maynard Avenue S., Seattle

10 息吹 ibuki • January / February 2010

Cutting Board (206) 767-8075 5503 Airport Way S, Seattle Fort St. George (206) 382-0662 601 S King St # 202, Seattle Fuji Sushi (206) 624-1201 520 S Main St, Seattle Genki Sushi (206) 453-3881 500 Mercer St. Unit C-2, 2B, Seattle Hana Restaurent (206) 328-1187 219 Broadway E, Seattle Hiroshi’s Restaurant (206) 726-4966 2501 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle Ichiban Restaurant 206-623-8868 601 S Main St, Seattle I Love Sushi - Lake Union 206-625-9604 1001 Fairview Ave N, Seattle Imo, Korean and Japanese (206) 264-9570 704 1st Ave, Seattle Issian (206) 632-7010 1618 N 45th St, Seattle J Sushi (206) 287-9000 674 S Weller St, Seattle Kaname Izakaya Shochu Bar (206) 682-1828 610 S Jackson St, Seattle Kisaku (206) 545-9050 2101 N. 55th St. #100, Seattle Koji Osakaya - Harbor Steps (206) 583-0980 89 University St, Seattle

Kozue Japanese Restaurant (206) 547-2008 1608 N 45th St, Seattle Kushibar (206) 448-2488 2319 2nd Ave, Seattle Maekawa Bar (206) 622-0634 601 S King St #206,Seattle Maneki (206) 622-2631 304 6th Ave S, Seattle Marinepolis Sushi Land -Queen Anne Hill (206) 267-7621 803 5th Ave N, Seattle Nishino (206) 322-5800 3130 E Madison St # 106, Seattle Nijo (206) 340-8880 89 Spring St, Seattle Ototo Sushi (206) 691-3838 7 Boston St, Seattle Red Fin Sushi Restaurant (206) 441-4340 612 Stewart St, Seattle Samurai Noodle (206) 624-9321 606 5th Ave St, Seattle Shiki Japanese Restaurant (206) 281-1352 4W Roy St, Seattle Shun Japanese Cuisine (206) 522-2200 5101 NE 25th Ave #11, Seattle Tsukushinbo (206) 467-4004 515 S Main St, Seattle Toyoda Sushi (206) 367-7972 12543 Lake City Way, Seattle

Vi Bacchus Sake Bar & Bistro (206) 328-5275 1401 Broadway, Seattle Wabi-Sabi Sushi Bar & Restaurant (206) 721-0212 4909 Rainier Ave S, Seattle Wasabi Bistro (206) 441-6044 2311 2nd Ave, Seattle Wann Japanese Izakaya (206) 441-5637 2020 2nd Ave, Seattle

Sakuma Japanese Restaurant (425) 347-3063 10924 Mukilteo Speedway # G, Mukilteo Setsuna Japanese Restaurant and Bar (206) 417-3175 11204 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle Taka Sushi (425) 778-1689 18904 Hwy 99 Suite A, Lynnwood Warabi Japanese Restaurant & Bar (206) 361-2620 13754 Aurora Ave N, Seattle

Bistro Satsuma (253) 858-5151 5315 Point Fosdick Dr NW #A, Gig Harbor

North End Cafe Soleil

South End

(425) 453-6094 504 Bellevue Square, Bellevue www.boomnoodle.com

(425) 493-1847 9999 Harbour Place # 105, Mukilteo All natural Euro Japanese cooking cafe-soleil.net Bluefin Sushi & Seafood Buffet (206) 367-0115 401 NE Northgate Way # 463, Seattle Blue C Sushi - the Village at Alderwood Mall (425) 329-3596 3000 184th St SW, Lynnwood Cherry Blossom Sushi Bar & Grill (425) 315-8022 10809 Mukilteo Speedway, Mukilteo Edina Sushi (425) 776-8068 19720 44th Ave W, Lynnwood Marinepolis Sushi Land -Lynnwood (425) 275-9022 18500 33rd Ave NW, Lynnwood Matsu Sushi (425) 771-3368 19505 44th Ave W #K, Lynnwood

Blue C Sushi - Westfield Southcenter (206) 277-8744 468 Southcenter Mall, Tukwila Blossom Asian Bistro (425) 430-1610 305 Burnett Avenue South, Renton Marinepolis Sushi Land -Southcenter Mall (206) 816-3280 100 Andover Park West 160, Tukwila Miyabi Restaurant (206) 575-6815 16820 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila New Zen Japanese Restaurant (425) 254-1599 10720 SE Carr Rd, Renton

Eastside Sushi Joa

(206) 230-4120 2717 78th Ave SE, Mercer Island www. sushijoa.com

Boom Noodle, Bellevue Square

Blue C Sushi, Bellevue Square (425) 454-8288 503 Bellevue Square, Bellevue Blue Ginger Korean Grill & Sushi (425) 746-1222 14045 NE 20th St, Bellevue Flo Japanese Sushi Restaurant (425) 453-4005 1188 106th Ave NE, Bellevue Ginza Japanese Restaurant (425) 709-7072 103 102nd Ave SE, Bellevue I Love Sushi -One Lake Bellevue (425) 455-9090 23 Lake Bellevue Dr, Bellevue

Advertise in our Special March-April issue with an increased printing of 20,000 copies circulated locally!

Contact: advertise@ibukimagazine.com

www.ibukimagazine.com 11

>> EAT & DRINK

Restaurant Directory

I Love Sushi -Bellevue Main (425) 454-5706 11818 NE 8th St, Bellevue Izakaya Sushi - at The Landing (425) 228-2800 829 N 10th St. Suite G, Renton Izumi Japanese Restaurant with Sushi-Bar (425) 821-1959 12539 116th Ave N.E., Kirkland Kobe Wellbeing Tonkatsu & Tao Sushi Bar (425) 451-3888 850 110th Ave NE, Bellevue Kikuya Restaurant (425) 881-8771 8105 161st Ave NE, Redmond Kiku Sushi (425) 644-2358 15555 NE 24th St, Bellevue Rikki Rikki Authentic Japanese Restaurant (425) 828-0707 442 Parkplace Center, Kirkland Marinepolis Sushi Land -Bellevue (425) 455-2793 138 107th Ave. NE, Bellevue Marinepolis Sushi Land -Redmond (425) 284-2587 8910 161st Ave NE, Redmond Sushi Maru (425) 453-0100 205 105th Ave, Bellevue Sushi Me (425) 644-9800 1299 156th Ave NE #145, Bellevue Momoya Restaurant (425) 889-9020 12100 NE 85th St, Kirkland Tokyo Japanese Restaurent (425) 641-5691 3500 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue Zen Asian Bistro, Japanese & Thai (425) 453-2999 989 112th Ave NE #105, Bellevue

2AM (425) 643-1888 14603 NE 20th St #4, Bellevue

PORTLAND Portland Bamboo Sushi (503) 232-5255 310 SE 28th Ave, Portland Biwa Restaurant (503) 239-8830 215 SE 9th Avenue, Portland Blue Fin Sushi (503) 274-7922 1988 SW Broadway, Portland Bush Garden (503) 226-7181 900 SW Morrison St, Portland Crescendo noodle house & bar (503) 226-7181 16055 SW Regatta Lane, Beaverton Hiroshi Restaurant (503) 619-0559 926 NW 10th Ave, Portland Koji Osakaya -Downtown Portland (503) 294-1169 606 SW Broadway, Portland Koji Osakaya - Lloyd Place (503) 280-0992 1502 NE Weidler, Portland Marinepolis Sushi Land -Lloyd (503) 280-0300 1409 NE Weidler St, Portland Marinepolis Sushi Land -Pearl (503) 546-9933 138 NW 10th Ave, Portland Mika Sushi (503) 222-0699 1425 SW 2nd Avenue, Portland

Saburo’s Sushi House Restaurant (503) 236-4237 1667 SE Bybee Blvd, Portland Yuki Sushi & Sake Bar (503) 525-8807 930 NW 23rd Ave, Portland

Beaverton / Hillsboro Hakatamon (503) 641-4613 10500 SW Bvtn-Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton Hanabi’s Izakaya Bistro & Bar (503) 646-1986 10053 SW Nimbus Ave, Beaverton Ikenohana (503) 646-1267 14308 SW Allen Blvd, Beaverton Izakaya Kaiten Sushi (503) 643-2578 14605 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton I love Sushi (503) 644-5252 3486 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton Koji Osakaya -Hillsboro (503) 629-1815 2215 NW Allie Ave, Hillsboro Marinepolis Sushi Land -Beaverton (503) 520-0257 4021 SW 117th Ave, Beaverton Syun Izakaya (503) 640-3131 209 NE Lincoln St, Hillsboro Sambi Japanese Restaurant (503) 296-0045 9230 SW Bvtn-Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton Sushi & Maki (503) 648-4366 2401 NE Cornell Rd No. X, Hillsboro Yuzu Japanese Restaurant (503) 350-1801 4130 SW 117th Avenue #H, Beaverton Yuki Sushi & Sake Bar (503) 430-5275 1335 NE Orenco Station Pkwy, Hillsboro Yuzu Japanese Restaurant (503) 350-1801 4130 SW 117th Ave Ste H, Beaverton

Vancouver WA Marinepolis Sushi Land -Vancouver (360) 883-3881 1401 SE 164th Ave, Vancouver

12 息吹 ibuki • January / February 2010

SAKE

Saké Drinking Vessels

By Johnnie Stroud, owner of Saké Nomi

A

n often overlooked aspect of saké tasting and enjoyment is the selection of glassware. The style of the drinking vessel has a definite effect on one’s sakétasting experience.

A lot of folks assume that the “proper” way to drink saké is from the small wooden boxes called masu that they see at sushi restaurants. The masu were originally a standard measurement for rice in Japan, and the 180ml volume they hold is called a go. Since masu were readily available, they eventually came into use as drinking vessels (often with a pinch of salt placed at one of the corners) in saké pubs throughout Japan. The go unit of measurement eventually became the standard on which saké bottle sizes are based, as well. The reason the standard saké bottle size is 720ml, instead of a wine bottle’s 750ml, is because

酒呑

it holds four go (in Japanese, yon go bin), a convenient amount if you’re going to split a bottle with a good friend (“Two for you, and two for me!”). The “big boy” 1.8L bottles hold the equivalent of 10 go.

Ten go equal one sho, so those “magnums” are referred to as issho bin, or a “one sho bottle.”

When saké was brewed and stored in wooden tanks, drinking saké from a masu was perfectly appropriate. However, for the last 80 years or so, most saké has been brewed in stainless steel tanks, allowing the brewers to pull forth an amazing variety of fruity and floral flavors and aromas from their saké. Drinking from a wooden masu would not do any of these more delicate characteristics any favors.

Saké drinkers today have a terrific variety of drinking vessels to choose from. If wine glasses are what one has at hand, they are a perfectly good choice for enhancing a saké’s fine-tuned flavors.

Smaller traditional ceramic o-choko can be fun, too, especially if you’re sharing a tokkuri flask with friends. One reason these cups tend to be small is because in Japan you never pour your own drink, and the concept behind the smaller volume is that one’s companion would empty his glass quickly, necessitating frequent refills and

thus solidifying the bond between the drinkers. Drinking saké is a social sport, after all.

Another unique saké drinking vessel is the white ceramic kiki-joko “official” tasting cup. These wide-mouthed, thin-lipped cups are used by brewers to assess the quality of their saké, with the bull’s eye pattern (in Japanese, it’s called a jya no me, or “snake eye”) in the bottom of the cup allowing the taster to see the color and clarity of the saké. The wide opening allows you to get your nose in there and enjoy the aromatics, while also facilitating a good distribution of the saké across the palate.

Enjoying saké is a tactile, sensory experience, so having a drinking vessel that feels good in your hand and is pleasing to your eye are qualities worth considering. It’s all about exploration and experimentation.

Finding the right glass for the right saké is a pleasurable pursuit.

Johnnie Stroud, is the owner of

Saké Nomi, the saké shop and tasting bar in Pioneer Square.

Saké Nomi 76 South Washington Street, Seattle Tel 206-467-SAKE

KENBISHI

Brewery: Kenbishi (established 1505) Region: Hyogo Type: Junmai/70% Japan’s oldest brand — favored by The 47 Ronin!

Pronounced golden coloring with fragrances of roasted nuts and brown sugar in the nose. Pleasantly sweet and mildly astringent. The balance allows the mild yamahai character to be expressed. Fantastic when warmed, this is the first new product from this venerable brewery in 25 years! www.ibukimagazine.com 13

>> EAT & DRINK

Easy Japanese Recipes!

Salted Salmon and Edamame with Rice Here is a delicious recipe for edamame lovers! Salted salmon is a common way to eat salmon in Japan. Why not enjoy a dinner of broiled salted salmon, then use the left over salmon to make a tasty lunch the following day? It will be great for bentos or rice balls and tastes good eaten hot or cold.

Ingredients (4 servings) Rice (uncooked).............. 1+ ½ cups (or 2 rice cooker cups) Salmon.........................................................................½ lb Edamame (boiled and de-shelled)............................... 1 cup Soy sauce.................................................................... ¼ tbs Saké............................................................................ 2 tbs Sugar........................................................................... 1 tsp Salt............................................................................. ¼ tsp Sesame seeds (optional)............................................... 2 tbs

Directions

Tasty Japanese rice In Japanese, the word for steamed rice, gohan, also has the general meaning of “meal.” This explains how important rice is for Japanese cuisine. Japanese are very picky about rice, and there is even a kiki-gome-shi which translates to sort of a rice sommelier in Japan. Besides there being a variety of rice brands, there are also many types of rice cookers with different heating technologies that can help you make delicious rice. Zojirushi is one of the leading brands of rice makers in Japan. Learn more about Zojirushi and a chance to win one of their rice cookers on page 31.

14 息吹 ibuki • January / February 2010

1. Steam rice according to the directions of your rice cooker.

2. Slice salmon filets into 1-2 inch wide strips.

3. Soak salmon in salt water (1 cup water + 3 tbs salt) for 20 minutes.

4. Dry salmon with paper towel.

5. …Broil salmon about 7-8 minutes per side.

6. Separate salmon into bite size pieces (1”x1”) by hand and sprinkle with soy sauce.

7. Dissolve sugar and salt in saké.

8. When rice is cooked, add saké with sugar and salt, salmon, edamame and sesame seeds into rice cooker and gently mix together.

9. Close lid and allow to steam for 5 minutes.

10. …Serve as it is or topped with nori, umeboshi, or shiso leaves as desired.

RECIPE

Curry with Udon Noodles Curry was introduced into Japan by the British in the Meiji era (1869-1913). It has since been modified to suit the Japanese palate and has become a very popular dish in Japan. Kikkoman’s Ginza Curry™ Sauce comes freshly packed in a can, making it easy to enjoy Japanese-style curry. It is delicious to eat over steamed rice, but eating it over udon has become a common delicacy in Japan. Below is a quick and easy curry udon recipe.

Ingredients (2 servings) Water....................................................... 4 cups Kikkoman Memmi Noodle Soup Base......¼ cup Kikkoman Ginza Classic Currytm Sauce..... ½ can Udon noodles (frozen) ........................... 2 packs Green onions (chopped) . ...........................3 tbs Boiled eggs (optional)....................................... 2

Directions

TIP You can be creative with toppings, as the curry flavor goes well with many foods. You can add onions, hakusai cabbage, shiitake mushroom or any of your favorite vegetables. Boiled eggs can be replaced with poached eggs or even cheddar cheese.

1. In a medium-size sauce pan, add water and Kikkoman Memmi Noodle Base. Cook on medium-high heat until it begins to boil.

2. Reduce heat to medium; add Ginza Classic Currytm Sauce and cook until curry is hot, stirring occasionally.

3. In a separate sauce pan, boil water and cook udon noodles.

4. Place udon in a bowl and cover with curry sauce.

5. Add chopped green onions and boiled egg (optional) and serve immediately.



Check out more recipes online

www.ibukimagazine.com

www.ibukimagazine.com 15

>> EAT & DRINK

Snack Paradise American snackaholic, a trip down f ortheansnack aisle of a Japanese supermarket

is like a journey through the looking glass.

Exotic flavors and cute little faces stare back at you from compact and intricate packaging.

It all looks so cute and so yummy, but where to start? What the heck does jyagariko mean?

And why is Anpanman staring at me from the front of a package of rice crackers? Wasn’t he supposed to be made of sweet beans? It’s all so confusing — and so tantalizing — that we knew we needed an expert in cross-cultural snacking to lead us through this tasty maze.

We found that person, Jessica Sattell, a woman well versed in multicultural snacking, and we made her Ibuki’s very own taste tester. Here’s what she found on a recent trip to Uwajimaya:

by

Jessica Sattell

① POCKY 16 息吹 ibuki • January / February 2010

① Glico Pocky is Japan’s most popular and iconic snack. Somewhere between a cookie and a cracker, these highly addictive chocolate-covered sticks have been enjoyed by the Japanese since 1966. It’s only been within the past decade that they’ve become widely enjoyed on US shores. Look for them in other combinations such as white chocolate, almond, coconut and lemon chiffon.

② The Japanese take on bar snacks, Azuma Kakinotane Peanuts would be perfect accompanied by a tall glass of beer and a side of edamame. This combination of slightly spicy rice crackers with fresh salty peanuts has a subtle crunch and perfectly paired texture. Once you start eating these, you won’t be able to stop!

③ True to their name, Mr. Itou American Soft Cookies are chewy and fresh like a homemade treat. This refreshingly delicious combination made with green tea, chocolate chunks and chopped macadamia nuts is perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth.

Buttery soft and three-bite sized with an ever-so-slight sweet green tea aftertaste, these are even more delicious when enjoyed with milk or coffee.

④ Don’t be fooled by their small size.

Calbee Jyagariko potato sticks, a Japanese take on the American potato chip, pack a satisfying crunch. These light, non-greasy snacks are made with real cheddar and camembert cheese and come in a small cup for an on-the-go treat. Unlike similar snacks, these actually taste like you’re eating a real potato.

⑤ Kuriyama Anpanman Soft Senbei offers a healthy alternative to salty snacks for children. These bite-sized, easy-to-chew rice crackers have a light soy sauce flavor and come in a set of four pouches that can be easily separated and tucked into lunches or pockets for a quick nosh.

⑥ Risuka Umaibo are giant, individually wrapped versions of puffed corn curls that explode with flavor. These Japanese convenience store staples are bound to be a hit with kids and adults alike for their sheer size and long list of flavors including cheese, curry, pickled plum and takoyaki (fried octopus).

Jessica's Crumbs of Wisdom Japanese snack makers love to come up with seasonal and limitededition versions of their snacks. Americans will be familiar with the Kit Kat chocolate bar. But did you know that in Japan that very chocolate bar comes in flavors such as cherry blossom, soy sauce, sports drink, apple vinegar and daigaku imo (candied sweet potato)? I’ve even tasted the last three.

② KAKIPI

③AMERICANSOFT

Also, Japanese snacks often come in commuter-friendly sizes.

It’s not hard to find snacks in stick or bar form or even stuffed into cups or small pouches for on-the-go snacking.

Japanese snacks are also packed very differently. For example the “American” green tea and chocolate chip cookies I tried for this article were all individually wrapped!

④JYAGARIKO

⑤SOFTSENBEI

⑥UMAIBO www.ibukimagazine.com 17

>> LIFESTYLE

Business Directory

Art & Furniture Kobo

Kobo at Higo (206) 381-3000 604 S Jackson St, Seattle Kobo Capitol Hill (206) 726-0704 814 E Roy, Seattle Shop & gallery featuring art, craft and design from Japan and the Northwest koboseattle.com

Ming’s Asian Gallery

Seattle (206) 748-7889 519 6th Ave S, Seattle Bellevue (425) 462-4008 10217 Main St, Bellevue Fine antique and contemporary Asian furniture mingsgallery.com Azuma Gallery (206) 622-5599 530 1st Ave S, Seattle

Takumi Company

Books, Games & Anime

(206) 622-2804 Authentic Japanese woodworking / design / construction JapaneseCarpentry.com

Kinokuniya Book Store Seattle (206) 587-2477 525 S Weller St, Seattle Beaverton (503) 641-6240 10500 SW Bvtn-Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton Anime Raku (425) 454-0112 10627 NE 8th St, Bellevue

Carolyn Staley Fine Prints (206) 621-1888 2003 Western Ave #107, Seattle Chidori Asian Antiques (206) 343-7736 108 So.Jackson St, Seattle Glenn Richards - Asian Furnishings & Antiques (206) 287-1877 964 Denny Way, Seattle Kagedo (206) 467-9077 520 1st Ave S, Seattle The Cullom Gallery (206) 919-8278 313 Occidental Ave S, Seattle Shogun’s Gallery (503) 224-0328 1111 NW 23rd Ave, Portland

Bakery and Cafe Fuji Bakery (425) 641-4050 1502 145the PL SE, Bellevue Fumie’s Gold (425) 223-5893 10045 Northeast 1st Street, Bellevue Hiroki Desserts (206) 547-4128 2224 N 56th St, Seattle Setsuko Pastry (206) 816 0348 1618 N 45th St, Seattle Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee House (206) 515-4000 607 S Main St, Seattle

Sims Photo Art

simsphotoart.com 253.906.9090

18 息吹 ibuki • January / February 2010

Fashion Momo (206) 329-4736 600 S Jackson St, Seattle Totokaelo (206) 623.3582 913 Western Ave, Seattle

General Store Anzen Hiroshi’s (503) 233-5111 736 NE MLK Blvd, Portland Daiso Alderwood Mall (425) 673-1825 3000 184th St SW, # 398, Lynnwood Daiso West Lake Center (206) 625-0076 400 Pine St. #1005, Seattle Daiso International District 76 S Washington St, Seattle

Health and Beauty Hen Sen Herbs

(206) 328-2828 13256 NE 20th St. Suite 3A, Bellevue www.hensenherbs.com Acupuncture Associates -Eastgate (425) 289-0188 15100 SE 38th St #305B, Bellevue

Acupuncture Associates -Redmond (425) 882-0112 16761 NE 79th, Redmond Central Chiropractic Clinic (206) 362-3520 15027 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline WellnessOne of Eastgate (425) 289-0092 15100 SE 38th St., Ste. 305B, Bellevue

Sake Saké Nomi (206) 467-7253 76 S Washington St, Seattle

Schools Music School of Taiko (425) 785-8316 www.Japantaiko.com Cooking Blue Camellia - a Japanese Confectionery (425) 889-2735 11229 NE 106th Pl, Kirkland, WA Hiroko Sugiyama Culinary Atelier (425) 836-4635 22207 NE 31st St, Sammamish NuCulinary (206) 932-3855 6523 California Ave SW, Seattle

Satsuma Cooking School (206) 244-5151 17105 Ambaum Blvd S, Seattle Japanese Calligraphy Akashi USA Co - Redmond (425) 869-0994 6611 147th Ct NE, Redmond Japanese Floral Design Ikebana by Megumi (425) 744-9751 www.ikebanabymegumi.com Ikenobo Lake Washington Chapter (425) 803-3268 11832 NE 73rd St, Kirkland The Little Flower Station (425) 770-5888 www.thelittleflowerstation.com Yushoryu Ikenobo (206) 723-4994 5548 Beason Ave. S.,Seattle Language Seattle Japanese Language School (206) 323-0250 1414 S Weller St, Seattle Washington Academy of Languages (206) 682-4463 2 Nickerson St, # 201, Seattle Martial Arts Aikido Eastside (425) 802-3125 13410 SE 32nd St, Bellevue

Seattle Kendo Kai (206) 721-1416 1610 S King St, Seattle Seattle Judo Dojo (206) 324-7080 1510 S Washington St, Seattle Seattle School of Aikido (206) 525-1955 3422 NE 55th St, Seattle Koei-Kan Karate-Do Bellevue (425) 747-9411 1910 132nd Ave NE, #11, Bellevue Obukan Kendo Club (503) 443-2281 4130 SW 117th Ave. Suite 246, Beaverton Portland Aikikai (503) 274-2606 1623 NW Marshall, Portland Tea Ceremony Urasenke Foundation Seattle Branch (206) 324-1483 2360 43rd Ave East, #113, Seattle Other Japanese Abacus Math School (503) 520-1063 15188 NW Central Drive #219, Portland

Euro-Japanese style cakes & pastries

I

f you are tired of overly sweet cakes, you should give Euro-Japanese style desserts a try.

Cakes and pastries made by Japanese bakers are usually light and have a subtle sweetness. It is a persuading argument that you do not need tons of butter and sugar to make desserts taste good. Fuji Bakery located on 1520 145th in Bellevue offers Euro-Japanese style cake and bread fresh from their kitchen. The eggs they use are cage-free and most ingredients are all-natural and organic. They use imported high-quality flour from Japan to craft their cakes and bread in order to create a fine texture. Since they opened their doors in summer 2009, this small place has been very popular among Japanese patrons in Bellevue. ou can also find other places to enjoy Japanese-style sweets. In downtown Bellevue, a new specialty cake store, Fumie’s Gold (10045 NE 1st Street), recently opened. Hiroki’s (2224 N 56th) in Wallingford produces their signature green tea tiramisu. At Panama Cafe (607 S Main Street) in the International District, they serve organic cakes and cookies by Setsuko Pastry. In Mukilteo, Euro-Japanese restaurant Café Soleil (9999 Harbour Place) serves home-made French-style flan. All are not too Bread with a Japanese flair uses edamame or Japanese pickles for a sweet, but they will still fulfill your sweet tooth urge. distinct, delicious taste.

Marron cake at Fuji Bakery. Round cakes are also available to order.

Y

Organic brioche with Swiss chocolate is a popular item at Fuji Bakery.. www.ibukimagazine.com 19

>> LIFESTYLE

TRAVEL

Exploring Kanazawa and Takayama

By Steve Corless

© Y.Shimizu/© JNTO

© Y.Shimizu / JNTO

A farmhouse at Shirakawago, located between Takayama and Kanazawa

I

f your travel itinerary allows more than 10 days to explore Japan, consider a side trip to the city of Kanazawa and surrounding towns and villages. Kanazawa is located on the Sea of Japan and is the prefecture’s capitol city. During the Edo Period (1603-1867) the city was a political and cultural center rivaling Kyoto. Today, the city boasts well-preserved neighborhoods, world-class museums and gardens, and retains its position as one of the country’s centers of traditional art and culture.

I recommend at least three or four days to explore Kanazawa and the environs. One itinerary route I recommend for clients

20 息吹 ibuki • January / February 2010

traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto is to travel to Kanazawa from Nagoya with a night in Takayama and a visit to Shirakawago.

The scenic journey to Takayama on the Hida Express train winds through narrow mountain valleys, arriving in less than three hours. Takayama is a smaller city nestled in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture with a well-preserved Old Town of wooden shops and homes. It’s worthy of a leisurely afternoon strolling through the town’s narrow streets. Hida Folk Village is a short bus or taxi ride from Takayama Station and includes an open-air museum with 30 traditional minka thatched room farmhouses

from the surrounding Hida region. Takayama’s Old Town neighborhood and the Hida Folk Village give the visitor a taste of Japan’s village and country life of years past. The town has many ryokan inns to complete the experience.

Shirakawago, located between Takayama and Kanazawa, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and, although not accessible by train, is a must-see. The majestic farmhouses, dating back as much as 250 years, are a testament to Japanese traditional craftsmanship and architectural beauty.

T

he city of Kanazawa’s best-known attraction is Kenrokuen gardens, often cited as one of Japan’s top landscape gardens.

Kanazawa, like Kyoto, was spared wartime damage. The town retains its original character. Visit the Nagamachi former samurai district, the chaya teahouse neighborhood and Ninja-dera, a temple equipped with secret doors and traps. The newly built 21st Century Museum of Modern Art is a world-class museum near Kenrokuen and is an enjoyable experience even for those unfamiliar with modern art.

© Kanazawa City / JNTO

Cherry blossoms in Kenrokuen Garden

Kanazawa’s artisans and craftsmen are renowned for their traditional works, including ceramics and lacquerware. One of the most beautiful examples of this is kaga maki-e, or Japanese lacquer sprinkled with gold powder. Some local artists in the city open their studios to visitors and offer a personal demonstration of their craft, one of many rich experiences that are unique to this special part of Japan.

Steve Corless is an independent travel consultant

based in Seattle. Steve spent 15 years in Japan working in sales and marketing and as a US foreign service officer in Tokyo and Osaka. He lives in Lynnwood with his wife and daughter.

Ask Steve about Japan Travel!

Do you have questions about traveling in Japan? Please send your questions to info@ibukimagazine.com.

He will answer your questions in future columns.

© Kanazawa City / JNTO

Nagamachi former samurai district See P.2 for More Travel Advertisements

www.ibukimagazine.com 21

fuwa fuwa (shunyata series) Oil on Canvas 2009 72x48 © Junko Yamamoto

ART

Junko Yamamoto

by English Cartier

THE VISUAL DENOUEMENT IS THE RICH HIDDEN LAYERS OF RASPBERRY, escaping to the surface

just enough to bring level contrast to the overall palette. This month Ibuki magazine introduces the artwork of Junko Yamamoto. Japanese artist Yamamoto is perhaps not as well-known as she ought to be. Her paintings are as colorful as a euphoric dream. SAM Gallery Seattle has been displaying her works for over 10 years. She has had exhibitions at IMA Gallery Seattle, ec-gallery Chicago, Frank 22 息吹 ibuki • January / February 2010

Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House in Ohio, J-Trip Art Gallery Tokyo and numerous galleries around the world. Born in Tokyo and now residing in Seattle, Yamamoto still has memories of painting from the age of three. Having the desire to study abroad, Junko moved to the US and went on to graduate cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle in 1999. In 1998 Junko had her first exhibition at Theatre off Jackson in Seattle’s International District.

Her current line of paintings is based on

what she describes as “shunyata,” the Sanskrit word for “emptiness.” She enjoys playing around with the concept of what is empty and what is full. It carries over into the way she uses layers in her art. “For example, the first layer on the surface will usually be hidden deep below other features of the design,” she says. “But I like to reveal hidden pockets of this layer that show up on the surface.” Shunyata has become the backbone of her portfolio work. While painting, Junko draws on her childhood memories, saying, “Growing up in Japan, I was surrounded

Journey (shunyata Sereis) 2008 Oil on Canvas 84x84 © Junko Yamamoto

piu piu (shunyata series) 2009 Oil on canvas 48x48 © Junko Yamamoto

It’s time (shunyata Series) Oil on Canvas 2008 48x48 © Junko Yamamoto

puwa puwa (shunyata series) Oil on Canvas 2008 48x48 © Junko Yamamoto

by Japanese cartoons and pop culture. I recall wearing pretty, brightly colored kimonos as a little girl…that is very nostalgic for me, I connect with it and it inspires me.” This inspiration is very obvious in her work. Junko’s abstract art straddles Japanese pop culture while remaining distinctly separated from the crowd. Her shunyata series, which may become her life’s work, is a beautiful collection that revels in opulent decorative detail.

Her latest works can be seen at: City Centre Alexis Hotel SAM gallery Gallery IMA

1420 5TH Ave Ste 450 Seattle, WA 1007 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 1220 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 123 South Jackson St, Seattle, WA

Info: www.junkoyamamoto.com www.ibukimagazine.com 23

>>Bilingual LIFESTYLEComic

Series

24 息吹 ibuki • January / February 2010 Winter 2009

New bilingual comic series by enfu starts in Ibuki!

Elly:

Puri:

Elly wears her feelings on her shirt, as it reflects her true state. She is a happy-go-lucky little girl who lives life handling cultural differences. Her wild imagination allows her to have harmless superpowers.

Her normal rest state is a jelly octopus, but Puri has no qualms shape shifting and changing color on a whim. Puri is immune to physical pain but is sensitive to emotional pain.

www.ibukimagazine.com 25

Lifestyle

MOVIES FASHION PLACES & MORE

By Julian Waters

MOVIES Kabei: Our Mother

Kabei: Our Mother is a drama set in the 1940s directed by veteran Japanese filmmaker Yoji Yamada. Professor Shigeru (played

by Mitsugoro Bando) expresses his views on the war and invasion of China. He is accused of being a communist and thrown in jail. With Shigeru out of the house, life suddenly changes for his wife Kayo (played by Sayuri Yoshinaga), who works exhaustively to maintain the household and care for her two daughters. The film serves up emotion as Kayo is determined to keep her household in tact.

Meanwhile her father ,a conservative police man, disapproves of her husband and cruelly lets her know. Part of the movie’s success is a result of the interaction between Kayo and a former male student of her husband (Tadanobu Asano).

Photos © KABEI-Our Mother Film Partners.

MUSIC Misia JUST BALLADE Misia is a female Japanese singer that is a pleasure to listen to. If you are lucky enough to see her at one of her many performances in Japan, you will not be disappointed and will not forget her. Standing about 5’1 with her trademark dreadlocks, she has a strong soulful voice. She discovered her five-octave singing voice while attending her older sister’s private music lessons. The rest is history.

In December she released her latest CD, JUST BALLADE, which is also available in limited edition CD and DVD versions. The single “Aitakude Ima” is lifted from her latest album and is destined to capture listeners’ hearts. Released Photo © Rhythmedia inc. in Japan on November 18, “Aitakude Ima” is a beautiful song revealing a powerful voice on par with American singer Mariah Carey. Her latest album is proving nothing less than an outstanding success. Because this CD has only been out in Japan for a few weeks, you may not find it here in the US yet, but you should be able to order it from Kinokuniya bookstore located inside Uwajimaya supermarket.

FOOD TREND Tokyo tops Paris for Michelin three-star restaurants Tokyo leaped to the top of the food chain after Michelin named it the city with the most three-star restaurants. The latest Michelin guide awarded 11 restaurants in Tokyo the elusive three star rating. Just 10 Paris eateries received three stars. Some of the winners in Tokyo were not pleased by the results. Some chefs did not want to be in the Michelin book.

Several of the Japanese three-star restaurants are small, privately owned and managed by owner-operator chefs. A few of the winners told Ibuki that the response has been too overwhelming, making it extremely difficult to manage reservations and handle the increased demand. Two-thirds of the 197 restaurants that Michelin selected from the 160,000 restaurants 26 息吹 ibuki • January / February 2010

in Tokyo serve Japanese cuisine, with the remaining serving French, Italian, Chinese, Spanish or a fusion of Japanese and European cuisine. Three-star restaurants in Tokyo awarded “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey” are : Esaki (Classic Japanese/Aoyama), Ishikawa (Classic Japanese/Kagurazaka), Joel Robuchon (French/Ebisu), Kanda (Japanese/Azabu), Koju (Japanese/Ginza), L’Osier (French/Ginza), Quintessence (French/Shirogane), Sushi Mizutani (Sushi/Ginza), Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten (Sushi/Ginza) / Sushi Saito (Sushi/Akasaka) and Yukimura (Classic Japanese/Azabu). *restaurant name (genre/area)

PLACE Home Sweet Home : Reversible Destiny Lofts — Mitaka, Tokyo

Photos © Masataka Nakano

Designed by Shusaku Arakawa + Madeline Gins, the apartment complex in the Tokyo suburb of Mitaka is like no other. Resembling something out of a Disney film, these are real-life residences that can be leased short or long term. This unusual architecture is titled “Reversible Destiny Lofts

MITAKA -In Memory of Helen Keller-.”

The designers believe people should be in an environment that “stimulates their senses and invigorates their lives.” They stress “particularly older people shouldn’t sit back, which makes them decline. They should live in an environment that can

boost immunity and increase longevity.”

In fact the house looks quite restless, with a dizzying array of colors, uneven floors, inconvenient placement of furniture, irregularly shaped walls, a transparent bathroom wall and more. Most people expect a relaxing and comfortable place at home, but that is not what you get here. Based on the pictures of the design, living at these lofts looks like a nonstop active experience. When visiting, wear some comfortable rubber-soled shoes. If you are looking for a fun and unusual place to call home, this loft may be for you.

Tours of the apartments are given to the public .They are available to lease for about $1,000 a week. info: www.architectural-body.com/mitaka

FASHION Garconshinois The one thing you can count on with Japanese fashion is that new designers are constantly influencing the latest styles. Upand-coming Tokyo designer Shin, who has created the label garconshinois, is turning heads with his high-quality Japanese-made fashions. Upon reviewing Shin’s latest line, two things immediately jumped out at me: his line looked extremely comfortable and very up to date. I caught up to Shin

Photos © Garconshinois

shortly after he finished Tokyo Fashion Week. When asked about how he was able to achieve an almost cashmere look to his coats, Shin had this to say: “The material is 100% wool and it is very comfortable to touch and wear. We use the finest strings from wool of baby lambs. I aimed to make it so soft that a baby can sleep in it without itching his skin.” Shin designed his 2009-2010 fall/winter collection using the theme “planet earth.” The materials, color

and print design are all inspired by nature.

The garconshinos line is currently available in Japan and Russia and will become available in London this year. Quantity is limited. Shin’s garconshinos line is produced in small lots using the highest quality manufacturing process. Shin’s brand is sure to carve out a niche with his inspiring high-quality line.

Info: http://www.garconshinois.com www.ibukimagazine.com 27

Local News and Events EVENTS Celebrate Asia at Benaroya Hall, Home of Seattle Symphony

Snow Falling on Cedars Stage play at Portland Center Stage

Celebration of Seattle’s Asian community

Suspense in the Japanese American community

When: Jan 22 6:30pmWhere: Benaroya Hall, 200 University St, Seattle Admission: Tickets start at $20

When: Jan 12 to Feb 7 Where: Portland Center Stage, 128 NW Eleventh Ave, Portland Admission: $15-$50

Celebrate Asia is a gala evening of Asian and Western symphonic music performed by six Asian cultures (Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indian, Vietnamese, Filipino), conductor Carolyn Kuan and two soloists, Chuanyun Li and Bo Li. A post-concert performance will be hosted by One World Taiko.

Info: www.celebrateasia.org

Sean Hogan Speaks on Japanese and Asian Plants at Portland Japanese Garden Horticulture event at Japanese Garden When: Jan 28 5:30pmWhere: Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston, Portland Admission: $10-$15 Sean Hogan, author of Trees for All Seasons: Broadleaved Evergreens for Temperate Climates, will address Japanese and Asian plants in his January lecture. He is a frequent contributor to horticultural journals such as Rock Garden Quarterly and Pacific Horticulture.

NEWS Ikebana classes begin at Fleurish Studio

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asuko Akamine, owner of The Little Flower Station and certified ikebana floral designer, began teaching bi-weekly ikebana classes at Fleurish Floral Studio located at 1308 East Union Street, Seattle. Students will learn about the basic principles of ikebana. A class schedule is available at www.thelittleflowerstation. com.

Based on the book by Northwesterner David Guterson and adapted for the stage by Kevin McKeon. The story takes place in 1954, north of Puget Sound, on an island so isolated that no one who lives there can afford to make enemies. But when Kabuo Miyamoto is charged with murder, the community’s secrets emerge one by one.

Info: www.pcs.org/snow

Wood-fired ceramics exhibition at Kobo Ceramics artist John Dix visits from Kobe When: Reception Feb 13, Exhibition Jan 1 - Feb 28 Where: Kobo @ Higo, 814 E Roy, Seattle Admission: Free John Dix is a Bizen-trained ceramics artist living in Kobe, Japan. His woodfired ceramics will be exhibited at Kobo in January and February. On February 13th, he will visit Kobo to celebrate his exhibition.

Info: www.koboseattle.com

Akira Kurosawa movies at SIFF Cinema The Seven Samurai, Stray Dog and more When: Feb 5 -15 Where: SIFF Cinema, 321 Mercer Street, Seattle Admission: $10 General Admission Internationally famous director Akira Kurosawa’s masterpieces, Stray Dog, The Bad Sleep Well, High and Low, The Hidden Fortress, and The Seven Samurai will be on screen at SIFF Cinema.

Info: www.siff.net

Yellow Terror: Exhibition at Wing Luke The Collections of Roger Shimomura When: On display through April 18 Where: Wing Luke Asian Museum, 719 South King St, Seattle Admission: $12.95/adult for Museum admission The collections of Seattle-born Japanese American artist, Roger Shimomura is currently on exhibition at Wing Luck Asian Museum in International District. Info: www.wingluke.org www.ibukimagazine.com 29

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NEWLY OPENED 2AM — Bellevue (Restaurant & Karaoke) Pan Asian dining experience. New restaurant 2AM has a beautifully finished interior with private karaoke rooms, large-screen HD video/ audio system in the bar area. Open until 2am. Located at 14603 NE 20th St # 4, Bellevue, WA 98007 Tel: (425) 643-1888

Blue C Sushi 7th Avenue— Downtown Seattle

Sushi Joa — Mercer Island

A New Blue C Sushi location in the heart of Seattle. Their sushi is now also available at Whole Foods in downtown Seattle. Located at 1510 7th Ave Seattle, WA 98101 Tel: (206) 467-4022

New restaurant Sushi Joa in Mercer Island is located a few blocks off of I-90, making it easily accessible for Mercer Island residents as well as those passing through. Designed with a modern theme, Sushi Joa is nicely appointed with a hand-made wooden sushi bar and tables. On the menu, you will notice the sushi as well as lunch and dinner combination meals are very well priced. The $9.95 sushi deluxe bento and the kamikaze roll have quickly become popular choices for Mercer Island residents. Sushi Joa serves a large variety of dishes including sushi, sashimi, sushi rolls, tempura, gyoza, chirashi, udon, ramen, yakisoba, curry, katsu, bulgogi and many other mouth watering dishes. They also have vegetarian dishes to choose from. As expected, they stock several varieties of beer and saké. Sushi Joa has many daily specials, such as 1/2 off house saké Mondays, Family Day free kids bento Wednesdays and half-priced beer Fridays. With their diverse menu, fresh sushi and cold beer, Sushi Joa has something for everyone.

Bush Garden — Portland Bush Garden recently completed a major remodel of their restaurant in late October and is now open and ready for business. Located at 900 Southwest Morrison St, Portland, OR 97205 Tel: (503) 226-7181

Hanabi’s Izakaya Bistro & Bar — Beaverton Mother & daughter owned izakaya in Beaverton, OR. Hanabi’s Izakaya (formerly Maiko’s) has been updated and is now a modern upscale izakaya-style bar and bistro with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Located at 10053 SW Nimbus Ave., Beaverton, OR 97008 Tel: (503) 646-1986

Marinepolis Sushi Land — Puyallup Marinepolis opens new sushi restaurant in Puyallup, bringing the chain’s store count to 12.

Located at 4301 S Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98373.

Tel: (253) 604-0066

Setsuna Japanese Restaurant — Northgate Reasonably priced Japanese restaurant with hearty servings and a vast selection of side dishes. Located at 11204 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98125. Tel: (206) 417-3175

Groups and Associations Gathering for Minority & Expatriate Professional Women This is a series of gatherings for minority & expat women to share, learn and support each other. They invite female speakers for each gathering and have a networking reception with wine and cheese.

Contact: info@cciplanning.com

30 息吹 ibuki • January / February 2010

2717 78th Ave SE Mercer Island, WA 98040 Tel: (206) 230-4120

Is there a Japanese related news story or event you would like to share?

Drop us a line: info@ibukimagazine.com

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Zojirushi The Neuro Fuzzy® Rice Cooker & Warmer One person can win a high-quality Japanese rice cooker from Zojirushi. The Neuro Fuzzy® Rice Cooker & Warmer features advanced Neuro Fuzzy® logic technology, which allows the rice cooker to “think” for itself and make fine adjustments to temperature and heating time to cook perfect rice every time. The spherical inner cooking pan and heating system allows the heat to distribute evenly and cook rice perfectly. It also features different settings for cooking white rice, sushi rice, brown rice and porridge. This is the rice cooker to own for authentic Japanese cooking!

*One entry per household/name/email. To be qualified to enter you must include your name, address and telephone number for winner notification purposes. A name will be drawn at random and will be notified via email. The rice maker will be shipped to the winner in March.

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NEXT ISSUE

Coming March 10th

Look for our March/April issue distributed at Sakura-Con and the Japan Cultural Festival as well as most fine Japanese restaurants, stores and schools.

NABE OTAKU UMESHU GINZA MAIKO IZAKAYA RAMEN PONZU DASHI MANGA www.ibukimagazine.com 31

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32 息吹 ibuki • January / February 2010