Culture: April 2003 Archives

I found this web page about 2 years ago. It has captured my imagination for some reason. I guess I have a yearning to take a long walk around an island. It would defenatly give me some time to think about things as well as where I want to go in this one life that we all have.

It seems to me that it would be a luxery these days to be able to take this long spiritual walk, or hike if you would rather see it that way. Either way you see it, the journey is going to last for 1300 Kilometer or 808 miles believe it or not! I don't know about you, but my knees might be a little weak to take this kind of treatment. Oh I forgot, this is about letting go of the pain and suffering that we are all caught up in.

Don Weiss, the author and henro, (pilgrim or 遍路) made this journey twice, once in the winter and once in the spring. It is traditional to walk the around the island by one's self in the winter and with a companion in the spring.

I have read in many places that most Westerners can not eat umeboshi. I however love these sour little red tasty treats. They are especially tasty in the morning with my gohan.

Marco Mancini

After doing a little 'netsurfing, as my wife says, I ran across this site that has some cool receipes and info on how to make your own umeboshi. If I had access to some ume I certainly would try to make my own choya. Oh whatch out for the engrish.

Umeboshi is also made using the red shiso plant. The red shiso is alos a tasty and healthy topping for rice. It also contains a lot of salt that is left over in the bottom of the shaker for some reason. Well anyways, please try it next time you have white Japanese rice!

You know when you have been missing Japanese resturants when you feel the need to see a representation of the item that you are ordering here in the states. I don't know that number of times that I have wondered what I was really ordering. I think resturants here should take the clue and get onboard with the plastic food. Check out Kristen's Japan: Video Saturdays. Kristen is really going all out with the videos on her blog. I am now feeling like I need to keep up with the Jones!