Cult Party

My friend’s Immersible Cult got 2 years anniversary and had

an end of the year party.  Especially they organized “Tokyo Dream”

party this year which was even featured in the Evening Standard

ES magazine, the party got quite few Japanese guests as well.

Free meals and drinks — though, they were completely vegetarian 

= boiled alive potatoes, skinned alive carrot etc etc.

= not much mercy for them.   🙂

In fact the guests are the staffs or the freelance artists who has been

involved into those projects etc = worked together, familiar faces.

Still, I do necessary know every faces neither who was doing what.

(In this time, those fuzzy photos were taken by a homemade

So-called Gaudy Lens — though some of them were out of focus)

Then the attraction started = Japanese singing/performing group

Frank Chickens. (Started here as the female Ninja !)

But, I’m not sure what are they doing.  🙂

The singers group Frank Chickens started 70s —–

and now having some new and young members.

(and even Irish and Polish men as well)

They sound something Rockefeller Building — ?

Don’t ask me what.  🙂

Then the party went into a dancing conclusion.

And so on, so on ~ ~ ~ till early morning.

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F&M Xmas Window 2015 (A)

Yes it’s the season to see one of my favorite subject = Xmas

show-windows.   And they are the Xmas window of the

Fortnum & Masons. (It’s an annual customs. Sir.)   🙂

(And for me, to shoot them, it’s the annual custom too.)

And on this post, they are rather ordinary kind of the photos.

(In my standard)   😀

I mean ordinary = By widely available Lens in normal shot.

= no artificial lighting or stage up = Just clicked straight photos.

If you think it’s looks a bit strange — don’t blame me. 

Blame F&M for their crazy decoration.  And if you click, 

a fish-eye lens, it naturally produces this kind of image

= It’s normal nothing special.

I think I took the pictures of the same man on the door so

many times = every year he is in the same place.

(And he might be thinking too, Gosh, that photographer again.)  😀

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New Year’s Card 2016

So, It’s the season again.   🙂     2016 is a year of Monkey !

The card samples here are from Japan Post and they are free to

download for personal use.

In their original site you can see lots lots more design though, you need

Japanese reading still, you can try click and find what’s there.

Some of the cards  showed the pattern of　申 it is in fact the

letter of monkey.  Normally, we (Japanese) use the letter  猿　

for the monkey, but Chinese use the  猴  for the monkey.

Still, only to say the Year of Monkey  we use  申  for monkey.

Don’t ask me why, it’s the ancient 4000 years tradition.

🙂  🙂  🙂

Those Links also provide Free Design Templates.

They are reputed, trouble-free good site.  = Worth visiting.  🙂

http://cp.c-ij.com/en/categories/CAT-ST01-0016/index.html  — (Canon)

http://www.designbank-nenga.com/

http://nengarank.com/html/index.html

http://www.wanpagu.com/top_illustration.html

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Not heal by Buddhism ? ! 仏道からの癒し－－－それともコーヒー？

彼岸寺といふ仏教サイトに面白い事が書かれていました。浄土宗の日下と言う僧侶が書いたもの

だそうですが，彼は何故か仏道に癒しが感じられない　－－－むしろ一杯のコーヒーや家族に

癒されるとのこと。浄土宗では教えないのかも知れませんが元々の

釈尊の教えは「無私」ですからそもそもコーヒーを愛でる己れ，家族に愛着した己れどころか

対象としての仏教なるもの自体が存在しない。

－－－という現象を学ぶ為に仏教では延々と続く勤行を繰返し，それを無意識，無感情でする

（無私無心）訓練をする。＝無私無心でちゃんと生活が成り立つ　＝では誰が生きているのか？

＝　それが法　／　ダルマであるのです。

己れにしがみつきながら，どこか彼方から　癒しが得られるのでは，と期待するのは

お門違いでは？？？

* * * *

In one of the Buddhist’s site “Higan-dera” in Japan, a monk called Kenyu Kusaka

wrote a short essay saying that he noticed that he is not feeling the heal from

Buddhism, but from coffee !  He was a Pure-land sect monk, so that expecting him

to have the understanding of what Buddhism IS, might be too much to ask.

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The core of the teachings of

Lord Buddha was, First, there IS no such thing like SELF (Atman) exists. 

And to learn this truth, the followers practiced long repeated practice

until they could do it automatically (= without thinking) and without emotion

(= no-emotion / not having a feeling of SELF = hence realize No Existent of the Self )   

Without knowing this teachings, the monk may still thinking that there IS the

subject called Buddhism and a person who is learning it.

No such things there or anywhere = if only a person doing the practice and the life

without having the SELF, what prevailed there IS the Dharma.

(= if the person IS NOT there, who is living there = That IS very Dharma)

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But a monk like Kusaka, clinging his SELF and attached to his family AND a cup of

COFFEE, Buddhism is too remote, yet wanting to feel a healing ?  What he is asking ?

There is a big irony, —– as long as the person asking, never given, as long as

the person looking for, never find. = The EGO of want push the goal away.

___/\___

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Rice-rice

In comparison to the potato, price difference of the rice is much wider,

especially if we count the price of the Japanese rice in Japan.  There is no

secret that the Japanese eating the best rice in the world, swallowing the most

expensive price comes with it.  (If you are interested in to know how much the

price over there, you can look into the list. (though, they are in Japanese) )

Photo above Left, is one of the most expensive,  among the expensive

Japanese rice,  “Kosihikari” I paid £3 for this 500g bag here in London.  

Still, even in Japan, people expecting to pay for this rice £20~£25 for 10Kg.

To get Japanese rice over here, the price would be doubled = so that, the

Californian rice grower found the market in Japanese residents here and

sell their “Japanese variety rice” 10Kg for £25 price (with huge profit). 

So that, to buy Californian rice was a bit of luxury if not a status symbol.  

While, Japanese food, Sushi etc becoming a fashion, the sale of Sushi-rice

became a competitive market.  Now, even a Californian rice was sold less

than £20 for 10Kg. (photo middle) and even Chinese started to grow

Japanese rice and selling as “Sushi-rice” £15 in Chinese shop (Photo right)

but, I found the quality was pretty low — if not Cadmium contaminated.

(It is a well known story, Chinese don’t eat Chinese rice if they can afford.)

And the Chinese Supermarket does know the situation, so, they are selling

a Spanish grown Japanese rice, or Italian grown one both about £12 for

10Kg.  (Second Photo, middle and right)

—– I found Italian was a bit better even though their naming “Shinode” (got

to be “Hinode”) was too funny.  Still, taste and the texture wasn’t too bad.    🙂

In fact, the Japanese rice grown outside of Japan, they didn’t make so much

difference = the way how it was cooked makes more difference.  So that,

the cheaper the better and find the best way to cook is more important.

(I mean, if not using automatic electric cooker.)

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Tofu-Tofu

Since last time when I’ve talked about how I was annoyed by the Chinese Tofu,

I didn’t have any Tofu cooking —– it has been completely disappeared from

my mind. (Same as like when I stopped to touch woman or smoking, or even

just stopped to go particular club or shop.)   A funny thing was, that Tofu has

been in my fridge, thus, seeing it everyday all through those period.   Though,

I didn’t even think about to chuck it away.  It was not exists in the world.   🙂

So, I don’t know why I got an idea to buy it again and make a particular

cooking. (That cooking will appear in this blog soon.)  

And for that, I did a special shopping at a Japanese food shop.  (Then

I noticed that the Japanese Tofu (though, they were made in USA) having

pretty long shelf life = enlarge the photo above to see each “sell by date” )

(Those Tofu I bought, were either made by Morinaga or House = both are

pretty big company thus, least likely do any cheating while taking a risk.)

—– And, I show you “That Tofu” after 7 months. (Photo above Right) =

looks quite edible if not poisonous.   Japanese Tofu sold in a Japanese

food shop is twice more expensive, therefore I never bought them before

—– but there is no alternative left to me. 

( And I’m not such keen to make a Tofu from the Soybean.  😀 )

And I didn’t know that the Japanese Tofu is having up-to 6 (six) different

grade of firmness ! = how civilized, how sophisticated !

= almost obsessive Japanese over quality !    😀

* * * * * * *

Incidentally, a feedback for eating “Japanese Tofu” first time was, — I’m

not necessary like Boxed Morinaga one. Their texture is artificially smooth =

almost plastically. —– I rather like to have more natural-food like uneven

texture = like the one, made by the House Food.

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Tokyo Dream Party

Somewhat coinciding with a Japan Matsuri, there was a Japan themed

extravaganza in a member’s club somewhere in the Mayfair, London.

It was organized by my friends, stage designers and a good coincidence,

it was a day, happen to be my birthday.

So, it was a great occasion to have a fun for the day — even if it was

not organized for me still, as those people are my longstanding friends,  

they sang “Happy birthday to you~” altogether = What an evening !

(but no birthday cake —– I wouldn’t ask too much.  Ha ha ha ) 

All those performers, musicians are the Japanese and sang Japanese song.  

Organizers are the party people = wearing Sushi jacket (mind you, none of

genuine Japanese Sushi restaurant people wearing Sushi Kimono. = such

crazy things happens only in this country.  lol ) 

And number of so-called Cos-ple (Anime costume player) girls.

They supposed to be Kawaii (cute) — are they ? — (I’m not sure.)

They said to be the Ninja. = it’s mean Kunoichi. (female Ninja)

Though, I wasn’t convinced.  They must be the comedian.

(BTW, the name Kunoichi came from the each element of

the letter 女(woman) く=ku，ノ=no，ー=ichi．They (said to have) 

used a Honey Trap as well, as a weapon. — How exciting ! )

MMM ? Who ?  80s Japanese group, Frank Chickens ?

And, another (are they ?)— anyhow I don’t know the song. ( I’m 浦島太郎ね）

They are the very sexy performers. = supposed to be the Taiko drummer.

Drumming well, though I’m not sure of the jumping flesh.

Then, here comes so-called Yuru-chara — kind of stuffed toy / Mascot.

Organizer brought an automatic bending machine — this one sells

many sorts of pants / knickers. (for women — but not necessary.)  

It could be a great opportunity for a solemn faced gentleman to explore 

the taste without facing a shop assistant or giveaway a personal data to

a net shopping. —– still, are you sure no hidden camera watching ?

And Puri-cla  (Print club) = Photo machine with a lots of fun collage.

= a fun for the Japanese teens and a fun for the English grown-ups.

So, it was a good fun and the pleasure to be in an extravaganza,

which made a day for my celebration. = (Sure — now I feel older !  Ha ha ha)

(And this is my 800th post.)

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Japan Matsuri 2015

It was a Japan Matsuri = Annual Festival today at Trafalgar Square Central London.  

There said to be a performance of Taiko Drumming though, before I got there.

(and long after I left = 7 o’clock evening)  The weather was fine — in fact too fine.  🙂

Normally not, but I did come this time with a hunch to bump somebody

— and surely I did.

Why “normally I wouldn’t” was that because, I’m not so sociable person to the

general public, likewise, I don’t do any SNS.   Yet still, I have many friends

— though some of them, not seen so many years. ~ ~ ~ then, bump

the person in this kind of event. —– And I did today.

So-called Matsuri = Fest’ and its stage show seemed to be so and so

— or I would rather say, shabby. (No karaoke please.  lol)

(Photo by 500mm F8 Mirror lens)

May be the most typical JAPANESE phenomenon

= manga drawing panel (Photo left)

And Origami tuition / demonstration (Photo middle)

Surprisingly, Blush Calligraphy was pretty popular. 

Somebody was selling Kaki-goori /Ice Flappe (?) — What ! ?  £5 — Oh Com’n.

Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuke stricken Fukushima people was selling noodles.

— ?    I couldn’t find what was the connection.  (Photo right)   lol

And Fukushima shop soled me their local rice (Koshihikari) 500g Sample  for £3 = !

(Which was sold in Japan 10Kg for £18) = may be a support donation included !)

In fact Quite a lot of food stall. (Photo left) = Bento / Lunch box = £10 — what ?

I don’t know what was “that” in the Photo middle.  Photo right = Takoyaki. 

      The visitor must be noticed that the very peculiar things in this Fest’ = 

other than the food stall, there is almost nothing else = no stall of campaign,

such as Eco, Green issue, no appeal for Help / Donation even for recent flood.

No appeal of voluntary / community activity group. = In fact, this was not for

the japanese community = therefore, more than half (even 60~70%) of the

visitors were non Japanese. = so that, very few Japanese Cos’Ple girls there.

Among the Japanese, there must be very strong feeling of the Peace Issue now

which has been triggered by the recent change of the Diffence law.

—– But such movement has been completely hidden-away, because Japanese

establishment is far busier against the threat from the Chinese expansionism.

It is so funny to see a difference. Chinese is brandishing their military might and

Japanese is pretending to talk about the taste of a noodle. The timid dog barks.

—– So that, the funny irony was, Chinese couldn’t broadcast their military parade

without the Sony or Panasonic equipment NOR their military system doesn’t

function at all without relying on the Japanese components. lol.

Nevertheless, it was a nice day-out for me.

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OMG ! Is this Japanese Heavy Metal ? — No, it’s Baby Metal Sir.

Three Vocals of the Baby Metal = Yuimetal, Su-Metal, Mormetal. (16 years old)

(Screen shot photos from — http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2056265/?anc=015)

Past six months or a year so, the name Baby Metal often came to my ears.

Though, my only thought was, It’s a good name for a band = Without using 

any ferocious word, the sarcasm is far more stronger.  —– Yet I didn’t know

they are a Japanese Girls’ band.     When I saw a Japanese news saying that

Baby Metal is going to have a concert in the Wenbury Alena ( 2nd April 2016 ),

I started to wonder what’s the sound like ? = I clicked Youtube links.

Wao ! This is the genuine article.  (Very rare to see among the Japanese staff)

—– Of course, it is a mix of Japanese Kawaii staff in a guise of Heavy Metal, 

still, the impressive instruments, guitar, drum — its danceable rhythm, sound, 

pretty good. (—– the visualization too !)

— And this is the more joky exotic staff (for export to the west)  🙂

( Still, the marriage of Japanese Taiko rhythm and the Techno beat created

quite a drive = my kind of the speed ! )

—– Only a thing I dread about Heavy Metal is, = the long-haired audience

dance = head-banging = the smell of their hair is the hell !    😀  😀

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Chinese Fake Egg !

Well, this is about the Fake Egg, made and

sold in China.

＜中国食品＞初公開！

ニセ卵の製造過程が明らかに―河南省

配信日時：2007年8月14日(火) 16時21分

画像ID 80430

写真を大きなサイズで！

13日、中国河南省鄭州市のメディアにより、鄭州市内の市場で、化学薬品や食品添加物で作られた

ニセ卵が販売されていると伝えられた。

2007年8月13日、カメラマンは、ニセ卵を製造する業者をよく知る人物Aさんとの接触に成功した。

Aさんは、今までベールに包まれていたニセ卵の製造過程を明らかにした。

A さんは説明を交えながら、カメラの前で実際に作ってくれた。Aさんの話によると、このニセ卵は

10年前から中国東北地方で製造を始め、3～4年前から杭 州・香港などでも販売されるように

なったという。数年前からニセ卵が発見され、取締りが行われたが、いまだニセ卵の流通は後を

絶たない。卵は安価で、なぜ コストをかけてまでニセ卵を作るのか、中国の人々も理解できないという。

Aさんは、ニセ卵製造に熟練している業者は1日一人で1000個以上作ることができ、コストは本物の

卵の10分の1で、卸販売価格は本物の2分の 1。業者にとってはコストパフォーマンスがよい。

ニセ卵は普通の卵と一見変わらないが、ゆで卵にして食べるとゴムのような食感で卵の味はしないという。

このニセ卵は、主に褐藻に含まれる多糖類の一種で、ミョウバンやゼラチン、でんぷんなども使われる

食物繊維の一つであるアルギン酸ナトリウムが主 原料である。卵の殻は炭酸カルシウム製としている。

中国の専門家達は、こうした材料を使った食品を長く摂取すると、記憶力が減退したり、認知症などの

症状 を招く可能性もあると注意を呼びかけている。（翻訳・編集/YO）

———————–

The original article = http://www.recordchina.co.jp/a10497.html

The fake Eggs has been known to be sold in china many years.  And I’ve

been wondering how it was made ? = at last, I found the report how it was made.

It seems this report was made by a Chinese reporter who met a man who

demonstrated to make Fake Eggs.—– According to the article, the Egg was made by

Aga aga jerry from the seaweed, with other ingredients, and the shell was made by lime.  

The most amazing things were, they were so well made and the people has been buying

them without noticing the fake —– until they were cooked. (taste was not the Egg)

To find the way to make it and perfected the product —– isn’t this genius ?

It seems, this ingenuity was parallel to the way how Chinese invented the Acupuncture. 

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