#nabe training

[nevermeyers]

Epilogue - CB4

Mikey

At 27, I'm a racer and my buddy is Kenchin! I dreamed of riding a motorcycle all the time. But my biggest dream was for Emma to have a good husband. Emma and Kenchin will soon have a child. And I asked them to put “万(man)” in the name, but they objected saying it’s lame. Does that mean they have thought my name was lame?

Hakkai

Taka-chan and my brother often go out together. They seem to get along very well. I don't like that they don't let me join. I like both of brothers but it pisses me off that neither of them are interested in me.

On the day of my birthday I came home and there was a strange smell like things had rotted and there were my brother, Yuzuha and Taka-chan. Apparently my brother and Yuzuha, who have never cooked before, asked him how to make a birthday cake and they made it for me. It tasted so bad but I was so happy and I cried because I could feel everyone's love.

Baji

Mansaku asks me to train children at the dojo sometimes. Mikey is not good at teaching others because he is a genius, so he prefers me to teach them. Teaching karate to kids is a nice change of pace from all the studying I usually do. Becoming a veterinarian is a difficult dream for me because I'm not very smart.

Sometimes when I feel like falling apart, sweating here helps me get my mind in order and I feel like I can try again. It’s my second home.

Takemichi

Now, at the age of 26, I'm an assistant director, working towards my dream of becoming a film director. Every day I do chores. Hina makes me box lunch every day. Every morning she sends me off with a "good luck" message. When I come home depressed, she joins me for evening drink and listens to me complain. I'm a lucky man.

Chifuyu

Baji and kazutora who don’t have much money always come to my house for dinner after work. It's almost like a freeloader behavior. But I can't ignore them because one of the reasons is that I don't give them much pay.

When I cooked for the first time, I was so frustrated they said it didn’t have much taste and it burnt, so I bought a lot of recipe books. Now my cooking skills are at a professional level. These days I look forward to when they come to my house.

Mitsuya

As a fashion designer, I launched the brand 'Mitsuya Takashi.' Among my assistants is Yasuda, who was vice president of the handicraft club in junior high school. Surprisingly Yasuda married Peh-yan, with whom she had been dogging him, last year. I often listen to her complaints after work. He still clings to Pah-chin even though they are married.

Draken

Mr. and Mrs. Hanagaki live downstairs from where Emma and I live. Takemichi cries to me, "Emma is at our house every day, and even though we are newlyweds, we can't be alone with Hina." Today, the four of us ate nabe together again.

source

[soraarchives]

yukimura x reader

you find him cooking

0.7k words

You know how Yukimura is. He and tact never go along together. What can be expected of Yukimura is bare minimum in everyday life, lots of training and strong survival instincts. Yet when you found him in the kitchen it came across as a shock to you.

"You made this?"

"What, you don't believe me?" The evidence spoke for itself. Vegetable scraps, a knife on the countertop, some pots which he also cleaned after using and no one else in sight. It's clear as day he was the one who made it.

"No, it's just that... You and cooking isn't something I can imagine."

"Feel free not to have it then," he takes on a sulky tone at your hopelessness of him. He starts walking with a food tray in his hand, his dish sitting on top.

"No, wait. I want to have it." There's a hurry in your voice, afraid he may take his dish away because you're sceptical of his cooking. You start following him and end up at your shared room where he has set up the tray and is ready to have his meal. You settle down beside him taking a good look at him and then his creation.

It isn't gourmet-style cooking. Doesn't seem basic as well. Home cook level? Yeah, that's the way to put it.

You take the chopsticks and pick up the first bite slowly lifting it towards your mouth, your eyes analyzing the bite. Yukimura's gaze, too, is on you. Though you notice neither his stare nor the intensity with which he's staring.

He had made houtou nabe. Various vegetables sat along with flat noodles in a miso flavoured broth. If it were anyone else, they would've taken the effort to plate the vegetables in a more presentable or appetizing way, placed the spring onions in the centre, and the radishes, carrots and such in an array. It seemed as if he added the cooked vegetables blindly to the soup and noodles.

Enough with how it looks. A better job could've been done with the plating but it didn't look so bad. It looked as if someone had made it in a hurry, or without a care in Yuki's case, and that is fine.

With the first bite came the aroma of the stewed vegetables, the broth, and other condiments which he had used for flavouring. You take the first bite and immediately acknowledge how good it is. A hum escapes you along with a nod and Yuki knows that you love it.

"Not that bad, is it now?" He says with a smirk now but you know he was anxious about what would you say of his skills.

"How did you manage to cook something so good?" Not only are you surprised he made something you're more so surprised it tastes so good. It isn't as good as something Masamune would make but it is delicious.

"Don't talk as if it was a fluke I made something tasty." He heaved a sigh. "I know how to cook."

"You indeed do." You take another bite of his nabe smiling at how good it is.

"I've never seen you cook though. When did you learn to cook?" Your curiosity tumbles out of you.

"It was long back. It's a necessary skill to have during wars. You have to look out for yourself and all that." That's a typical Yukimura answer you're satisfied with it.

You almost spoke while the bite was still in your mouth. "And how did you decide on making something today?"

"Figured we could have something special once in a while."

Your face lights up at that. "Does that mean you'll cook often?"

"Look at you so impressed by my cooking. And here I thought you were sceptical of me being in the kitchen. Want me to cook for you from now on?" He has a smirk playing along on his lips. He is getting back to you for all your questions from before.

"I'm not impressed or anything." You suppress the blush on your face. The idea of him cooking for you has butterflies flying in your stomach.

He swiftly takes your chopsticks from you before diving in for a bite of his own. His actions catch you off guard. "Is that the reason why half of this bowl is empty?"

Damn him for noticing. You think he's gonna take the next bite for himself but he ends up feeding it you. That suppressed blush has furiously made its way back now. He sees his victory in that and offers his smile.

"No need to be shy. I won't mind cooking for you."

a/n: it was a spur of the moment kind of thing that i started writing this. i don't remember whether it was someone's route or a bonus story where yuki and mitsunari are cooking together and yuki gets in charge because mitsunari is clumsy. it was mentioned then that yuki can cook and personally i was surprised at that. i'm happy with how this turned out

[kharmii]

Geten: It's impossible to beat a ten-year-old game like this. I see you've been doing it - Netgamer. It's handled.

(Caption: WASD movement. I can't! Only)

Dabi: ...... I've just been floating around at home. It's all about me. I've always been training on PCs.

Geten: -Because the meta ability burns the waiting. It seemed he was bored.

Dabi: Anyway, you're normal.

(Caption: A gift from Ibonoito Ride.)

Dabi: Kacho's. I'll suck it.

(Arrow pointing at Dabi): I just don't have the motivation to do it, but I'm a college graduate living alone and I can do housework normally.

(Arrow pointing at Geten): With the exception of his meta abilities, he has kindergarten level life skills.

(Caption: Re-Destro Nabe Pot, Detonerat Year-End Party Participation Award)

Geten: SWEET DEATH.

You can't pour the soup directly into the bowl of somen noodles that everyone will be eating together. Don't monopolize it all.

Since Geten was referred to as a "boy", we can assume that he was around 18-15. Since Dabi was 24, when he was 18 Geten would have been around 12-19 years old!!!

(Maybe they're talking about how old Geten was when Dabi was 13-year-old Touya before the accident.)

Caption reads: Loss of light and numbness in another world line (where Touya never self-emolates to become Dabi?)

Art credit: hrak (yaoi), Dabi, Apocrypha / Twitterログ15【外荼外】 - pixiv

[ichigopanhpff]

TRANSLATION: TR Character Book "Remember You!" Post ending developments

Wakui-sensei only did this for some of the characters in the book.

Note: Translation isn’t 100% and I may take some liberties in translating certain things for a more colloquial approach. Anything in brackets are my personal notes.

Sano “Mikey” Manjiro:

I’m a racer at 27 years old and my partner is Ken-chin! My dream has always been riding bikes, but my number one dream is for Emma find a good husband. Her and Ken-chin’s child will be born soon; I told them to use “Man” [“万” from his own name “Manjiro” (万次郎). The "Man" in his name came from his grandfather's, Sano Mansaku, while the "Shin" in Shinichiro's name came from their dad, Sano Shin.] in their name, but was met with strong opposition from both of them and called it lame. Those guys… I started to wonder whether or not my own name was lame.

Shiba Hakkai:

Taka-chan and my older brother seem to hang out a lot and they didn’t even think to invite me along. I like both my brothers, but it annoys me neither one of them take an interest in me. When I went home for my birthday, something smelled like it was rotting and my big brother, Yuzuha and Taka-chan were all there. It looked like they were trying to make a birthday cake for me, with Taka-chan teaching them. It tasted horrible and I cried from happiness from them trying to express their love.

Baji Keisuke:

Mansaku-san [Mikey’s grandfather] asked me to train and teach at Sano Dojo once in a while. Even though Mikey is a prodigy, he’s terrible at teaching and seems like I’m better at this than him. Immersing myself in teaching kids karate on top of my daily studies became a good change of pace for me. I want to be a veterinarian but I’m not very smart, so it’s a long and distant dream. Whenever I feel frustrated, sweating it out [in the dojo] mentally prepares me to keep doing my best. It’s my second home.

Hanagaki Takemichi:

At 26 years old, I’m currently an assistant director with a dream of becoming a film director. Everyday is an odd job, but Hina makes me a bento everyday. Before I head out every morning, she tells me “Do your best!”. When I come home completely disheartened, she’ll drink with me over dinner while listening to me complain. I’m a very lucky guy.

Matsuno Chifuyu:

Baji-san and Kazutora-kun always comes over to my house to eat since they have no money; it’s almost like extortion. But I can’t raise their wages without a reason and I can’t exactly refuse either. When the 3 of us cooked for the first time, the food was a mess, burnt and tasted thin. After suffering through that, I went out and bought tons of recipe books. Now, I’m cooking for 3 at a pro-level. They’ve recently been coming over, happily waiting for me.

Mitsuya Takashi:

While establishing my fashion brand TAKASHI MITSUYA as a designer, I hired Yasuda-san as my assistant, my assistant manager from the Handicraft Club back in middle school. She somehow married Peh-yan last year, even though their relationship were on bad terms. I hear Yasuda-san grumbling about him often while we’re working. From what I heard, Peh stuck with Pa-chin even after being married.

Ryuguji “Draken” Ken:

Emma and I live on the lower floor in the same apartment complex as Takemitchy and his wife. He came crying to me saying, “Even though we’re newlyweds, Emma-chan’s at my place every day and I can’t be alone with Hina.” The 4 of us are eating nabe [hot pot] together again.

[miceysfandomcreations]

Meet Cute - Ogata Reader Insert, 1k words

Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Post-Canon, Ogata Hyakunosuke Being Ogata Hyakunosuke, Ogata Hyakunosuke Has Emotions, Reader-Insert, you get to bully him a bit, can be read as gen or ship, he's a mess, ogata's fallen from corrupting flagbearers to random nurses he has no relation to

“I killed my mother. Put poison in her nabe. She never noticed anything was wrong, even though she made it every day. First time I killed a human. I was young.”

There the patient went again. Next, he would talk of how he killed his brother, and then his father. Sometimes, he’d add anecdotes of his other crimes. He shot a bound and helpless Russian war prisoner. He tried to kill a young girl after killing her father. The details sometimes changed. He had to strew his father’s intestines across the floor. His father’s intestines spilled out by themselves. His brother marched forward a few steps after getting shot in the head. His brother stood still and looked back when he died.

Otherwise, even after his condition stabilized, he was unresponsive, lips chapped, body prone, one glassy eye blinking up at the hospital ceiling.

No matter how the story went, he was an injured man (the aconite poisoning, broken bones, bullet wound, periods of unconsciousness, and lingering fevers were not pretty), and you were supposed to help injured men. This was not your first time hearing a damning hospital bed confession, and your senior coworkers had heard even more. Every time you were assigned to his room, you kept your head down, did your duties as a nurse, sterilized his room, and spoon-fed him his meals (he refused to eat at first, was threatened with an enema infusion, and relented).

“You’re a nurse. Would setting a murderer out in the world help you sleep at night?” He spoke something other than his macabre confessions.

You stayed silent and prepared his meal, an action that had become a habit that didn’t require much pondering. You’ve gotten rather good at not reacting to anything he said. Maybe that’s why your coworkers tended to leave him, the only patient in his ward in the sparse hospital, to you. He was a solder. 7th Division. The Defenders of Hokkaido. A few members of his division were also in this hospital, scattered among the civilian patients. Soldiers of the 7th have been found scattered in hospitals all over Hokkaido. Rumors of conspiracy abound. Officials may have been bribed, but nothing stopped the curiosity of off-duty nurses. Something about a train and a bear and not being all together in the same place? None of that was your business. You had better things to worry about.

You thought of your grandmother when you fed the soldier soup. She had lost a tooth yesterday. She pulled on it lightly, and it came off. At her death, you would be alone in the world. Could you possibly move into a boarding house? Living in one should be cheaper in the long-term if you did your math right. You would miss your neighbors, but they were getting old. They would likely die right after your grandmother. Would saving up for fake teeth be a viable option? Were fake teeth reusable? You would have to double-check your nursing textbook after your shift.

The soldier grabbed your arm with surprising strength for a man whose entire rib cage poked out against his skin (he could use his arms the entire time? What were you doing spoon-feeding him, then?). “You want me to shut up, don’t you? Feel like grabbing your scissors, and cutting out my vocal cords?” His voice was in that same low, goading tone, but his eyes were lit by a manic glint.

You respond with an unshaken voice. “My responsibilities are to help people, not harm them. I would not do that to you.”

The private considered your words. “Responsibilities as a nurse. Let me ask you this. If I am released, and I kill more people, would you feel guilt that you followed your duties?” His lone eye stared up at you. Soup dribbled down the side of his mouth, threatening to stain the sheets you had spent so much effort changing.

Soldiers. They all thought their stories were unique. He must not know the hospital planned to turn him over to the police after he got better. Asking if you feel guilt, questioning if you feel emotions thanks to your frozen face, you were reminded of your childhood bullies, many of whom had joined the army. You wiped the soup from his face with a napkin and leaned down.

You open your mouth. “What I feel outside the hospital is not under a Private First Class’s purview, sir. I would have already done my duty to help you live. What you do after is your business.”

He frowned. “Superior Private.” He released your arm. His arm flopped back to his side and didn’t move.

“That’s not what your uniform said.” Everything the hospital knew about him was from his uniform. The soldier had kept tight-lipped about himself during the periods he was awake enough for questioning. “The nurses are taking bets on what your name is.”

The soldier stayed silent. You guessed that if you kept talking, he wouldn’t launch into his speech again.

“They have to call you something. There are soldiers downstairs too. Masao’s been a popular guess. So is Ichiro, Tadashi, Hajime–“

“Hajime?”

“It’s a common name.” You shrugged.

“You nurses are chatty.”

“Many of them had served in the Russo-Japanese war. I imagine to them, this hospital is a slow workplace.” You had great admiration for your senior coworkers, who talk of the most grotesque afflictions and conditions with the casualness of unimportant gossip. “Are you going to ask if they feel guilt for gossiping?” You adjusted your nurse’s cap. The fit felt good around your head.

“What about you?” He asked.

“Are you asking about my guess for your name?”

The soldier stared at you, eyebrows lowered. 

“I will answer as if you asked me for my guess about your name. I don’t know. I didn’t bother to speculate. But none of the guesses seem to fit you.” You studied his cold features, sharp from the hospital stay. You wondered what you would name a child if they had his aloof face. “If I had to guess, your name would be lofty, unwieldy, something that asks people to look away from you.”

Something that the people on the street could hear and receive the expectation that they could not be in the same realm as him. Perhaps you were being too cruel. Children could not choose their names. Perhaps his name was an anchor around his neck as he grew up. But what did you know. You had fake teeth to worry about.

The soldier stayed silent. You finish feeding him as well as the rest of your duties. While you updated his patient chart, the soldier muttered something. “My name…”

He paused. His eye wandered around the ceiling; mouth slightly open. “My name…it’s Yamanoue Yoshizo.”

That was obviously not his real name. You raised and eyebrow and made sure he saw it. Still, he gave you a manner of referral, and you would use it.

“Alright Yamanoue, sir. I’ll be seeing you at the same time tomorrow.” You looked forward to sharing the name with your coworkers.

You left the ward and continued with your day, rolling the fake name on your tongue.

[nabeandfriends-archive]

The One-Legged Pirate | @sins-of-the-sea

Putting an obvious target in front of a trained sniper is one thing.

Putting an obvious target in front of a trained sniper with orders to kill is another.

Nabe thinks for a moment, then ejects the chamber, swapping out the current magazine in her Hecate II for a different one.

Eject the first round (she always keeps a blank in them, after all), then carefully line up the shot from her hiding place.

Surely, the detonation from a single explosive round hitting its target won't cause any structural damage.

[factionzero]

My Blorbo's <3 Here's an excerpt from a future chapter about my fave underdogs!

Carne village was a surprising sight to behold.

‘Goblins and humans living together. What a world.’ Lukrut said as he laid under the shade of the tree. The group relaxed in the calm village, enjoying the fresh made bread and some pickled vegetables on top for dinner.

‘Its inspiring.’ Peter says as he watches the goblins train the humans. He had heard the worst of it from the villagers. They had been attacked by other humans, the Slane Theocracy and he gritted his teeth. How could they? How could they do something so barbaric?

It wasn't that surprising coming from the Slane Theocracy. Peter had lived at the border growing up, moving deeper into Re-estize as he’d grown to get away from the hypocrisy and cultish nature of the country.

Now he could see that maybe what the Slane Theocracy would have called sacrilege wasn't so bad? The goblins moved with the villagers, grouping off to talk and laugh, some played with the children as others worked on improving the town through new houses and the large wall they’d passed to get in here.

‘It's very peaceful.’ Dyne says, a hand to the ground. ‘This place is still healing but I can feel a peace in the soil.’ he says and the others nod along with him.

‘Makes you just want to settle down in a town like this… hey maybe Nabe?-’

‘No.’ Peter says, giving him a look over his shoulder sternly.

‘I know this is really nice.’ Ninye says, holding his staff to his chest ‘but what's the use of us in this situation?’ he asks with a tired look and Dyne chuckles.

‘There’ll always be a need for adventurers in some capacity.’ he says wisely and Peter nods.

‘A world where we don't have to fight non-human races? Sounds like more time to look for the swords of darkness to me.’ he says, gazing out over the village. 

As Momon and Nabe rejoined their group it was sunset and the group was allowed to make a camp within the town, they were even given more food for bringing Nphirea and while the village didn't seem to have a lot, they shared what they had.

Peter clears his throat and the others look expectantly at him, looking up in excitement as he chuckles.

‘Alright alright. One song then bed.’ he says and the Swords of Darkness cheer and laugh.

‘A song?’ Momon asks and Peter blushes in his scratched cheeks.

‘I uhm. I'm a pretty good singer and so every night or so we sing and play music, just for entertainment.’ he says and Momon nods along, looking at Ninya who’s cast inventory and reaching inside.

‘Oh you have inventory?’ he asks and he smiles at him as he pulls out a guitar and hands it to Lukrut.

‘Only a small one. But it's better than nothing. I tend to keep this spell a secret, Mr Momon.’ he says with a conspiratorial smile.

He hands a fiddle to Peter and drums to Dyne and for himself a small kalimba that glows slightly.

‘Any requests?’ Peter asks, playing a long note on his fiddle to warm up and Momon shakes his head and relaxes back agAinzt a large rock.

‘None for me. I'm new to the area so dont know many of your songs.’ he says and the others smile and share looks.

‘Then we’ll have to educate you on songs of love and adventure.’ Lukrut sighs out, strumming a few notes to Nabe who winces and gives Momon a side eye, a plea for help maybe that he ignores.

‘Adventuring songs?’ he asks, interest piqued and Peter gives him a wink, playing a few notes and soon the group have started a matching melody.

‘Is the road I walk one of terrors or gold?’ Peter starts and his voice is baritone and smooth, cutting over the soft instrumentals and adding flair to his words as he sings softly along.

‘Shall I walk this path with you to hold, oh darling.’

The night carries on with music to soothe the soul, even Nphirea and Enri join their group to sing along with the folk songs or listen to Peter. The fire burns away, warming his plating and his bones beneath as Momon feels at ease. Enjoying the music.

[marusk]

SUMO player

This is a statue that symbolizes sumo in front of a chanko-nabe restaurant by a former sumo wrestler. Chanko-nabe is regular food for sumo wrestlers in the sumo stable. It is a large pot dish that boils vegetables based on meat and fish in a large pot at a time for a lot of sumo wrestlers who are tired from training. I love chicken chanko nabe.

[southkoreaandjapan]

Hello Japan

June 28, 2023.

Today was a travel day - but it was a short travel day, relatively speaking with a 2 hour flight to Japan - and just like that we were closer to home.

Japan is a LOT bigger than South Korea but Seoul with 25 million people is a lot bigger than Tokyo with 12 million. Both of those cities have more people than live in the entire state of Michigan since we have under 10 million. PHEW!!

Take a look at Japan transposed on Michigan. If you were to start in at the Mackinac Bridge and start driving you would be in Mexico before you got to the end of Japan territory. Surprised? So Japan is 51% bigger in land mass that Michigan but they has 144 MILLION more people that Michigan.

The first day we were here we just moved into our hotel in downtown Tokyo and had a lovely dinner to get to know our new guide, Ken-san. Tokyo feels different than Seoul and is not an vertical.

It is vertical - don't get me wrong - but there are more old "high rise" buildings of 10 - 15 stories and more old with the new. But this is really just a first impression.

Day 2 - June 29, 2023

Today we visited a Suma Wrestling facility. This is NOT a sport that I would EVER seek out - but now that I know more - I have to confess, I am kind of interested. - although NOT even close enough to attend an event. NO EVEN CLOSE!!! We spent an hour with Bungonishiki while he showed us some of his exercises.

He is retired and now trying to keep the sport alive working with youth. He was willing to help us understand this ancient sport. He was a very nice man.

The average match is 7 second - FYI! The wrestlers live in a dorm like setting and eat an enormous amount of calories every day while training several hours.

The top 70 wrestlers earn an very good living and the top make a VERY good living - I'm talking FOUR million dollars a year.

We watched a couple of videos of matches including one with a guy who weighed 600 lbs and I am still trying to figure out how to "UNSEE" that. OMG!!! Later we went to see a Sumo ring. Before your match you fling a little salt to honor the gods. Who is the god of Sumo? you ask. No flipping idea.

This sport is old - it is kinda' like the jousting idiocy for Japan. Each kingdom or shogunate (this might not be the right word) had a bunch of the guys and they would challenge the group from another kingdom./shogunate. Now these guys have sponsors - like McDonalds - and I am not kidding. The grand champion (also not the right word) was sponsored by a Russian yogurt company. The skirt below (again - not the right word ) was the company that sponsored our friend.

On to lunch... We went to this delightful place where we had to remove our shoes - VERY COMMON PRACTICE - and then each of us had a little cast iron pot filled with broth, vegetable and chicken., called "nabe." or "hot pot." The flame will last long enough to cook everything in the pot. I thought the process was pretty cool and the food was delicious. Our little group of 11 were in two different rooms.

Next we took a walk and ended up in a pachinko parlor. I read the book "Pachinko" but I never actually understood what the parlor looked like nor how the game was played. But now I do.

The book was about WAY more than the Pachinko parlor however and we asked Ken-san about the current treatment of Korean heritage people living in Japan and he said it was much better now than before, I'm not sure what "before" covered but during "before" this people - no matter how many generations of their family had lived in Japan had no nationality. They were not permitted to have employment in high esteemed professions and had no voting or passport rights. A Pachinko parlor - because it is a gambling establishment - was considered "dirty" or "unworthy" (probably not the right word but you get the picture.). The Korean heritage people were permitted to work in Pachinko parlors. And although the gambling and the establishments are "dirty" they are used by everyone regardless of heritage.

We wanted to give it a try so Anson tried it and SURPRISE lost my money.

It may have had something to do with not having a clue what he was doing - but let's face it the house always wins.

From there we headed to a Bonsai shop. That entire process is remarkable!

My biggest  surprise was to discover that these trees grow this way "in the wild" on different mountains.  My second surprise was that these tiny and beautiful trees go through the entire season cycle.  For example if you have a bonsai weeping cherry in the spring it will bloom, just like the one in my front yard.  A flowering crabapple will bloom and produce teeny tiny apples.  

Anyway one of the apprentices, who work 6 years, 7 days a week, 12 to 15 hours a day for room, board and training took us on a little tour of the place and showed us some of the techniques used by the gardeners to keep these trees looking beautiful.  

The apprentice referred many times to “my Master” and it creeped me out.  We got to meet his Master and he signed a book about Bonsai that Shannon and Jim purchased.

We discovered that these trees either flow left or right and owner needs to know that so that it can be placed correctly.  If not - a person can ruin the feng shui of the entire home, business or organization. The tree below flows left.

It turns out that the gardener actually “freezes” (again - wrong word) the growth.  An example is that tree that is 800 years old.

See the white wood.  That is dead - but no more of the tree with die provided the caretaker knows what they are doing. Let in it natural habitat the tree would continue to di. These trees are beautiful and very, very pricey.  Not to mention that you better have enough money to hire a gardener to take care of it.  Check out the pic below - clearly they are flowing right. (I'm a quick study!)

We headed back to the hotel but before we knew it it was time to eat - AGAIN.  This time we took a taxi.

Ken-san has told me that he feared this particular meal would be a little “wheat -heavy” so he had purchased a lovely salad for me while everyone else enjoyed the “gluten-FULL” meal.  While it all looked good to me - I can say I did love the salad.

We opted for the subway on the way home and it was a delightful trip - with the exception that many of the stations are not very assessable.  Mark and Jay are both using a cane and have become great buddies scoping out benches together.  They are also both troopers but an escalator or an elevator would be nice.  The subway stations and cars  - like everything here - are immaculate. 

We have a station right by our hotel - so super easy peasy. See...

Still loving Tokyo....

[iciousill]

Hayashi Yuu: 100 Questions (101 actually) Part Two

Brief translation of most of the 100 questions Hayashi Yuu answered in his YT video. Split into 2 posts due to character limit.

Q51 to Q100

51. What would he do if he recognised someone but forgot their name? 'Long time no see! How you doing?' and if he knew someone else from the same company as the other party, try to get the name from the mutual contact.

52. What does he want to do for Christmas? Just chill, eat nabe, eat buri shabu if he's off work that day.

53. What song does he want to sing? A bunch of Vocaloid songs.

54. When bathing, which part does he wash first? Left arm.

55. What kind of character's most fun to act as? Evil characters.

56. Which male seiyuu's singing voice is best? So many, but if he had to pick, Aoi Shouta.

57. If he turned into a woman for 24 hours, what'd he do? Go out in skirts/ feminine clothes, and bathe at the end of the day.

58. How to roll one's tongue? (demo in vid)

59. Which male seiyuu would he date if the other party turned into a woman? (Hatanaka) Tasuku, seems fun to hang out with and is also a nice guy.

60. Which male seiyuu would he marry if the other party turned into a woman? Shimono Hiro, very kind and seems like he's very accepting.

61. What'd he want to be reborn as? Cat.

62. Favourite Japanese candy/ snack (駄菓子)? Guru-guru Monja ぐるぐるもんじゃ.

63. What'd he want to eat on the final day of the world? Karaage made by his mum. Salty and yummy.

64. What's he strictly picky about? (I didn't fully get it, something about not-yummy shoyu ramen and not-yummy mapo tofu)

65. Since when did he aspire to become a seiyuu? From his child actor days. His father won 5m yen in the lottery, he joined Gekidan Himawari when he was 5. He voiced Disney's Bambi when he was in primary 2. He's been doing voice acting even before it became his aspiration.

66. How's he spending the new year? Chill at home, eat crab and nabe.

67. What kind of student was he? A show-off in middle school. During the school sporting event he was a captain, and during the cultural festival he was a conductor.

68. His image/ impression of an adult woman? If she's in her 30s, probably stable in her career, can manage her own standing.

69. Hardest/ most exhausting job? (Yu-no's Arima Takuya (game ver); something about the location? Going up 2-3 storeys for ~3 months for the recording sessions)

70. Would he rather go to the past or the future? Past.

71. A lesson he learnt about singing. When he was 18, how to produce a strong voice using 'open throat'+ body.

72. What does he want to try on YT? Review food, particularly ramen.

73. Celebrity he recently met? Iwai from Haraichi (comedy duo).

74. If his voice could reach the whole world, what'd he want to say? Stop fighting (conflict/wars)! Do your best! Don't give in to COVID!

75. Seiyuu he wants to become friends with? Shirai (Yuusuke).

76. Drunk fails? Talking indiscreetly while drunk.

77. Seiyuu with the strongest personality? Kaneda Tomoko.

78. Has he still been para para dancing since his gyaruo days? (demo in vid)

79. Fun stuff recently? Doing sports with his senpai & kouhai for a TV show.

80. What does he want to be in the future? Voice various characters.

81. Was he popular as a student? His peak was when he received honmei-choco in primary 6. Other than that, he'd never been popular.

82. How often does he go to a hair salon? Once a month.

83. How to easily maintain body shape? Squats and abdominal exercises, doable at home.

84. Most painful injury? Roughly when he was in primary 3, as he opened the door to enter the classroom, a taller girl on the other side suddenly surprised him (?) and he somehow fractured his finger. Finger hurty, plus 'emotional damage' from the surprise so 'double damage'.

85. Impression of Fukuoka? Motsunabe, ramen, hot women.

86. Food he dislikes? Bittergourd and coriander/cilantro. He can eat coriander but he won't enjoy it.

87. Which mimetic (facial expression) muscles does he want to train? The stuff that can let him imitate Jim Carrey's expressions in The Mask.

87 (doubled). School subjects he was good at? (I didn't fully catch it. English & sports?)

88. Any dreams or goals? 100,000 YT subscribers in the next year (vid was one year ago, so he didn't reach it).

89. Hair care products that he uses? Galba Emulsion, which he applies on his wet hair after shampooing.

90. What does he go for at the gym? Something something bench press.

91. How does he relieve anxiety? Face himself in the mirror and go, 'I can do it, I can do it'.

92. Does he cook? Yes. He likes to cook.

93. Which of the 50 Japanese syllables does he like? 'sa' さ.

94. Memorable character song? Yumeiro Cast - Kamigami no Sen'en/ Kamigami no Ikusa Utage (he referred to it as the latter).

95. What'd he reward himself with? Something pricey, like the camera he's been thinking of getting, or a wallet.

96. Airhead moment? He thought his bike went missing and felt sad, then found it parked at the nearest convenience store. It dawned on him that he biked to the convenience store to buy stuff at night but he walked home without it.

97. What does he do on his off days? Edit his YT videos, lie on sofa and watch TV, muscle training, etc.

98. Any fetish? Foot!

99. What pen does he use? Just stuff bought from the 100-yen shop.

100. Something from his Home Alone dubbing period. It was during puberty so his voice was rough. When he did Kevin's scream (I couldn't make out what he was saying :y)

[timetraveltasting]

CHANKO NABE (SUMO WRESTLER SOUP, 1937)

In the midst of planning our upcoming trip to Japan, and with the weather changing from summer to fall, I deemed it necessary to try making this next warm and cozy Tasting History dish: Chanko Nabe. This hearty soup, usually served alongside many bowls of rice, was a common meal for sumo wrestlers during training in the early 20th century. During the Edo Period (1603-1868), sumo became less a way for samurai to train for battle and more of a competition between elite athletes. As this change came to pass, sumo wrestlers started to become known for their large size, a result of eating hearty dishes like Chanko Nabe alongside lots of rice. There is technically no one recipe for Chanko Nabe, as it varies from place to place and can heavily depend on what vegetables are in season. Since a chicken is 'agile and stays on two feet', it is seen as good luck by sumo wrestlers. Therefore, during a sumo tournament, Chanko Nabe is usually made with chicken. This recipe comes from the Chanko Kawasaki Restaurant in Tokyo, from a former sumo wrestler who began making this recipe for the restaurant in 1937. However, the dish can otherwise be made with whatever meat and vegetables are on hand, and can really be customized to your tastes. See Max’s video on how to make the dish here or see the ingredients and process at the end of this post, sourced from his website.

My experience making it:

I strayed a little bit from the stated recipe for this one, partially because the original recipe was meant to be customized and tweaked depending on what's available. I found most of the ingredients I needed at my local Asian supermarket. Instead of chicken legs, I used 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and I decided to omit the chicken livers entirely, because I honestly worried that the texture of cooked liver would ruin an otherwise lovely dish. I followed Max's ingredient list pretty well otherwise, but I omitted the pickled daikon. I couldn't find thinly sliced fried tofu, so I decided to use agedashi tofu-style, fried, cubed tofu, but cut in thin slices. I also only used 1 pack of shirataki noodles, as I often struggle with strange-textured food, and Max exclaims several times about the unique, gelatinous texture of the shirataki.

I first brought the chicken broth to a simmer, then added the dashi powder, mirin, and miso paste. I then added the soy sauce and minced garlic, then let the pot alone to simmer for half an hour. While it simmered, I prepped and chopped my other ingredients. Next I added the chicken, then the carrot, onion, and daikon. After simmering for another 15 minutes, I decided to turn off the heat and ladle the Chanko Nabe into bowls. This is when I added some sliced shiitake mushrooms, sliced agedashi tofu cubes, and chopped Chinese cabbage to each bowl to let those ingredients just lightly cook in the piping hot broth. In previous hotpots I have had, I have preferred lighter ingredients like this not being overcooked, so I thought some light heat off the element would be perfect. This also made it easier to arrange the dish into one that was a bit more pleasing to look at when I served it forth!

My experience tasting it:

My husband and I dug in with our favourite chopsticks (which we brought back from our previous trip to Taiwan) - meals are made all the more special when you can tie them to memories! I first tried some of the broth by itself. It was like a warm hug - savoury flavour that was perfectly balanced filled each and every tastebud! Familiar Japanese ingredients were noticeable - the faint taste of ocean from the dashi, the saltiness from the soy sauce, and the deep and complex flavour of the miso - but the most dominant flavour was the chicken broth. In future, I would consider even slightly upping the amount of soy sauce, dashi, and miso in order to make those notes a little stronger. Next, I tried some of the Chinese cabbage. It was a lovely vessel for the broth and it retained a little crunch while still seeming 'cooked' in terms of its flavour (no raw bitterness). I tried the fried tofu next. Its fried coating and bubbly inner texture had taken in so much of the broth that it was like a flavour bomb as I bit into it! Definitely a highlight in the dish. Now, confession time: I have never tried shiitake mushrooms before. Let's just say they absolutely did not disappoint! Normally, I am not a fan of the texture of mushrooms, but these had such a nice little spice to them that I was willing to overlook their texture. I consider that a success! I'll admit however, that the chicken, though tender enough, was pretty underwhelming and did not seem to absorb the flavours too well. Next time I would use shredded chicken perhaps, or omit the meat element entirely. The dish wouldn't miss it.

Last but not least, I tried the part of the dish I was most hesitant about: the shirataki noodles. They slurped up just like ramen noodles, which was a plus. Despite Max mentioning multiple times how gelatinous they were, I didn't have too much of a problem with their texture. I would describe them more as dense than gelatinous. My only qualm with them was that they were a little hard to chew and break with my teeth. Overall, the Chanko Nabe was enjoyed thoroughly by both my husband and I, and I also enjoyed the leftovers at work the next day. I plan on making it again, for sure! Chanko Nabe was fairly quick to make, and the process was not too complex. I fully intend on playing around with some different ingredients to find my favourite combo, but the ingredients Max used are a great base. We were so full after eating this meal, we definitely felt like sumo wrestlers. If you end up making this dish, if you liked it, or if you changed anything from the original recipe, do let me know!

Harder-to-find ingredients:

Check your local Asian supermarket!

Chanko Nabe (Sumo Wrestler Soup) original recipe (1937)

Sourced from Chanko Kawasaki Restaurant in Tokyo from their 1937 recipe.

Pieces of chicken meat and chicken liver are added to an earthenware pot containing chicken stock. The dish also includes carrots, onions, Chinese cabbage, pieces of fried tofu and shirataki…

Modern Recipe

Based on Chanko Kawasaki Restaurant's recipe (1937) and Max Miller’s version in his Tasting History video.

Ingredients:

6 cups (1.5 L) chicken broth

1 tbsp dashi powder

1/4 cup (60 ml) mirin

2 tbsp white miso

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp minced garlic

4 boneless skinless chicken legs, cut into bite-sized pieces

4 chicken livers, cut into bite-sized pieces

1/2 cup chopped carrot

1/2 cup chopped onion

Chinese or napa cabbage

2 packs of shirataki noodles, drained and rinsed

Several slices abura age (fried thinly sliced tofu)

Fresh and pickled daikon radish

Shiitake mushrooms

Method:

In a large pot over medium-high heat, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Stir in the dashi powder and boil for 1 minute.

Lower the heat to medium and add the mirin and miso. Stir for a few minutes until the miso has completely dissolved and the broth is cloudy.

Stir in the soy sauce and garlic, then simmer for 30 minutes.

Bring the broth to a boil. Add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes.

Add the carrot, onions, daikon, and any vegetables that will take longer to cook. Cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for a few more minutes, (or more, or less, depending on your preference). People will cook it for a long time, a short time, or turn off the heat and let the ingredients just warm up.

For extra authenticity, serve the chanko nabe forth with large quantities of steamed rice.

[nabehotpot]

Popular Types of Nabe Hotpot and Their Ingredients

https://nabehotpot.com/ is a cherished staple in Japanese cuisine, known for its heartwarming and communal nature. This versatile dish features a variety of ingredients simmered together in a flavorful broth, creating a comforting and nutritious meal. In this article, we'll explore the most popular types of nabe hotpot and the unique ingredients that make each one special.

Introduction to Nabe Hotpot

Nabe hotpot refers to the Japanese tradition of cooking ingredients together in a single pot. The word "nabe" means "pot," and this cooking style is designed to be enjoyed communally, with everyone around the table contributing to and partaking in the meal. It's a perfect way to bring people together, especially during the colder months when a hot, steaming pot of deliciousness is most appreciated.

Shabu-Shabu

One of the most well-known types of nabe hotpot is shabu-shabu. This dish is named for the sound made when ingredients are swished through the hot broth.

Ingredients

Thinly Sliced Beef or Pork: The primary protein, cooked briefly by swishing in the broth.

Vegetables: Napa cabbage, spinach, and mushrooms like shiitake and enoki.

Tofu: Adds a soft, creamy texture.

Udon or Glass Noodles: Absorb the flavorful broth.

The broth for shabu-shabu is usually light, often made from kombu (kelp). Dipping sauces such as ponzu (citrus soy sauce) and goma dare (sesame sauce) accompany the dish, enhancing the flavors of the cooked ingredients.

Sukiyaki

Sukiyaki is a sweeter variation of nabe hotpot, typically enjoyed during special occasions.

Ingredients

Thinly Sliced Beef: Cooked in the pot with the other ingredients.

Vegetables: Leeks, shiitake mushrooms, and napa cabbage.

Tofu: Often used in sukiyaki for its ability to soak up the sweet and savory sauce.

Shirataki Noodles: Low-calorie noodles made from konjac yam.

Raw Egg: Used as a dipping sauce for cooked ingredients.

The broth for sukiyaki is a mix of soy sauce, sugar, and mirin, giving it a rich, sweet flavor. The ingredients are simmered in the sauce, creating a harmonious blend of tastes and textures.

Chanko Nabe

Chanko nabe is famously known as the dish of sumo wrestlers. It’s designed to be highly nutritious and calorie-dense to support the intense physical demands of sumo training.

Ingredients

Chicken: Traditionally used as the main protein.

Seafood: Fish, shrimp, and scallops are common additions.

Vegetables: A wide variety including daikon radish, bok choy, and carrots.

Tofu: Adds protein and texture.

Noodles or Rice: Often included to make the meal more filling.

The broth for chanko nabe can vary, but it is usually a dashi-based broth enriched with soy sauce or miso, making it deeply flavorful and nutritious.

Yosenabe

Yosenabe translates to "put-together pot," and it is one of the most flexible and varied types of nabe hotpot.

Ingredients

Mixed Proteins: Chicken, pork, beef, seafood, and tofu can all be included.

Assorted Vegetables: Napa cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, and leeks.

Noodles: Udon or glass noodles are common.

Mochi: Sticky rice cakes for added texture.

The broth for yosenabe is usually a simple dashi base, allowing the flavors of the diverse ingredients to meld together beautifully. This type of nabe hot pot is perfect for using up leftover ingredients and creating a hearty, satisfying meal.

Kimchi Nabe

For those who enjoy a bit of spice, kimchi nabe is a popular choice. This variation infuses the hotpot with the bold, tangy flavors of kimchi.

Ingredients

Pork Belly: The richness of pork belly complements the spicy kimchi.

Kimchi: Fermented cabbage that adds a tangy and spicy kick.

Tofu: Helps balance the spiciness.

Vegetables: Napa cabbage, mushrooms, and green onions.

Noodles: Ramen or udon noodles work well in this hotpot.

The broth for kimchi nabe is typically made with a combination of dashi, kimchi juice, and sometimes gochujang (Korean chili paste) for extra heat. This hotpot is both warming and invigorating, making it perfect for cold days.

Expert Insights on Nabe Hotpot

Culinary experts emphasize the nutritional and social benefits of nabe hotpot. Chef and food writer Yukari Sakamoto explains, "The communal nature of nabe hotpot encourages social interaction and bonding. It’s a dish that brings people together, making it more than just a meal."

Nutritionist Haruko Yamada highlights the health benefits, stating, "A well-balanced nabe hotpot includes a variety of vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates, making it a nutritionally complete meal. It’s also low in fat if prepared with the right ingredients."

Conclusion

Nabe hotpot is a versatile and beloved dish in Japanese cuisine, offering endless possibilities for delicious and nutritious meals. From the delicate flavors of shabu-shabu to the hearty and filling chanko nabe, there is a type of nabe hotpot to suit every palate. By incorporating a diverse range of ingredients and enjoying the communal cooking process, we can appreciate the rich culinary tradition and cultural significance of this wonderful dish.

[risingshine]

"Help me with my training. You seem strong! How'd you get so tough? I'll try out your diet and exercise routine!"

"Oh, I'm not usually this...cut, I think people call it? I usually have a sumo wrestlers regimine ta be honest: alot of physical labor, protien and calories! Best food for that is chanko nabe!"

[japan-korea]

2/26/24 Today, heading to Yokozuna Tonkatsu Dosukoi Tanaka - "This tonkatsu restaurant doubles as a sumo experience centre, where you can get a brief introduction to sumo culture as well as meet some former sumo wrestlers...restaurant is built around a sumo ring.. a dohyo."

After going to a morning practice last year, wanted to try chanko, mainstay food of sumo wrestlers (and wanted to try the "sumo experience" here). [No tournaments while here - Six tournaments held in Japan each year - three in Tokyo in January, May and September"]

"Chanko nabe is the staple food of sumo wrestlers. It is a hot pot dish...many varieties ...contains vegetables, seafood and meat...High concentration of chanko nabe restaurants in the Ryogoku area, many..managed by retired wrestlers"

"Sumo ...Japanese style of wrestling and Japan's national sport... originated in ancient times as a performance to entertain the Shinto deities. Many rituals with religious background, such as the symbolic purification of the ring with salt, are still followed today."

Blurb about morning practice (went last year):

"Perhaps the best way to appreciate sumo besides attending a tournament is to visit a sumo stable to witness a morning practice session. Sumo stables are where the wrestlers live and train together and where all aspects of life, from sleeping and eating to training and free time, are strictly regimented by the stable master. There are about forty stables, all of which are located in the Greater Tokyo Region, especially in Tokyo's Ryogoku district.

However, sumo stables are neither public places nor sightseeing spots. Only a small number of stables accept visits by tourists, and they insist that tourists are accompanied by a person who is fluent in Japanese and closely familiar with the customs of the sumo world. Furthermore, visitors are expected to follow the house rules strictly and not disturb the training session. Expect to sit silently on the floor for two to three hours."

[japanesedoramaandanimelover91]

In today's episode of "1 Oku 3000 Mannin No SHOW Channel".

#amisuzuki and #makigoto (Morning Musume) are travelling on a luxury excursion train for 960,000 yen per person 🚃.

They are very excited about the glittery jewellery! 🤩 Enjoy the scenery of Seto Inland Sea and gourmet meals prepared by a popular local chef on the train 😋😋😋😋 in an elegant manner.

📌Super-super hot SP pots 🍲 found all over the country.

Comic #miyazon finds super cheap ankou nabe!

The programme airs on Saturdays at 21.00 p.m. Japanese time and 13.00 p.m. European time. Don't miss it.

[riku-in-japan]

Day 15 Kamakura

By the time I reached Kamakura I was getting a bit tired, but since I was there, I decided to drop my the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu temple anyway.

As always it was very crowded.

But thankfully the inner part was quite peaceful... Wait, inner part!? Somehow I ended up in a place I did not remember ever seeing before. (Not allowed to take photos.) There was even a museum entrance. Since I was too exhausted from my trip, I didn't feel like going inside, but... I may want to remember it for another time. Whenever that may be.

Exhaustion started taking over, so I decided to make my way over to the station and catch a train back to Tokyo.

Then I finally made good on my promise to try Sukiya's nabe set. It was super delicious! Although I still don't really get what to do with that raw egg. Mixing some off it through my rice works, but... I don't see the appeal of dipping my meat and veggies in raw egg...

My husband didn't join me for dinner, because he'd eaten a big and late lunch and wasn't hungry yet. Oh well...