#one piece osechi

[queenofshipping12]

[shintoinenglish]

Household Festivals in Shinto

Shinto festivals are usually celebrated at shrines. For those who do not live near a shrine, here is my adapted festival calendar. The dates for these festivals may vary due to astronomical or calendrical reasons.

New Year's Day (Oshogatsu):

On New Year's Day, eat and make lucky foods known as Osechi. Some recipes are listed here. Many Japanese people go to a shrine or temple for the first time in the new year, a practice called hatsumode. Instead of this, worshipers abroad could try offering sake at the kamidana.

Setsubun

Setsubun marks the beginning of spring. This is celebrated on either February 3 or 4. The date for Setsubun moves one day every 20 years. On this day, children throw roasted soybeans out the door or at an adult wearing an oni mask and chant "(鬼は外! 福は内!" (Oni go outside, luck come inside!). You can also eat roasted soybeans equivalent in number to your age.

Hinamatsuri

Hinamatsuri is held on March 3 at home by families who often are gifted hina dolls. These are carefully laid out, with votive miniature mochi in front of them. Special lanterns are laid out on both sides. Sometimes there are many dolls to play music and entertain the main couple. The purpose of this holiday is to pray for a good marriage for your daughter. Of course, this is quite heteronormative, but I wanted to include this just in case.

Haru Higan

Haru Higan is usually celebrated around March 20 for seven days. On this day, those with Japanese ancestry can worship their ancestors. Everyone can appreciate the coming warmth of spring as well.

Tanabata

Tanabata is usually celebrated on July 7, though some celebrate it on August 7. This commemorates the day that two literally star-crossed lovers, an oxherd and a weaver, can meet by crossing the Milky Way. If it rains, it is said that the weather prevents them from meeting until the next year. If it is clear, they are able to be reunited. You can write wishes on pieces of paper and hang them on bamboo stalks.

Obon

Obon is a major summer holiday held in honor of ancestors on July 15 or August 15 depending on the family. This one is often more Buddhist-flavored. You can make a small fire (real or symbolic -- and please be mindful of fire safety) as a landmark for your ancestors to find your home. Traditionally, specific altars just for the ancestors who return during Obon are constructed. A common practice is to construct horses and cows out of cucumbers and eggplants, respectively. The method for this is simple -- simply stick toothpicks in for their legs! It is said that this is to make ancestors come faster and leave slower. Bon Odori (Bon Dances) are held where slow traditional songs are played, and locals dance in a circle around a high platform with a drummer on it. This is a time of much fun and games. Fires are also lit at the ancestors' departure.

Tsukimi

Tsukimi is the moon-watching festival held on the eighth month of the lunar calendar on the 15th day. Traditions for this festival include making tsukimi dango (recipe here) and offering them on a sanbo tray by a window. You can also offer seasonal fruits and vegetables, and sprigs of susuki, or pampas grass.

Aki Higan

Aki Higan is the fall festival on September 22 or 23 marking the beginning of fall and cooler seasons in Japan. This is another day for worshiping one's ancestors.

Preparing for the New Year

At the end of the year, get mochi, shimekazari and any other items you need in preparation for the New Year. You may also wish to clean your home at this time.

*I may update this list later!

[chopperisagoat]

One Piece Osechi

All the information about this Osechi you can get from the website below, I’m here just to pour all my excitement because I already fancy Osechi and have a deep desire to try one and THIS ONE PIECE OSECHI is come up. Definetely can not purchase it because this is should be eat immediately. 

welcomed by beloved monster trio. oh hai hello you 3. And yes finally new clothes for Eustass Kid. Feral tulip in Kimono, yes, yes. I’m madly happy Eustass’ fangirl, yesterday saw him doing domestic activity; reading newspaper you can see the art here. AND TODAY EUSTASS KID IN KIMONO. 

Finally new attire for my ugly man. You ugly man in Kimono say thank you to your attire ok, so now you look neat and handsome hehe jk and  I believe you don’t wear any undies. 

I love you big chaotic feral tulip.

I just need this plate in my life, fascinating how Law doesn’t wear his mushroom hat, makes this aesthetically appealing, even more. Good bye hat I don’t like you hehe. 

Luffy’s dish, of course dominated by meat. 

I’M DROOLING HELLO? KID-LAW’S DISHES HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I WANT TO EAT THEM ALL. ok hungry right now. Well Tumblr compressed all these image, gonna figure it out how to fix this later, I’m just happy my thoughts are expressed by this post lol.

If you’re living in Japan you can purchase it here,

 here

 HERE 

AND SHARE IT TO ME LATER ON OK!

 ENJOY YOUR OSECHI

https://onepiece-osechi.com/

[icantbelieveimadeanaccount]

One Piece Osechi 2020

[lovemizumikan]

||One Piece Osechi 2018 - Monkey D. Luffy||

[mastomysowner]

This year's One Piece Osechi (traditional Japanese New Year foods). Kaidou & Yamato hand towels look just great!

[hiyorisarugaki]

@hirako5hinji​ from here:

       In the morning, they rose together from the same futon, put away the bedding, went through the same morning ablutions companionably in the bathroom, and got ready for a new day.

         His presence was requested in the office today, as much as he was loathed to leave the warm covers curled up beside her earlier - and she hadn’t wanted him to go too, burrowed tightly against him just slightly after sunrise, the lone birdsong of a bright red cardinal trilling outside in the wintry, snow covered yard. It would be the last day of office before they closed for New Year’s, so Shinji sucked it up and got ready for work.

         Hair still slightly damp, he padded out barefoot to the bedroom and pulled open his wardrobe, picking out a fresh change of clothes. He shrugged on his shitagi and kosode first; sleekly muscular arms threading through the wide sleeves, left side wrapped over the right - before stepping into the billowing fabric of his hakama and securing the uniform properly with the white front and back sashes of his hakama-himo tied low over lean hips. The white vest was pulled on next; long, deft fingers buttoning up the tailored, well fitting article over his wiry torso with practiced ease.

         Then, he sat down on a nearby stool and beckoned her over, handing her his cravat and clip, waiting patiently for her to put it on for him.

         Hiyori was no longer unfamiliar with the process of putting on his ties and various neck-cloths for him - he had taught her how, after all. Despite her rather rough nature, she was quite handy once she got the hang of it. And it was definitely not the first time he had requested this activity of her. These days, she was the one who picked out his ties and she was the one who put them on for him before he left her place in the mornings, whenever he stayed over the night before.

         A small sliver of blissful, mundane domesticity, but they both relished in it.  

         Shinji watched his girlfriend the whole time she was fiercely concentrated on her task. She was visibly grumpy over his schedule today, as referenced by her glower and sour mumble just after she finished securing the silver slide against the knot of his cravat, and then impulsively, almost angrily, planting a kiss on his cheek before getting ready to scoot off in a snit for the rest of the day.

         Grabbing her before she could flee, he reeled her back onto his lap and nuzzled her neck. She was warm; he would not mind keeping her here all day.

              “ Don’t pout. ” His voice was low, smooth, against her skin as he gently nipped at her clavicle, his tongue flicking briefly over the faint bluish red mark that he had left there the previous evening. His arm curled around her middle as she squirmed against him, securing her so she couldn’t wiggle away like a slippery fish, stilling her so that he could continue to plant slow, leisurely kisses along the column of her throat, her jaw, her freckled cheeks, her mouth.

         He pressed kisses on her until he was very sure that he had imprinted his affection emphatically all over her, until he was very sure that she would have enough of him on her to think about for the rest of the day.

         Then, he finally released her, but it didn’t seem to him like she was in a hurry to jet off anymore. He nosed her ear, murmuring.

              “ Come find me at lunchtime; we’ll go out ‘ta Rukon for eats. Be good - I’ll try ‘ta finish work earlier and then we can go play, ‘kay? ”

After they had spent Christmas in the world of the living, she had agreed to spend the New Year with him. They would share the first shrine visit of the year together- just the two of them. And she had promised him Osechi. She was actually looking forward to doing it for him.

It had been a special time. The two lovers were beginning to learn how to celebrate occasions together, instead of going through the motions. She had learned what it felt like to be courted – actually courted! He introduced her as his girlfriend whenever he met people he knew without a hint of hesitation or embarrassment. Despite the cold weather, her fingers always tingled with warmth as his larger hand seemed to casually find her smaller one. Like it had always belonged there. It had felt like she had been living someone else’s life so far. Someone who had a nice boyfriend that would dress them up and shower them with compliments and took care of them like they were the most precious and beloved thing they had ever known. The type of boyfriend who could not stop touching them whenever they had moments alone together. He looked at her sometimes like maybe she was magic.

She had lived with Shinji for over a hundred years. She knew the time he got up, the times he was agitated, the way he liked gohan with egg, the way he liked his coffee… she knew almost everything about him. And yet, it was a whole other experience rolling out of the same futon, disentangling herself from his warm limbs and wondering why she found it increasingly difficult to leave him. She was beginning to find herself within the paragraphs of Shinji’s world again. To find herself at his side… and knew how difficult it would be once the holiday period ended.

Hiyori watched her lover’s elegant form draped in his uniform for the day. He had just finished fastening the sash when she headed over to take the cravat from his hands - a beautiful, soft fabric piece to match the silken vest he had selected. She knotted it with little trouble and then slid a gleaming pin to secure it in place. She was annoyed that he was working today, especially when he had said he had these days off… but duty called. She was scowling at him the whole time, until she kissed him. And even if she was prepared to sulk for the rest day, privately missing him and not telling him about it… Shinji knew. He actually pulled her upon his lap, securing her in place so that she wouldn’t just slip away.

“Oi! Let go, hage!” She grumbled, tugging on his arms and ready to wave her arms about like windmills and push him off her. Shinji was smarter though, he had already managed to keep her secured around the middle and nosed her throat, breathing hot, slow puffs of breath over her neck before lavishing his tongue across the bites he had left previously. She felt a white, hot lance of pleasure pool somewhere between her legs and moaned as his tongue roamed against the column of her neck. Hiyori felt, rather than saw, his lips smirk almost triumphantly at coaxing this reaction out of her. She was certainly not keen to run away now- - and instead was running her fingers across his hair, returning his ardent kisses with her own, playful nips. Her arms left his hair and she embraced him underneath his haori, content to stay beside him all day.

Of course, that wasn’t possible.

Hiyori was a little dazed when he eventually let go of her, cheeks pink and eyes unfocused she blinked. “Oi… I’m always good. But fine I’ll find ya at lunchtime. Don’t work too hard tryin’a pretend ‘ta look like a slacker.”

Oh yeah. She was on to him.

However, she did offer him a kiss on the other cheek this time. Her lips lingered briefly over his cheek and then she eventually got up.

“Shinji... I- - have a good day.”

[docholligay]

Life as a Grab Bag

A release from the patreon vaults for New Year! 

Rachelle's commission request this month was "Rei and Mina doing the Japanese New Year traditon of fukubukuro after a hard year" After doing research on this, I found myself intensely jealous that this isn't a US thing, because tag urself I'm Rei. I hope you enjoy! Thank you so very much for all your support.

“You know, every year I say I can’t believe this shit, and yet, every year, here we are.” Minako complained, but it may as well have been to the air, for all that Rei was listening to her. “And every year I’m misled to think doing something on New Year’s means something other than standing in line for 5 hours for a bag of crap.”

Rei whirled around in line. “Listen, the savings on these fukubukuro are fantastic.” She opened a large piece of paper, her eyebrows knit in concentration as she looked down, “And then we’ll go stand over at the department store--they’re staggered, so as soon as we get this bag, we’ll head over,” she nodded with determination, “and then, tomorrow morning--”

“What about food, rest….libations?” Mina shook her head, already knowing the answer.

“Mina, this is once a year.”

“God, do I envy Haruka right now. Even if she is with Squidward” Mina looked up at the sky, as if opening up a general request to any deity that might care to listen.

Rei gave her a scowl.

“I’m joking.” She crossed her arms and gave Rei a smile. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be than a sidewalk, waiting.”

Rei had always been rather serious about her New Year’s bags, but this year her focus had taken a chilling seriousness, a lean and hungry look in her eye, the same as when she shot her arrow at an enemy. It was a unique blend of annoying, terrifying, and a little alluring, if Mina was being entirely honest.

The line moved ahead roughly three inches.

Rei whirled around. “See? Moving right now.” She tossed her head confidently. “You’ll see, just wait until we open them, I bet I’ll get a fur coat and then you’ll be forced to eat. Your. words.”

“Much as it does not surprise me to hear your dreams of being swathed in beaver,” Rei shot her a look, which she ignored, “you know no one ever gets those big prizes they advertise.”

“Just wait until I have my own company. I’m going to get those luxury fukubukuro, you know, from the big stores? The more you spend, usually the more savings you get per yen--you know, the higher end bags offer an average 67% real savings, while the lower--”

“Oh my god Rei.” Mina buried her head in her hands.

“--bags only offer something like 20% savings.” She tossed her hair back, near bragging over a victory she had not yet achieved. “I’ll win a vacation, or something like that, in one of those. I’ll be rewarded for all my hard work. It’s fate. You’ll see.”

“I’m not sure I believe in that kind of stuff anymore.” It was offered not as a judgment and not as a jibe, but as a simple fact, and it left them both quiet for a moment before Mina recovered. “You know, I’ve done enough of these and got screwed, I mean. I didn’t even bother getting on this year.”

And it was true enough that the year did not need to assist in Mina’s general sourness--between Rei’s constant and as yet unproven assurance that this year would be her year (it was, Mina loved to remind her, never quite her year), and Mina’s many times getting fukubukuro filled with lip balm and colored cellophane, and not much else, she was not predisposed to love New Year’s anyhow. That the grab bag of this year had turned up a net loss did nothing to soothe her, although perhaps, she thought fairly, even the best year of her life would have only resulted in more lip balm.

“Well,” Rei tossed her head authoritatively, “I know I’m excited. Oh, look, the line is moving again!”

They scooted ahead 6 inches.

__

There was a certain kind of pageantry that Rei took to these things, her bags all stacked up, ready for opening, waiting for her willing (or not) audience. The girls nibbled at their food as Rei cackled over the savings she’d won over.

Rei unwrapped her treasures, giving special attention to the cost savings of each one, cross-indexing websites to prove it. It was annoying in the way Rei always could be about money, and yet, with that, there was a comfort in it, that, despite the difficulty of the year, some things hadn’t changed, and never would. Mako still cooked in the kitchen. Rei still pinched a penny til it bled. There was hope in that, in the way there was in each sunrise, that no matter what, life continued, and they all continued along with it.

“The value of this bag ALONE is 4000 yen, and it was only 500” Rei nodded at the entire room as if teaching them an important lesson. “That’s a huge value.”

Mako laughed, wondering how it was that Rei ever got to know what a kitchen item was worth, and the warmth of it filled the room.

“Are you sure you want that stand mixer?” She tried not to show what a win it was, although Rei must know, there was nothing about savings that Rei didn’t know. “It’s just gonna take up space in your place, but I’d take it off of you.”

Rei looked at the large box. “I don’t know, I’ve been thinking about getting into baking…”

“Rei, I’ve had enough harrowing experiences this year.” Mina smirked at her from the couch.

Rei scowled. “I’ll have you know that I could learn to cook, especially with this,” she waved her hand over her winnings, “amazing and very valuable set of supplies that I’ve amassed.”

“Okay, okay, Rei,” Mako cracked her knuckles playfully, “What do you want?”

Rei’s eyes sparkled, alive with the glory of the deal. “I think a month’s worth of dinners is being extremely generous of me. For all this.”

“A week, tops, but I’ll throw in lunches.” Mako tried to look disinterested, but Rei was too shrewd, too quick, and too dogged for Mako’s will.

“Two weeks!” She held her fingers high, “and you throw in dessert with the lunches.”

Whether Rei actually wanted dessert was up in the air, but then, that was hardly the point of the exercise.

Mako shrugged and looked longingly at the stand mixer. “Fine.”

“Okay.” Rei frowned a little, disappointed that Mako had abandoned the game so quickly, and looked over at the pile of cosmetics. “Mina--”

“Forget it, Rei.” Mina moved toward the back of the apartment, looking for something.

Ami had a stack of books in front of her, her hand drifting over the covers, trying to decide which she wanted to delve into first.

“It looks like you did really well, Ami!” Rei beamed proudly. “What would you estimate your percentage saved was?”

“Oh this wasn’t a fukubukuro,” she looked almost apologetic, “I just bought these from the bookstore near my house, as a New Year’s gift to myself.”

Rei looked at her with a sort of shocked and disapproving wordlessness.

Ami blushed. “I used my membership card?”

Rei sighed heavily, but was interrupted by the sound of Mina setting something down with a small but decisive thump.

There was a simple wrapped fukubukuro on the table, indicating it came from the hobby store on the other end of town, and Mina sat down in front of it wordlessly.

“You got a bag, Mina? I didn’t think you were doing this.”

“It’s Haruka’s.” It settled over the room, echoing off the walls, and Mina could not stop herself from looking up at the photo on the wall from she and Michiru’s wedding, all smiles and warmth.

Rei put her hands on her hips, her mouth running. “How the hell did she get a bag for New Year’s, I mean she--um.” She stopped herself, suddenly realizing that everyone knew the end of the sentence, and the pain that lay behind it.

Usagi’s lip quivered, Mako’s arms crossed over her chest,

“Yeah, she had it preordered. Even though every year she thought she got ripped off,” She gave a huff, “Guess I’m not the only one who never learned from New Year’s.”

She opened the top of the bag, the crackle of each movement popping through the air and

She pulled out a handful of banded together nickel train tracks. “Haruka always talked about getting into model trains. She had a box of this stuff in the closet, just in case,” She looked back out to the girls, “but remember that year she got nothing but Roman warships and some army men, and some paint she already had? She was so pissed, I think she spent the rest of the day eating everyone’s osechi and pouting.”

Rei sat down next to her. “Michiru told her she could,” Rei smiled weakly and curled her hand in the air, her voice affected and haughty. “Buy you anything you care to have, Haruka.’”

Mina laughed, and popped her palm onto the table, “THAT’S NOT THE POINT, MICHIRU.’ You were right, buddy, your shitty luck was always the point.”

She took the last thing out of the bag, a large box with curled red writing on the front.

“A 1939 Jaguar. She’d have loved that.”

The girls stood around the table, looking down at the table, a small detail paintbrush rolling away toward the edge, almost falling until Usagi caught it and turned it over in her hand.

“I think we should build it.” Usagi spoke for the first time, and it was only then that Mina realized the strange quietness of the room as she’d opened the bag. The feeling of the room had been so oppressively loud that she had paid no mind to the actual lack of sound. Usagi let a tear fall from her cheek, but she did not sob. Not now. Now she was determined. “You still have her stuff, don’t you?”

Mina nodded. She could see it there, taking up space but somehow impossible for her to get rid of, years of hobby supplies and car kits that would never be made, placed in the back of her closet, hoping to be forgotten.

Rei put a hand on her shoulder. “We don’t have to.” She seemed to remember herself, suddenly. “I mean, we have plenty of other things to do today, we don’t need to sit around and--”

“No.” Mina looked up at her. “I think it’s a good idea. I think she’d like it.”

Usagi opened the box and studied the plans carefully, as if Haruka’s knowledge could be transferred to her by sheer force of will. Mina walked back to the bedroom, and opened the closet door.

It was a strange thing, she reflected, what we take and what we leave when someone dies. Why this box, of all the things? They had never made a car together, she’d never so much as sat and watched as Haruka worked on her models-it was a mostly solitary hobby by its very nature, and for Haruka it had been unusually quiet and contemplative, and not what most people would have defined her by. The leather jacket Mina now wore from time to time, a few coins from the last time they’d gone to the arcade together, those things seemed more natural and no one questioned them.

And yet this box was the thing she clung to the most tightly.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” The voice was so unusually kind that it took her a moment to recognize it as Rei’s.

She began to unload some of the paint and glue out of the box. “Yeah. I think I do.” She looked up at Rei. “help me carry this?”

“I’ll help you carry it all.”

__

Meanwhile, in the Ginza district, a pre-ordered fukubukuro as a gift for Rei Hino sat, waiting to be sent out. The card was signed, M. Kaioh.  

[carryforthtradition]

“Osechi” - Japanese New Year Food

A Happy New Year!

I did something against my creed of “Back to Basics” (i.e. to live on local food in harmony with nature) for this New Year celebration… and ordered Japanese New Year food from London!

WASO is offering to deliver this special New Year meal across the UK for the first time. For someone who lives on the tip of the southwest in the UK, this offer was well worth it. A deeply frozen wooden box arrived on 22nd December. The instructions say to defrost it 24 hours prior to eating. (This blog isn’t sponsored by them!)

To match this elaborate meal arriving from London, I dug out some Japanese artefacts tracing back to my great grandfather who was a vegetable oil merchant in Niigata, Japan. It also brought back unexpected memories from my childhood.

Japanese New Year food is called O-sechi. The word “sechi” seemed to be derived from “setsu” or the change of the season, based on the ancient Chinese calendar.

The wooden box I received was divided into nine, and different dishes were squeezed into each compartment. Let me highlight the contents three divisions at a time.

From Left to Right

Simmered Shrimp；Miso Marinated Yellowtail；Simmered Chicken and Root Vegetables

（海老の艶煮；ハマチの西京焼き；筑前煮）

Herring Roe/Simmered Octopus and Mooli Daikon；Sliced Duck Loin/Burdock Root with Sweet Soy and Sesame；Black Beans/Chestnuts and Mashed Sweet Potato

（数の子/蛸と大根のやわらか煮；鴨ロース/たたきごぼう；黒豆/栗きんとん）

Candied Dried Sardines/White and Red Fish Cake；Simmered Abalone/Kombu Kelp Rolls；Ikura Salon Roe

（田作り/紅白蒲鉾；鮑のやわらか煮/昆布巻き；いくら）

Jubako (Piled boxes)

The wooden box turned out to be the right size to fit into a lacquered jubako. Jubako （重箱）literally means piled boxes and traditionally these boxes are packed with New Year food. The Jubako I inherited from my mother’s side of the family has five boxes. (It became too large to be kept in a small house in Tokyo, so they gave them to me as a belated wedding present.) I was told that women in the household work hard to fill up these boxes just before the New Year, so that they don’t have to work at all for the first three days of the New Year. Sticky rice (mochi 餅) is also pounded and cut into small pieces. They are very handy because you can just grill them or put them in soups. No serious cooking is involved!

Salmon Roe

Salmon Roe （いくら）is a delicacy the Japanese people treasure. However, while living in the UK, I have stopped eating raw food altogether so I thought I should cook this Japanese delicacy. Then I remembered cooked salmon roe was called Toto Mame (which literally means “fish beans”) in my mother’s side of the family. When we had a family gathering at my grandparents’ house in Tokyo on New Year’s Day, we enjoyed a special soup full of vegetables and bits of salmon, sprinkled with Toto Mame. I used to like nibbling the cooked roe in my grandmother’s kitchen. The soup is called Noppe Jiru.

Noppe Jiru (Noppe Soup)

I did a quick internet search on this soup. Niigata is on the northern side of Japan full of snow. People used to make it in a large quantity and kept it in snow (like a fridge). When the snow was too heavy for people to go outside, they just defrosted Noppe jiru to eat. The origin of the word Noppe is not clear, but it refers to cooked vegetables with starch. My grandmother used Taro Potatoes (里芋) which made the whole soup starchy. I suddenly remembered that I had jotted down her recipes before I left Japan for good. I magically found that note… sorry it is all in Japanese, but here it is.

I had never attempted to try this recipe in Cornwall, as the ingredients are unavailable. However, in the middle of holiday, I had an urge to try out my grandmother’s recipe! I had potatoes, carrots and Shiitake mushrooms at home; and white and red fish cakes（紅白蒲鉾）, mangetout （絹さや）and salmon roe （いくら） here in the Osechi box!

I boiled the salmon roe until it changed colour. I tested one in my mouth, and my childhood memory flooded out. Just as well, I have decided to serve this dish in a special bowl we used to use on New Year’s Day at my grandparents. (I was given those bowls because they were decorated with gold, which makes it unusable in a microwave… )

There is no pounded rice cake (mochi), so the meal is served with brown rice. I never thought eating something like this is possible in Cornwall.

The special Osechi pack from London helped me to remember my grandmother’s recipe. On the other side of the Earth, tradition has been carried on in a humble way. May the World fill up with genuine traditional cultures!

[zorobinkiss]

One Piece - Osechi Group - Chopper & Robin & Zoro - My edit

[blacksunradiance]

Nurarihyon no Mago Character CD Series # 6:<Special Drama> How do you use this? (これらは何に使うのか?, Korera ha nan ni tsukau no ka?)

Summary: When Rikuo forgets his lunch, Gozu and Mezu are given the task to give it to him, but Mezu wants to explore this human school...

Translation was a commission done by @kairosity!

Translation below.

Special Drama: What do you use these for?

(school bell rings) Gozumaru: Geez. “Take this lunch box to him”? We’re not some errand boys for the head house. Right, Mezumaru? Mezumaru: Well, don’t pay it too much mind, Gozumaru. Since we’ve come all the way out here, why don’t we take the chance to have some fun at this human school – Gozumaru: No, we won’t. Why the heck is this place so big, anyway? It’s hard enough trying to find Rikuo as it is, for crying out loud. Mezumaru: I wonder where he is. Gozumaru: Argh. We won’t get anywhere just wandering around outside. Let’s head on in. (sound of shutter door closing) Gozumaru: What is this place… Mezumaru: It’s kind of dark. And there’s a bunch of stuff here scattered all over. Gozumaru: “P.E. Storage Room.” What does that mean? Mezumaru: Well, it says “storage” here, so…isn’t it a storage area? Gozumaru: “P.E.”? Here it says “physical education”…educating the body? This makes zero sense. (TL: they have no idea how to read kanji for various modern-day vocabulary.) Mezumaru: But there’s a ton of fun-looking stuff here! Gozumaru: Rikuo…doesn’t seem to be here. Hey, we’re leaving. Mezumaru: Hey, hey! Hold on a second! Look at this! Gozumaru: Oi, Mezumaru! We didn’t come here to fool around. Mezumaru: I know, but… Anyway, take a look! Gozumaru: Hm? What is this? (small thud) A wooden box? Mezumaru: I wonder what it is! Gozumaru: It’s a huge box, that’s for sure. An entire person could fit in it with room to spare. Mezumaru: Then why don’t we try getting into it! Gozumaru: Haa? What if you can’t get back out – Mezumaru: Why don’t you try getting into it! Gozumaru: Why me!? Mezumaru: C’mon! Just for a bit! C’mon already! Gozumaru: Are you an idiot? There’s no way I would! Mezumaru: C’mon already, just get into the box! This white thing is probably the lid, so – Gozumaru: Don’t pull at me – let me go – ahh! (thud, crash, shattering sound) Mezumaru: Ahh…the box broke into little pieces… Gozumaru! Gozumaru: Is it my fault? This happened because you tried to force me to get into it. Why should I care if something like this breaks, anyway! Mezumaru: Hey, doesn’t this…stack? Gozumaru: Stack? Mezumaru: Yeah, like the boxes you put osechi new year’s food in… Here, you help out as well. Gozumaru: Why do I have to… (stacking sounds) Mezumaru: And this is the last one – oof. Yay! We restored it! Gozumaru: I don’t get it. What is this box, even? Mezumaru: Like I said, a food box. Gozumaru: Like there’d even be one this big! Just how many people would it be for! Besides, you can’t even put anything in it since there’s a hole in the bottom! Arrrrrgh…I don’t get it. Just what is this thing… (TL: it’s the vaulting horse used at Japanese schools, with stackable parts and a white top.) Mezumaru: Hey hey, look at this! There’s something interesting over here, too! Gozumaru: Don’t you get bored of things a little too quickly? Mezumaru: Look, here! Heave, ho! Gozumaru: …Uh? What? Mezumaru: Bet you’ve never seen this before, right? Gozumaru: There’s a wheel attached to it, so…it’s something you ride on? Mezumaru: But why is there only one? Gozumaru: Don’t ask me… Mezumaru: Seriously, why? Why is there only one? Why? Gozumaru: Shut up! Why would I know! Mezumaru: Hm, you’re really dumb, huh, Gozumaru. Gozumaru: Haaa!? Mezumaru: This isn’t something you ride on. I mean, if there’s only one wheel, you’d fall when you ride it, right? Gozumaru: Well that’s why…you keep your balance so that you don’t fall, or something… Mezumaru: That’s definitely not it. This isn’t even a wheeled vehicle. Gozumaru: It isn’t? Mezumaru: It isn’t! You do this – (spinning noise) – see! Gozumaru: See…what? All you’re doing is spinning it, so I have no idea. Mezumaru: You don’t feel it? Gozumaru: Haa? Mezumaru: Feels good, doesn’t it? Gozumaru: You – why does it even – I don’t feel a thing, besides this anger towards you! Mezumaru: Aha, Gozumaru’s getting all heated up! Gozumaru: Obviously! Mezumaru: That’s weird…you should feel cooler if I spin this… Gozumaru: Cooler? Mezumaru: Yeah. If I spin this, a nice breeze will just whoosh on in. Gozumaru: Oi. Aren’t you mistaking this for a fan? Mezumaru: …Anyway. I wonder if there’s anything else that’s interesting around here! Gozumaru: Hey – oi! You just mistook it for a fan and – Mezumaru: Ahh! This! (bouncing sound) Mezumaru: Haha! Man, this is fun! Hey, this is fun, this big ball! (TL: by “ball”, he means a traditional Japanese ball used long ago that is embroidered and made from cloth) Gozumaru: It’s a strange ball… It’s bigger than a normal one, and it’s all brown…this is just way too plain however you look at it… Mezumaru: Here I go, Gozumaru! Gozumaru: Huh? Mezumaru: Eyyy! Gozumaru: Guhhh! Mezumaru: You sure are slow… Just catch it! Gozumaru: Who the heck could even catch it if someone throws it all of a sudden while standing that close! And this ball is freakin’ hard…! Mezumaru: C’mon, Gozumaru, over here! Gozumaru: You jerk… Take this!! (sound of an object being thrown, followed by the sound of something crumbling and wood falling) Mezumaru: Haha, you missed! Gozumaru: Ngh…why do you keep moving around! You little – ! Mezumaru: Hey, wait! (Gozumaru keeps throwing at him while he speaks) Throwing that many at me is just – Gozumaru: You – little – (sound of something smashing) Mezumaru: Then I’m gonna – take this! Gozumaru: C’mon already!! Mezumaru: And that! (door opens) ??: Just who’s in here causing a racket in the storage room! Gozumaru: Eh! A human!? Mezumaru: This is bad! We gotta run, Gozumaru!

---

Gozumaru, Mezumaru: (panting heavily) Gozumaru: Geh… That was a damn surprise… Mezumaru: But it was fun! Gozumaru: It was not! We’re here to deliver Rikuo’s lunch, got i- Mezumaru: Ah! Look at this, Gozumaru! Gozumaru: Haaa? Now what… Mezumaru: The sound…fun… room? (TL: he’s pronouncing the kanji wrong) Hey, what’s this? Gozumaru: Exactly what it looks like? You have fun with sound. (TL: “music” is written with the kanji for “sound” and “have fun/enjoy”.) Mezumaru: Have fun with sound? What, you can’t play with sounds? (TL: he’s wondering why it isn’t written with the kanji for “to play” instead.) Gozumaru: Argh, enough! Enjoy, play – whichever’s fine, I’m sure! We’re going in! Mezumaru: Eh? It’s okay to? Gozumaru: I’m sure that you were just going to resist going anywhere else if I said otherwise, right? Mezumaru: Yay! You sure get it, Gozumaru! It’s like we’re communicating telepathically! Gozumaru: As if!! Ugh! (sound of door opening) Gozumaru: …What is this place? Why are there so many pictures of people’s faces posted all over? Seriously, there’s a ton… (glinting noise) Gozumaru: Eh! That picture! Just now, it looked at me! Maybe I was just seeing things…no, but – kch! If I’m feeling this kind of dread, does that mean I’m sensing a really strong youkai here? (grim piano music plays) Gozumaru: Ngh! What’s this sound? …Is it beckoning me? A requiem of hell drawing me into the other world…! (the music changes to a lighter tune) Mezumaru: Ah, that was fun. Gozumaru: That was you!? Mezumaru: This is neat! Pressing on the white and the black keys makes sounds! Gozumaru: Why should I care!? Stop touching whatever you want willy nilly! Mezumaru: Blah. I got it already. I won’t touch this. But this – (trumpet music) Gozumaru: Gah! (the sound of a gong) Gozumaru: You – Mezumaru: Next… (xylophone music) I’m going to tap on these black boards – Gozumaru: Stop!! Mezumaru: Eh? It was just getting good… Gozumaru: It was not! And that last one – definitely stop with that last one! Mezumaru: Why? Why? If I scratch at this with my horn – Gozumaru: Anyway, just stop! That one alone is giving me a bad feeling! Mezumaru: Why? I went with these other ones because you were complaining… But this is a pretty interesting place! There are a lot of weird instruments, and – Gozumaru: The last one, the thing with black boards…is that an instrument? Mezumaru: Now, then! I wonder what other interesting things are around? Gozumaru: Wh… Just where do you think you’re going!? Oi! Mezumaru! (running noises)

(school bell, walking noises) Mezumaru: Ah, that was fun! Let’s come here again, Gozumaru! Gozumaru: I’m never coming back. And that was a weird place. Mezumaru: Anyway, the crows are cawing so it’s time to go home! …Eh? Gozumaru: What? Now what have you found? Mezumaru: No… Haven’t we forgotten something? Gozumaru: Something? Like what? Mezumaru: Hmm…I wonder. Gozumaru: What the heck? It can’t be that important if we’ve forgotten it, right? Mezumaru: I guess not. It can’t be all that – ??: I wouldn’t think so. Gozumaru, Mezumaru: …!! ??: You two…are still here? Gozumaru: Thi…s…voice… Mezumaru: It can’t be… Gozumaru, Mezumaru: Gyuki-sama? Gyuki: Sigh. Gozumaru: Why? Mezumaru: Why are you here, Gyuki-sama? Gyuki: Well, I wonder why. Mezumaru: Uhm… Because you…came here to pick us up as we were leaving? Yay, you’re so kind! Gozumaru: Idiot, there’s no way he’d come here just to – Gyuki: Correct. Gozumaru: Eh!? Gyuki: I came for you two. My subordinates who can’t even do a single task satisfactorily. Gozumaru: Eh, what task… Ahhhh! Mezumaru: That’s right! We were supposed to find Rikuo and…! Gyuki: Rikuo has long since returned to the mansion. You’ve kept him quite hungry. Gozumaru: That…well… Mezumaru: Hmmm, I wonder why…when we came all this way to give him his bento… Gyuki: Haha, I suppose so. Quite mysterious! Hahahaha! Ahahahahaha! Gozumaru, Mezumaru, Gyuki: Ahahahahahahahahahaha… Gyuki: Hm. I will listen to every word of what you have to say once we’ve returned to the mansion. Gozumaru, Mezumaru: ...!!!! Gyuki: Every. Word. Gozumaru: No, Gyuki-sama! Mezumaru just went and… Mezumaru: Don’t make it my fault! Gozumaru: It is your fault! You were the one playing around the whole time! Gyuki: We’re leaving. Gozumaru: But Gyuki-sama…! Gyuki: We’re leaving! Gozumaru, Mezumaru: Yes, sir! We’re sorry, Gyuki-sama…!!

[icantbelieveimadeanaccount]

One Piece Osechi 2019

[sanjiandnamiforever]

One Piece Osechi 2018

[virginiaovers]

12 Japanese Potluck Dishes to Serve a Crowd

Throwing a Japanese themed potluck party this summer? Here we’ve gathered 12 mouthwatering Japanese potluck dishes that are perfect to serve a crowd. 

Hello, Summer! We’re finally entering the season devoted to outdoor entertaining, and potluck is surely a favorite way to celebrate. It makes things easy on the host, and everyone gets to contribute to the meal and sample each other’s creations. Here, we’ve pulled together a spread of delicious ideas for your Japanese themed potluck. The recipes range from popular Japanese grilled meat on the sticks to one pot vegetable dish to refreshing noodle salad to make-ahead desserts – every single one perfect for entertaining a big group of family and friends!

12 Japanese Potluck Dishes to Serve a Crowd

1. Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatball Skewers)

You can never go wrong with grilled meat on the sticks for any summer cookout. Called the Tsukune, these Japanese chicken meatball skewers are really moist and flavorful. Prepare them ahead and keep in the foil pan to bring to your potluck. Everyone can help themselves with the grilling over the hot charcoal.

2. Yakitori 

Marinade in a savory sweet sauce, these chicken and scallion skewers (yakitori) are hard to resist! It’s great for grilling outdoors as the delicious sweet grill smell is going to make everyone hungry. They are especially delicious after a little too much of some cold beer.

3. Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Balls) or Miso Yaki Onigiri

For any potluck get-together, there should be a carb dish that can fill some really hungry stomachs. With a crispy crust on the outside and soft sticky rice on the inside, these grilled rice balls are not only delicious but also so fun to eat! You can make them with or without fillings, or with a savory soy sauce or umami-packed miso sauce. As cooks rotate skewers of yakitori or tsukune over the grill, you can just throw the ready-shaped onigiri on the charcoal, basting them with the delicious sauce until they are golden crisp. 

4. Nishime (One-Pot Vegetable Stew)

Looking for something healthy and homey to contribute to the table? Try this colorful dish called Nishime! Commonly served in Osechi for the Japanese New Years celebration, Nishime is a simmered dish which includes root vegetables, starchy potatoes, konnyaku (konjac), kombu, deep-fried tofu, sometimes chicken, and fish cake. It’s a classic representation of Japanese home-cooked meal. Because it’s cooked in one pot and hold well at room temperature, we’re seeing more Japanese Americans (especially in Hawaii) bringing nishime to their potluck parties. To save time, you can cook the stew in an Instant Pot and bring along to your potluck.

5. Seafood Salad with Vinaigrette

Typically enjoyed as an appetizer with a western-style meal in Japan, this sublime seafood salad will sure bring out ones appetite. Soaked up in a delicious marinade, it is composed of succulent shrimp, delicate octopus, and colorful vegetables. You can also make a vegetarian version by skipping the seafood. It takes less than 30 minutes to put together, and perfect to make a few nights before.

6. Teriyaki Wings

Everybody loves chicken wings and teriyaki, and here you have the winning potluck dish – Teriyaki Wings! The best thing about this recipe is the wings are cooked in advance in a cast iron pot until the glaze is cooked down. Once they are done, you can transfer them to a foil pan and give the wings a final warm-up over the grill until they are sticky and finger-licking delicious.

7. Instant Pot Japanese Potato Salad

No potluck would be complete without a potato salad, right? The Japanese potato salad includes colorful vegetables and it’s seasoned with Japanese mayonnaise for extra tang. Adults love it and kids love it too. You can prepare the potato salad over the stovetop or make it with your Instant Pot!

8. Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)

Karaage is one of the best fried chickens you could bring to a potluck! They come in small bite-size pieces, with a light crisp texture on the outside. Crunchy, juicy, and packed with garlicky flavor, you can’t ask for anything more. Serve the karaage with extra lemon wedges!

9. Japanese Glass Noodle Salad (Harusame Salad)

Light, refreshing, low calorie and so flavorful with a savory and tangy sesame soy vinaigrette, this Japanese glass noodle salad (harusame salad) adds a different texture to the potluck plate. You can easily customize the salad without the use of ham or eggs for a vegetarian or vegan version. It’s delicious even at room temperature.

10. Matcha Marble Pound Cake

If dessert is your specialty, you want to bring this Matcha Marble Pound Cake to the potluck party. It’s buttery, tender and bursting with a unique green tea flavor. The striking emerald swirls make it a showstopper too. Pound cake itself is sturdy for travel and can even be made many weeks ahead of time. What’s not to love?

11. Fruit Jelly

These fruit jellies are simple and light, and they showcase summer in the best ways – a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

12. Japanese Steamed Cake (Mushi-pan)

These Japanese steamed cakes (mushi-pan) are soft, light, and spongy. Your guests can enjoy them without feeling weighed down. The steamed cakes require only the most basic ingredients and are surprisingly easy to make too. Choose savory or sweet based on the ingredients you use.

We hope you enjoy these mouthwatering Japanese potluck dishes with your friends and families. What are some of your favorite Japanese Dishes to serve a crowd? 

12 Japanese Potluck Dishes to Serve a Crowd published first on https://zenramensushi.tumblr.com/

[onepiecepodcast]

One Piece New Year's Food 2018

One Piece New Year’s Food 2018

On September 4th, the Fuji Catering Company started taking orders for special One Piece-themedOsechi Ryori or New Year’s Food. These traditional dishes each represent a symbolic wish for things like long life and happiness and the meal itself is the most important one for the year. Each dish is then placed in a set of stacking boxes called jubako similar to bento boxes. Although fans outside of…

[cutiecrates]

Cutie Reviews: Gacha Gacha crate Feb 19

I’m not actually sure if I got the March GGC yet, but I’ll be looking after I finish this to see if I did. If not then I'll be starting up my september box reviews! 

(In case you were wondering, I don’t show the cover image of the pamphlet because it’s always a faded image of various Gachapon machines and that would get boring :P)

The featured topic in this months pamphlet is about Retro video games from Namco, to go with an item in the crate. It talks about 11 games, including:

Galaxian - a game there you control a spaceship at the bottom of the screen and shoot at various enemies while avoiding their attacks. Released in 1979.

Pac-Man - Everybody knows this game : D I played it a lot when I was a child. You control the little yellow Pac-Man and eat all the pellets before the ghosts get you! Released 1980.

Xevious - Some kind of piloting game where you blast various targets. Released 1982.

Mappy - You play as Mappy, a police mouse trying to find the items stolen by the Meowkies and taken to their mansion. Released 1982.

Dig Dug - The player must rid of the underground monsters by either blowing them up with an air pump or dropping rocks on them! Released 1982.

The Tower of Druaga - The player controls Gilgamesh, a hero who arrives to save the maiden Ki from the demon Druaga and must go through his 60-floor tower. Released 1984.

Valkyrie No Boken - Everyone lives together in Marvel Land in harmony, and together they work to improve it. Released in 1986.

Family Stadium - Now-a-days known as Famista, this is a series of baseball games. Released in 1986.

Dragon Buster - In the name of his father, Clovis goes on a quest to save Princess Celia from a dragon. Released 1985.

Super Xevious Gamp No Nazo - A challenging riddle game released in 1986. Okay! Now it’s time to get on with the review!

Mt. Fuji Figure

Our first gacha is a relatively simple one. It’s a figure of Mt. Fuji, one of the highest peaks in the world and a very popular icon of Japan. This series is by Epoch and each one costs 300 yen.

This set included 4 different colorful displays one could get... and I can’t actually understand the list, so I’m not sure what mine is.

Rating: ♥ ♥

The detail on it is really nice, and it’s very clean looking. But (and I say this in hopes of offending no one) I don’t really care for it. I mean I really like Japanese culture and stuff, but I’m not really into these types of figures and I don’t see myself using it for any sort of purpose or doing anything with it. I don’t even think I’ll keep it.

Patient Cats

These little kitties are trying to patiently wait for someone to turn off/down various noise makers. This series is by Epoch and each is available for 200 yen. 

There was 3 types available: television, boombox, or telephone, each in 2 colors of object and cat.

I got the white television kitty :3

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

What makes this really fun is that not only are you getting 2 items for one gacha, but you can also use them together or separately. They would be perfect for Re-ment displays!

The detailing on the two pieces is also really nice. There’s no paint issues or anything. It’s a really cute, simple display.

Pokemon Clinging Cable Cover

Cable covers must be really popular as of late huh? I keep finding them in my crates these days. I’m beginning to get used to them though, they are awfully cute. It’s by Kitan Club, and each is available for 300 yen. You can see whose available on the checklist in the pic.

I would have been happy getting anybody really. I really like Gengar and Eevee, but Pikachu is a must, and who doesn’t love the three original starters? My favorite of the trio is Bulbasaur, but I collected stuff of all of them when I was younger. I was pretty much happy just getting something Pokemon related.

So basically, you just pull apart the white thingy and put a coord inside, then stick it back together and attach your Pokemon to it.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

Besides how difficult it was to get the thingy open to put the cord inside, I think this is really cute! I decided to swap Umbreon with Charmander, and yes My Melody is still hanging on strong! She seems happy with her new friend.

Osechi Mascot

Inspired by the delicious, tiered foods eaten on New Years in Japan with loved ones. This set is single tiered, but from how it’s made I feel like you can stack the layers together. I could be wrong though.

This one came with an odd slip of paper, but I don’t really know what it means. If I had to guess I’d say it either lists materials used to make the items in this, or it lists the foods?

There is 5 available, and this series is by Toy Spirits. The one I got includes three crab claws, flower carrots, Tuna/salmon or some kind of fish, simmered vegetable, and three dumplings or rice or sesame balls or something? There is also a lobster and fish set, a scallop with tons of vegetables, a cooked fish (maybe sea bream?) and one I can’t really identify.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

See this type of figure I really like! I love food based things like this. Everything is plastic, but to my surprise the balls are squishy! It’s really fun to poke~ 

It would also make for a fun re-ment item... and maybe it’s just me, but there’s something really fun about putting the lid on and taking it off.

Floral Card Pouch Miniature

Based on Japanese Hanafuda (flower cards), this little artistic looking pouch is perfect for keeping money, cards, or other little items you often lose track of or want to carry around but worry over it’s small size.

This is another Epoch series, and there was 12 available consisting of 6 designs in either red or black. I got the red version. Each one costs 200 yen.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

I think this is really sweet looking, even though it’s a little bent up from being in the capsule. It’s very well made, sort of floppy/flimsy, but the material and inside lining feel very nice. It’s really easy to close and open, and the fabric is a little flexible.

Namco Museum Cassette Pin Collection

Our final item for the month and the one related to the featured article above. As a girl obsessed with video games I’m a sucker for wearable accessories based on them, and I’ve really been into pins as of late too so this is perfect.

Each one comes in a little box with images from the game print on it, and a tiny itty-bitty description of it on the back with a screenshot. The pin resembles an old game cartridge/cassette with an image of the game and some designs and logo over it. 

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

Dig Dug wasn’t a game I played a lot, I think I might have played it once or twice but it’s been years. It wasn’t like Pac-Man or the Mario (Donkey Kong?) games, which were everywhere. The laundry mat I used to go to as a child still has the arcade machines!

Anyway, I was still really excited. I love opening the little box and taking out the pin. It’s very well made, and it has a tiny bit of weight to it. I’m really excited to wear it or put it on something and see if anybody recognizes it :D I hope we get more cute little things like this!

♥ Cutie Ranking ♥

Quality/Pricing - 3 out of 5. Almost everything was priced, and if I can figure it out, I think they were like... 10-15 American dollars total? We pay about 30 dollars for the box, and considering how small and impractical a couple of the items are... I’m not sure it’s the best box worth the price. If we had more items like the Pokemon cord holder, pouch, and pin then yeah I’d say they were.

Content - 3 out of 5. I really liked the items we got, except for the Mt. Fuji. It, the kitty, and the little food thing are pretty impractical (unless used for re-ment, which I would do if I had sets that went with them) and I kind of hate that- but not all Gachapon can be you know? I understand that. 

Total Rank: 4 out of 10 cuties. It’s not the best box in the series, but it’s still kinda new you know? I’m not trying to be really hard on it. I was pretty disappointed they didn’t give us a theme for this one though- like if it was me, I would have went super-cute and girly for Valentines Day. I know they try to cater to both genders, but I’m sure they could have found a way for both to be happy with that theme. Or maybe they could have done a video game theme to go with the pokemon and namco pin. SOMETHING you know?

♥ Cutie Scale ♥

1.  Namco Pin - Of course I had to go with this one! I was geeking out over it the whole time. I wasn’t born when these games came out but I can still appreciate them!

2.  Patient Cat - it’s pretty simple, but the kitty is so cute and the concept behind it makes it even cuter.

3.  Osechi Mascot - I love the concept, and the squishy food inside~ I wish the whole thing was squishy though <3<

4. Pokemon Cable Protector - It’s cute, but fairly simple looking. 

5. Hanafuda Pouch - It’s sort of like a simplistic art piece you can use for storing stuff in, it’s pretty cute and has a touch of elegance to it too.

6.Mt. Fuji Figure - I’m sorry but I just didn’t like it. It’s nice if you like landmark based figures and displays, but I’m more into things like train displays and stuff that moves around.

And this concludes our review! I hope you enjoyed or found it interesting. As I said on top we’ll probably be doing the Yume Twins september box next, unless I got my March gacha box already, but I don’t believe I did, that one tends to show up late for some reason.

Anyway, until next time, stay cute! And play lots of video games :3