A First Birthday Cereblation - Mochi

In Japan, rice is very important to the culture, and during winter, especially over New Year, Japanese make a special kind of rice called Mochi. Mochi is a kind of cake made from sticky rice plate. They are not only eaten during the New Year holidays after being broiled or served in a soup, but they are also often used for many traditional ceremonies in Japan.
A child's 1st birthday, for example, is a particular occasion in Japan, and different customs are practiced from one region to another. One common custom is to have the toddler carry a large mochi ,weighing about　一升 issho = 4 pounds, on his or her back. The word for the volume unit issho is a homophone for 一生issho meaning "a whole lifetime," and the issho mochi symbolizes the parents' hope that the child will grow up healthy and never go hungry throughout his or her lifetime. It is also said that the child who walks before he's one year old will move out of the house early or will pass away before his parents do. To prevent the misfortunes from happening, he or she must walk with the heavy rice cake slung across his shoulder to help him fall down. If he does not fall, parents need to throw rice cakes at him to roll him over. In some places, a one-year old receives a gift of a sword or a pair of scissors, in others the child is given a selection of items to choose from: rice, money, an abacus, a ruler, and a calligraphy brush. The object the child chooses is thought to determine his or her future.
What I learned from this occasion is that food is not only eaten for diet, but also for something we use as a way to celebrate things. In addition, I noticed that food is really connected to a culture. That is why we have so many different kinds of food based on each culture. So, we can think about the meaning or the purpose of food when we eat it. That would be very interesting.

Japanese food - Stay Healthy

Did you know that Japanese are among the nationalities with relatively longer life spans? And, believe it or not, most scientists attribute this to their diet. True, Japanese cuisine is more than just its taste. As I was born and raised in Japan, I have eaten Japanese food more than any other kinds of food around the world. Especially, I lived with my grandparents who prefer eating Japanese food, so there was always my mother’s home-made Japanese food at home. I just love Japanese food so much. I have tried lots of food in my whole life, especially in the U.S., but nothing beats Japanese food to me. The reason why I love Japanese food is not only because I am Japanese, but also it is tasty and healthy.

For example, Sushi which is my favorite Japanese food is one of the most famous Japanese food. Sushi is vinegar rice, usually topped with other ingredients, such as fish. The Japanese word su means vinegar, and shi is from meshi, the Japanese word for rice, hence sushi is 'vinegared rice'. So, why is sushi so healthy? At first, vinegar has possible cholesterol and triacylglycerol effects, blood glucose control and diabetic management, and diet control. Second, fish are a great source of protein, vitamins, and nutrients. Fish are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which provide protection from heart disease and are great brain food.

In general, traditional Japanese food is known for healthy food. The ingredients used in making the dishes are generally healthy. For instance, locally grown vegetables have high vitamin and fiber content. On the other hand, Seafoods are considered to be better alternatives for pork and beef because they contain lesser saturated fat. In addition, traditional Japanese contains colorful ingredients which make people satisfied not only from the taste, but also visually. In terms of fat content, a burger has approximately 22 grams of fat per serving where a Futo – Maki(a kind of sushi) only has 1 gram. It is quite a different. So, if we think about the food as a healthy key, Japanese food is a choice of our dishes to stay healthy.

As I have mentioned, Japanese food has greatly evolved over the past few centuries due to many social as well as political changes. For most of us, foods like tofu, sushi, tempura, miso, soba, and even green tea are now familiar and freely available to people outside Japan. So, why don’t we take advantage of it? Again, Japanese food is so tasty, and stay us healthy.




Reference : The Sushi FAQ
http://www.sushifaq.com/