The Japanese-Jewish Connection

Though I have never heard of this theory before, it has apparently been around for quite some time. I only heard of the Japanese-Jewish connection today, when I read a blog post titled “Are The Japanese Actually Jewish? Looking at the mysterious connections between Japan and Judaism.”

In this post, similarities between the two cultures are presented. The theory is that due to the never ending warfare in Israel, the tribes dispersed all over the world AND some of them found their way to Japan. So what are these connections?

For example, the Japanese Shintoist Holy day is the Yamaboko Junko, or “Going atop the Mountain to lay to rest the Shrine”. The day Noah’s Ark rested atop Mount Ararat lies on the same day. The word “Essa”, which is a carrying chant chanted by the holders of the Omikoshi, or portable shrine, is a word which really has no meaning in Japanese but means “Carry” in Hebrew.

Here is another one:

One of Japan’s largest festivals, the Gion Festival, is believed by many, including the Gion Festival officials, to be the same as Ancient Israel’s Zion Festival. The month long festival is almost identical in each event, date, etc. The artwork depicted on the portable shrines in the festival are from ancient Japan, but are renderings of landscapes in the middle east - camels walking the desert, pyramids, Baghdad Palaces, and most surprising is a grand picture of Rebecca offering water to Isaac which is confirmed to be a rendition of Genesis 24 in the Old Testament.

Japan and Judaism are the last things that I would pair up in my mind – but that only goes to show how much I have to learn. Have you heard anything about this connection?

Russian Sumo Wrestlers Arrested In Japan

Sumo wrestling is a sport that is well known in many countries around the world. Japanese in origin it may be, sumo wrestling has certainly surpassed geographic boundaries. It’s popularity is such that people from other countries actually go to Japan to learn and practice this sport.

Much like other sports, however, it seems that sumo wrestling is not exempt from scandal. Only recently, a report circulated in which Russian sumo wrestlers were arrested due to the use of marijuana. ABC News has this story:

Two Russian sumo wrestlers tested positive for marijuana use in Japan less than a month after a fellow Russian wrestler was arrested for possession of pot, the country’s association of sumo wrestlers said today.

It’s the first drug scandal in the roughly 2,000 year history of sumo wrestling and the latest in a rising number of marijuana incidents in Japan, a country with harsh penalties for drug offenders.

Considering that this is the first drug scandal within the world of sumo wrestling, you can just imagine how grave the offense is in the eyes of the authorities. After all, sumo wrestling is not merely a sport in Japan, it is considered a cultural activity. I suppose that this is the beginning of a new era in the sport, wherein they would have to consider things that they didn’t before. Even the authorities think so:

“Drugs are in the country. That is a fact. We cannot turn back the clock. Treating users as outcasts will not stop the spread of drugs. We need a systematic and comprehensive approach to work with users and to help them get rid of their habit,” Kondo said. “It is no longer a foreign thing. It really can happen to anyone.”

Japanese Designer Found A Model In Sarah Palin

Model meaning someone who shows off a product. And in this case, Vice-President hopeful Sarah Palin has become a model for Japanese designer Kazuo Kawasaki – albeit unintentionally. We have all seen Sarah Palin – she is on TV every single day – and I am sure that you have also noticed her fashion sense, including the eyeglasses that she wears constantly. If you have found yourself wondering where she got those glasses, then wonder no more. They were designed and made by Kazuo Kawasaki.

Dubbed the MP-704, these glasses are made of titanium, known to be ultra light and hypoallergenic. In fact, these kinds of rims have been in the market for many years now but ever since Sarah Palin came into the limelight, more people have become aware of them. As for Kawasaki, he is enjoying thousands of orders from all over the world because of the exposure that Palin brought to his product. If you are wondering if having Sarah Palin as a model is a good thing or not, take a look at these figures. Kawasaki says they normally make about 12,000 units of the MP-704 over an 18-month period. In the last 10 days, however, their orders have soared to 9,000 – with most of the customers coming from the United States!

Political beliefs not withstanding, I am tempted to find myself a pair of these glasses as well. They do look good and with the quality that they are supposed to have, it wouldn’t be such a bad buy.

Clean Diesel Engine To Be Launched By Mazda

Car lovers – this news will certainly make your day. Mazda Motor Corp., one of the biggest car manufacturers in Japan, has announced that they will be launching a new diesel engine that will be more fuel efficient. Though the engine is not set to be released till next year, and only in Europe initially at that, excitement is already running through the minds of a lot of people. AFP reports:

Japan’s fifth largest automaker plans to introduce the MZR-CD 2.2 engine worldwide but first in Europe, where diesel accounts for nearly 60 percent of vehicle sales.

The technology allows the engine to burn off soot from exhaust fumes some 60 percent faster than traditional diesel engines, the Hiroshima-based company said in a statement.

Though I am not in Europe, I know that sooner or later this engine will be released worldwide. More so, as the AFP report says, other car manufacturers are set on developing and releasing their own version of clean diesel engines. This will certainly set the trend for the global market, bringing more options to the consumers.

With the ever rising fuel prices all over the world, news like this is very much appreciated by motorists. I was just away on a short weekend trip and I was amazed at how much I had to pay for the diesel! Considering that diesel is cheaper than gas, then that says a lot. And, looking at the effects on the environment of a clean diesel engine, this development means so much more.

Michelin: Tokyo Beats Paris

If you are not convinced that Japan is one of the places that you simply have to visit, then this just might help you get off your bum and hop on a plane to Tokyo. You have probably heard of the Michelin guide, a series of books published yearly which is oldest and best known guide when it comes to hotels and restaurants. They award Michelin stars, which measures the quality of the establishments.

This year’s Michelin guide is focused on Tokyo, one of the most popular cities in the world. The research that went into the making of this guide is quite impressive. They hired Japanese experts to work with the Europeans in order to give the finished product a Japanese context. And the results?

Michelin found Tokyo to be even better than Paris, which has always been touted as the food capital of the world. The Herald Tribune reports:

It found much to like, even love, and showered the city’s restaurants with more of its coveted stars than those in New York and Paris combined. Michelin, based in France, made the splash it had hoped for and has sold more than 290,000 copies of its familiar red-colored guides since November.

Some Japanese chefs, however, do not seem to appreciate the attention lavished on them. In fact, some have been heard to say that they do not need an outsider’s approval for their work. As for me, I just want to experience the best that Tokyo can offer in terms of food, don’t you?

If you want to buy this guide, check out Amazon.

Yomiuri Features Tea Ceremony

Everyone in the world knows that the tea ceremony is something associated strongly with the Japanese culture. When we talk tea and the art the surrounds it, we automatically think of Japan. Dainty tea cups, delicate tea, and serene actions – these are some of the things that come to mind when the phrase tea ceremony is heard.

Yet not everyone knows all that much about the intricacies of the tea ceremony. Perhaps that is why The Yomiuri Shimbun, one of the leading newspapers in Japan, is sponsoring a lecture on the tea ceremony. This is going to be held on the 6th of October at the Gallery Yomiuri in Osaka. The lecture will run from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the basement and will be given by Toru Ota, the head of Oimatsu, a Kyoto-based Japanese confectionary maker. Shse is also an instructor at the Kyoto Women’s Unviersity. This event coincides with the 15th anniversary of the English newspaper’s Kansai edition.

The aim of the organizers is to spread the word about the real deal when it comes to the tea ceremony. Their targets are the foreigners in the area who might want to know about the tea ceremony in a more in depth manner. The lecture is free but there are only 40 seats available and they will be giving out invitations through lottery. If you want to participate, send in a postcard with your name, age, address, and postal code to The Daily Yomiuri Japanese Culture Lecture, The Yomiuri Shimbun, Osaka, 530-855 before September 28.

It’s All About Food Technology

Those who love Japanese food, raise your hand! I am sure that a lot of people would agree with me when I say that Japanese food is one of the best cuisines in the world. Light and yet tasty at the same time, Japan’s cuisine is known all over the world.

I suppose that is why a lot of attention has been placed on how the Japanese go about cooking and manufacturing food. Recently, a report was released by Research and Markets. Titled “Japan’s Innovative Food Manufacturing & Processing Technology 2008,” this report highlights the juxtaposition of world class cuisine and technology. Perhaps this report would be of interest to those in the culinary sector or even to the average curious person.

What is contained in the report? Marketwatch provides some info:

1. Food Technologies
Production/processing, freezing, sterilization, inspection, quality control/freshness control, cooking, mixing, heating, separation, analysis, taste recognition, measurement, washing, detection technologies, etc.
Some specific examples of articles featured:
- Shirako Kamaboko-ten explores potential of nano-bubble water
- Kumamoto University develops a revolutionary ultra-fast freezing technology
- K Pack uses electricity to sterilize salad dressing
All articles feature excellent examples of advanced technology.

2. Food Ingredients & Additives
This section introduces excellent new food ingredients and additives, such as:
- SPM-rich milk ceramide developed by Snow Brand Milk Products
- Functional food material with anti-allergy effect developed by Nippon Meat Packers
- Pine fiber from Matsutani Chemical Industry with fat lowering function

3. Food Processing Equipment
An introduction to food processing equipment including dough sheet cutters, peeling equipment, sushi makers, machines for making Chinese-style dumplings, wrapping machines, noodle/pasta making equipment, milling devices, flour milling machines, heat sterilizing systems and pulverizers.

It seems like a lot of the information leans towards the manufacturing industry, doesn’t it? Still, the fact that this aspect has been studied so thoroughly speaks well of both the food and technology of The Land of the Rising Sun.

Mt. Fuji Skate For Charity

Acts of charity are always considered news worthy and this item is no different. A young British adventurer is planning a considerable feat that would benefit charity. He plans to skate down Mt. Fuji with the aim of helping The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths.

Mt. Fuji, as you might already know, is the most popular peak in Japan. It is visited by countless tourists from all over the world as well as the locals. Year in and year out, people come in droves to experience this majestic mountain for themselves. James Langridge, however, is not only coming for his own sake.

Japan Today reports:

Langridge arrives with the aim of skateboarding down Mt Fuji for charity. This will be his first trip to Japan, so his knowledge of the mountain is limited to online articles, images from Google Earth and advice from people who have visited.

Langridge plans to get an early start, and he’s been assembling a team that’s randomly come together since he first put word out. “Some of the Outdoor Japan people [who took part in the first descent] have said they might join me. A few people have also contacted me over the internet expressing interest — one from Hawaii, one from Baltimore, and one from Sweden,” he says. “People can contact me by email if they want to join in.”

I admire this guy’s sense of adventure as well as intent. I hope that he succeeds!

“Profound Truths” About The Japanese Culture (Part 3)

Here is the last installment of this mini-series. I found a couple more interesting points in the Russian Bear’s post and here they are.

Sushi in Kyoto on Shijo street, next to the river are to die for. That is the sushi heaven. Whatever you do, don’t eat the sea urchin roe in the raw; it will make you puke. However, the rest of the food is delicious, not spicy, and looks quite healthy.

I have never been to these places but I do know for a fact that sushi abounds in Japan. You can even go to 711 and buy great sushi and sashimi for a good price – can you believe that? Of course, I would probably be under fire for saying that 711 sushi and sashimi is great but I just had to say that. It is really amazing!

The Japanese don’t only drive, but also walk on the left. It is hard, but important to remember, or else you will run into people all the time.

The reason I picked this point is more because I wanted to emphasize the fact that the Japanese will not drive unless they need to. Even company CEOs would take the public transportation to work on a daily basis. The reasoning is that they do not want to spend money when there is a perfectly reasonable option. I guess that is why they are successful in general.

We sure could learn a lot from the Japanese culture, couldn’t we?

Photo courtesy of jad_23

“Profound Truths” About The Japanese Culture (Part 2)

We had “toilet talk” in the previous post. What does the Russian Bear have for us today? Some other “profound truths” about the Japanese culture. Here goes.

You need a small towel with you at all times to wipe off the sweat from your face and neck. That and a hand fan are pretty much a necessity. You can get away with napkins, but you need to go to Starbucks to get napkins, because the Japanese has a prejudice against paper napkins, and you won’t get them at most places, even where you buy ice cream.

I think that this is not something unique to Japan – at least the wiping off of sweat from your face. It is more of a foreigner being used to colder temperatures and finding himself in warmer conditions. I don’t really understand this much, though, as I have always thought that Japan is colder than other Asian (southeast at least) countries. Perhaps it depends on which area you are in? The lack of paper towels, I have an explanation for – the Japanese are very conscious about the environment and using paper towels for everything when you can use washable (reusable) towels is something that is embedded in their way of thinking.

Everything is about half of the American size: cars, fire trucks, benches, seats, meal portions. Overweight Japanese are a true rarity.

Very true. Even other Asians who tend to have more weight on them are surprised at how lean the Japanese are. It has a lot to do with their diet and they health conscious lifestyle. Try going to a public bath – where you have to go in in your birthday clothes – and you will know what I mean.