Hiroko's Blog
Stories of Japanese food, culture, travel, and the traditions that inspire Hiroko's life and work.
You can also find her posting regularly on social media.
Blog
June, The Month of the Ume
What exactly is Japanese plum, ume—Prunus mume? Although I often use the word “plum,” ume is botanically closer to the apricot.
The Lesson Hidden in Homemade Mirin
Last year, in the spirit of accessibility, I experimented making homemade mirin with vodka instead of shochu. It was a well-intentioned idea, but it taught me exactly why tradition matters.
Return of Shio-koji — A Beloved Commoner’s Seasoning
Shio-koji has made a remarkable comeback in modern Japanese kitchens. At its core, shio-koji is simple: rice koji, salt, and water. Yet behind that simplicity lies centuries of fermentation wisdom.
Golden Week: Oogata Renkyu
In 1948, the Japanese government revised the national holiday calendar and created a cluster of holidays in late April and early May. In 1985, May 4 became Citizens’ Holiday. For the first time, people could combine these holidays with weekends and create a full week off — soon known as Golden Week.
Nyugaku-shiki: The First Steps of a New Journey
For children beginning elementary school, it’s one of life’s biggest milestones—a moment when they step into a wider social world and begin learning the knowledge and skills that will guide them as they grow.
Mono no Aware: The Beauty of What Cannot Last
Mono no Aware is an emotional sensitivity. It's a way of appreciating, loving, and grieving the things that come and go—flowers, seasons, relationships, moments. It expresses the human recognition that we cannot control the universe’s constant change.
Planting the Future: A New Generation in Japanese Farming
Japan faces serious challenges in food security, yet a new generation of entrepreneurs is reshaping agriculture with fresh ideas and deep commitment. During my recent visit, I met young farmers working to reconnect communities with the soil—and with one another.
My Favorite Kanazawa Sweet (Chitose) and My Family Crests
I was born in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. This is a region once governed by the Maeda clan—the second-most powerful feudal lords after the Tokugawa during the Edo period (1600–1868). Under the prosperous Maeda domain, Kanazawa, flourished as a center of refined art and culture, earning its nickname ‘Little Kyoto.’ Among the city’s many elegant regional okashi (Japanese sweets), the 400-year-old Chitose from Morihachi Confectionery Company remains especially memorable. Chitose translates to a thousand years. This sweet consists of silky adzuki bean paste, lightly sweetened with rice syrup, wrapped in an exquisitely tender mochi sheet and dusted with fine powdered sugar. The sweets are traditionally paired in white and soft reddish-pink, colors that make them a favorite for celebratory occasions throughout the year. Though Chitose has no direct connection to plum blossoms, its delicate appearance always reminded me of a white-and-red-pink ume flower. I dream of savoring Chitose while admiring the gentle beauty of blooming ume. I have always loved my mother’s family crest, the kamon (家紋). Hers is the Umebachi (梅鉢) crest, a design of five larger circles arranged in a pentagon around a smaller central circle, resembling a plum blossom viewed from above. Japan has more than 20,000 family crests and over 100 variations of plum-blossom design alone. The history of the family crest dates back to the 8th through 12th centuries, when courtiers used designs drawn from nature on their ox carts and other belongings to distinguish themselves from others and show their power. Next, in the Kamakura period (1185-1333), a period of Japan’s civil war, warriors adorned their kabuto helmets with highly stylized versions of their family crests to distinguish themselves from others and express their mighty power. When the Edo period (1600-1868) began, commoners were allowed to use family crests; at the time, surnames were not yet permitted. In 1875, all citizens were allowed to carry a surname, and the family crest became a symbol of all families. Battle of SekigaharaCredit: Gifu History Museum The Battle of Sekigahara, fought on October 21, 1600, marked a decisive turning point in Japanese history. The clash split the nation into Eastern and Western factions, and its outcome opened the path for Tokugawa Ieyasu to unify the country, leading to nearly three centuries of tightly managed peace. managed peace. In this scene, you find hundreds of crests representing the participating armies, each one symbolizing a clan that took part in the battle. Daki-kashiwa: My father’s family crest Many samurai families connected to the Maeda clan used the Umebachi crest. My mother often reminded me—many times over—that her great-grandfather had served the Maeda clan. I own several formal kimonos, each bearing a family crest prominently displayed at the center of the back. The crest on my kimonos, however, is not my mother’s but my father’s: Daki-kashiwa (抱き柏). The oak leaf, kashiwa, has long been regarded as sacred. In ancient times, oak leaves were used as vessels for offerings to the gods. Because old oak leaves do not fall until new ones emerge, the kashiwa came to symbolize the continuity of the family line and, by extension, prosperity for future generations. For this reason, the oak-leaf motif has been favored by courtiers and warriors since antiquity. Unfortunately, I foresee my Shimbo family line, including other Shimbo relatives, coming to an end when my sister eventually passes. There are no sons to carry on the name and inherit it. I am blessed to continue to use Daki-kashiwa as my business logo on my cards and website until the end.
Japanese Craftsmanship & Traditional Lute Making
Japanese craftsmanship permeates daily life through food production, culinary arts, food presentation, textiles, traditional gardens, architecture, and artworks.
New Year's Hatsumode at Meiji Jingu
Each year, Meiji Jingu 明治神宮, Tokyo's most popular shrine, draws 3 million visitors. We deliver the message, including a New Year’s resolution, to the gods and ancestors and ask for their protection for the year.
My Visit to the Ikeri Somen Company
I visited Ikeri Somen Company in Miwa, Nara Prefecture, in October, to learn about the history of somen noodles and why they became so thin – needle-thin!
From Takibi to Yaki-imo: Remembering Japan’s Early Winter Traditions
As Rittō marks the beginning of winter in Japan, the first chill of the kogarashi wind brings memories of bonfires, childhood songs, and the enduring comfort of yaki-imo—Japan’s beloved baked sweet potato.