Whetstones can basically be divided into rough Arato(ishi) 荒砥, medium Nakato(ishi) 中砥 and fine Shiageto(ishi) 仕上げ砥, or in man-made Jinzôtoishi 人造砥石 vs natural Tennen Toishi 天然砥石. Natural Arato are mainly sandstone based like the Ikazuchi above from Nagasaki prefecture. Many Arato have been mined in Nagasaki prefecture, some in Wakayama (Kishû Ōmura) and Chiba (Chôshi).… Continue reading Natural Whetstones
Category: Edo Period
Wasanbontô – Rare Japanese Sugar
Wasanbontô Naturally refined Sugar. Produced in eastern Shikoku by cooking down Sugar Cane juice with an addition of Lime, letting it crystalize, pressed to remove molasses, kneaded with addition of water to remove more molasses, pressed and kneaded until deemed finished. This is then dried in a small block and sold broken up, mainly to… Continue reading Wasanbontô – Rare Japanese Sugar
Geese and War and Japanese Cooking
When Geese and War come up one usually thinks about Ancient Rome and the Geese warning the citizens about an imminent attack by sneaky Gaulish forces.But apparently the Japanese had their own, albeit very different Goose moment too.During the Boshin War, when the New Imperial Government had to fight the shogunate forces a battle was… Continue reading Geese and War and Japanese Cooking