Omusubi, Onigiri (Rice balls)
These are made by rolling rice in the palms
of the hands.
They are also called onigiri. Usually, they
are made into triangular
or round shapes with a pickled plum or fish
in the middle and
wrapped with laver on the outside. Like sandwiches
for the Americans,
they are the most popular item for carrying
along when on outing or hiking.
In urban convenience stores, they have become
popular food items for
single men and women.
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Sado (Tea ceremony)
Sado, also called chado or cha no yu, is
the traditional
etiquette of preparing
and drinking tea when
one has guests.
In sado, special powdered
tea, different
from ordinary Japanese
tea is chiefly used. The
powdered tea is
put into a teacup,
hot water is poured on
it, it is whipped
with a bamboo whisk till
it foams and it is drunk.
In the sixteenth
century, Sen-no-Rikyu
brought sado to perfection
by incorporating
the simple aesthetic
values known as wabi(subtle
taste) and sabi(elegant
simplicity) and
the concept that every
single encounter never
repeats in a life
time(ichigo ichie). To
make the encounter
important, the host
prepares with deep sincerity
implements such
as a hanging scroll
or flowers to put in the
alcove or the teacups.
From such
activities, meanwhile,
the guests know the
hostﾕs warm hospitality
and are filled with gratitude.
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