Another beautiful day in Seto Japan. The morning was spent doing hard work wrapping and packing the first set of pots. It was a toasty day plus Sensei had three kilns going, so it was quite hot. After I packed all I could, Megumi and I pulled the Oribe ware out of the black, stinky water. We had to wear long gloves and scrub the pieces and watch them in two buckets of water. After the pieces were watched we set them outside to dry. The mystery concoction really did work! The green was brighter and shinier and the crazing (cracking) appeared a lot better.
Motoka-san (Sensei's mom) prepared tea time for us and it was the perfect afternoon snack. She had taken the other visitors to the tool shop on Seto City and they also sent to the grocery store. She picked up ice cream and mochi desserts. It was absolutely perfect for how hot the day was.
In the evening we all went to Isacaya (the pub down the street) and had dinner and drinks. They are very generous hosts there and everything they cook is absolutely delicious. So tasty, that I try food I never would have imagined that I would. We started with some appetizers of potatoes and squid, tofu, edamame, shredded chicken and veggie, and eggplant. Then, they brought out a huge dish of sushi. There was shrimp, salmon, tuna, squid rolled with mint, and a white dish sliced so thin you could see through it. The main dish was a fish that can only be caught and kept this time of year. They call it the one year fish because it is illegal to eat any other season of the year. The fish came out whole..... I was quite hesitant but reminded myself, whole experience Kari. So Sensei talked us through how to eat it. Megumi actually used to catch these fish back home and eat them so she was very excited. first we took off the head then the fins and the tail. We then pull the bones out in one movement and we can eat everything else, skin and all. The fish was a little bitter bit with a little bit of lemon juice is was very good. The skim might have been my favorite part. After that they asked what else we wanted, so he brought out chicken for me and a beef dish for Chueky. He also brought out a sprout vegetable dish at Kuans request. There was so much food and I loved that it was family style everybody eating everything. The beef dish was a special cut of meat we were told. He brought it out and it smelt so good. It was a miso (bean paste) sauce with onions. The beef..... was cow stomach. I never in a million years would have imagined that I would eat that. But I tried it and it tasted good. The texture freaked me out a little bit because it is very chewy and almost like a ball of fat, but when paired with the crunch of the onion it was delightful. Lastly he brought out watermelon and it was so sweet and fresh. All the food is fresh and a lot was grown in their garden right out back. It was a wonderful evening filled with laughter and discussions. It was definitely a feast to remember.
If you ever get the chance to experience a new culture or adventure like this, I would suggest to not hesitate to say yes, I will try. Enjoy the full experience and be willing to step out of your comfort zone, it is well worth it!
Motoka-san (Sensei's mom) prepared tea time for us and it was the perfect afternoon snack. She had taken the other visitors to the tool shop on Seto City and they also sent to the grocery store. She picked up ice cream and mochi desserts. It was absolutely perfect for how hot the day was.
In the evening we all went to Isacaya (the pub down the street) and had dinner and drinks. They are very generous hosts there and everything they cook is absolutely delicious. So tasty, that I try food I never would have imagined that I would. We started with some appetizers of potatoes and squid, tofu, edamame, shredded chicken and veggie, and eggplant. Then, they brought out a huge dish of sushi. There was shrimp, salmon, tuna, squid rolled with mint, and a white dish sliced so thin you could see through it. The main dish was a fish that can only be caught and kept this time of year. They call it the one year fish because it is illegal to eat any other season of the year. The fish came out whole..... I was quite hesitant but reminded myself, whole experience Kari. So Sensei talked us through how to eat it. Megumi actually used to catch these fish back home and eat them so she was very excited. first we took off the head then the fins and the tail. We then pull the bones out in one movement and we can eat everything else, skin and all. The fish was a little bitter bit with a little bit of lemon juice is was very good. The skim might have been my favorite part. After that they asked what else we wanted, so he brought out chicken for me and a beef dish for Chueky. He also brought out a sprout vegetable dish at Kuans request. There was so much food and I loved that it was family style everybody eating everything. The beef dish was a special cut of meat we were told. He brought it out and it smelt so good. It was a miso (bean paste) sauce with onions. The beef..... was cow stomach. I never in a million years would have imagined that I would eat that. But I tried it and it tasted good. The texture freaked me out a little bit because it is very chewy and almost like a ball of fat, but when paired with the crunch of the onion it was delightful. Lastly he brought out watermelon and it was so sweet and fresh. All the food is fresh and a lot was grown in their garden right out back. It was a wonderful evening filled with laughter and discussions. It was definitely a feast to remember.
If you ever get the chance to experience a new culture or adventure like this, I would suggest to not hesitate to say yes, I will try. Enjoy the full experience and be willing to step out of your comfort zone, it is well worth it!