"Big Bambu"

We finally made it to the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art) to see the "Big Bambu" (that's what they call this art installation) on the Roof. During the Summer Doug & Mike Starn were building a bamboo castle. It is constructed of tons of Bamboo & Bungie-Cords. 
We have been talking about going to see it before its over. We miss things in this city quite often, we always say to each other "We still have time to see or do it ". But by the time we get ourselves together for it we notice it has finished.  As I said in the beginning, this time we did not miss it. We made it for the final weekend. 
If we had planned more carefully, we could have waited in line to get tickets for a guided tour so that we could climb up into that monstrous structure.
It was a quite a sight. A 50-foot-high installation of woven bamboo rising from the roof garden of MET. As soon as we got off the elevator we saw the columns of bamboo stuck on the granite floor. We immediately wanted to walk into this bamboo jungle to see how it was created. We found that many of the bamboo columns were not even touching the ground. We worried how strong the structure was. Then as we looked up, we saw people walking on catwalks 40 feet above us. I guess our worries were unnecessary.   We saw many different colors of Bungie Cords wrapped around bamboo criss crossings everywhere.  No nails were used to create this bamboo castle. It was growing up to the sky.

The pathways made of bamboo were  almost like the village stage set for second act of Met Opera's production of "Turandot". I thought it was good thing we did not get tickets to climb this treacherous looking pathway. We were fine just walking thought this maze of a bamboo forest. Although the view of Manhattan from the highest castle path would be fantastic,  I was quite happy not to scale that massive amount of bamboo.

The view of Manhattan from under the bamboo castle was a quite a sight. Bamboo poles were sticking out into the sky. The Manhattan skyline was nothing like I've seen before.
Here are some pictures we snapped at the site. If you missed it, at least you can see what I saw this final weekend of October.
By the way,Central Park is starting to change its colors. There were dabs of colors here and there throughout the Park.  My favorite season in the city. The New York Marathon Runners will be seeing trees of many different colors as they approach the finish line next weekend.  I might go up there to cheer them on !

"Shiso no Mi"

I think it is the end of the season for "Shiso" at Union Square Farmer's Market.
The leaves are getting fewer on the stems, the flowers are no longer blooming, but seeds are getting bigger and more on the top of stems. 
I'm sad about not getting more leaves, but I'm happy to see the "Shiso no Mi (Shiso Seed)". 
I can collect them and I can make "SHISO JIO" for cooking. It is simply a mixture of "Sea Salt" and "Dried Shiso Seeds" I do use them for Quick Pickling. "My first pickling recipe" is including this salt.
I used to get "Shiso no MI" only from Japan.  The mother of my friend in Tokyo got them, dried them for me. When I found "Shiso" at the Farmer's Market this spring, I thought that I may be able to get them in New York City...
Soon after I realized that I didn't know what to look for and what they look like before they're dried.
I tried more than few times to collect them from the stems.  I had never seen fresh "Shiso no Mi" before, therefore I had no idea how I could do this.  
This time, I think I finally got it !  
You have to wait for "Shiso" to get tiny purplish white flowers on them. After that you will still wait for flowers to fall down from flower caylx. You will finely find those Flower Caps with seeds. It will get bigger as you wait. That is the "Shiso no Mi" which I was looking for.  Washed them well when they were still on stems, under the running water, then dry them on a sunny table for day of so. And I carefully cut them off the stems into a basket. I could take out little things I didn't want to mixed with seeds by sifting.
I kept them in the sun to dry a bit for a day or so. Some got darker, some stayed green. 
I think you can mixed them with "Sea Salt" at this time, but I still have "SHISO JIO" for the time being, so I decided to freeze them. I know for sure that it is OK to freeze them, because my old "Shiso no Mi" did get frozen.
Until next Fall, I have to use those fantastic little things fresh or dried.  Little bit of this "SHISO JIO" will give vegetables a specific flavor (very Japanese) especially in Salad or quick-pickles.  I'm thiking to use them for "Onigiri (rice ball)" with "Umeboshi (Salt Pickled Plums)".
Have you ever had "Onigiri"?  They're like Sandwiches for Japanese. Now days you can find them in any Japanese Markets or Japanese Take-Out places.
We put something such as "Umeboshi" or "Baked Salmon" or "SeaWeed" in the middle of rice balls then wrap with "Nori (dried seaweed sheet)" or simply sprinkle with Salt and Sesame-Seeds. 
Best one in New York City is at "Oms/b" on East 45 street.
I think "SHISO JIO" will make a very special "Onigiri"

this is "Shiso no MI" before freezing.

when you need to make into "SHISO JIO" you mix with Sea-Salt.

you keep it in glass jar with tight top and keep in fridge.

"JIDAI MATSURI" in Kyoto

This is best I can do for video quality.

BlogSpot's capacity of uploading is so limited.

Almost one year ago I was in Japan visiting my late Mother and my family and friends. On the way to Japan I noticed that we could be in Kyoto for "Jidai Matsuri". So we extended our stay in Kyoto to see this fabulous Costume Parade. Kyoto has 3 big "Matsuri(festivals)" each year. The most famous one is "Gion Matsuri" in Summer. I have been there for that festival once, it was so crowded and so HOT & STEAMY!  I do not wish to go back there for that ever again. Summer in Kyoto is brutal.

I knew what "Jidai Matsuri" is all about but I never had the chance to see it until last year.
It is the Festival of Ages. Dressed in historical costumes dating from 8th century onward. People parade from the "Imperial Palace" to "Heian Shrine". Citizens create 1200 years of the city's history.
As I said before, it is a Parade of Traditional Japanese Costumes worn by people who live in Kyoto. Mayor to Hotel-workers. As you can see in the video, it's joined by Students of High -Schools and Middle-Schools. And Horses and Cows. In ancient Japan, the cow was considered as a source of power and transportation, same as the Horse.
I believe the Textiles for the Costumes are all made in Kyoto, re-created from the huge catalogues of fabric history. Most of the characters are actual persons who did something to change the History of Japan. If you can read Japanese you can see the names on the banners parading along side them.
I do love textiles, so for me this Festival is perfect one. Being in Kyoto, seeing Fantastic Costumes, one after the other, time flies by so quickly. A few hours of standing on the street was so worth it for the pleasure you get. I was standing with a gentleman who was born and lived in Kyoto, now he lives somewhere near by. He was telling me all sorts of stories about the costumes. He told me that not so many people (even people who lives in Kyoto) like this festival compared with others, but he thinks this one is the most "Kyoto Rashii"(meaning the most flavor of Kyoto). And I agreed with him. Colors and Weaving and Prints are so exquisite, and they are not in dark museums. You can see how they move as she or he moves. I always though that Kyoto has the most glorious culture in Japan, after seeing "JIDAI MATSURI" I am so certain that is true.
I have not visited Kyoto in almost 10 years, before last year. Now I don't think I can make plans to go visit Japan without staying in Koyto at least few days. Maybe I should try to be there in May for "Aoi  Matsuri". That is the other festival I have not seen yet...

Leek & Me & of course, the Scarf

this scarf was a gift from "NUNO" more than a few years ago.

the way it is woven,the back side is complete opposite from the front.

This is me getting Leeks at Farmer's Market Saturday Morning.

I got Shiitake-Mushrooms and Radishes and of course Grapes.

Except for cleaning, I love leeks very much.  I found a new way to have this fantastic vegetable.  I used poach them in hot water, then pour over a simple vinaigrette.  

In Spring time I started making Pea-Soup with them and Mint.  You can serve it Cold or Hot.

I love chilled Pea-Soup in warm spring nights.

I discovered a new way to enjoy Leeks last winter, that was for "Yudoofu".  

It means,"Tofu in hot water" in Japanese.  It is the dish we Japanese love to have cold nights.  Kyoto is the best known place for this dish.  Because the quality of the Tofu is excellent in Kyoto.  They say the quality of the water is everything for making Tofu. Kyoto is surrounded by mountains therefore they have great water. Therefore they claim that they have the best Tofu in Japan.  There is a very famous "Yudoofu" restaurant in "Arashiyama" in Kyoto.  

For me, whatever I taste in Kyoto is superb.  You name it, you can find best quality of its kind in Kyoto, except "Sushi and Sashimi" & "Soba".  That you have to go somewhere else to find.

"Yudoofu" is the dish you cook things in hot water at the table.  Mainly Tofu and assorted vegetable, such as Shiitake-Mushrooms and Japanese-Scalions.  In my family, we occasionally added Cod to it.

One cold night last winter, I decided to have "Yudoofu" I had everything I needed to make it except Scallions, but I did have Leeks.  They are same family, so I though why not ?

I did clean very well, cut into 2~3 inch length, stuck toothpicks in each Leek Mini Logs not to separate during the cooking.  And blocks of Tofu, if you need to have protein you can put  bite size of Chicken or White Flesh Fish ( I think Cod is perfect ).

ingredients are going into the Hot Bath.

Tofu,Cod,Shiitake,Yellow-Carrot,Radish, and Leek.

small bowl is the "Ponzu" dipping sauce.

As things cooked in the pot you scoop out, then dip into "Ponzu".  If you like to have a little kick, you will sprinkle Japanese Chiles into the sauce.  In Japan we liked to add other things such as "Yuzu (Japanese Citrus)" or "Daikon Oroshi (ground horseradish)", "Momiji Oroshi (ground Carrot)".  That night I added Zest of "Meyer  Lemon".  It was delicious !   

"Meyer Lemon (very different kind of Lemon)" season is coming, I have things to tell you about this very Fragrant Fruit !

Please be careful when you bite into piace of Tofu !  You will be biting into super hot chunk of Tofu. Heat tends to stay inside of Tofu.  Please do not burn your mouth.  We are having this Hot Pot Comfort Dish during this coming cold season quite a lot.  Beside the hight content of sodium, there is nothing bad in this very simple meal.  For me this one is the easiest and most Heart Warming Winter Dinner.  As you know I'll be making Brown Rice and Quick-Pickles of some seasonal vegetables to go along.

as we eat, we refill the pot with things we like to have more of.

as "Ponzu" gets diluted you add more to your taste.

   

"Matsutake Gohan"

I got "Mastutake" from Yuki O.

They are the most expensive mushrooms in Japan.  

Japanese treat them like Italians treat "Truffles".

If you see them in Japan, they will be displayed in a wooden-box.  It is a very seasonal delicacy to have in the Fall.  Since I've got these very special mushrooms, I have to make something very special with them.  
"Dobin Mushi" is the first dish to come to my mind.  It is a soup appetizer containing a few thin slices of "Matsutake".  It will be served in small individual tea pots to the table. Aroma coming from this dish when you fill your cup is incredible.  I think we Japanese sometimes enjoy fragrance from food more than the taste itself.

The other dish I can make is "Matsutake Gohan".  Rice cooked with "Matsutake" and maybe a touch of soy sauce.  We try to eat healthy therefore I do cook only Brown Rice,so I have to make "Matsutake Brown Rice" which I have never tried before, it can't be too bad ?
For us Japanese, if we have Miso-soup and Pickles along with "Matsutake Gohan" that will be enough for dinner.  But for Americans I have to add something, maybe some Fish or Chicken.
As I am getting older, I do prefer  Japanese meals more and more.  But it doesn't help me to lose weight.  What's up with that ?  Could it be something to do with dessert ?  
Japanese desserts don't have butter in them...  You can visit "Minamoto Kiccho An" in Rockefeller Center to see what Japanese desserts look like and taste like.  They have a variety of Japanese Sweets.  Some are all year around, some are seasonal.  Some are flown in from Kamakura Japan, some are made at the site.  I hear some people say "Too pretty to eat !".  I do not have that problem...  
Hot Green Tea with one of those Japanese Sweets makes perfect mid-day snack for me.
If you never visited that store I think you should.  You will see many pretty foods in that shop.


I think "Matsutake Gohan" is ready.  I can say so, because I can smell fragrance from "Matsutake".  It is time me to make "Miso Shiru".  Do you know, it is better to wait to have Rice at least 30 minutes after it finishes cooking.  It is call "Murasu" in Japanese.  Just like you have to wait to cut into cooked Meat  allowing it to redistribute own juices.

       

When I wait "Matsutake Gohan" to "mureru", I will make a "Kaki Tama Miso Shiru". 
It is "Straciatella or Egg Drop Soup" for Japanese.  I do add the thin slices of Scallion into Egg, and after Miso is absorbed into the Dashi add the egg mixture, put the cover on, turn off the heat.  Egg will cook in the left over heat.  Before you serve the Miso Soup you have to break the egg.

I made quick pickles with Persian Cucumbers and Watermelon Radishes to complete this meal. 
Itadaki  Masu!    Bon Appetit!

I have to talk about "NUNO".

This will be my third time to talk about "Scarves".  By the way I have to talk about difference between "Scarf" & "Stole", but it need some research to make sure that I'm not making mistakes.  So that has to wait for a while for me to blog...

Do you know the company in Tokyo called "NUNO" ?

"Nuno" means "Cloth" in Japanese.

They produce textiles for home and fashion in Japan. 
If you ever shopped in "MOMA" Gift shops in New York City, you probably have seen their scarves.  I know them very well.  Every time I go back to visit Japan, I have to visit their shop in Roppongi,Tokyo.  Last visit was October '09. 
First visit of that trip was on the first full day in Tokyo.  I asked Mr Ueno to make me a scarf with special length, and a white cotton shirt for my size.  Remember, I have been living in New York City for so long that my eating habits are no longer the Japanese ones.  Sadly Japanese sizes are not suitable for me any longer.  As for my scarf, I love mine to be very long.   I asked him to make mine a double length, so that I can play with it more.

Mr. Ueno always takes care of me with smile when I go visit "NUNO" to purchase things.  I think I met him in New York for the first time.  I took him around Chelsea for gallery walk.
That was before 9/11.  Back then Chelsea was nothing like it is right now.  There were galleries already in business, but less than maybe 20 of them.  All located below 24th Street back then.  Nothing was happening above 24th Street yet. "Hight Line" was still a project to talk about.  We all though it would never happen.  Now even my friends from Tokyo know what it is.  I'm sure it is the Best New Thing in NYC.

Back to "NUNO".  Second visit of that trip was right before our departure. I had to pick my orders up.  And of course, I got some fabrics for my clothing collection.
"NUNO" makes clothing as well, but they do only for Ladies.  Like Jonathan always says " Ladies  have all the fun !"  And, I do agree !!
The NUNO Clothing Line is available for wholesale in USA.  Ms. Shimoda is bringing the collection to show in NYC for quite some time.  She was just here for that reason in late September.  
I went to see the Spring '11 Collection, of course.  There were many lovely things in it.  I'm so glad that they make only Ladies'.  Other wise I have to start thinking about what I'm going to wear next Spring.
I just changed my closet to Fall ~ Winter.  We call it "Koromo Gae" in Japan. 
Means "Changing Clothes".  We do change drawers and closet twice in a year.  At the same time we clean clothes before putting them away until next year,and bring out new season's wardrobes to get air to freshening up.
Sayuri-san (Ms. Shimoda) always bring something for Jonathan and me.  This time we got new scarves.  Of course they are from "NUNO".  These are brand new designs.  I'll take the "Black & White", Jonathan will take the "Black & Blue" without complaining.  This one will be very handy for beginning of new season.  And she knows what color is good for him and me.  We don't have to fight  to choose.

These are the new scarves from Sayuri-san.

It is getting cold in New York, perfect scarves for us to use now.

Thank you so much Sayuri-san !

I felt like "MURASAKI" this morning.

Saturday morning I reached for this "Murasaki-Stole".

Actually this is not a stole. It is "Sanjaku" sash for Casual Cotton Kimono we call "Yukata".

Name "Sanjaku" come from the length of this kind of sash, I think. 

This one happens to be "Murasaki Shibori".  Meaning Purple (murasaki) with white Tie-Dye (shibori) patterns on it. I think most people know how to do Tie-Dye. This one is Vegetable dye, I think maybe from Eggplant of some sort.

I bought it in San Francisco many years ago. I used to go to visit my friends in SF at least once a year. 

As you all know, in SF you will find many shops where you can find many things from Asia.

This "Sanjaku" is about 15" x 4 yards, it is very long.  I just fold in half lengthwise, then go around my neck once, then I put split end into the loop. There it is !

At the market I saw "Purple Cauliflower" and "Purple Majesty Potato". 

I have been seeing "Purple Majesty Potato" at "Paffenroth Farm" for few weeks, 

They will continue to bring them to us until next Spring.  This potato will stay Purple even after you boil them.

After you boil till tender, skin them, sprinkle with some chopped Rosemary and Sea-Salt,they will be ready to eat. Of course you can add butter to it, but I don't think its necessary.

This is the First weekend I saw the "Purple Cauliflower" at the market. I had to have it, I wonder if I can make "Purple Soup" tonight ?   I got Leeks and Garlic, can't forget "Purple Majesty Potato". Thes should make enough ingredients for the "Purple Soup" !

So, now I have to remember to get "Low or Non Sodium Chicken Stock".

I think I'm ready to start...

 the pink one is a Watermelon-Radish.

 other favorite fall vegetable of mine.

Murasaki I am talking about here is not just a Purple. Very particular kind of Purple, I call it "Kodai (ancient days)Murasaki ".  You can see it in old kimonos or traditional and formal kimonos.  A very dark eggplant-like Purple.

In Japan, there is Purple which was allowed only for royal families and aristocrats to have kimonos of that color. I would say "Royal Purple" in English ?   I think that is the closest word I can think of for it.  That color "Kodai Murasaki" is my favorite color, even though I do have and wear lots of black clothes.

When I woke up Saturday morning I had no idea that day will be a "Purple-Day"!

When I was working in Tokyo, people in the design room called me "Murasaki-san". 
Because I had a few garments in Murasaki, a Cotton Shirts for Spring time, a Large Short Sleeve Pull-over Organza Shirt for Summer, then Wool Sweaters for Fall ~ Winter all in very similar color. I had other things in Murasaki for all seasons.  I did not wear them all the time. 

But color was so vivid especially against the black, so they did remember me as a person who wears something in that color all the time.  That color became my signature color, after that "Murasaki" became my nickname.  
Believe me, I  do wear black all the time, but that did not became my nickname.  I guess black is not special color for anybody.

Try to remember in the subway in the Winter, how many of us are in black coats  ?

Special Way to Celebrate Birthday...

I had a wonderful Birthday.
Jonathan & our friends planned for me to see "Sankai Juku" for my Birthday with them.
I have been watching them dance since the 80s.
Special thing about the night was that I met two dancers from that company back stage at the Joyce Theater in Chelsea in NYC.
Jonathan became Facebook friends with them few weeks ago, so he asked them to meet us after the performance.
They kindly agreed with him to do so.  I did meet them right after the Curtain Call.
Not just meet them, we had a late supper together. I had a lovely few hours with my friends include my 2 new dancer friends.

                                                                                                                                                

You should try to see them perform. They are fantastic !  

  They are at "JOYCE" until 17th.

It is a very different form of dance.  Let's say, it is very different from New York City Ballet or Martha Graham, even from Merce Cunningham.  " Butoh" is the name for this genre of dance, it was known as "Dance of Darkness" 
If you love "Butoh" a very special kind of dance from Japan, you already know who they are.
They are one of my favorite dance companies. I would say "Sankai Juku" is the most well known "Butoh" company in the world.
I start watching them before I moved to this city.  I was student in Art School when I had an introduction to "Butoh" by my drawing teacher.  It was in Tokyo.  In Japan "Butoh" was not popular back then.  Especialy among Japanese.  I still remember that more than half of the audiences were Foreigners.  I remember, only one other student in the class and I stayed all the way to the end.  The moment I stepped into this house in Tokyo, I felt very strange & something very eeire, and something sadly wonderful & dark excitement all at once.
They were performing in the town house which was made into a "ButohTheater" in the middle of residential area of Tokyo, a neighborhood call "Meguro".
I do remember as we entered the house,we had to take off our shoes then ga ve them to a man who was putting our shoes onto wooden shelves.  Later I leared that the man was "Tatsumi Hijikata" one of creators of "Butoh".  I'm not clear about how "Butoh" was born, but my understanding is, that in late 60's in Tokyo, the "Butoh" movement was born. People were calling them "Ankoku Butoh". (Dance of Darkness)  It was hellish and mysterious. I had never seen such a performance until that day.
So from that day on I was hooked.  I did try to see as much "Butoh" as I could. My favorite was "Dai Rakuda Kan".  One performance I still remember vividly happened at "Futago Tamagawa" where you have to walk to the River-bank, then waited until it got dark. Suddenly spot lights hit the river water surface, we could see something is moving.  That was the shaved heads and naked bodies crawling out of the water, that was how performance started. I still remember that night very well.  Still it was the most shocking & exciting dance I have ever seen up to this day. 
Ushio Amagatsu was one of dancers that night.  Years later, he created "Sankai Juku" and he is still dancing.  He is still a fantastic dancer !
I hope to see my new friends again before they leave to Chicago.
By the way, the seat number on a ticket was my birthdate. And I had chance to meet two not just one dancer from my favorite dance company from Japan.
So, that was my birthday.  I had never had a birthday like this before !
  
OH, there was one super special Birthday I had !!  Jonathan organized it for me years ago. 
 I was in Paris to celebrate my big one with our friends from many different countries. 
They all flew into Paris for the Lunch.
I must say that one was the Best.  It is impossible to top that one. That Lunch was more than one year's planning to make it happen.  
Can you imagine seeing your best friends in a restaurant located on top of the building overlooking Notre Dame and the Seine. From your table you could see from the Eiffel Tower to Sacre Coeur to the Bastille ! 
I can tell you more about that special day sometime...
But this Birthday comes in second, no doubt !!


By the way, when we met the 2 dancers after they took off the special make-up, they are just looked like any other Japanese who may be living somewhere in the Village.
I always thought that "Butoh Dancers" are a different species !  

My first Pickling Recipe.

Do you know "Shiso" ?
It a Japanese Herb which is getting very popular here in NYC.
It is an essential Herb in Japanese dishes. When you order "Sashimi" for  Dinner, its always comes with one or two of these Green Leaves.  It has very distinctive flavor you may have already tasted. This Summer, we even found popsicles with it.
From this Spring I have been getting it from "Stokes Farm" in Union Square every Saturday Morning.
This photo (above) is the Flowering Shiso which I'm going to reserve for my special Quick Pickle Recpie.
It became my signature side dish this Summer. When you serve right away, it can be a crunchy salad.
If you keep them in the Frige overnight, it will become quick-pickles. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4~5 days.  Oh, pickling vegetables are Japanese White Turnips (KOKABU) and Persian Cucumbers or Japanese Cucumber, if you can get it.
I occasionally add a few thin match sticks of Ginger and  shakes of "Shichimi" ( Japanese Chili ).
I do make a special salt for this recipe.  It's "Shiso Flowers & Sea Salt".
After cutting vegetables into bitable size, you season with this salt and "Kabosu" ( Japanese Citrus Juice).
Then mix well.  That is all.  "Japanese White Turnips" are also available at few venders in Union Square Market.  "Kaboshu" is available at "Sunrise Market " Japanese Super Market in East Village in NYC.
If you are living in other parts of USA, I'm sure that you can visit Japanese Market to find it or ask them to get it for you.

So, "shiso" is not just pretty plant, you can use it so many ways.
Do you know other way to enjoy "Shiso", please let me know ?
"Shiso" & "Japanese White Turnips" are continue to come to the market one more month or so.  I'll be making it until they will disappear. 

Season is changing at the market !

As I commented before, I go to the Farmer's Market almost every Saturday for Produce. 
There is one farmer who brings us fantastic Grapes. They will come to Union Square only 8 ~10 weeks each year. They are Buzzard Crest Vineyards.
They have with or without seeds, at least 4 kinds of grapes for each. You can try them before you choose which one to buy. But you are not allowed to touch the merchandises. 
I love the way they do bossiness as well !  Don't forget to try their Grape-Juice.  You will love them.
Girls at the stand recognize me by now...
If you never tried their Grapes you should do this weekend.  We have only few more weeks to go.
They say Halloween Weekend is the final weekend for them to come to the city.
At the end of season the thing I do is get more that I can eat, then wash them then put into Freezer. 
Just make sure to take off the stems, then wash and dry them well before start freeze them.
During the Fall, you can have them as an almost-candy when you need to have "sweet fix".
You may be surprised to find out that it is better than Ice Cream... At least for me.
When I start freeze them I'll show you what it looks like.  
But for now, I will enjoy fresh Grapes !

Here are the Grapes along with Grape-Tomatoes, which I have every weekend during Spring~ Summer.
Slice them in half and put Julianned Basil add Olive-oil and toss. If tomatoes are not sweet enough to your taste, you can always add some Balsamic-vineger to them.  OH! if you have left over, you can make a lovely Pasta-sauce with them.  I was living on them along with the Corn during the Summer.
Some of you are better cooks than me, if so you don't have to pay attention to my cooking tips.  But some of my friends are asking about my cooking, so I'll do it occasionally.   
Be wear !!


I may try to have Rosemary in the room though out the Fall for the fragrance. This way I don't have to go to Brooklyn to get "Russian Caravan Tea"( Room Perfume ) from "CB I Hate Perfume".
Do you know the place I'm talking about ?   There is a fantastic shop in Willamsberg call "CB Perfume Gallery".  Christopher makes fantastic Perfumes for us and homes.  If you like great fragrances like I do, you should give yourself a visit !   If you don't like dogs, be wear, he has lovely Big Dog in his shop.
I've been visiting to that shop more than a few years !  One of my friends, Tomoko, who lives in Tokyo has to have "Lavender Tea".  She said that everybody asks her what she is wearing ?
Of course she will say, "You can't have it, it's from New York City !"

Photo of My very First Scarf !

Hello again !

I got back from "Apple Shop" for i-mac lesson. 

There I learned how to upload the image to Blog page.

This is what I wanted to attach to my previous blog.

This is the scarf designed

 by "Jurgen Lehl"

Now I know how to post photos to my blog, it will be many more to come.

My first scarf to post.

Hi Everyone. Hope that more than one person visits my blog.

Since my blog is named "Scarf Boys" I should say something about the scarf.
I'll post one of the many scarves I have today.  Actualy this is what I wore last Saturday to go to Farmer's Market at Union Square in NYC.
This one was given to me a few years ago by one of my friends "Ban-chan" in Tokyo. I met her before I came to USA many years ago. That means we have been friends long long time.
This lovely light weight scarf was designed by Jurgen Lehl who is living in Tokyo and designing clothing and accessories since the 70s.  I used to go to his shop in Harajuku to see what is new and sometimes got things from that shop.
When I was living in Tokyo, Harajuku was nothing like Harajuku is now.  If you are not High Fashion Followers you would feel uncomfortable to enter any of those well known Japanese Designers Boutiques.  That was the very beginning of Tokyo Fashion, Yhoji Yamamoto & Comme de Garcons were not happening yet.  Talking about Harajuku, "Kuwazawa School of Design" where I went to study Fashion and Textiles is located between Harajuku and Shibuya.
So, I do know how much Harajuku has changed.
I am talking about Tokyo in 70s.  Then I came to New York. When I visit Tokyo, I stay in Shibuya for convenience, but also brings back so many memories of my student days...
I do miss Harajuku~Aoyama area in 70s ~ 80s.  Come to think of it, I do miss 80s New York as well.
I had so much fun on this island.  There was so many areas I was not supposed to go to but I went any ways...
It was so much more dangerous on the streets in NYC back then, but the excitement will go with danger I guess.
Jonathan still talks about how much more fun he had in the 70s, unfortunately I was still dreaming about coming to New York in Japan then.  At least I arrived here 80s.  Oh ! I do miss New York in 80s.
So, I'll let you know what I was doing in the 80s some other time, if somebody cares to know...
Back to the Scarf, if you have visited Paris you may have noticed that Parisians knows how to use scarves.
Men or Women, they know exactly how to make them look great, why is that ?
Do they take some class on "How to wear Scarves"?
If you grow up with Style everywhere, is it becomes a reflex ?
Unfortunately, we have try harder for it to become second nature.
I do get comments from people that I do use them well. So I'll do my best to show you how I use them my own way. If you care to know more will follow.
It is getting chilly, perfect time to start getting better with our scarves.

I finally got back to my blog.

I have been trying to start my blog,
Thanks to Yuki-K I finally learned how to do this.  It's been only 15 month using I-Mac at home. I don't think I'm too slow learning how to use this Damned Machine. Funny thing is that my English is getting better, especially my Spelling. Even though I still calling Jonathan constantly for it. He calls himself "Spell Check".  I don't quite know what I'm going to say here yet, but it is going to be more about what I find at the farmer's market and what I make with them for dinner. And what I discovered in New York City.
OH, of course a little about Fashion !! (Such as, which Scarf I wore-and how-that particular day)
Actually the blog name "Scarf Boys" was the nickname given to us by our dear friends, Jane and Louis,
when they greeted us at their home for New Year's Day Open House.
Between Jonathan and me, we have quite a collection.  A possible retrospective may appear here soon.
BTW, I just opened my "FALL '10 Collection".  I titled it "Plaid Madness", as you guessed I have few Plaid Fabrics in it along with Black Wool. It is getting chilly in the morning every day, so its time you for start thinking what you are going to wear this season...
I'm planing to put some pictures of my collection here soon, God willing.
I don't know how many people are checking this at this time, but I will start telling people especially my friends in Japan who suggested that I start doing this thing. I hope they are willing to open their English~Japanese Dictionary, because I'm not going to try to do this in Japanese YET.
So until next time , have a great rest of weekend.