MADE IN JAPAN !! HOSHINOYA Radio

Japan's Nissin Foods Holdings is coming up with a substitute for grilled eels made with only plant-based ingredients. These include soy protein and vegetable oil. The product has three layers to mimic an eel's white meat, skin, and connecting tissue. It's grilled over a fire to brown its surface. The firm started selling its eel alternative for 1,500 yen per set, or a little over 10 do...

Jizo is a bodhisattva (bosatsu). A bodhisattva has not yet become a buddha, but already has the ability to become a buddha. Instead of becoming a buddha, Jizo pledged that he would stay in this world to help human beings. Jizo usually appears as a monk holding a jewel and a staff. He is considered the protector of children and travelers. He has been popular in Japan since the Heian period. The pop...

I often go to department stores just to use their restrooms and end up unintentionally giving off the vibe that I'm about to make a purchase. I follow the signs pointing to the restroom, trying to appear like I'm interested in buying something. I even find myself looking at clothes I have no interest in, touching them, and pretending to hum a song to make it seem like I'm browsing with...

A landmark ruling for Japan's LGBTQ community. The country's Supreme Court has ruled a workplace's restriction on which bathroom a transgender employee could use was not legal. The case involves a worker at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The transgender woman filed a suit in 2015 after she was banned by her government office from using certain women's restroom...

Buddhism (bukkyo) was introduced to Japan in the 6th century, from China through Korea. Prince Shotoku is considered the founder and first great patron of Buddhism in Japan. He established several important monasteries, including the famous Horyuji temple. In the beginning, Buddhism was promoted as the state religion. During the Heian period, the Tendai sect and Shingon sect were introduced. They...

This is a HOSHINOYA MADE IN JAPAN Radio. Episode 9 festivals and portable shrines. Wellcome to the HOSHINOYA MADE IN JAPAN Radio. Today I would like to talk about festivals and portable shrines as it relates to the sprit of Japan.     Japanese festivals (matsuri) generally have their origins in the Shinto religion.   They are related to the planting and harvesting of rice and to protecting the wel...

Shinto is the traditional religion of Japan. It developed from the ancient worship of natural phenomena, ancestors and kami. Kami, for which the closest English words are “gods” or “deities,” are things or beings that produce emotions of awe or fear. A kami can be good or evil, but it always has mysterious power. There are “myriads of deities,” yao-yorozu-no-kami. Some are described in ancient Jap...

“Constraint” and “Modesty”   Enryo is an extremely important principle of personal conduct, and is translated as “reserve” or “constraint.” It prevents people from imposing too much on others. In addition, it stops people from taking too much advantage of another person’s kindness. Out of reserve, a person may remain silent in a group of people. A person may keep his or her distance from others. S...

Wellcome to the HOSHINOYA MADE IN JAPAN Radio. Today I would like to talk about TOKYO TEMPLE MARKS SUMMER WITH LANTERN PLANT FAIR.   A traditional fair featuring Chinese lantern plants is underway in Tokyo's historic Asakusa district. The Hozuki Fair has been held for more than 200 years at the Senso-ji temple to mark the arrival of summer. Visitors bought potted plants with orange-red seedpod...

This is a HOSHINOYA MADE IN JAPAN Radio. Episode 5 "itadakimasu" and bowing. Wellcome to the HOSHINOYA MADE IN JAPAN Radio. Today I would like to talk about “itadakimasu” and bowing as it relates to the sprit of Japan.   Before beginning a meal, people in Japan say “itadakimasu.” There is no easy translation for this. It does not mean simply, “I am going to eat.” It is an expression of a...

This is a HOSHINOYA MADE IN JAPAN Radio. Episode 4 Wabi and Sabi. Wellcome to the HOSHINOYA MADE IN JAPAN Radio. Today I would like to talk about Wabi and Sabi as it relates to the sprit of Japan.   Wabi is a taste for simplicity and quiet, free from worldly affairs. It emphasizes a simple, austere type of beauty. It encourages a serene frame of mind. Wabi is important in Japanese poetry, includin...

This is a HOSHINOYA MADE IN JAPAN Radio. Episode 3 "Bushido" Wellcome to the HOSHINOYA MADE IN JAPAN Radio. Today I would like to talk about Bushido the soul of Japan.     Bushi means “warrior” and do means “the way of.   ”Bushido is a word that came into use in the Edo period.   It was the ethical code of the samurai class, which ruled Japan during that period.   “The Way of the Warrior...

This is a HOSHINOYA MADE IN JAPAN Radio. Episode 2 "The world of tea in Japan". When we talk about "tea," usually it refers to green tea made using tea leaves, but there's another kind of tea. It's called "matcha," and it's made by whisking powdered tea leaves.   Both types of tea are popular all over the world.   Ippodo is a traditional tea shop in Kyoto...

Script Hey there! I'm a 40-year-old guy born and raised in Japan. Right now, I run a small business with two other people. If you love Japan, have an interest in it, or just enjoy the Japanese accent, you gotta listen to this! Japan has so many things to be proud of, like sushi, manga, and samurai. But what I'm especially proud of is that Japan is the oldest existing nation, dating all the...