2020-11

#779 “Chano-ma” cafe for moms with newborns

Mom’s cafe, it’s like in heaven.

It’s been about a year since I met my friend who had a baby this May. We met together at “Chano-ma” cafe where she chose. She showed up carrying her baby and she looked fantastic.
I heard the cafe was very popular among young couples, young girls, and mothers with newborns. One side of the cafe has a big window and the cafe was very bright from the sunlight that came in through the window. All the things in the cafe and even the staff’s uniforms were just pure white. I felt like I was in heaven. Customers can choose to sit at the table or on the elevated podium on the mat by the window. My friend requested the elevated space because her baby could lay down on the soft mat.

We had lunch on the wood plate table that has no legs. It was quite a strange style and it was not very easy to eat, but we had a nice conversation. Although sometimes her baby was fussy and cried, it was OK, nobody cared because other groups were also moms and babies and we were in the same boat.

We were so relaxed and we stayed in the cafe for four hours! She fed her baby three or four times there. It was like magic when you are with babies, you tend to forget the time. Moreover, people tend to be nicer where there are moms and babies around. This time I had a new experience with my friend’s baby and found a cafe that I usually don’t go to. It was such a nice cafe for moms and babies.

Two mitten hats

I gave her baby two mitten hats with French braids that was custom-made in Thailand. They suit to her baby very much! She looked like a very cute 3-year-old toddler with those hats, even though she was only 6 months old.


↑”I can’t sit up straight yet. I am still 6 months old!”

Small joy!!!(2020.11.26)

2020-11-30 | Posted in English2 Comments » 

 

#780 “Wife of a spy”「スパイの妻」

“Wife of a spy”「スパイの妻」

I went to see a movie called “Wife of a spy”「スパイの妻」, which won the Silver Lion award at the 77th Venice International Film Festival this year.

The story started in 1940s before the Pacific War during World War 2. A Japanese merchant went to Manchuria in China for business. There he witnessed the uncivilized behavior of the Japanese army towards the local villagers. After he returned to Japan, he decided to reveal the awful secrets to the world. Then he and his wife tried to flee to America from Japan.

I was satisfied to watch the actors speaking old-fashioned Japanese.

Although this movie was based on a serious subject about the war, it was filled with many romantic and beautiful scenes, so it was not as dark and solemn as one would expect. I felt like watching a stage performance. The story unfolded at a good pace and the dialogues were long but intense. The performance of actress Aoi Yu was amazing. The way she spoke in the movie makes me feel like I was watching a movie star from the Showa period. I was very satisfied to watch the actors speaking beautiful and old-fashioned Japanese.
I especially liked a line that she shouted “Omigoto!” meaning “Bravo!”. With only one word, she was able to express how sad she was, but at the same time she remained strong and cool in the scene.

This movie was thought-provoking to me.

It has been a while since the last time I went to watch a movie in the theater due to the pandemic. It was a wonderful movie that taught me a lot about the Pacific War and the unit 731, which I didn’t learn much when I was a student. It was thought-provoking and the ending remains an unsolved mystery to me. Nevertheless, I like this movie and I hope you will enjoy it too.

Small joy!(2020.11.13)

2020-11-25 | Posted in English2 Comments » 

 

#781 “Kurikinton”~my favorite seasonal snack~

My favorite sweet in autumn is “kurikinton”.

It is made of chestnuts and its shape also looks like chestnuts. It is usually available from September to January. It is a special seasonal sweet from Tokai area. Nakatsugawa area in Gifu is famous for it.

It is different from “osechi kurikinton”.

When you hear “kurikinton” and if you are not from Tokai area, you might think of the “osechi kurikinton”, which is a special dish for the Japanese New Year. This time I am not referring to that one. “Osechi kurikinton” is sticky and uses a different recipe than the Tokai version.

I learned about this kurikinton the first time when I moved to Nagoya 15 years ago. Before that I have never heard of this version. It is easier to buy it in Tokai area more than other areas in Japan. Of course, you should be able to find it on internet or in the department stores where you live.

My favorite shop is “Suya”.

There are some famous shops for making kurikinton. My favorite shop is “Suya”. Because it is not too sweet and the taste of chestnuts really stands out compared to other shops.
I buy kurikinton from Suya every autumn. I’m look forward to the kurikinton season.

Small joy!!(2020.11.6)

2020-11-09 | Posted in English4 Comments »