Category Archives: Izumi

In the shadow, leaning 45* with the paper down, spray water in the quadrants. Let soak. Be patient. Wear gloves (splinters), rub with wet towel.

Kannoji temple is a Zen temple and belongs to the Rinzai sect. It was founded by the Shimazu feudal lord Tadahisa in 1194 and this makes it the oldest temple of the Rinzai sect in Japan. In 1868, when the … Continue reading →

Oldtimers are a rare sight in Japan, with people generally obsessed by novelty and especially by shiny new cars. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon this humble collection of rust.

Processed the last couple kgs into ume miso & ume soy sauce. Watching fermentation is great pastime for rainy days.

Took advantage of a lull in the rain to scavenge our centenarian neighbour’s plum trees: 15kg of utterly sour Japanese ume plums. Made 2kg plum jam; tomorrow boil down 2l jelly & make 16l umeshu plum alcohol (‘opleggen’).