Another Japanese phrase that I am introducing is again that which stimulate the senses. The aroma of fresh food cooked at just the right temperature, its hot steam rising to touch the face or fingers. This could be rice out of the rice cooker or hot baked sweet potatoes (焼き芋/yakiimo). For instance, during cold evenings, the Japanese have this iconic traditional street vendor who pushes a cart called ishi yakiimo (stone roasted sweet potato). The vendor uses the loud speaker and begins to chant,"yaki-imo, ishi yaki-imo, hoka hoka dayo" (It is steaming hot). People would come out to the cold to trade their coins for a paper wrapped sweet potato that will burn their fingers, and rush back to their homes. The irresistible smelling steam warms the room and awakens the senses, bringing a reminder of the cold season and the simple freshness of food from the ground, cooked in its simplest form providing the basic sustenance needed.
That is the Japan that celebrates simplicity and fresh natural food, bland they may be but offers sweetness from the ground. The presence of steamy hot food during cold winter seems like a ritual no different from watching the sakura at the start of spring, cooling down with shave ice at the beach in summer or queing up to see autumn leaves along the Irohazaka slopes of Nikko. The hot steam is temporal, yet is appreciated and celebrated for its purpose, role and meaning. Another example of the wabi-sabi concept.
Not tried this with Haruka, though she loves sweet potato and yam. What about other street vendors you miss and hope to introduce to your kids?
(Photos show Haruka playing at the amusement park at Hong Kong's Ocean Park).
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