Osorezan - mountain of dread..

This isn't taken by me since I haven't been to Osorezan,

I thought it was a good representation of the area. Would be an interesting place to go to.

Not really relevant if you don't live in Japan, but is kind of interesting. I have heard about it and has intrigued me somewhat. If you have been here, let me know :-)

OSOREZAN Mountain of dread
By CHRIS BAMFORTH

The Hakkakudo (Octagonal Hall) is one of the most distinctive of Bodaiji temple's structures.

The stench of sulfur hits you long before you get off the bus. And when you do step off, it hits you all the stronger. Before you stretch the sickly, yellow-green waters of a caldera lake, whose acidity has expunged all fish life except for one hardy species (ugei or big-scaled redfin). Signs everywhere warn of the danger of poisonous mamushi pit vipers. Even at the height of the Japanese summer, the air is curiously silent, with none of the clamorous abundance of the insect life ubiquitous to Japan. The only sound is that of the raucous, ill-tempered crows that obviously have an affinity for the spot. Death seems to be built into the very fabric of things at Osorezan.
Some places have a peculiar, uneasy air about them. They provoke the sensation that things are not quite right. And that's certainly true of this place. Visitors wanting a taste of a Japan far removed from the genteel, familiar temples and festivals will not be disappointed by Osorezan and its unsettling lunar landscape.

Located at the end of hatchet-shaped Shimokita Peninsula, stretching north toward Hokkaido at the northern tip of Aomori Prefecture, Osorezan is a place that since ancient times has been venerated because of its mystical power. The lake -- Usoriyama -- still bears the Usori name by which the area was known to the Ainu. This was later phonetically altered to provide the Japanese pronunciation and etymology -- Osorezan, the mountain of dread. After Buddhism was introduced to Japan, the religion worked its way north, and when it came to Osorezan, the Buddhist cosmology was projected onto this desolate volcanic landscape of sulfur-stained rock.

Here, among the features marked on the map of Osorezan's temple, called Bodaiji, over an area of several hectares are such doleful-sounding spots as the Lake of Blood, half a dozen different hells, the Mountain of Swords and the Dry Bed of the River of Souls (Sai no Kawara) -- the desiccated river that divides the worlds of the living and dead. Slightly more cheery is the Beach of Pa-radise (Gokurakuhama) on the shores of Lake Usoriyama.

Souls of children
Statues of the protective bodhisattva Jizo are seen everywhere at Osorezan.
The names may sound like lurid attractions at some awful theme park, but there's no getting away from the dispiriting atmosphere that hangs over Osorezan. It is Sai no Kawara that gets perhaps the most visitor attention. With its boundary function, Sai no Kawara is often referred to as a Buddhist River Styx, but it also has the aspects of limbo. It is to this grim realm that children who predecease their parents -- and are thus unable to repay those parents for having giving birth to them -- are condemned. As penance, they are obliged to build up stone cairns, only to have foul demons with an attitude problem come along and smash them apart -- and, for good measure, tormenting the little souls with fond memories of the happiness they knew as living children. Sole protector of the children is the bodhisattva Jizo -- he of the red bib and cap and whose stone figures are seen everywhere around Japan -- driving the demons away.

Jizo images are a common sight at Osorezan, as are cairns built by visitors. Upon the cairns are often placed offerings of coins, which become blackened by the sulfurous vapors expelled by numerous volcanic vents. Many of the visitors who add to the cairns are the unfortunate ones who have lost their own young children. However one may feel about Buddhism and the afterlife, it is hard not to be moved by the presents left here -- the chocolates, plastic pinwheels, candy and small toys representing life's small pleasures, which these children will never know again. Many offerings are also made at Gokurakuhama. As well as the small cairns, along the lakeshore can be seen such items as flowers, pinwheels stuck into the soft sand and straw sandals, the latter being given to Jizo to protect his feet as he walks across the sharp rocks of Sai no Kawara. At Gokurakuhama, visitors come and perform their own small ceremonies, often done matter-of-factly. A typical one will have the visitors approach, burn incense, set flowers upon the sand, open the can of beer and onigiri they have brought along and set them by the lakeshore. They clasp their hands in prayer, call out to the departed across the lake and, the incense still burning, make their way back. What the dead can't manage of the onigiri, the crows gladly come and finish off.

Cairns built by visitors on the dry bed of the River of Souls
A couple of times a year during Osorezan festivals, the living who seek direct contact with the departed can do so through the blind mediums known as itako. Though often referred to as shamans, itako are not shamans in that they do not have any supernatural calling and do not experience any shamanistic possession. Instead, itako were traditionally born into the job through their visual impairment. Clutching and rubbing long black rosaries of soapberries, to which are often festooned such objects as old coins and the teeth, claws and bones of wild animals, the itako chant and deliver their messages from the spirit world to their paying customers. If you listen long enough, you do notice that the itako seem to work within a certain repertoire: The spirits of a grandfather or a child tend to say similar sorts of things to different people. But that is clearly no problem for the customers, many of whom queue for hours for the itako and afterward are quite visibly affected after their communications with the dead.

On the approach to Bodaiji stands one structure that, apparently, all of us will encounter sooner or later -- a small, arched, vermilion bridge that the newly deceased have to cross. For the person who has led a virtuous life, finding and crossing the bridge will be comparatively easy. But those who fail to observe Google's wise dictum of doing no evil will hardly be able to discern the bridge: It will appear to them as nothing but the slightest hint of mist.

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?
William Shakespeare

service in Japan..

The rain is with us and it feels like Autumn is definitely in the air.. We have had some very warm days here, one day reaching 29 degrees!

Met up with Z the other day and explored the inner gardens of the Palace. I cannot believe I haven't been there before and it's a haven waiting to be explored. Mind you, you have to get in early as the gates close before 4pm and it is shut on Monday's and Friday's. However, if you do get the chance, do explore the garden. The area has been very well preserved and it is great to have a green oasis in the middle of downtown Tokyo. Was a great day and the weather was just perfect for strolling around gardens and mucking around on the grass. Definitely, just one of those happy, relaxing days that puts you in a good mood for the rest of the week.

Lunch was interesting, as we visited the restaurant at an Art gallery and couldn't work out why there were so many older women (over the age of 60) there. The atmosphere is rather swanky, and not really what I would have thought that would be popular with the over 60's, however, the place was packed with them, dining on Western cuisine. The service, despite being in Japan, wasn't even up to par. Perhaps the waiters and waitresses were overworked, but we didn't even get an apology for a fork being dropped on the table.. usually, they would be apologising profusedly. Is there a change in Japanese service at swanky restuarants now? Z and I contemplated about this, however, we just came to the conclusion that it was just that kind of place and they were probably fed up with the demands of older ladies..

Have been researching into some cancer articles lately and it seems that Curcumin is the best thing out for you regarding the prevention of cancer. Indians don't have much cancer in their diet, and it may be due to all the herbs and spices that are found in their curries and traditional medicine. There is something in the yellow colour of Tumeric that is said to help destroy the cancer cells. I find that taking tumeric or curcumin is the best thing after a few drinks, as the next day I feel great without any hangover! (Of course at the time of taking the yellow powder, I am almost choking on tumeric and almost gagging in the mouth from it), however, I know the benefits do work.. (At least a couple of teaspoons, and if you can manage after a LOT of drinking, then a good sized dessert spoon is recommended). Let me know if you have experienced this miracle too. I swear by it!

This week it looks like I may be off to the races at Funabashi. Will be the first time I have gone to a race track in Japan. I have an image of old, dodgy men at races in Japan, so not that excited about it. The reason why I am going is a good friend has invited me to support one of her friends that owns a race horse! (same sort of age as us!) We have seats to the VIP box, so will be worth checking out. May even take some photos and post them up! Not holding my breath, but am up for new experiences and this is one that I have yet to try out. (Still haven't been to a Sumo match, baseball game, Japanese rock concert yet..) Other things that will have to be ticked off eventually.

Seems another good friend J, may be leaving within 6 months. This is one of those things that happen in Japan, bond with someone and then they decide to leave. Another one of my friends had a great farewell party at a traditional Japanese garden and invited all their friends along. Was a great afternoon. I thought I had been here for a while, but most of the people there had been in Japan for about 15-28 years! At 7 years, I seemed just a novice! Some very accomplished people, but with a very down-to-earth attitude about life and were open and friendly. For me, these events scare the daylight out of me, going into a room of knowing absolutely no one. However, I accepted the challenge and met some great people. I guess I never overlook an opportunity if I can.

"They can because they think they can."
- Vergil (BC)

husband ranks..

This is an actual article in today's Japan Times.
I wonder where NZ guys rank themselves on this?...

Update to follow soon...

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006
How do you or your husband rank?
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20060920f2.html

Here is a list of rankings for husbands set by Zenkoku Teishu Kanpaku Kyokai:

1st dan: Is still in love with his wife after three years of marriage.
2nd dan: Does a good job helping with housework.
3rd dan: Has never cheated on his wife -- or his wife has never caught him cheating.
4th dan: Can practice a "ladies first" policy.
5th dan: Can take a walk with his wife while holding hands.
6th dan: Can listen to his wife seriously.
7th dan: Can solve problems between his wife and his mother in one night.
8th dan: Can say "thank you" without hesitation.
9th dan: Can say "sorry" without fear.
10th dan: Can say "I love you" without embarrassment.

toilets in Japan

This is a good one regarding toilets in Japan..

Happy reading..

Commode confession of Sound Princess
By AMY CHAVEZ
All the talk of royalty these days has got me to thinking -- has anyone else ever wondered why so many royal words are associated with toilets? Think about it. You sit on the throne. If you're a woman in a public bathroom in Japan, you probably use the Oto Hime (Sound Princess) to cover up the sounds of tinkling. If you step onto a yacht, you are likely to use a toilet made by Crown. It begs the question: Is there really a connection between royalty and toilets? The answer requires me to plunge further into the toilet psyche.
Old Shed? No, an 18th century throne room that was used until recently. Such outhouses are larger than those in other countries, as they are used for bathing as well.
On one hand, maybe manufacturers have come up with these names so that we will believe that their products are somehow endorsed by the royal family. If so, I'd like to know if they are receiving royalties. Or perhaps toilet companies want us to feel like a pampered royal when we use their products. If so, then why should we be encouraged to feel royal, of all places, while on the toilet? We might be forgiven for having a whimsical royal moment while driving around town in our Toyota Crown, or when tasting the luxurious flavor of Crown Royal whiskey, but while on the toilet? You'd think that even on the most luxurious of yachts, the mere thought of sitting on the crown would be an insult to the royal families of the world.
Butt, you say, perhaps toilet companies are merely suggesting their products are at the standard that a royal would use -- good enough to be the head of state.
While this may be true for Japan nowadays, just a decade ago, Japan had such a reputation for filthy toilets, there was an entire page on the Internet dedicated to the location of the dirtiest toilets in Japan. Then toilet manufacturing giants such as Toto started flaunting their toilet technology in public areas. I remember walking into a public toilet five years ago and being so in awe of the cleanliness and gadgetry, I thought: "Whoa! Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore!" No, urine Japan, and ready to meet a different kind of Wiz.
Most public toilets nowadays offer deluxe Western-style toilets that feature bottom washers, bottom dryers and heated seats. Some public bathrooms even have odor-decomposing walls.
While wee in the United States would never imagine outfitting even our home bathrooms with such luxurious thrones, half the households in Japan pay the princely sum of $ 3,000 for one. Those privy to the wonders of modern toilet technology can then empress their friends with remote-control toilet seats that play music and open and close on command. For the first time, at weekly bridge parties, everyone will have an equal chance at a royal flush. Some toilet seats even measure your body fat ratio with electrodes, and others glow in the dark. In short, Japanese toilet companies are out to make sure that no man will yearn the urinal. For the new, modern whiz kid.
Japan, proud of its toilet technology, has even started a toilet college and has sent experts to Singapore to teach bathroom attendants how to properly clean toilets in public restrooms.
I suppose it would not be fair for me to criticize, from my humble commode, one of Japan's original pit-style toilets, which makes sounds so atrocious that no Oto Hime could ever cover them up. Over the years, this toilet has provided many a child with stories of the toilet monster and many an adult with night soil to fertilize gardens with. There's no need to worry you may smell up the bathroom or forget to flush. And the toilet seat doesn't sing, so you have to do the singing yourself.
As I sit on my throne right now, singing, I can finally feel the royal connection. I have become my own Sound Princess.
Learn Japanese toilet jargon at Audio Japan Lite: dollarbooks.tripod.com/podcasts.html

modern day cinderella's..

Just a quick note in the blog today, while eating thin crispy seaweed. Need a snack before dinner as I think I have had quite enough of sweet bean snacks. Next thing I will be putting on weight! (just kidding, but you will know it is from azuki beans and not junk food).

A typhoon is approaching Japan and so it has brought the rain. Not so good, but good for studying. Which I should be doing as I write this... Have been a bit discouraged as I had quite a rough commentary on my 10,000 word report (which incidentally, I received back yesterday). Not so good and need a day of mucking about before I get stuck in the study me thinks!

Last night went into Daikanyama (for those that don't know, it is where the trendy designers of fashion hang out. I.e. there are no supermarkets to make it easy for daily living in the area).

Went with good friend N and met up with some very good other friends too. Last night's event was one for the trendy people in Tokyo (don't know how I managed to get there..) Anyway, it was quite hip, with very some very suave dressed up guys and gals. Most imperssive. Had a few fun dances with my friends (A is almost teacher-level of hip-hop dancing, my other friend Y, is the equivalent at that at salsa). One of the interesting things about this particular event was that they had booths at the party (manicures, hand massages, eyelash extensions..) Great for the girlies, and I do hope I get invited to more events like this. Entry fee of 500yen, included a drink of your choice and I got my nails done. Feeling rather girly now though.. hee hee.. It was almost midnight and we all decided we had had enough of the trendy ambience, so we all bolted off to be safe and sound in our apartments. Modern day Cinderella's perhaps?..

Was meant to be going off to Mito today to check out one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, but ended up doing spring (?!) cleaning. All those little bits that only get cleaned every 6 months! Now house is feeling rather sparkly! Light shades, edges on the walls, dust behind the wardrobe, you name it, I think I cleaned it. Including the windows. Unfortunately, it is raining now, but kind of nice since I'm quite comfortable sitting at my desk looking out of the window writing this and thinking of my next paper to write.

Friday night was great and met up with very close friend Z for quite an unexpected evening. Got into the park for free (very close to closing time and did the "short-term visiting foreigner" thing). Z did well at managing to convince the stern looking guard. Hohoho.. It worked out well, and got to see some Autumn leaves and the very old tea house. Nice to see nature in the middle of the city some times. We both decided to have soba at a great soba restaurant (sorry, cannot reveal name due to popularity). Anago (type of deep sea eel/fish) tempura that was so succulent, vingared seaweed, tamagoyaki (layered egg omelete kind of thing), with very nice sake and topped off with 100% soba noodles. Was a wonderful dinner and must remember to go there more often. The trouble is, it is usually packed at the most convenient times.. Was a great night, great food and company and good to feel relaxed after quite a long and busy week.

Tomorrow off to see some poodles and to have the amazing hot and cold stone therapy facial/massage. Looking very forward to that. She is an amazing therapist and my skin is amazing after it. (If you want to know more details, drop me a line and I will let you know how you contact her.)

Happiness is the way.
So, treasure every moment that you have.
And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special,
special enough to spend your time and remember that time waits for no one. ...
John Doggett
http://www.sweetnet.com/happy.htm

royal thoughts

I didn't think I would personally make a comment since this article sums up exactly my thoughts of the current situation.

JAPAN LITE
The Japanese Chrysanthemum Thrown
By AMY CHAVEZ

Congratulations to Princess Kiko and Prince Akishino on the birth of their baby! While the fact that it is a boy is even greater news for the royal family, it's a shame for Japan. Looking for excuses not to face modern realities, Japan may now wallow in its past of allowing only male heirs of male lineage to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne, rather than become a model of a progressive First World country.
I was in the train station when I heard the news, broadcast by hot-off-the-press special four-page editions of the Yomiuri newspaper in both Japanese and English. The last time I received one of these editions was when Crown Princess Masako had a baby girl. The current edition shouted headlines that the baby was "the first male born to the throne in 41 years," as if this was something highly unusual. It isn't, however, considering that previous emperors such as Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) used concubines in order to obtain a male heir. When Emperor Hirohito (1901-1989) made the decision to end the tradition of using concubines, one wonders if he didn't foresee the possibility of a woman ascending the throne.
Indeed, the timing of the 37-year-old princess' baby seems impeccable, as Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, a male himself, had just last year submitted a bill proposing that the Imperial Household Law be revised to allow females to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne. Like me, he seems to prefer a woman's touch when it comes to flowers.
If the Imperial household is based on hereditary blood lines, so be it, but why is it based on the male's line? Because it is superior? Cow patties! I have yet to see a comparison of the blood of male royals and those of female royals, or even commoners, showing that blood type "R" is better than A, B, AB or O.
The next in line to the throne should, quite simply, be the firstborn child, whether male or female. To tell the firstborn she cannot reign because she is not a boy is telling her she is, well, you know -- shhhhhh -- not good enough. It's bad enough that Princess Mako (14 years older) will have to yield to her younger brother, but Princess Aiko, the first born on the male line, is really getting stiffed. Not only will the emperor be inferior in age to her, he is also a mere cousin. Aiko can probably give up the hope of ever being called "sempai" by him.
If Princess Aiko, as the firstborn, were allowed to ascend the throne, she would be the ninth female monarch and the first since the 18th century. So what if the previous empresses were of the male line?
Yet everywhere you go in Japan, you see signs telling us, "Stop discrimination!" Japanese teachers are told to treat girls and boys equally in the classroom. The Ministry of Education seems to understand that favoring one gender leads to discrimination. We commoners also understand this. So why not the Diet?
Our current benevolent emperor (whose wife was the first commoner to become crown princess after the war) describes the job of the imperials family as "one in which the emperor and members of the Imperial family endeavor to share hardships and joys together with the people, and carry out their duties while wishing for the happiness of the people." Who is to say that Princess Aiko could not or would not do this?
So what's the big deal about having a reigning woman anyway? Exactly. There is no big deal. And everyone knows this. Apparently, however, some rightwing conservatives want to preserve the male lineage of Imperial succession. Why? They want to keep tradition. Cow patties! That doesn't explain why it should be continued. After all, many other traditions have changed over the centuries. For example, that car you're driving? We used to have a tradition of using horses.
Well then, perhaps it is because it's the Imperial Household Law, so it shouldn't change. Cow patties! New laws are made every day. The law of males in the male line to take the throne didn't even come into being until 1889 under the Meiji Constitution. Before then, women could and did ascend to the throne. Laws, clearly, can be changed.
The only answer as to why a woman cannot ascend the throne is, quite simply, male chauvinism.
But in these enlightened, modern times, must we be reduced to such ignorance that one sex, one race, or one religion is better than the next? I don't know anyone who considers themselves sexist, racist, or even a terrorist. People feel these labels do not apply to them because, they believe, their situation is different. It's because of tradition, history or God, and therefore is justified.
But the Japanese people will not be cowed. They know that, despite the Imperial Household Laws, the only way to stop discrimination is to treat everyone equally -- no exceptions. Ditto for the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
Japan's Chrysanthemum Thrown. One small step for a man, one giant leap backward for mankind.
Amy Chavez is author of "Guidebook to Japan: What the other guidebooks won't tell you"

People love as self-recognition what they hate as an accusation.
Elias Canetti

shochu - the new sake...?

Recently, I have been exploring some new bars and new drinks and one of them is Shochu. It is different to sake, primarily due to the way it is made. Simply put, Sake is brewed and Shochu is distilled. A good Shochu is crisp, dry and leaves you wanting to drink more of the drink served on the rocks. Another good thing about Shochu (and Sake for that matter) is that it doesn't leave you with a sore head the next day. I have yet to explore the finer details about that, but, I have never had a hangover yet (touch wood) from drinking too much Shochu. Perhaps you say, I haven't drunk enough of it, however, ask any Japanese salaryman, and they will explain to you that Shochu doesn't make you feel hungover the next day. Maybe you can go out and try it yourself :-) Feel free to drop me a line if you can recommend me any good shochu's. I particularly like Torikai at the moment. A rice shochu, but has a sharper and smoother kick than it's Sake buddy. The alcohol content is also fairly important and there is a huge difference between 24 and 25 degrees. The 25 being a bit more complex and mature than the 24... (sounds like people in the twenties!)

(Maybe he had one too many sake's... or Shokusho (Chinese sake). This photo was taken in Shanghai last year when I was there.

We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.
Anne Frank

Tofu, ah, beautiful tofu

One of my favourite things on earth - TOFU (well, regarding food that is..)

Came across this great article in The Japan Times and thought I would share it with you..
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/fs20060829a3.html
Tofu, magic for both body and taste buds
By YUKARI PRATT

When the summer heat sets in, my Japanese mother religiously serves hiyayakko (chilled tofu) sprinkled with katsuobushi (bonito flakes) and soy sauce. Just looking at this simple dish, I feel myself starting to cool down, knowing that tofu actually helps lower your body temperature. Soy products have many reputed health benefits and conveniently comes in an astonishingly wide variety of forms, including noodle-like somen tofu (left) and "Charisma" tofu with whole soy beans. Natural refrigerant, anticancer agent, cholesterol combatant -- the list of tofu's reputed health benefits is long.
It is difficult to overrate just how good tofu (made from soybeans) can be for your health.
"I think soy has the potential to be a magical ingredient," said Jacqueline B. Marcus, RD, a food and nutrition consultant from Northfield, Ill. "Research in several areas of health has shown soy may play a role in lowering risk for diseases such as heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and cancer."
"Soybeans contain five classes of compounds that have been identified as anticarcinogens," Marcus said. "Further, research indicates soy protein may help lower blood cholesterol."
"As little as 40 grams of soy protein consumed daily for six months can increase bone mineral content and bone density," Marcus said. (Forty grams of soy protein is the equivalent of one cup of soy milk, 4 ounces of tofu, or 4 ounces of edamame.)

Tofu is a versatile ingredient that comes in a wide variety of forms ranging from savory to sweet. Of course, it often gets a bad rap for being plain, and that is no surprise.

One of my summer favorites is tofu somen, which comes as delicate, thin strands of tofu that could easily be mistaken for somen (wheat) noodles. Another unique tofu is edamame-studded and curiously named "Charisma" tofu.
The production of tofu is surprisingly simple. Soy milk is coagulated with nigari (magnesium chloride, which can be extracted from sea water), explains Yukiko Hayashi, author of the cookbook "Tofu Zanmai (Tofu Obsession)."

Running through the four main types of tofu, Hayashi explains that Momen dofu is firm and good in stir-fries or rolled in almonds or sesame seeds and sauteed for tofu steak. Kinugoshi dofu (silken tofu) is her recommendation for miso soup. One (adapted) dish from her cookbook that packs a lot of punch is garlic, peanuts, chirimen jako (baby sardines) and sakura ebi (dried shrimp) sauteed in oil and poured over kinugoshi dofu and seasoned with Thai nam pla fish sauce. For a Korean twist, try a dressing of chopped raw tuna, kimchi, soy sauce, sesame oil and salad oil.
Zarudofu and yosedofu have a high water content and therefore are very soft on the palate. Zarudofu is served in a zaru, or woven basket, hence the name. Both have an inherent amami, or sweetness, to them, and Hayashi suggests serving zarudofu with top-quality olive oil and sea salt, or alternatively grated ginger or nerigarashi (Japanese mustard) with soy sauce.
Liquid form

Make your own
Homemade tofu may be the easiest Japanese dish you will ever make, bar none. You may find yourself, as I did, shaking your head at the pot thinking, "it's that easy, and this delicious?"
Kyoto business Yubahan has been making yuba since 1716.
* Check the tofu corner of your supermarket, not the dairy section where you find regular soy milk, for a bottle of soy milk with a small packet of nigari (magnesium chloride) attached to it.
Warm the soy milk over medium heat until bubbles start to form. Take it off the heat, add the little pack of nigari, stir a bit and, as it starts to curdle, stop and let it rest. Spoon it into serving bowls and top with a citrusy-soy ponzu.

*Yuba - The first step is to get good quality tonyu soy milk from your neighborhood tofu shop. In a large Teflon pan, add the soy milk -- a large pan gives you a larger surface to make the yuba from and the Teflon coating helps prevent the the soy milk from burning. Apply strong heat and, just before it begins to boil, drop the heat to low simmer. Be patient as the skin slowly forms on the soy milk. With a pair of long chopsticks, gently pick up your piece of yuba and set aside in a serving dish.

Photo below is of Rikugien. Just taken today. Very beautiful place and hope you get a chance to check it out and wander in the delicate gardens. Definitely a worthwhile trip if you are around Bunkyo-ku.

Happiness belongs to the self-sufficient

Aristotle