IWA meeting on Friday 5 November for the talk on Bears in the Community.
May I suggest that you all meet at Mr Donuts by 6.50 p.m. and arrange so that 2 cars only will be travelling to my house. This will stop a lot of congestion in the street.
Hope many of you will attend this very unique opportunity to learn about bears. We are hearing a lot about them in the news these days. See you all soon.
28 Oct 2010
17 Oct 2010
Nara House and Taiheisan Brewery
12th Meeting for INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION in AKITA on Wednesday 6 October 2010 was yet again another successful day out.
Mrs. I/S/A/A/O/Q/M/M/I/N/Mr.N & C. Apologies: Mrs I/I
Setting off on time (thank you ladies) 9.35 a.m. arriving just after 10 a.m. at the Akita Prefectural Museum. Weather was kind. The museum was of great interest and a bonus being free entry! Highly recommended for a good day out. Another treat there was to visit the NARA HOUSE which is a little drive away along narrow paths between rice paddies with the surprised SAGI Japanese storks taking flight.
The Nara House dates back to Edo period (1600-1868), owned by a wealthy farmer and took 3 years to build. The house is designated as an Important Cultural Asset by the National Government in 1965.
Moving on then to lunch at the Blue Messe Akita Michi no Eki. This is a real beauty spot with lovely gardens and surroundings. We all enjoyed a delicious lunch and chatter together.
Running 15 minutes late (not bad really!) we arrived safely at the TAIHEISAN BREWERY and were cordially met by Mrs Kodama owner who got us organized to visit the BLUE HOLE art gallery exhibition of Ikuo Nakamura’s most fabulous underwater photos. This you have to see to believe. The Blue Hole was founded in November 2009 and was once an old brewery first built in 1922. Renovated most sympathetically with an all pine wood finish. Here, too, there will be special exhibitions throughout the year by well-known photographers in the world plus periodic gallery talks, seminars and concerts. WATCH OUT FOR THESE WONDERFUL EVENTS.
The day did not stop there…we were then taken around the Miso/Soya/Sake making facilities at the brewery by a relative of the brewery who has worked there for over 25 years. Mrs Kodama kindly translated the information into English for our visitors.
Taiheisan has been a trusted brand since 1870, the name coming from Mount Taihei.
It was so fascinating to see the huge vats used to process the soya and miso. The whole process follows the KIMOTO method, which is said to be the oldest/original method of sake brewing where lactic acid bacteria is utilized to grow the yeast. A labour intensive and time consuming process. However, this process is carried on as generations before have done.
The meeting closed with yet another surprise. Mrs Kodama very kindly invited the IWA to view the family’s estate a little walk from the brewery. Here we were welcomed inside the old traditional family house, which also has a wonderful Japanese landscaped garden with pond. This estate has recently been awarded as a National Treasure. We were all so happy and privileged to have this unique viewing. Thank you so much to the Kodama family.
The meeting closed and all returned home safely.
Thank you to all members for making the day so successful. Thank you for contributions for transport to drivers and looking after one another…that’s what it’s all about!
Regards of thanks to Mrs Kodama have been sent and kind replies received.
I’m pleased to announce that we have another member to IWA: Mrs Q.
Mrs. I/S/A/A/O/Q/M/M/I/N/Mr.N & C. Apologies: Mrs I/I
Setting off on time (thank you ladies) 9.35 a.m. arriving just after 10 a.m. at the Akita Prefectural Museum. Weather was kind. The museum was of great interest and a bonus being free entry! Highly recommended for a good day out. Another treat there was to visit the NARA HOUSE which is a little drive away along narrow paths between rice paddies with the surprised SAGI Japanese storks taking flight.
The Nara House dates back to Edo period (1600-1868), owned by a wealthy farmer and took 3 years to build. The house is designated as an Important Cultural Asset by the National Government in 1965.
Moving on then to lunch at the Blue Messe Akita Michi no Eki. This is a real beauty spot with lovely gardens and surroundings. We all enjoyed a delicious lunch and chatter together.
Running 15 minutes late (not bad really!) we arrived safely at the TAIHEISAN BREWERY and were cordially met by Mrs Kodama owner who got us organized to visit the BLUE HOLE art gallery exhibition of Ikuo Nakamura’s most fabulous underwater photos. This you have to see to believe. The Blue Hole was founded in November 2009 and was once an old brewery first built in 1922. Renovated most sympathetically with an all pine wood finish. Here, too, there will be special exhibitions throughout the year by well-known photographers in the world plus periodic gallery talks, seminars and concerts. WATCH OUT FOR THESE WONDERFUL EVENTS.
The day did not stop there…we were then taken around the Miso/Soya/Sake making facilities at the brewery by a relative of the brewery who has worked there for over 25 years. Mrs Kodama kindly translated the information into English for our visitors.
Taiheisan has been a trusted brand since 1870, the name coming from Mount Taihei.
It was so fascinating to see the huge vats used to process the soya and miso. The whole process follows the KIMOTO method, which is said to be the oldest/original method of sake brewing where lactic acid bacteria is utilized to grow the yeast. A labour intensive and time consuming process. However, this process is carried on as generations before have done.
The meeting closed with yet another surprise. Mrs Kodama very kindly invited the IWA to view the family’s estate a little walk from the brewery. Here we were welcomed inside the old traditional family house, which also has a wonderful Japanese landscaped garden with pond. This estate has recently been awarded as a National Treasure. We were all so happy and privileged to have this unique viewing. Thank you so much to the Kodama family.
The meeting closed and all returned home safely.
Thank you to all members for making the day so successful. Thank you for contributions for transport to drivers and looking after one another…that’s what it’s all about!
Regards of thanks to Mrs Kodama have been sent and kind replies received.
I’m pleased to announce that we have another member to IWA: Mrs Q.
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