32nd Meeting for the International Women’s Association on Saturday 16th May 2015.

I must apologize for my tardiness in not writing this report of the day’s activities sooner but I’m sure we have all been there…been very busy and one thing leads to another and all of a sudden another week has passed!  Anyway, so here goes, right now!

Five members joined the day and all went according to plan.  The weather was kind and not too hot.  Mr & Mrs Kawaii were their usual selves and welcomed us and made us feel comfortable for the day’s events. 

We walked for quite a way into the countryside noticing, in particular, the birds’ songs.  We were able to pick them out.  The mountain vegetables (sansei) were in abundance and we were very excited to collect them.  Along the way, one or two fields were being planted with rice and it was lovely to watch.  The frogs were also croaking quite loudly!  During the walk we had time to renew friendships and exchange information regarding the countryside and of course Mr Kawaii, being an expert, made everything significant.

On returning Mrs Kawaii had prepared a wonderful feast of sansai tempura and smoked IWANO fish, plus, which was really appreciated by me, a dish of mashed potatoes with pineapple – so deliciously refreshing and a first for me!

We were going to do some wood carving however conversation over the lunch was so interesting we all lost track of time.

Before the close of the day we were each presented with an OZEN tray, which as mentioned before, was handed down to Mr Kawii by ancestors and which were made by Sasaki Shirobei, from Miyata, during the Taisho era (1912-19).  The OZEN trays were in excellent condition and we were all so happy to receive such a beautiful antique. 

We all thanked our hosts, taking photos of the group, which Mr & Mrs Kawaii treasure around the house.  We were also able to take home some of the delicious food to add to our picked sansai.  I can honestly say that yet ANOTHER great day was held for IWA at JIZAIYA.

We would like to extend IWA’s many thanks to JIZAIYA and we will hopefully be able to join again next year.

Please enjoy the JIZAIYA photographs.

 

 

 

 

 

32nd Meeting of IWA Saturday 16th May at JIZAIYA

32^nd Meeting of IWA will take place at one of our best loved places in Akita…JIZAIYA.

Please make an important date in your diary for Saturday 16^th May, meeting at Mr Donuts, Aeon Mall, Goshono by 9.15 a.m. or meeting directly at JIZAIYA by 9.45a.m.

We shall enjoy a walk into the countryside with Mr Kawaii, leaving at 10 a.m., to pick Mountain Vegetables (sansai).  Returning at 12 noon, to enjoy the culinary expertise of Mrs Kawaii for many delicious dishes, which I am SURE YOU WILL ALL ENJOY, including smoked IWANO fish.

Not only shall we all enjoy the countryside experience but from 1.30 p.m. we shall be taught how to carve on wood and have the opportunity to take home our carvings plus picked sansai and also each a lovely lacquered OZEN Japanese table, on which our lunch will be served. (Size 33 cm x H 14 cm)

These antique OZEN treasures were made in the earlyTaishyo period (1912-26) by Sasaki Shirobei, who was a rich farmer of the day in Miyata.  Mr & Mrs Kawaii inherited these OZEN from ancestors. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to buy such precious artifacts.

The fee for the day, including the walk, talk, carving, lunch, drinks, ozen and the wonderful experience of the day is:  Lunch Y2,500, Ozen Y2,500 total Y5,000.  Students: Lunch Y1,500.

Things to bring with you for the day:

1.  A towel

2.  Gloves to help you pick the mountain vegetables

3.  In case of rain, an umbrella

4.  A carving knife, which you can find at Aeon Mall

5.  Wrapping to take home the OZEN.

The outing will finish at 3 p.m.

Please let’s all enjoy this unique and wonderful hospitality with Mr & Mrs Kawaii yet again.

I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you all again very soon.

Please reply to Mrs Jennifer Ichikawa, email: akitawaves@cap.ocn.ne.jp   ASAP.