Sukiyaki - The Art of Japanese Cooking and Hospitality

By Fumiko

A helpful guide for anybody wishing to impress by bringing some Asian flair to a dinner party.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: May 31, 2013
• ISBN: 9781473383708

Book preview

THE JAPANESE SMILE

To smile is a social rule the Japanese learn early in life.

The Japanese baby is born with this happy tendency and is encouraged all through the period of home education. The smile is taught like the Bow - like all the elaborate and beautiful etiquette of old world courtesy. The little sibilant sucking-in of the breath is a compliment which follows as a token of pleasure and salutation to a superior. The smile is used on all occasions, when speaking to a superior or an equal. It is a part of the Japanese life to present the most agreeable face to parents, friends and well-wishers. It is considered a rule of life to convey to others a pleasant expression. Even though the heart be breaking, it is the social duty of the Japanese people to smile bravely.

To look serious or unhappy is considered rude because this may cause pain or anxiety to those who love us. In the Japanese mind lives the conviction that to exhibit the expression of one’s personal sorrow or pain, and even anger, is rarely useful and always unkind.

From this first rule of etiquette of the smile comes a secondary one, the observance of which has frequently impelled strangers to form misjudgements as to Japanese sensibility. It is the native custom that whenever a painful or shocking fact be told, the announcement must be told with a smile. The graver the subject, the more accentuated the smile.

A low laugh usually accompanies the conveying of news of a death. Yet the laugh is politeness carried to self-abnegation - for it signifies . . . .

THIS YOU MIGHT THINK TO BE AN UNHAPPY EVENT

Pray do not feel concern about so inferior a matter and pardon the necessity which causes us to outrage politeness by speaking about such an affair at all.

The Japanese people feel the secret of happy living depends upon the happiness and pleasures of those about them and consequently they cultivate unselfishness and patience.

JAPANESE FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

The Japanese are known for their artistic flower arranging. Let me tell you briefly the significance of the flower grouping. It has a philosophy all its own.

The Universe is represented by the three heights. The tallest, standing in the middle, symbolizes HEAVEN. The shortest spray is EARTH, and the intermediate is MAN. There may be three, five, seven or nine sprays but the principle of Heaven, Earth and Man must be preserved. An even number is never used.

The artistic arrangement you find so graceful is a product of an art dating back at least five centuries. Flower Arrangement is considered one of the social accomplishments of every young Japanese girl.

The artistic arrangement is placed at the foot of a Japanese scroll. The Japanese are very fond of their paintings, but only show one at a time. Particular thought and attention is given to create a special flower arrangement to go with the scroll, and it is customary to kneel down and admire the effect of both the scroll and the flower arrangement. This is usually in one alcove of the room called the