Yaki-Tori

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Yaki-tori is a simple food, it takes a very blistering hot fire, fired by bincho-sumi, a black coal that holds heat and radiates a consistent aura of heat. It is not as easy as it looks even if the choices are chicken and chicken to keep it simple. There isn’t a part of the bird that is missed and each part is equally as good. I surprise myself as a novice and I always think to myself, “no way I can eat that” but I do and it is delectable.

When you look beyond the fixation of a chef working with one food, one life, it is pretty incredible. The work requires concentration and accuracy, a cooking perfection and fanning of the fire to keep the right heat radiating to cook to a perfectness.

It looks simply, the chef is see-sawing left and right to get ingredients and have full control. The fire reflects and flashes heat to his face, and he controls every step, even his sweat.

His helper only helps and does not touch any part of the cooking process except preparing the wasabi and other more mechanical jobs. The chef, an excellent person, and I know for many years. Only no “gaijiin” and not because he has any problem with foreigners. It is just that this restaurant is 30 minutes away from the city center, if the traffic is light.

One of the elements p[articular to his work is the preparation of the lemon paste, he mashes it to add a dimension of sweet and tangy-ness, a contrast to the flavorful chicken. This is often combined with daikon grated or just by itself. A great touch!

THIS EVENT HAS NOW PASSED. THE FILM IS AVAILABLE ON DVD & BLU RAY NOW HOWEVER.

Film: Hara-Kiri: Death Of A Samurai (一命 )

When: 13.05 on Sunday 6th and 15.50 Monday 7th of May.

Where: The Tyneside Cinema (Directions)

Website: https://www.tynesidecinema.co.uk/whats-on/films/view/hara-kiri-death-of-a-samurai

Made as a companion piece to 13 Assassins, if 13 Assassins showed the violent and destructive side of the Samurai then Death of A Samurai shows the quiet and reflective side of samurai life. The film stars 13 Assassins star Koji Yakusho and the eleventh holder of the Kabuki dynasty title Ichikawa Ebizo. When Hanshiro, a master-less samurai arrives at the home of Lord Kageyu and requests a place in which he can end his life honorably by Hara-Kiri he is welcomed with tales of a previous Samurai who had arrived requesting the same. What Kageyu does not realise though, is that Hanshiro has more to his visit than just suicide…

Takashi Miike marks his 83rd production with Death of a Samurai, and his first in 3D, although the film has not been given a 3D release in the UK. Miike rose to international fame in 1999 with the film Audition which shocked critics to the core. He followed it up with Dead of Alive, a manic Yakuza film which mixes gritty drama with nonsensical elements and Ichi The Killer, a ultra violent adaptation of a manga novel. Since then Miike has created everything from children’s films to x rated violent actions films, working in the interdependent  and the mainstream Miike can seemingly never stay still in one place.

In Geordie Japan’s opinion Takashi Miike is the most interesting director working today and it’s really important to support his films to ensure more get a UK release (13 Assassins was the first for about 7 years).  So please get yourselves along to catch the film while it passes through the Tyneside!

Is it a white Christmas for you? It was here, but only because the snow at the end of November and early December is still here where it was piled up. Except that it put in a serious attempt at melting for the first time in several days.

Anyway.. sorry this is so late, but Murphy’s Law took out Konachan late on the 24th. But it’s ready now, so enjoy stuffing yourself with [leftover] stuffing and these 25 Christmas theme images – that is 25 images, regardless of how many characters! (I can only think of the tag list atm)

"Merry Christmas" says MISAKA excitedly by Rubii Santa Misaka by Kamiko to Seiryoku
Little Santa by Raun	Santa-nyan by Kaede	Have your cake and... by Meito
Merry Xmas! by Kotomi	Aragaki Ayase by Hinasaki	Merry Xmas by Fumika
Yay! Presents! by Noki	Elsee de Ruth Ima by unknown	Tenshi fell over >_< by Yume Shokunin
Segawa Rikako by Kanekiyo Miwa	Kobayakawa Rinko by Shuuei	Here *offers bag* by Haipa Okara
Houjou Satoko by Miku	Gift or Coal? by Ichimi	The sleigh is in the shop by Maryquant
Xmas Star by Punchiki	Merry Christmas!! by Satoukibi	Flandre Scarlet by Haipa Okara
Azusa got into the Sack by Bita	Azusa & Kirino by Kuroma	Sleigh bells ring by Muta
Ikamusume by Cmk (animated) Hatsune Miku by Mameshiba

Original Image Links: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

-Some time later- But, I did get away with enough, so here they are.

May Bite Back by Gin'you Haru	Trick or You! by Ichimi
Flan Doughnut by Mokana Natsumi Flandre caught a Flan by Akagaminanoka Chibi Flandre by Matatabi Maru Neko Flan by Tahal All I want for Christmas by Ichimi Beeeeeeeeeeep by Yashio
Flandre Scarlet by Maitora	Flandre's Play Toy by Byourou

At least it should be someone less likely to try and detain or kill me tomorrow.

Original Image Links: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10

☆★☆