Last year, Japan experienced one of the biggest natural disasters. Last March 11, 2011, 15,782 people died from the Great East Japan Earthquake and the resulting tsunami. As of this September, 4,086 are still missing.

For anyone who has been a part of such a tragedy, I can only imagine that everyday is a struggle to pick up the pieces of your life and go on living. I found myself contemplating “giving thanks” when it was Thanksgiving this past year. Although Thanksgiving is a holiday is predominantly celebrated in the United States for the end of harvest season, hence being thankful for the good harvest. I believe that Thanksgiving, in a manner of speaking, should be a universal holiday where people can celebrate by being thankful for whatever good fortunes they have experienced in life. New Years is more widely celebrated all over the world.

For the many people who live in Japan, I myself included, we are extremely thankful for having survived the tragedy. Words escape the scenes I’ve witnessed, almost like the aftermath of war. Although what I experienced is nothing compared to what those in North East Japan went through in the Tohoku Region. The problem is still ongoing and people are still displaced, and I can’t imagine what they have to live with.  We are living in fear (hence selling our house, too close to the ocean.) Although I knew this was a possibility and having gone through so many earthquakes, little, big, medium sized, as they happened here every day, the next time the ground shakes, it still jolts me out of what I am doing because it’s that constant state of “how big will this one be.” I try and estimate each quake by the shuddering of my surroundings, and the intensity of the motions matching the pounding of my heart.

For pure mental sanity, I can’t bare to hear or watch the news anymore when people start mentioning quakes. The Tsunami warnings that were going off and blaring here was eerie, it sounded like those Tornado warnings or those World War II sirens. Even though we had a drill the other day, I felt on edge.

Last Thanksgiving, in a country that does not celebrate this holiday, I was, and will always be thankful for this precious thing called Life that I sometimes take for granted. I will be thankful for the people that have been saved and those who helped in the relief efforts. I will be grateful for the love that surrounds me, lifts me up, and blunts the edges of fear. This is a New Year! I choose to represent my adopted country Japan with Wagashi. A traditional Japanese Sweet Confection.

Last year, Japan experienced one of the biggest natural disasters. Last March 11, 2011, 15,782 people died from the Great East Japan Earthquake and the resulting tsunami. As of this September, 4,086 are still missing.

For anyone who has been a part of such a tragedy, I can only imagine that everyday is a struggle to pick up the pieces of your life and go on living. I found myself contemplating “giving thanks” when it was Thanksgiving this past year. Although Thanksgiving is a holiday is predominantly celebrated in the United States for the end of harvest season, hence being thankful for the good harvest. I believe that Thanksgiving, in a manner of speaking, should be a universal holiday where people can celebrate by being thankful for whatever good fortunes they have experienced in life. New Years is more widely celebrated all over the world.

For the many people who live in Japan, I myself included, we are extremely thankful for having survived the tragedy. Words escape the scenes I’ve witnessed, almost like the aftermath of war. Although what I experienced is nothing compared to what those in North East Japan went through in the Tohoku Region. The problem is still ongoing and people are still displaced, and I can’t imagine what they have to live with.  We are living in fear (hence selling our house, too close to the ocean.) Although I knew this was a possibility and having gone through so many earthquakes, little, big, medium sized, as they happened here every day, the next time the ground shakes, it still jolts me out of what I am doing because it’s that constant state of “how big will this one be.” I try and estimate each quake by the shuddering of my surroundings, and the intensity of the motions matching the pounding of my heart.

For pure mental sanity, I can’t bare to hear or watch the news anymore when people start mentioning quakes. The Tsunami warnings that were going off and blaring here was eerie, it sounded like those Tornado warnings or those World War II sirens. Even though we had a drill the other day, I felt on edge.

Last Thanksgiving, in a country that does not celebrate this holiday, I was, and will always be thankful for this precious thing called Life that I sometimes take for granted. I will be thankful for the people that have been saved and those who helped in the relief efforts. I will be grateful for the love that surrounds me, lifts me up, and blunts the edges of fear. This is a New Year! I choose to represent my adopted country Japan with Wagashi. A traditional Japanese Sweet Confection.

A bean cake is something that you either love or hate at first bite. Have you ever heard the saying “it’s an acquired taste”? Whenever someone tries to warn you that you’re about to try something typically horrid… well, I don’t think you can acquire the taste of something you don’t like at first bite. It’s more like you want to taste something again (whether it’s nasty or not) because you want to be reminded of a memory that is associated with familiar tastes and smells. I’m no psychologist or Freudian expert, but it all adds up. Elementary, my dear Watson…

Wagashi is a traditional Japanese confection made with bean paste (shiroan), a common ingredient used in many Japanese sweets. These desserts were typically served with tea. Its name was derived from a careful formula that best emulates natural beauty and a word from the context of ancient Japanese literature. Wagashi is mostly made from ingredients that are plant based. It can be overly sweet, or it can be simply delicious, what I like most is the art form it takes to create such delicacies. Wagashi can also be referred to as “grandma’s” type of sweets since it was the typical dessert of the older generation. But the younger folks also have such an appreciation for it because of the techniques and time it needs to pull off this perfectly made traditional Japanese confection.

Here is a simple recipe of Wagashi that can surely transport you to the olden days. Just make sure to take extra care and time in preparing such lovely desserts because creating it is an art form in itself.

In preparing the dough you will need: Recipe Adapted from Yummy Land.

200 grams pastry flour (sifted)
80g sugar
25g butter
1 egg
1 yolk
15g shiroan (white bean paste)
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (sifted with flour)

For the delectable filling you will need:
625g shiroan (white bean paste)
10 pieces of cooked chestnut (chopped)

Brush the top with this mixture:
1 yolk
Mirin (sweet rice wine)

Mix butter, sugar and shiroan in a big mixing bowl. Slowly add 1 beaten egg and 1 egg yolk. Cook the mixture in a double boiler in low heat until sugar is completely dissolved. Pour flour and baking soda into the batter. Fold and mix together well then cover with plastic wrap. Set aside for 30 minutes. While the dough rests, mix shiroan and chopped chestnuts. Divide the filling into 25 equal portions. Knead the dough in a heavily floured surface until it isn’t sticky anymore, then divide into 25 equal portions as well and form them into balls. Flatten the balls out big enough to put the filling in and cover fully and shape them into rounded pastries. Put pastries on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with the egg wash and mirin mixture then bake in 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Centigrade) oven for about 15 to 18 minutes.

Bon appétit!