Mar 20

WIT Life #228: Japan Week!

Events, Food & Drink, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WIT Life #228: Japan Week!

WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.

Yesterday began the second annual Japan Week here in NYC, a bit of a misnomer as it only goes for the three days of March 19-21.  The venue is Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall, where you can find 18 booths featuring Japanese food, drink and culture.  Last night I was lucky enough to attend a kick-off event at the Japanese ambassador’s residence that highlighted Japan’s unique food culture and traditional arts.

One of the guest speakers was Michael Romano, director of culinary development for Union Square Hospitality Group, whose restaurants include Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern.  Romano was also instrumental in the creation of Union Square Tokyo in 2007.  He spoke of his love affair with Japan which began later in life, but has become a full-fledged passion.  Romano espoused his devotion to Japanese knives, and shared how a craftsman in Sakai, a city once known for samurai swords but now famous for its kitchen knives, made him a customized one to celebrate his 還暦 (kanreki) or 60th birthday.  As a chef, Romano appreciates the attention to detail ubiquitous in Japan, whether in regard to knife-making or customer service.  His extreme passion for and extensive knowledge of Japanese culture recently earned him the title of Ambassador of Culture and Fine Dining from the governor of Ishikawa Prefecture!

After the presentations, we were escorted to Grand Central to check out the actual event.  It was around 7 o’clock, and the place was packed with curious passerbys, as well as dedicated Japanophiles.  Aside from the offerings of the various booths, nights at Japan Week enable visitors to take part in a wonderful aspect of Japanese food/drink culture, 立ち飲み屋 (tachinomiya).  These are bars where you drink and eat while standing, allowing for casual mixing and mingling.  With 90 sakes (as well as beer and other drinks) and several sake samurai on hand to guide your drink choices, the array of selections at the tachinomiya is sure to satisfy everyone.

And of course you are going to want some food to go along with your drinks, so you can find 駅弁 (ekiben) being sold at the surrounding booths.  Familiar Japanese stores and restaurants like Sunrise Mart and Kyotofu are selling these bento boxes, usually found at Japanese train stations and often reflecting local specialties.  I tried the Hiroshima ekiben あなご飯 (anago meshi) or sea eel rice bowl from Ronin restaurant, and it did not disappoint.  Make sure to swing by Grand Central to share in the festivities of Japan Week before they end tomorrow!