People often tell me a burger & fries is their idea of traditional food in the US. It reminds me of how I thought every restaurant in Japan was a sushi shop before I arrived. On the contrary, American cuisine is a melting pot of influences, traditions, and innovation.

 

One of the most notable aspects of U.S. cuisine is its regionalism. In the South, for example, comfort food reigns supreme. Dishes like fried chicken, cornbread, and macaroni and cheese are beloved staples. But the South’s food culture is also defined by bold, smoky flavors. Barbecue, particularly in states like Texas, Tennessee, and North Carolina, is a revered art form with each region boasting its own style of cooking meat over wood or charcoal, often with a signature sauce that reflects the area’s unique palate. Carolina barbecue, for instance, is known for its vinegar-based sauces, while Texas barbecue tends to focus on the meat itself, often beef brisket with minimal sauce.

 

Moving up north, the cuisine takes on different characteristics. The Northeast, particularly around New England, is renowned for its seafood, especially lobster. Lobster rolls, where sweet, tender lobster is served on a soft, buttery bun, have become a quintessential part of the region’s food culture. Clam chowder, both creamy and briny, is another dish synonymous with this area, often served in a bread bowl. The influence of early European settlers, especially the English and Dutch, is still felt here with hearty stews and baked goods remaining common.

 

On the West Coast, fresh, seasonal ingredients are at the forefront. The farm-to-table movement, which emphasizes locally sourced organic produce, has its roots here. California cuisine, which draws on a mix of international flavors—especially from Mexico and Asia—has produced iconic dishes such as avocado toast, fish tacos, and the California roll sushi. The influence of Asian cuisine is also prevalent in the Pacific Northwest, where dishes like salmon teriyaki and poke bowls reflect both local ingredients and cultural fusion. In the Bay Area, particularly San Francisco, sourdough bread is a signature product with the tangy, chewy loaves being a staple of local bakeries.

 

The Midwest, often called the "heartland" of the U.S., has a cuisine based on hearty, filling dishes that reflect the agricultural heritage of the region. Staples include casseroles, pot roast, and dishes like deep-dish pizza from Chicago, which has a loyal following. This pizza with its thick, buttery crust and layered fillings is far removed from the thin-crust styles seen in other parts of the country and is a point of local pride.

 

In addition to these regional specialties, the U.S. has a long history of borrowing and adapting international dishes to create something distinctly American. The hamburger, hot dog, and pizza—each originally imported from Europe—have evolved into beloved symbols of American cuisine. Similarly, Tex-Mex, a fusion of Texan and Mexican flavors, has become its own unique culinary identity with tacos, fajitas, and nachos enjoyed nationwide.

 

 

Photo Credit: Israel Albornoz @ Pexels.com

 

Blog Quiz

Q1. The word “revere” in paragraph 2 is most similar in meaning to:

A.  revenge

B.   adore 

C.   reverse

D.  daydream

 

Q2. Which best summarizes the writer's description of US cuisine?

A.  no competition among regional characteristics

B.   regional specialties based on foreign influences

C.   primarily derived from Mexican cuisine

 

Q3. True or False: US cuisine culture has a tendency to borrow and adapt from other countries.

A.  True

B.   False

 

 

Scroll ↓ down for answers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. B

Q2. B

Q3. A (True)

Photo Credit: Dawn O’Day (author)

 

 

As an architect and a designer, Antoni Gaudí has, for many years, spoken to countless people through his many creations, most of which can be seen in Barcelona. Do you know that one of the people who used to attend a university in Kyoto and to whom Gaudí’s work has spoken quite loudly and eloquently? This person is the Japanese stone cutter, Etsuro Sotoo.

 

Sotoo, a graduate of the Kyoto City University of Arts, traveled to Europe in 1978, which was one year after he graduated. As you can see, he was not much older than most of the students at Ritsumeikan University when he did that. Isn’t that amazing?

 

After arriving in Barcelona, he was so moved by what Gaudí communicated through his masterpiece, La Sagrada Família, that Sotoo chose to stay and learn about him, his genius, and his work. He said, “I just came to Europe to carve stone. I was looking for stone and stone introduced me to La Sagrada Família, and La Sagrada Família introduced me to Gaudí” (National Geographic, 2013).

 

Sotoo strove to understand Gaudí and honor him through his own stone cutting work. In so doing, he has, for more than 40 years, made significant contributions to the construction of La Sagrada Família. This includes the work Sotoo did on the east façade (side) of the basilica. It is there, in the Nativity scene, that we can see fifteen statues of angels that Sotoo created. He even created a few of them with Asian faces. After all, according to Sotoo, angels from the east are needed, too (Public Relations Office, Government of Japan, 2012). (A photo of Sotoo’s angels can be seen above.)

 

Sotoo’s passion for Gaudí’s work caused him to reconsider his values and to become Catholic. As you can see, art can be a very powerful language. Does it speak to you? If so, which medium (language) do you prefer to listen to, or with which one do you prefer to create?

 

References

National Geographic (2013, Dec. 14). Unorthodox sculpting. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MW5Us3E--0

 

Public Relations Office, Government of Japan (2012, Dec.) Realizing Gaudi’s Unfulfilled Wishes: Etsuro Sotoo (Spain). https://www.govonline.go.jp/eng/publicity/book/hlj/html/201212/201212_05.html

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

Q1. What is one reason Etsuro Sotoo traveled to Barcelona?

a) To attend a university

b) To visit family

c) To study modern art

d) None of the above

 

Q2. Which famous work of Gaudí deeply influenced Etsuro Sotoo?

a) Park Güell

b) Casa Batlló

c) La Sagrada Família

d) Casa Milà

 

Q3. What motivated Etsuro Sotoo to stay in Barcelona after his arrival?

a) He wanted to pursue a degree in architecture.

b) He was inspired by Gaudí's work, particularly La Sagrada Família.

c) He had family living in the city.

d) He was invited to participate in an art exhibition.

 

 

Scroll↓down for answers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. d

Q2. c

Q3. b

Photo Credit: Dawn O’Day (author)

 

 

“Each art speaks an idiom that conveys what cannot be said in another language and yet remains the same (Dewey, 1934).”

 

Certainly, there are many ways to communicate. For example, we can communicate with our voices, through writing, and through body language as well. I love to communicate through writing, but I also love to express myself using photography.

 

What do you think about language and art forms, such as photography? Do you want to learn more about them? Are you inspired to create great works of writing or art? What do you think that art and language have in common? Think about these questions; then I will attempt to answer the last question.

 

Just as language has a three-way relationship, so does art. According to the American pragmatist, John Dewey, the act of communicating language involves a speaker, words that are spoken, and a person to whom the words are spoken; therefore, if we think of an object of art as words that are being communicated, then we have an artist who is communicating, the object of art, and the person who is looking at the art (Dewey, 1934). As you can see, one thing that language has in common with art is that they are both expressive forms of communication.

 

There are countless artists throughout history who have used numerous forms of media to express themselves. (You can think of a medium as a language.) Antoni Gaudí, a famous Spanish architect, is one such artist who expressed himself while he created art using various media (e.g., stone, ceramic, iron, and glass).

 

Perhaps Gaudí is most famous for his design of La Sagrada Família, which, as you probably know, is in Barcelona. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, La Sagrada Família is a basilica that has been under construction for more than 140 years and will likely continue to be under construction for many years to come. (Please see the photo above for a view of the inside of the basilica.)

 

Please look forward to reading next week’s blog, Part Two: Language and Art.

 

Reference

Dewey, J. (1934). Art as experience. New York: Berkeley Publishing.

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

1. According to the reading, what is La Sagrada Familia?

a. A museum.

b. A park.

c. A basilica (a church).

 

2. According to the reading, what kind of media did Antoni Gaudi use when creating art?

a. Marble, ceramic, concrete, and glass.

b. Stone, ceramic, iron, and glass.

c. Stone, marble, wood, and steel.

 

3. According to the reading, what is one thing that language has in common with art?

a. They are both primarily used for scientific documentation.

b. They both require formal training in mathematics.

c. They are both expressive forms of communication

 

 

 

Scroll↓down for answers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. C

Q2. B

Q3. C

Photo Credit: Rodolfo Quirós @ Pexels.com

 

 

As we approach the middle of the spring semester, I thought it would be interesting to share some of the things that I noticed while I dropped my daughter off at an American university last summer. Some of the differences were quite expected, but also some caught me by surprise. I hope after reading this blog entry, you will know a bit more of what to expect if you study abroad or choose to do graduate studies in the US.

 

First let me talk about diversity. On all the campuses we visited two years ago when she was choosing a university, there was a talk of diversity, but it wasn’t until we had the orientation and visited the campus at length that I could see this in real practice. Diversity is not just acknowledged but very celebrated on campuses. A real effort is made to make students feel as comfortable as they can not only with their environment but also with themselves. This ranges from numerous clubs, offices, and facilities available, as well as communities that can assist students in their daily lives.

 

Second, I want to talk about a business mindset. American universities seem to be always thinking about setting students up for a chance to turn their ideas into practical business applications. Most students have access to funding as well as tools such as 3D printing to take any design ideas they have and try to make prototypes out of them. On top of this, many opportunities exist to collaborate with other students or outside businesses to create working models.

 

Last, I would like to talk about class workload. American students read a lot for their classes. Often time it is common to get 100 or more pages to read a week. Classes often are conducted two to three times a week so the amount of information that students receive is enormous. Students must manage their work and lives well in order to handle this. Instead of just listening to a lecture, students are expected to discuss the content and form an opinion on their own. This takes time to think about and consider well.

 

In conclusion, there is, in general, a different mindset to how American universities operate and what their end goal is. Students are given the tools to think independently while pursuing their future careers. While there are also several downsides, to certain students, the upsides may be very appealing.

 

 

Blog Quiz

Q1. What is the first difference between American and Japanese universities that the author noticed?

Q2. What is the end goal of university life in America?

Q3. How much reading does an average American university student do in a week per class?

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for answers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. More diversity.

Q2. To pursue your own ideas.

Q3. 100 or more pages per week per class.

Photo Credit: Ken Uemura

(dancers pictured are Heidi S. Durning and Mikayo Mori)

 

 

On September 28th, 2024, I had the opportunity to dance in the Eiun-in temple garden. Eiun-in temple is a Jodo Buddhist temple located in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto. Usually, it is a private temple, so it is not open to the public. However, I have had the opportunity to dance there for the past 30 years. Every two or three years, I collaborate with other dancers and musicians to create a performance appropriate to show in the beautiful inner garden of Eiun-in temple. For these performances the temple opens to the public and it is enjoyed immensely by everyone.

 

This year’s dance, music, and garden collaboration performance was titled “Sorara”. Dance performers Mori Mikayo and I created new works inspired by nature and feelings. Original music was composed by percussionist, Watanabe Ryo and Noh flutist, Nonaka Kumiko. We were inspired to create by the resonating sounds of the temple bells, the seasonal plants, the sky above us, and the various shapely clouds. The audience members were seated inside the temple with the musicians surrounding them on either side. The dancers appeared and moved within the garden visualizing the nature images using the arms, legs, and torso enhanced by facial expressions. Costumes were worn to compliment the color of the trees, sky, and seasonal plants blossoming in the garden. These colors were shades of blue, green, white, brown, and orange.

 

On this day we had good weather but several times before, I performed in the rain which was quite refreshing. Dancing in a temple garden is very different from dancing in a theater. We can feel our feet touch the moss, the costumes flow with the wind, and the air soothes us. The audience members watch the dancers melt into the garden scenery while the live music mixes with the natural sounds made by the birds and crickets.

 

We always feel lucky to perform in the Eiun-in temple garden as we share the space with everyone present there.

 

 

Blog Quiz

Q1. Where was the performance held?

Q2. What inspired the creation of the performance "Sorara"?

Q3. How is dancing in the temple garden different from dancing in a theater?

 

Scroll down↓for answers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. At the Eiun-in Temple, in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto.

Q2. It was inspired by nature and feelings.

Q3. It is different because the dancers can feel the moss under their feet as they dance and the breeze as they move around the garden, and the live music mixes with the sounds of nature in the garden.

Photo Credit: Ravi Kant @Pexels.com

 

 

How much do you care about the weather in your everyday life? Do you usually check the Internet for the latest weather forecast, or are you the type of person who takes your folding umbrella with you regardless of the weather? Some people might change their schedule depending on that day’s weather and even postpone or cancel their plans.

 

In terms of weather in Japan, there are roughly four seasons: spring (March - May), summer (June - August), fall (September - November) and winter (December - February). Summer in Japan is also known as a rainy season, which is very hot, wet, and humid. Typhoons often come in fall, and some places can be so stormy that you are not able to hold your umbrella while you are walking outside. Japan is an island that stretches from north to south, so each region has different climates. For example, Hokkaido, which is in northern Japan has relatively cooler and comfortable weather in summer though it has a lot of snow in winter and the temperature can be below freezing.  

 

When it comes to the weather in the UK, you can probably imagine that there are a lot of rainy days throughout the whole year. As a person who was born and raised in Japan, the weather in the UK was one of the biggest culture shocks I experienced when I was studying there. In terms of explaining about rain in the weather report, there are a variety of expressions to describe it since they have many rainy days. You probably get used to hearing like “it will be sunny, cloudy or rainy tomorrow” in the Japanese weather report. However, you will often hear like “there will be a fresh shower during the day” or “it will be a windy morning tomorrow and blustery shower but clearer later of the day” in the British weather report.

 

What’s more, the time when British people start to use their umbrellas is slightly different from Japanese people. Japanese people tend to take out their umbrellas even if there is a light rain, leading to one of my British classmates often making fun of me saying “where are you HIDING your umbrella today?”, which made me feel like I was a typical Japanese in the UK.

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

Q1. When is the rainy season in Japan?

 

Q2. What is another word British people use to talk about “rain”?

 

Q3. Why did the writer feel like a typical Japanese in the UK?

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for answers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. In the summer.

Q2. A shower/ Showers.

Q3. Because the writer was always carrying an umbrella.

Photo Credit: Bruno Mattos @Pexels.com

 

Food that is common in one country can be changed into something new and original when it is taken away from its traditional roots. However, for us, it is so normal that we can hardly imagine it being any different.

 

A good example of this is green tea. A matcha drink at a cafe in Kyoto will be carefully prepared by someone who probably appreciates the ways of the tea ceremony. He or she pays special attention to the grade of tea, makes sure that it is not clumped together before whisking, checks that the color is emerald green and that the water temperature is just right.

 

Another familiar food is mochi filled with red bean paste (anko). It can be found almost anywhere: in supermarkets, fancy “wagashi” shops in department stores, and along Nishiki Market. Some of these shops have been selling Japanese tea snacks for centuries. The most modern of them have added fresh strawberries inside, but nothing more radical than that. Although these things are common in Kyoto, they can take on other forms abroad.

 

In Central Europe, in Warsaw, Poland, I had the opportunity to try some very different matcha and mochi. Japan is located on the other side of the world from Poland, making its food and customs feel very exotic. It seems that the farther away the country is, the more interesting and appealing Japanese things are. Sushi restaurants are popular in big cities in Poland, but I was surprised to see new ideas for matcha and mochi designed to appeal to a different market. At a trendy cafe called Deseo on the beach of the Baltic Sea, I had iced matcha with fresh raspberries. The barista made it with Uji green tea powder using an electric milk frother. He said nobody is trained to use a tea whisk (chasen). Another drink had half tonic water and half matcha, and both drinks had big ice cubes. This was not what I was used to in Kyoto!

 

Simply using matcha powder is one thing, but making mochi and filling it requires more skill and expertise. I walked into a little shop with blue neon lights and signs with their mascot, a harp seal that looked like the “Shirotan” plush toy. The little mochi pouches were enclosed in plastic capsules that looked like they were packaged for the “gacha gacha” machines selling toys in Japan. The flavors to choose from did not include any with red bean paste. The choices were mango, creamy Snickers, Oreo, cherry brownie, pistachio, lavender, strawberry, and coconut almond. I chose lavender. It was delicate and delicious, made with slightly sweetened lavender jelly with mascarpone cream. The texture was like tiramisu tucked in a pillow of mochi. I was really surprised how good it was.

 

However, there was one thing I wanted to know. I asked the shop clerk if there were any “real” Japanese flavors. Alas, the clerk did not know anything whatsoever of the mochi native to Japan, its fillings and that it was certainly not sold in plastic capsules. In effect, their products delight a new crowd of young people looking for something new to try from the exotic country of Japan but not caring about the originals.

 

 

Questions:

Q1. How was the mochi shop decorated?

 

Q2. How was mochi packaged in the Polish shop?

 

Q3. What was the texture of the mochi filling in the Polish shop?

 

Scroll down↓for answers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A1. Blue neon lights and harp seal characters

A2. In plastic capsules

A3. Soft and creamy like tiramisu

Photo Credit: RDNE Stock project @Pexels.com

 

The Japanese people are known to be sensitive and appreciative of the seasons. We have four seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter, and each has its own beauty. There are many festivals and customs to celebrate the seasons.

 

One of the customs is called “Koromogae”: a seasonal change of clothing. In Japan, it’s usual for the people to start wearing short sleeved clothes at the beginning of June, and they go back to long sleeves at the beginning of October. I have always followed this tradition up until 2024.

 

The world had its hottest summer in 2024, including Japan. Global warming seems to be speeding up these days. In Osaka, where I live, from July to September for 2 months, the temperature was over 35 degrees Celsius. And even in mid-October, the temperature was as high as 29 degrees. In my entire life, this was the first time that I wore short-sleeved shirts in mid-October.

 

However, the majority of the people here in the Kansai area wear long-sleeved clothes in October, even when it is hot. Why?! I believe that’s because the Japanese people are faithful in following tradition. Let me share my personal experience of when I was going to graduate school in the U.S.A.

 

I went to a university called Brigham Young University, the largest private university in the U.S. It’s in a small town called Provo, an hour south from Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah. Utah has a lot of deserts, so it’s very dry. It gets very hot in the summer, but very cold in the winter. Utah is famous for its snow and has many famous ski resorts.

 

What surprised me was that most people in Utah wear short sleeves all year around. In the winter, they just wear heavy jackets over the short-sleeved shirts. And in the spring, even though it’s still cold, when there was a sunny day, I saw many students (boys) lying on the grass shirtless. I thought this would never happen in Japan.

 

I love the fact that Japanese people are sensitive to the seasons and there is a custom like “Koromogae,” but this custom may change in the near future due to the unusual warm weather. I think that we should be wearing short-sleeves when it’s hot, even if it’s in the middle of October. Until then, Japanese people will be wearing long sleeves regardless of the high temperature in October!

 

Questions:

Q1. Why does the author think that Japanese people wear long-sleeved clothes regardless of the high temperature in October?

 

Q2. What surprised the writer when he was going to school in America?

 

Q3. When do Japanese people usually start wearing short-sleeved shirts?

 

 

Scroll down↓for answers

 

A1. They are faithful in following the custom of "Kromogae."

A2. Male students would lie down on the grass shirtless in April when it was a sunny day.

A3. They usually start wearing them at the beginning of June.

Photo Credit: Roman Ska @pexels.com 

 

Imagine you are a fresh university student who decides to live by yourself. What kind of home would you like to live in? There is quite an interesting housing option in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, which is easy on the wallet. Can you guess what it is like? They are container homes. I once found an article about these unique houses, and I would like to introduce them to you.

 

First of all, why were container homes born in Amsterdam? The biggest reason is that housing in the city is quite expensive, similar to living in Tokyo, and it is very challenging for students to find low-cost apartments. Therefore, there is a shortage of reasonable housing for students. The next question would be, “Where did the idea of building houses made of containers come from?” The answer is that there are thousands of unused shipping containers in ports around the world. Although steel companies recycle some of the old containers, they cannot recycle all of them. That’s why there are just so many containers left behind. Therefore, the idea to reuse the shipping containers as student housing came up. Actually, the materials are suitable for creating houses.

 

First of all, shipping containers are basically all the same size, so it is quite easy to build up and it does not take a lot of space to make a new residential area. Also, it takes very little energy to reuse the containers for housing because there is no need to create a house from scratch. Next, containers are made of steel and the steel is strong. Strength is quite an essential factor when building a house. Finally, the containers are so widely available that they are quite cheap to buy. That can lead to offering students affordable housing.

 

How affordable is it, by the way? According to the article, the monthly rent is about €400, which is around \65,000. (Note: it was in 2015 when this container housing project started) It is about half the price of the average rental fee of a so-called studio apartment in the Netherlands. That is a brief background that shows why the container houses were born and why they are suitable for housing.

 

What is the inside of the container houses actually like? Do you think it is attractive enough for university students that they would want to live there? According to students who have actually lived in the container houses, each apartment is quite spacious. It has a kitchen, a bedroom with a study area, and a bathroom. Some students say that it is bright, and it also has its own balcony. It is warm and quiet. In addition, it has a high-speed Internet connection, too. Therefore, it seems like a comfortable environment for university students.

 

Nowadays, shipping containers are not only used for homes but also for a huge container shopping mall, container offices, restaurants, coffee shops, and mobile health clinics, for example. Would you like to live in a container house?

 

Questions:

 

Q1. In which city are the container homes the author talks about located?

a. The Netherlands

b. Amsterdam

c. Tokyo

 

Q2. Which of these is NOT an advantage of container homes?

a. They are strong

b. They look beautiful

c. They are affordable

 

Q3. How do you think the author feels about container homes is?

a. They are a good idea.

b. They are over-priced.

c. The author would prefer a normal apartment

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

 

 

Answers:

1. b

2. b

3. a

Photo credit: Cottonbro Studio @ pexels.com

 

I started dancing when I was three years old. My mother took me to my first dance class. It was a ballet class. Since then, I have danced ballet, jazz, contemporary and traditional Japanese dance for over fifty years. There are several reasons why dance experiences have been beneficial in my life.

 

First of all, it has given me the ability to communicate with various people. Dance taught me the strength of body language. The combination of body language and words can deepen communication. Even if I was not fluent in a language by combining body language somehow, I was able to communicate. This way I have been able to make friends all over the world.

 

In addition, dance has stimulated my creativity and imagination. I have enjoyed choreographing (creating) new original dance after I acquired dance techniques by attending many classes. I have learned to combine movement and music with a theme to perform on stage. In order to come up with a theme, I read, visited museums, took walks in nature and listened to all kinds of music to be inspired. The imagination has no limits.

 

Finally, in order to dance, maintaining good health is a must. To dance I have been very conscious about eating healthy food, keeping my body flexible and mind clear. I am constantly thinking about a balanced meal. I try to stretch all the time as I keep a healthy mind.

 

I believe after all these years I will not be able to stop dancing. It is a big part of my life. I am very grateful towards my mother who took me to my first dance class. At that time, I did not know how it would influence my life in so many ways. I will continue to dance for at least 40 more years if I can.

 

 

Questions

Q1. When did the author start dancing?

Q2. In what three ways has dance improved the author’s life?

Q3. How many more years will she try to dance?

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

 

A1. When she was 3 years old

A2. Dance helped her communicate better, use her imagination, and eat well.

A3. She wants to dance 40 more years.