aWa life
Firework Festivalsin Tokushima

July 2017# 323

Recipe:KinakoChiffonCake
SummerMotifs inJapan

Awa Shoku

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Awa Life is a Monthly Publication of the Tokushima
Prefectural International Exchange Association

We hope everybody survived the rainy season last month and is well prepared for the hottest seasonof the year! Although it might be the muggiest and therefore a difficult time for some of us, it is also
probably the most exiting one because of all the summer festivals, fireworks, beach adventures andof course the upcoming Awa Odori. So check out this months event section and get into your dancing
shoes to practice for Tokushimas biggest event of the year coming up soon!
For all of those who like writing, please feel free to submit an article to us at any point in time aboutbasically anything. There are a few limitations though, such as you can’t write about religion, politics,
commercial activities or businesses or anything that we deem inappropriate. But, other than that, we
would be more than happy to receive articles about anything and everything including but not limited
to, concerts, lectures, other events, culture, sports, community group information or anything cool that’s
happening in your local community.
We highly appreciate all of your articles and we love reading them. So if that writing bug of yours isbuzzing about, grab a pen or a computer and write and send away! Please send all submissions to ouremail:

awalife@gmail.com
Your editors,
Daralyn and Franzi
Tokushima Prefectural International Exchange Association (TOPIA)
1-61 Terashima Honcho Nishi, Tokushima City 770-0831 JAPAN, Clement Plaza 6F
Tel: 088-656-3303 Fax: 088-652-0616
http://www.topia.ne.jp/
Download a PDF file of awa life or view the online version by going to TOPIA's website!

Editors:
Daralyn Yee and Franziska Neugebauer
Contributors This Month:
Kazue Inoue, Lance Kita, Melissa Palsenbarg, Sachiko Muramatsu, Junko Kimura

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Contents
Pg. 2-3:

Summer Motifs in Japan

Pg. 3-4:

Recipe: Kinako Chiffon CakePg. 4:

Letter from SUKETO NAKAYOSHI

Pg. 5:

Japanese Lesson

Pg. 6:

Awa Shoku: Natsu=Nasu		

Pg. 7-9:

Events and Memoranda

Summer Motifs in Japan
By Melissa Palsenbarg

W

ith summer, comes the heat, the humidity,
the insects, and a handful of flowers thatjust scream summer. You’ll see them out in thegardens, on stationary, on kimono, on uchiwa,
and represented at the local sweet shop. Keep an
eye out for these flowers this summer!

It’s an easy flower to grow and some elementary
school teachers will assign summer homeworkthat includes planting and raising asagao. The
asagao, even in a stylized form, is easy to recognize. The petals form a five-point star at the center of the flower.

Morning Glory/Asagao ( 朝顔 )Most summer flowers fall on the cusp between
spring/summer and summer/autumn, but asagao
is recognized as a true summer flower. It was originally introduced from China for medicinal use asa laxative during the 9th century, and it was wellestablished in the floral pantheon by the Heianperiod. It even lent its name to a minor characterin The Tale of Genji, Princess Asagao. During the
Edo Period, the asagao was cultivated more as
an ornamental plant rather than a medicinal one.

Iris
You may have noticed that I have not included
a Japanese name or kanji for the iris in the title.
That is because there are different types of iristhat grow in Japan, each with their own Japanese name and kanji. In order of popularity, they
are ayame ( 菖 蒲 ) siberian iris/sweet grass (Irissanguinea), shoubu/hanashoubu ( 菖 蒲 / 花 菖蒲 ) Japanese iris (Iris ensata) and kakitsubata( 杜 若 ) rabbit ear iris (Iris laevigata). All of thesetypes of iris bloom from early May to late June.
This caused some ambiguity to Heian era poets.
Should the iris be considered a spring flower ora summer flower? There was much debate overthe centuries with arguments on both sides, but
eventually the iris landed on the summer side ofthe divide. Traditionally, the iris is linked to Boy’s
Day (now Children’s Day, celebrated on May 5th)
because the leaves resemble swords and thename shoubu is a homonym for martial spirit. Irisof all kinds can often be found on boy’s kimono.
The most identifiable feature of the iris is the threepetals that grow downwards. These petals can besmooth or jagged, but they all have a distinct vein

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running down the center. Iris also have a clumpof smaller petals that grow upwards. Finally, iris
have long, thin leaves that usually accompany theblossom.

Hydrangea/Ajisai ( 紫陽花 )Japan’s month long rainy season (tsuyu, 梅 雨 )usually ends in mid-July (depending on where
you are in the country) and ajisai can be found
all over during that time, and they are especially
iconic of the month of June. Ajisai can be foundin a wide variety of colors including blue, purple,
pink, or white, and these colors are determined by

Summer Motifs in Japanthe acidity of the soil. Ajisai has many meanings
associated with it in Japan. According to one legend, a Japanese emperor gave ajisai to a girl that
he loved as an apology for neglecting her in favorof business. Because of this legend, ajisai areassociated with heartfelt emotion, gratitude, andapology. Pink ajisai especially are associated withgenuine emotion because they resemble smallhearts.

So while you’re out enjoying the summer, listening
to the cicada, using your uchiwa, and eating kakigori, keep an eye out for these flowers all aroundyou.

Recipe: Kinako Chiffon Cake
By Franziska NeugebauerB

ack in my home country I loved to bake allkinds of things, for every birthday, mother’s
day or even just a regular party at someone’s
place. I made cakes, muffins or a variety of cookies. But since I got to Japan I find it really hard tofind the appropriate ingredients for a decent price.
Just getting baking chocolate is expensive andquite hard to find unless it is around Valentine’sDay. Also when making cakes, I usually use a lotof cream cheese, sour cream and quark (a fresh
dairy product made by warming soured milk) as
the base for the fillings but I can hardly find theseproducts here. First I was really struggling, nobaking anymore I guess. But why complain if you
have all these other ingredients you usually would
not have around back home here in Japan! Matcha powder, mochiko (rice flour), red bean paste
and my favorite ingredient: Kinako! Kinako ( 黄粉 ) is roasted soy flour and commonly used in
making Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets).

It has a nutty fragrance and its taste reminds mevery much of peanut butter. Kinako is gluten-free
and therefore great for everybody with an allergy.
You can sprinkle it over your breakfast toast, mix
it into yoghurt or with milk and of course it works
as flavoring in cookies, pancakes or cakes! This
recipe is really easy to make and you do not needa big oven for it, in fact I only used Daralyn’s little
oven toaster. Try it out!

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Recipe: Kinako Chiffon Cake
What you need:
Mixture 1:
3 egg yolks
15g brown sugar
40g oil
40g water
30g flour
30g kinako powder
Mixture 2:
3 egg whites
30g caster sugar
6g flour& a baking tin in the shape you like
How to make the cake:① Whisk 3 egg yolks with a balloon whisk andadd brown sugar. Gradually add the oil while
whisking. Add the water. The next step combines
the mixture with the flour and kinako powder.
Sieve the mixture over the latter ingredients andwhisk till the dry and liquid components are fully
incorporated. Be careful not to overmix it.

② Now, mix the caster sugar with the 6g flourin a separate bowl and beat egg whites with anelectric mixer in a clean bowl. It is just right when
it becomes foamy and doesn’t run anymore. Add
some parts of the flour-sugar mixture and beat iton high speed with the mixer. Continuously add
the rest of the sugar-flour mixture until the mixture
appears smooth and glossy. Be careful again not
to overmix it.
③ For this step do not use an electric mixer, butinstead use a spatula or balloon whisk. Combine
the beaten egg whites and the egg yolk battergently in several batches. Stop as soon as it looks
blended and don’t overmix it.
④ Pour the mixture in a baking tin, I prefer theround bundt cake paper baking mold. Bake it for
approximately 30 minutes at 180°C in a pre-heated oven. Insert a toothpick and check if there isany batter left on the toothpick. If there is no batter, it is ready to take out of the oven. Be sure to
let it cool completely before unmolding it.
You can serve the Kinako cake with sliced banana, syrup, or whipped cream. Yummy!

Letter from SUKETO NAKAYOSHI

By Kazue Inoue (Center for Early Childhood Education and Care SUKETO NAKAYOSHI)The heat has finally become unmanageable,
and it has become a comfortable season toplay at the pool. The children at the center loveplaying in the pool. However, because the rainyseason is until the middle of July, there are a
lot of days when it rains, and the children can’t
play in the pool. During those times, we cut up
newspaper in small pieces, fill the pool up with it,
and then have the children play in it.
Newspaper is a material that can be found easily,and played with readily. For example, you canalso do things like open a hole in the middle ofa newspaper, cut paper in to small pieces andpretend that it is a shower, or crumple the paper
in to a ball and play catch ball. Also, if you roll thepaper in from the corner, you can make a sword,
and also a ring to spin around. You can also
sit on it in place of a rug, wrap it over yourself
like a blanket, or use your imagination to create
something new. At the age of one, children learn
to use their hands and fingers. Having your childrip up paper, and crumple it is connected to thestimulation of growth in the fingers. I recommend

this for when the rainy weather does not clear up.
*Newspaper can be used as a fire lighter when
making a fire. When it is folded in to a cup anda plastic bag is placed inside, it can be used asa dish in the case of an emergency. It may be agood idea to save a couple at home.
＊＊＊
Newspaper Toy (Kendama)

1) Make a round ball with newspaper.
2) Fold one piece of newspaper in half and roll it
up from the corner, and tape together to make acone.
3) Connect 1 and 2 by taping on a string on
both sides, and your newspaper kendama toy iscomplete. Play with the toy by trying to get the
paper ball in to the cone.

5Japanese Lesson

By Sachiko Muramatsu

Feelings of disappointment and regret
ざんねん

き も

こうかい

き も

「残念な気持ちや後悔する気持ち」
This month, we will be learning how to express feelings of disappointment and regret.
かい わ

会話

Conversation:Ａ：

どうしたんですか。
さい ふ(What happened?)

お

なか

さが

財 布を落としてしまいました。かばんの中を探してもないんです。

Ｂ：(Unfortunately, I lost my wallet. As much as I look through my bag, it is not there.)
たいへん

はや

こうばん

とど

それは大変ですね。早く交番に届けたほうがいいですよ。

Ａ：(That is horrible. It is best if you report it to the police box right away.)
こうばん

いそうですね。すぐに交番に行きます。(You are right. I will go to the police box right away.)

Ｂ：

ぶんけい

つく

かた

どう し

けい

この文型の作り方：動詞て形＋しまいました
How to form the sentence pattern: て -Verb + しまいました
This sentence pattern is used to express disappointment or regret, for example, when you did
something you weren’t supposed to do or when something became an inconvenient circumstanceわすわadded to a situation. Verbs with a negative meaning like “to forget”「忘れる」, “to break”「割れる」, “to
お

おく

ころ

drop”「落とす」, “to make a mistake”「まちがえる」, “to be late”「遅れる」or “to fall down”「転ぶ」use
this sentence pattern often.
れんしゅうもんだい

Let’s practice!

練 習 問題れい

例 Example：
さ とう

でん わ ばんごうきわす

佐藤さんの電話番号を聞きました。忘れました。
さ とう→

でん わ ばんごうきわす

佐藤さんの電話番号を聞きましたが、忘れてしまいました。

(I asked Mr. Sato for his phone number but unfortunately I forgot it.)
てい

はし

い

１．バス停まで走りました。バスは行きました。
→ ____________________________________________
ともだち

いえ

い

まえ

ち ず

み

みち

２．友達の家へ行く前に地図を見ました。道をまちがえました。
→ ____________________________________________
き

かいだん

ころ

３．気をつけていました。階段で転びました。
→ ____________________________________________
か

あら

わ

４．きれいなコップを買いました。洗っているときに割れました。
→ ____________________________________________わころ

２．まちがえてしまいました
Answers: １．行ってしまいましたい→ ____________________________________________

３．転んでしまいました

おく

おく

じ かん

４．割れてしまいました

やくそく

５．遅れてしまいましたい５．タクシーで行きました。約束の時間に遅れました。

Awa Shoku: Natsu = Nasu
By Lance Kita

Among the nest of green zucchini, okra,
edamame, lettuce, and bittermelon at yoursupermarket now, you will find shiny purple
globes: eggplants or aubergines (nasu 茄 子 ),which are at their best during the summer months.
In Tokushima, our mild climate allows for yearround production of eggplants. Open-air crops
are harvested from May through November,peaking in August and September. Through winterand spring, they are grown in hothouses. Unlike
the oval fruits that live up to this vegetable’s
North American name, most of the Japanesevarieties are long and slender. There is evenone called naganasu ( 長茄子 ) that can growup to 30 cm long! Some are round and small,often used for pickles, and mizunasu ( 水茄 子 ) is a type popular in Kyoto that has ahigh water content and can be eaten raw.
Native to Asia and carried to the Mediterranean
region by Arabs, many of us already have afavorite eggplant dish. Roasted and mashedin baba ghanoush, pickled and spiced forchutneys and achaar, stir-fried in Mabo eggplant,
stewed in ratatouille, and baked in melanzane
alla Parmigiana.
The easiest way toprepare eggplantfor cooking is suage ( 素 揚 げ ),where you simply
deep-fry chunks orslices of eggplant
Braised and chilled, nasu i n h o t o i l f o r anibitashi is the perfect m i n u t e o r t w osummer dishuntil the outside
is lightly brown and the flesh is tender. This
step helps the eggplant hold its shape andl o s e i t s b i t t e r o r a s t r i n g e n t f l a v o r. S o m epeople say that lightly sautéing the slices inwater first prevents the eggplant from soaking
up too much oil, but using medium-highheat will sear the outside and prevent that.
So what do we do with su-age eggplant? Rather
than slave over a hot stove in the summer,
just pour some ponzu (citrus soy sauce) or

6mentsuyu ( 麺つゆ noodle soup stock) over
the top and garnish with grated radish andminced green onions. Or try some sesame oil,salt, kochujang paste, and sesame seeds fora Korean flavor. Mabo eggplant uses this prefrying method for its recipe, so stir-fry some garlic,ginger, minced pork, toubanjian chili paste, andsoup stock and thicken with cornstarch slurry.
With larger pieces, you can use a techniquecalled nibitashi ( 煮 び た し ), which is abraising technique where you quickly simmer
the pieces in a lightly flavored dashi stock (useconcentrated mentsuyu to keep things simple),then let them rest in the liquid as it cools. Serveat room temperature or chilled with a garnishof grated ginger or bonito flakes (katsuobushi カ ツ オ 節 ). Perhaps the most refreshingsummer side dish you can make! Make a batchand it keeps in the refrigerator for a week.
Eggplant is also amazing grilled. I love nasu
dengaku ( 茄 子 田 楽 ), where an eggplant halfis brushed with oil and grilled over the fire(su-age also works fine) and topped with asweet miso glaze. I highly recommend yuzuflavored miso from the Kito District in Naka
Town for a citrus accent that cuts throughthe oiliness of the eggplant. You can also
make a straightforward yakinasu ( 焼 き 茄子 ) by charring the skin of small eggplants
over a flame, peeling off the outside, anddrizzling with soy sauce for another quick dish.
This summer, dark-skinned eggplants will
hatch some great light dishes for your bento or
dinner table. Take advantage of Tokushima’s
summer veggie bounty
and happy eating!

Nasu dengaku, grilled
and slathered in sweet
citrusy miso

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Events & Memoranda
Dance with Arasowa-ren
あらそわ連参加募集中

The name Arasowaren is a culmination of ren which has the meaning of “must not” in Tokushima’s
dialect and “troupe” in Awa Odori lingo, and when added to “Arasowa”, it means one must not wage
war, one must not fight. With the wish of “creating a peaceful world that does not fight”, we danceon August 14th, the day before the anniversary of the end of the Pacific War. At the same time, it
is our hope that all participants are able to dance Tokushima’s traditional culture Awa Odori in a
Japanese traditional yukata and happi coat, without relation to nationality, race, or religion. Every year,
approximately 100 people from overseas participate, and overall our large dance troupe constitutes of
270 people. Those who participate often say “It was fun and I would like to participate again.” It is anhonor for us to provide a good opportunity to deepen international exchange while having an enjoyable
time.The 2017 application period for Arasowaren is currently being adjusted. We plan to post the
information on the Tokushima International Strategy Center (TOPIA) homepage in the middle of July.
If you wish to apply, please see our homepage for more information.

Tokushima Prefectural Disaster
Prevention Center Study TourThe Tokushima Prefectural Government, in conjunction with the Tokushima Prefectural International
Exchange Association (TOPIA) is proud to announce a study tour for foreign residents at the Tokushima Prefectural Disaster Prevention Center to provide information on what to do in case of a natural disaster.
Date: 		Sunday, September 3, 13:00-15:30
13:00 – Leave Tokushima Station by bus for the center
15:30 – Arrive back at Tokushima Station by bus
Location:
Tokushima Prefectural Disaster Prevention Center
Details:
Disaster prevention guidance via video, simulation of strong winds/earthquakes, fire 		fighting and disaster control exercises (English and Chinese interpreting available)
Capacity:
30 people
Cost: 		FreeHow to Apply: Please send in the following information by fax to the address below. You can also apply
by sending the same information by email or postcard.
		① Name		② Gender		③ Address		
④ Nationality
		⑤ Phone number⑥ E-mail address⑦ Occupation
Deadline: August 28th (Monday)
Send Applications To: FAX:(088) 652-0616
E-mail: coordinator1@topia.ne.jp
You can also apply by telephone. Contact: Ms. Kimura at (088) 656-3303.

Events & Memoranda

8

Summer School Japanese Lessons
夏休み子ども日本語教室
Why not enroll your child in the Summer School
Japanese Lessons held at TOPIA? Japaneseteachers will be on hand to help your child with
their summer homework in class and there will be
fun activities as well, like games and quizzes.
For: Elementary, junior and senior high school
students whose first language is not Japanese.
When: July 25, 27, 28, 29, August 1, 3, 4, 5
10:30 - 12:00
Cost: Free

Deadline: Applications must be received by 		Thursday, July 14th.
Where: TOPIA, Tokushima Station Clement 		
Building 6F
How to Apply: Fill out the application form andsend it to TOPIA via post, fax, e-mail ordrop it off in person.
For more information, please contact Ms. Nomizu
at TOPIA (088-656-3303 or coordinator2@topia.
ne.jp) or visit our official website www.topia.ne.jp.

2017 Tokushima Prefecture Japanese Speech Contest
徳島県日本語弁論大会
Foreign residents whose native language is not
Japanese will be giving a speech in Japanese on
various topics such as cultural differences, theirexperiences with life in Tokushima, and more.
Please come watch and cheer on the participants!
When: July 23 (Sun) 13:30 - 16:30

Refreshments 5:00PM-6:00 PM
Where: Awagin Hall (Tokushima Prefecture Kyodo
Bunka Kaikan) 5F
Info:088-656-3303 TOPIA

Admission Fee: FREE

Labour Consultation
駅前労働相談会

If you are experiencing any problems at yourworkplace, such as dismissal from work, power
harassment and non-payment of wages, pleasefeel free to consult us. Services are provided forfree and will be kept confidential.

賃金未払い、パワハラ等、労使関係のトラブルでお困りの方は、お気軽にどうぞ！相談無料、秘密厳守です。
日時： 7 月 23 日（日）When: July 23 (Sun)13:00-16:40
Where: Civic Center 4th floor (Amico Building)
Cost: Free
*Please make a reservation by 3pm on July 21th via
phone or by using the QR code below.
*Please bring an interpreter withyou if you cannot speak Japanese.
Contact: Tokushima Prefectural Labor
Committee OfficeTel:088-621-3234

13 時～ 16 時 40 分
場所： シビックセンター４階 （アミコビル内）＊２１日の午後 3 時までにお電話または下記の
QR コードから予約してください。
＊日本語が話せない方は、通訳できる方とご一緒にお越しください。
お問い合わせ：徳島県労働委員会事務局
TEL: 088-621-3234＊ For more information please see: www.pref.tokushima.jp/soshiki/roudouiinkai/

9Events & Memoranda

Firework Festivals in Tokushima Prefecture
徳島県内の花火大会

30th Big Camphor Tree Festival
第３０回 大楠まつり
Enjoy bingo games, Awa Odori, Taiko performances, and food booths offering snacks such as
yakisoba, fried foods and much much more.

ビンゴゲーム大会、阿波おどり大会、青年和太鼓の他、楽しいイベントが開催されます。ヤキソバ、
フライドポテト等の露店も並びます。

When: July 30th (Sun) 17:00-21:00
Where: Miyoshi-gun, Higashi Miyoshi town, Kamo
Okusu Park
Fee: Free
Info: Higashi Miyoshi Town Industry DivisionTel:0883-79-5345

日時： 7 月 30 日（日）17 時～ 21 時
場所： 三好郡東みよし町加茂 大クス公園
料金： 無料
お問い合わせ：東みよし町産業課
TEL： 0883-79-5345

Counselling Service at TOPIA・トピアの相談窓口
TOPIA offers a counselling and advisory service to all foreign residents to help with issues involving
accidents, working conditions, housing, visas, international marriage, and more. Counselling isavailable in English and Japanese. Please note that although every effort will be made, we may not beable to deal with all cases.
Everyday, 10:00 - 18:00 (closed during the New Year's holidays)
Tel: 088-656-3303 or 088-656-3320 (allows three-way conversations with an interpreter)