Events | Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog

The Largest Dance Festival in Japan

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 12:12:50 +0000

Do you know Awa Odori? The Largest Dance Festival in Japan called “Fool’s Dance” whose origins date back 400 years. — amazing street parties, music festivals and carnivals, annually held from 12 to 15 August as part of the Obon festival in Tokushima Prefecture.
“Awa” is the former name of Tokushima. This Awa festival features folkdances performed to welcome the souls of ancestors in the Bon season.

The dancers are grouped into teams called “ren”, which are usually made up several dozen dancers.
They march through the streets in unison to music performed on the shamisen, flute, drums, and bells singing “Odoru aho ni miru aho; onaji aho nara odoranya son son!” (It’s a fool who dances and a fool who watches; if both are fools, you might as well dance!).

<“Aho-ren” : Its Dynamism and Beauty>

Each Awaodori-ren (group) has its own dancing style. “Aho-ren”, one of the most famous and popular, is known for female dancers’ “kite-style dance”, and males’ dynamic choreography. Watch the video to see their great performance!

<“Honma-ren” : The Unity and the Harmony>

“Honma-ren”, one of the famous and popular ren (groups), is known for its well-choreographed performance and dancers’ smiling faces. Don’t miss its female dancers’ rythmic performance, dancing in the dance style for men.

Do you enjoy the article?
If you have any question, request and advice, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you and best regards !

All the Hocho-Knife staff
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Hocho” represents Made-in-Japan (Sushi / Sashimi) Kitchen Knives,
that is the soul of the cook!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team

mport Japan.com,Inc.
Florida, USA
Kyoto and Hyogo, JAPAN

www.hocho-knife.com/

The post The Largest Dance Festival in Japan first appeared on Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog.

Gion Matsuri Festival in KYOTO

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 12:49:04 +0000

[updated on July 4, 2017]
We have to introduce the most famous festival in Japan, Gion Matsuri.
It has started on 1st July, and takes place over the entire month of July.

The Gion Matsuri is not only the most famous but also one of the oldest & greatest in Japan.
The origin is said a Goryoue or Mitamamatsuri (a religious service for the spirit of the dead) held in A.D.869, more than 1100 years ago. There are many different events, but the grand procession of floats (Yamahoko Junko) on July 17 is particularly spectacular.

You can watch the highlight of the festival through the following video.

Very enjoyable, are also the festive evenings preceding the procession (Yoiyama). From 2014, a second procession of floats was reintroduced on July 24 after a hiatus of 48 years.
The second procession features fewer and smaller floats than the one on July 17.

If you have a chance to come to Japan in July, we strongly recommend to see the festival.

Thank you for reading and best regards!

All the Hocho-Knife staff

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Hocho” represents Made-in-Japan (Sushi / Sashimi) Kitchen Knives,
that is the soul of the cook!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team

mport Japan.com,Inc.
Florida, USA
Kyoto and Hyogo, JAPAN

www.hocho-knife.com/

The post Gion Matsuri Festival in KYOTO first appeared on Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog.

Coins attached onto Tuna ?

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 06:02:14 +0000

Are you surprised at the strange tuna?

A lot of coins were attached onto a big tuna by visitors to Nishinomiya Shrine, known as the head shrine of the Ebisu deity (economic fortune) and the Sake god at Nishinomiya city in Japan on Jan. 8, 2017.

Every year such a tuna was served by a fishery co-op near Kobe who continues to do that for more than 40 years.

In addition, a very popular annual event in Japan, Fukuotoko Erabi, or the “Lucky Men Race“, was held at the historical shrine on 10th Jan. every year.

Finally, wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year !

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team

mport Japan.com,Inc.
Florida, USA
Kyoto and Hyogo, JAPAN

www.hocho-knife.com/

The post Coins attached onto Tuna ? first appeared on Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog.

Great Omagari Fireworks in Japan

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 10:15:35 +0000

We’re pleased to introduce to you one of the greatest Japanese Fireworks, Omagari Hanabi in Akita prefecture in Japan. It has successfully been held in front of huge crowd of spectators on August 27th, 2016.

With the music of Ninth Symphony, a lot of beautiful fireworks were shoot off for the night sky.
Hoping that the video will make you happy.

When you have a chance to visit Japan in the summer, we strongly recommend you to see a major Japanese firework. Some say, “Many of Fireworks in Japan are more colorful, beautiful and sophisticated in the world, and it’s like Japanese Kaiseki cuisine.

The Kaiseki is well known for the good preparation to have many people enjoy visually as well as in taste. Such a sense might live in the soul of original Japanese tradition.

If you have any question, please feel free to contact us anytime.

Thank you for reading and best regards!

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team

mport Japan.com,Inc.
Florida, USA
Kyoto and Hyogo, JAPAN

www.hocho-knife.com/

The post Great Omagari Fireworks in Japan first appeared on Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog.

Most Popular Festival in KYOTO

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 08:49:01 +0000

What is the most popular festival in Japan ?

As you know, “Gion Matsuri”.
The Gion Matsuri is not only the most famous but also one of the oldest & greatest in Japan.
The origin is said a Goryoue or Mitamamatsuri (a religious service for the spirit of the dead) held in 869, more than 1100 years ago.

It will start on 1st July, and take place over the entire month of July.
There are many different events, but the grand procession of floats (Yamaboko Junko) on July 17 is particularly spectacular.

You can watch the highlight of the festival through the following video.

If you have a chance to come to Japan in July, we strongly recommend to see the festival.

Thank you for reading and best regards!

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team

mport Japan.com,Inc.
Florida, USA
Kyoto and Hyogo, JAPAN

www.hocho-knife.com/

The post Most Popular Festival in KYOTO first appeared on Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog.

Yabusame Shinji in World Heritage Shimogamo Shrine

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team — Tue, 03 May 2016 09:50:01 +0000

Yabusame Shinji was held as part of Aoi Matsuri, the flagship festival of Shimogamo Shrine on May 3rd.
Shimogamo Shrine is one of the World Cultural Heritage chosen by UNESCO.
The history of the Shimogamo Shrine extends at least two thousand years and it is one of the oldest in Japan.

Yabusame is the traditional Japanese art of mounted archery.
An archer on a running horse shoots three special “turnip-headed”arrows successively at three wooden targets.
The Yabusame in Shimogamo Shrine is unique because it is held in court noble style official costume.
That means that the event is different from a usual Yabusame by a Samurai warrior.

Is the article interesting?
If you have any question, request and advice, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you and best regards !

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team

mport Japan.com,Inc.
Florida, USA
Kyoto and Hyogo, JAPAN

www.hocho-knife.com/

The post Yabusame Shinji in World Heritage Shimogamo Shrine first appeared on Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog.

Shiki-bocho, very traditional Japanese food ceremony

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 23:54:28 +0000

“Shiki-bocho” is a traditional Japanese food ceremony which is said started 1200 years ago.
The chef, who wears Kariginu with Eboshi and Hakama, uses a kitchen knife to cook without touching any fish and birds on the cutting board, to make auspicious-arranged dish.

Shiki-bocho is representatively held on “Sechie”, which is Janyary 1, March 3, May 5, July 7, September 9.
The most important and spectacular Sechie is that on September 9 (in October in the lunar calendar), “Cho-yo no Sechie”.
Cho-yo no Sechie celebrates longevity in full chrysanthemum flowers.

In 859 (Jogan first year), Masatomo Fujiwara, followed the imperial command to establish a formula of a kitchen knife ceremony, “Shiki-bocho”.
The decendant of Masatomo got a family name, “Ikama” by the first Kamakura shogun Yoritomo Minamoto, then became the head of the Shikiji of Kamakura shogunate.
Now, twenty-ninth Iemoto runs the restaurant “Mankamero” in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto JAPAN.

Is the article useful for you?
If you have any question, request and advice, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you and best regards !

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team

mport Japan.com,Inc.
Florida, USA
Kyoto and Hyogo, JAPAN

www.hocho-knife.com/

The post Shiki-bocho, very traditional Japanese food ceremony first appeared on Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog.

SAKURA season will come soon in Japan

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 00:16:19 +0000

“Cherry Blossom” or “SAKURA” season will come soon in Japan, from late March until April.
The SAKURA are in full bloom with the coming of spring, and you can see the beautiful scenery in amazement.

Many people enjoy “Hanami” or cherry-brossom viewing party under a blooming SAKURA.
The culture is said to have started during the Nara Period (710-794) when it was japanese plum or “UME” blossoms that people admired in the beginning.
But by the Heian Period (794–1185), cherry blossoms came to attract more attention and Hanami was synonymous with SAKURA.

Did the Video attract you fully?
If you have any question, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you and best regards !

All the Hocho-Knife staff

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Hocho” represents Made-in-Japan (Sushi / Sashimi) Kitchen Knives,
that is the soul of the cook!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team

mport Japan.com,Inc.
Florida, USA
Kyoto and Hyogo, JAPAN

www.hocho-knife.com/

The post SAKURA season will come soon in Japan first appeared on Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog.

Lucky Men Race in Historical Japanese SAKE Shrine

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 11:52:14 +0000

A very popular annual event in Japan, Fukuotoko Erabi, or the “Lucky Men Race”, was held at the historical shrine on 10th Jan.
You can check the video by clicking the picture below.

The shrine is “Nishinomiya Jinjya” or “Nishinomiya Ebisu”, that is known as the head shrine of the god of good fortune, “Ebisu”,
and it is said that there are approx. 3500 shrines under it.

In addition, many Japanese SAKE (rice wine) manufacturers are located around the shrine for hundreds of years,
because good springs of excellent water for SAKE are there. The Japanese SAKE has recently become an international trend as Japanese cuisine “Washoku” has successfully gotten popular around the world.

Thank you for reading and best regards,

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team

mport Japan.com,Inc.
Florida, USA
Kyoto and Hyogo, JAPAN

www.hocho-knife.com/

The post Lucky Men Race in Historical Japanese SAKE Shrine first appeared on Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog.

Japanese Tuna Cutting Show by Sword-like Knife

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 11:52:21 +0000

Today, we’d like to introduce you two Tuna Cutting Shows in Japan, considered suitable for the New Year !

First, some Japanese Sushi Chefs cut a 40kg tuna.

Second, a bluefin tuna weighing approx. 50kg was successfully cut by a very long like a samurai sword.

The sword-like knife is called “Tuna-kiri” in Japanese.
You can order such a long knife
http://www.hocho-knife.com/sa-yukifuji-chu-kasumi-tamiashiro-steel-tsuna-kiri-570mm/

If you have any question, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to your continued good will in the this year as well.

All the Hocho-Knife staff

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team

mport Japan.com,Inc.
Florida, USA
Kyoto and Hyogo, JAPAN

www.hocho-knife.com/

The post Japanese Tuna Cutting Show by Sword-like Knife first appeared on Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog.

What’s TSUKIMI ?

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 12:01:53 +0000

Tsukimi or Otsukimi (moon-viewing) is known an annual Japanese festival in appreciation of the autumn moon.
It falls on the night of August 15 (of the lunar calendar), as the full moon in the clear autumn sky is quite beautiful.
These days normally fall in September and October of the modern solar calendar.

Tsukimi refers to the Japanese tradition of holding parties to view the harvest moon.
The custom is thought to have originated with Japanese aristocrats during the Heian period (from A.D.794 ~ 1192).

Tsukimi traditions include displaying decorations made from Susuki (Japanese pampas grass) and eating Tsukimi Dango (rice dumplings) in order to celebrate the beauty of the moon.
When the Japanese see the full moon, they see an image of a rabbit making rice cakes (mochi).

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team

mport Japan.com,Inc.
Florida, USA
Kyoto and Hyogo, JAPAN

www.hocho-knife.com/

The post What’s TSUKIMI ? first appeared on Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog.

Feature on LEFT handed kitchen knives

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 06:19:00 +0000

A lot of LEFT-handed persons have given us their serious voice for kitchen knives with special blades that are finished for LEFT-handed.

To answer for them, we’ve develop a special page for LEFT-handed kitchen knives.
We’d appreciate it if you could advise us about the feature.

Thank you and best regards,

All the Hocho-Knife staff

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Hocho” represents Made-in-Japan (Sushi / Sashimi) Kitchen Knives,
that is the soul of the cook!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team

mport Japan.com,Inc.
Florida, USA
Kyoto and Hyogo, JAPAN

www.hocho-knife.com/

The post Feature on LEFT handed kitchen knives first appeared on Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog.

Annual Cutlery Festival in SEKI city, JAPAN

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 08:11:00 +0000

SEKI is a small historical city in GIFU prefecture, but an important production center of the Japanese kitchen knives.

The 47th annual cutlery festival was successfully held on 11-12th October. The weather was fortunately good, while a super tyhoon VONGFONG is forecasted to seriously hit Japan on 13-14th.

Many people came from around the world, to enjoy some events, food and shopping the high-quality Hocho (kitchen knives) at special prices.

One of the main events was held in the Seki Sword Tradition Museum — a metal forging demonstration in traditional style by some swordsmiths.

The Museum displays many histrical Japanese swords and blades made in Seki, explaining the history of the sword production in Seki.

If you’re looking for more information about Hocho (Kitchen Knives),

you’re welcome to visit our Hocho-Knife online store.

Thank you and have a nice day !

All the Hocho-Knife staff

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team

mport Japan.com,Inc.
Florida, USA
Kyoto and Hyogo, JAPAN

www.hocho-knife.com/

The post Annual Cutlery Festival in SEKI city, JAPAN first appeared on Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog.

Traditional Blacksmith’s Factory in Sakai City, Osaka, JAPAN

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 04:58:00 +0000

MIZUNO Blacksmith’s Factory is said the only one traditional factory existing in Sakai using ancient bellows to forge metal for Hocho(kitchen knives) and Katana(swords).

Therefore it is officially allowed to provide the swords of Yokozuna, the highest-rank Sumo wrestlers, including the current Yokozuna HAKUHO.
Kitchen knives made in Sakai have been having for a long time and still have the highest quality, therefore around 90% of the professional Japanese-style-food chefs in Japan is believed to use the Sakai knives.

Is the article attractive to you? Please give us your advice.

And you’re welcome to visit our Hocho-Knife online store to know more of Made-in-Japan Kitchen Knives.

Thank you and best regards !

IMPORT JAPAN.COM, INC. Hocho-Knife Sales Team

mport Japan.com,Inc.
Florida, USA
Kyoto and Hyogo, JAPAN

www.hocho-knife.com/

The post Traditional Blacksmith’s Factory in Sakai City, Osaka, JAPAN first appeared on Hocho Knife (Japanese Chef knife) Official Blog.