|

楼主 |
发表于 2011-1-21 14:54:00
|
显示全部楼层
In winter, a time of year when there are few colors in nature, it appears even Kyoto-style traditional confectioneries like to use the color white, the color of snow. Tomizo Yamaguchi, the proprietor of a long-established confectioner in Kyoto, writes in an essay titled "Winter Wagashi" that he also enjoys thinking of names for the sweets, such as "Hatsuyuki" (First snow), "Yuki no Asa" (Snowy morning), "Fuyugomori" (Snowbound), "Koyuki" (Light snow) and "Oyuki" (Heavy snow).
Once, he made a sweet styled after snow for a guest visiting from northern Japan. Later, he felt bad when he was told by a different person that the sight of snow is depressing to people who live in snowy regions. His response shows a sensitivity befitting the representative of a Kyoto business of long standing. My mind falls short of such delicacy, but I can well imagine how difficult life must be for people in snowy regions this winter.
The four seasons are a blessing for Japan, but people across the country do not necessarily share the same sense of the winter season. The presence or absence of snow makes all the difference. "Hokuetsu Seppu" is a classic by Suzuki Bokushi (1770-1842), a native of what is now Niigata Prefecture. In it, he wrote: "How I envy the nature's blessings on people born in warm places where flowers bloom, and who can enjoy the sight of snow."
This winter, as I think of the heavy snow that continues to fall along the Sea of Japan, I feel apologetic toward people in snowy places that Tokyo is so sunny. For example, the city of Akita only had 15 hours of sunshine from Jan. 1 to 18. Tokyo had 141 hours. In the snowy areas, accidents, such as people falling while trying to remove snow, come with the winter season.
Thursday was "daikan" (big cold) in the traditional Japanese calendar. The designation refers to the time of year when the cold is at its peak. This year has been faithful to the calendar's description: Temperatures fell below zero across much of Japan Thursday morning. Forecasters say that we can expect the cold to diligently stay until around "risshun," the first day of spring, in early February.
Once spring is here, "snow" will disappear from Yamaguchi's store to be replaced by "Harukaze" (Spring breeze) warabimochi, a bracken-starch dumpling made with green bean paste. Then, the cold becomes what Japanese call "Yokan (lingering cold)." It is expected to stay cold for some time yet, but please keep your spirits up and stay in good health. |
|