Back in my days working in Finance I got a chance to attend an event at the Asia Society and represent my boss, that one evening planted a seed of fascination with Asian culture and I have always loved Japanese Artwork and decor. The decor part stems from a beautiful Lacquer Asian Jewelry Box that belonged to my Grandmother. The detail and shine of that box is forever engraved in my memory.
Fast forward and my love of the culture has branched out to include the cuisine and the delicious Sake (Japanese Rice Wine)! One of the best parts of living in New York City is the cultural diversity and restaurants that cater to every taste and culture!
I recently received an invitation to learn more about the Ninohe City Fair in New York City by attending it's opening reception at the residence of Ambassador, Consul General of Japan in New York City. The event was organized by the Consulate General of Japan in New York, the Ninohe City Government and the Ninohe City Overseas Promotion Committee.
The event opened with a Sake Seminar where Nanbu-Bijin presented how Sake is made as well as the Reconstruction in Tohoku Japan, which was followed by a Urushi Seminar (Urushi, Japanese Lacquer Work comes from the substance of the Urushi tree). The next hour of the reception included the breaking of a ceremonial drum, a special Koto performance by Yumi Kurosawa and a signature welcome Nambubijin Cocktail created by Bartender Nana of Angel's Share in New York City and catering by SAKAMAI!
A series of tastings and exhibition sales are being held in New York City, here is the event rundown by date:
August 30 - Sake + Urushi of Northern Japan - At Latitude 40°N - at MTC Kitchen Manhattan Store - Lecture and guided tastings of Nanbu Bijin Sake hosted by Sake Samurais Chizu Niikwa & Timothy Sullivan of UrbanSake.com (cost $20)
September 4th - Lecture about Urushi made in Japan hosted by Takuo Matsuzawa, includes special Urushi Gift. (cost $20)
Venue - New York Mutual Trading Company "MTC Kitchen Manhattan Store" - 711 Third Avenue (45th Street between 2nd & 3rd Avenue) - Tel: 212.661.3333
RSVP to both events by sending an email to matsuo@nymtc.com
I thought I'd also share some photo highlights from the opening reception:
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Opening remarks from Ambassador Sumio KUSAKA, Consul General of Japan in New York |
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Mayor of Ninohe City Japan |
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Our Translator for the evening stands in front of ceremonial drum |
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Far Left at the Podium: Mr. Kosuke Kuji, Senior Managing Director Nanbu-Bijin Co.,Ltd at drum Center: Ambassador Sumio Kusaka, Consul General of Japan in New York getting ready to break the ceremonial drum at the Ninohe City Reception |
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Podium Speaker: Mr. Kosuke Kuji to his right is a translator, Center: Ambassador Sumio Kusaka preparing to break the ceremonial drum at the Ninohe City Reception in New York City |
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Same as above! :) |
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The Ceremonial Drum is now open! |
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Special Koto Performance by Yumi Kurosawa, Koto Composer, Computer Sound |
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No surprise that I honed in on this bottle of Sake with Butterflies right on the label! Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu Junmai Sake! |
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She caught my eye at this colorful table display! |
My Take:
I have spent this summer enjoying the best my City has to offer and the Ninohe City Reception ended with a special parting gift to take home, a lacquer ware sake cup by Makiko Suzuki that was engraved with the Japanese symbols that signify 'Bond' representing the Bond of Gratitude from Japan for our help in their re-building efforts and the bond of friendship between our cities. There is a great deal of precision, detail and love that goes into the creation of both Sake and Lacquer Ware, and I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to learn so much about both! I highly encourage you to attend one of the upcoming tasting seminars. For those of you here for Fashion Week, this would be a wonderful chance to un-wind from the hectic pace and schedule of Fashion Week events!
To all my Butterflies enjoying Japanese Sake this weekend, KUMPAI (CHEERS!)
˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙
FTC Disclosure: This is not a compensated post, Ascending Butterfly has not been compensated to share our recap coverage of the opening reception of the 2013 Ninohe City Fair, gift bags were provided to attendees. See our full Giveaways and Disclosure Page for more information on our disclosure policy.
Seems like a lovely way to learn about Japanese culture ,and I do love sake so win win.
ReplyDelete@Big Happy Buddha - I found the presentation fascinating, I know a bit about the fermentation process of Rum from having visited the Bacardi Rum Plant in Puerto Rico, but I knew nothing of the process of creating Sake, it was a wonderful way to learn about Sake and see and more rural parts of Japan that are a bit off the beaten path for most tourists!
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Sounds like a very fun evening! I love Japanese music and art.
ReplyDelete@Finamoon - It was such a beautiful evening and a lovely event. Japanese music and art are among my favorites as well! The hand crafting that goes into each piece of Lacquer Ware makes them a work of art in and of themself.
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Sounds like a blast!! Wish I was in NY and could go, I am very jealous! In a good way though.
ReplyDelete@Bobbi Burleson - Sometimes when the pace of New York City drives me insane, it's nights like this one that remind me why I love this city so! Remember, it's great to reach out to local media teams for museums and cultural centers in your city, you can find out about amazing events that way. I love events that teach me something new, and challenge me in a fun and un-expected way!
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WOW that is really cool. We come into the City often and I have never heard of it. I know many people that would enjoy going to such an event. Wonderful review and love the bottle. It would be a decoration bottle around here.
ReplyDelete@Samantha MommycombatTeam - This is actually a first annual event, it's their first time putting something like this together. I am hoping this does well for the team and they make this an annual event. I have enjoyed a variety of wine, scotch and sake tastings in the City and I love the learning component that goes into the tastings. I definitely had to get a shot of the sake bottle with the butterfly, that specific sake is more fruity than a standard sake (you would probably be served a more 'dry' and less fruity one with Sushi for example) but I did enjoy the taste as well as the lovely bottle!
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What a beautiful event, and I'm sure you've put that sake cup to good use by now ;-) Would love to hear more about your impressions of the sake you tasted. Cheers!
ReplyDelete@Pamela P. - Actually I haven't used it yet! But I will definitely be putting it to good use soon! You hit the nail on the head as I did intend to post my impressions of what I tasted, but I was afraid that the upcoming lectures in the series might get lost in the mix, so I may end up doing a separate post of just my impressions of each Sake. (Great minds do think alike!) :-)
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Mujer, you're certainly making up for lost time aren't you?? ♥ following your winged flights! Keep flying Bella. BB2U
ReplyDelete@Bohemian Babushka - I don't think I've sat still at all this summer, it's been Go!, Go!, Go! - but I wouldn't have it any other way!
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I've never tried sake but your post has me curious now.
ReplyDelete@BellaVida Letty - Much like their counterparts, Sake is available for both the 'dry' palate, and those who prefer their wine a bit 'sweeter'. I'm a fan of Plum Sake which in some cases can taste like an even mix between the two. You can attend tastings to learn where your palate leans with the Japanese Sake/Rice Wine, or you can ask a knowledgeable Spirits Retailer as they tend to know their stock really well. I hope that helps!
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