A Whale of a Brew

this week's most popular posts and other tidbits from around Japan

"The Sky is Cold, Winter Sets In" (Microseason 61) Grey clouds hang low, sealing off the space between the earth and sky, and portending the possibility of snow. Japan has a word for clouds like this: yuki-gumori (literally, snow clouds) and they seem to make all living things - big and small - move slower. They also douse the mountaintops with white powder: the final brushstrokes of the winter landscape. (Do you want more seasonal events, recipes, poems and art in your inbox? Become a member!) the spoon & tamago dispatch Whale Brewery We begin our newsletter this week in southern Japan's Saga prefecture where a new brewery in an old whaling town has opened. Whale Brewery is located inside a renovated 80-year old townhouse that's located along Yobuko Asaichi-dori, which is known for their "wet market" where fisherman set up stalls to sell squid and other fresh delicacies. Read more... Carpentry Museum Next, we move to Kobe to visit a hidden gem of a museum: The Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, which is keeping the spirit of wooden architecture alive. It's the only museum in Japan dedicated to the tools and techniques of wooden carpentry. Read more... Uenosuke Shitanosuke Lastly, we're featuring this beautiful new pair of tumblers that are a combination of creative design, high-grade industry and craftsmanship. The glass-like shine is the result of hand-polishing each and every cup. And yet they're made from highly durable tritan, the same material that is used in baby bottles. Read more... For just $5 per month, support independent publishing, and Japanese arts & crafts, by becoming a Spoon & Tamago member! tidbits from all corners of Japan End of an era: a street sign in Hokkaido that mistakenly labeled Otaru Port as Otaru Poot, has been fixed after 30 years. Scenes from last week's Chichibu Yomatsuri, one of Japan's 3 main float festivals and a rare display of winter fireworks From the Shop Winter Collection Our winter collection is a celebration of everything we love about the season: the muted colors, the smoky aromas and the sweet mikans. explore the collection Copyright © 2023 Spoon & Tamago, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website. Our mailing address is: Spoon & Tamago 253 Tompkins Ave Brooklyn, New York 11216 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.