Welcoming April with Zojirushi

It seems as though we were just gearing up for cold weather and holiday parties, and suddenly spring has sprung as if overnight. Time seems to be flying by faster and faster with heavy homework at school, busy days at work and weekends that pass by in a flash of sports games and grocery shopping. It’s amazing we even find time to eat!

Much like the New Year, spring is a time for new beginnings and new life. It’s a time to shed the habits and clutter that spent the winter in our homes and make way for the new. If you are anything like us, then you must enjoy a good deep clean this time of year. Amidst the busy days of modern life and spring-cleaning, don’t forget to slow down and share a nice meal with family and friends.

At Zojirushi, we understand how hectic life can get. That’s why we spend years developing products that will simplify your life. Our hope is that if you can worry less about what’s going on in the kitchen, you can focus more on what’s happening at the table. At the end of the day, the table is where we all come together; it’s where for an hour or so, we can forget the pressures of the day and enjoy each other’s company. So please, eat! Please, drink! Please, enjoy this spring with loved ones! There is always something worth celebrating! Cheers, Zojirushi.

Japanese Toys: Where Art and Craft come Together

Have you ever noticed a Japanese toy at a museum or at your local Japanese store? Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether it’s folk art, high art or serious craft. Some toys in Japan have been around for centuries and stand the test of time. Their design is built to last and their simplicity is built for the imagination. Something we rarely get to use in this age of social media and video games!

Takeuma (竹馬), pronounced ta-keh-ou-ma, for example are Japanese bamboo stilts! They are simple to make, and most variations are strong enough to hold a 6-foot, 200-pound person! They are made simply by binding take(竹) (bamboo) together. Children would play by tying a string to the roots and mounting this as if on an uma(馬) (horse). Making your own toys! Now there’s an idea.

Another classic Japanese toy that has found many incarnations in the states is taketombo(竹とんぼ), pronounced ta-keh-tom-boh, or bamboo-copter. This is a bamboo toy helicopter that flies when its shaft is spun. It functions like a spinning top, but in the air. The taketombo originated in China in the year 400 B.C., and is still commonly found in most American toy stores! Can you think of anything else in a toy store that’s been around since the year 400B.C.?

Just like takeuma, making bamboo-copter is fairly easy, but it might be simpler to just buy one. In any case, you should check this ancient idea out. Surprise the children around you with the gift of simplicity and imagination! Happy playing!

Japanese Children Welcome School in April

In Japan, April is the time for a new school year to begin. That’s right, warm spring weather and fragrant cherry blossoms mark the new academic year. It’s hard to imagine going “back to school” without crisp fall apples and leaves on the ground eh?

Going back to school is more than just packing a brown bag and strapping on a backpack in Japan. In fact, each April, schools hold an “Entrance Ceremony” for new students. The entrance ceremony is a time for new students to contemplate the year ahead. It also gives shy or young new students a chance to be welcomed by their older schoolmates.

This ceremony is often held in a gym or an auditorium where older students and parents sit to welcome the incoming class as they march in for applause. The principal will usually speak along with the homeroom teachers and older student, as well as an incoming student. New students are then led back to their homerooms where they receive textbooks and more information on the year to come.

Sounds a bit different than the all-American way of starting school? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Product of The Month: Gourmet Sizzler® Electric Griddle (EA-DCC10)

We would like to highlight the Gourmet Sizzler® Electric Griddle (EA-DCC10). This is a very versatile appliance that can make cooking easy and interactive. It features an extra large cooking surface and it’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This product is ideal for tabletop cooking. Given the extra large cooking surface and a large lid, sautéing or cooking for large groups can be done quickly with no mess.
https://www.zojirushi.com/products/eadcc

Curious to see what you could make with this appliance? Check out all the amazing recipes we have for our electric griddles.

https://www.zojirushi.com/app/recipe/other-electric-products?ids=433