Author Archives: Jonelle Patrick

The winner of the July Book Giveaway is…

If you recognize this email, congratulations!  You just won a copy of Shinjū, by Laura Joh Rowland. If this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me where to send it, and I’ll have one sent from Amazon pronto! (Much to my chagrin, I discovered there’s no ebook edition, so I regret that I can’t offerContinueContinue reading “The winner of the July Book Giveaway is…”

Book Review & Giveaway AUGUST 2020

CLIMB By Susan Spann This month’s book giveaway is Susan Spann’s wry and moving new memoir, CLIMB. Two and a half years ago, her life appeared to be rocketing along quite nicely—not only was she a successful lawyer, she was jaunting off for extended annual stays in Japan to write a popular mystery series. NoContinueContinue reading “Book Review & Giveaway AUGUST 2020”

Two reviews: Claws of the Cat / Climb

By Susan Spann Book #1: CLAWS OF THE CAT Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEntertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: A beyond-the-history-books journey into the fascinating and uneasy lives of the first foreigners allowed to stay in Japan Claws of the Cat is a tale set in the fascinating 16th-century period inContinueContinue reading “Two reviews: Claws of the Cat / Climb”

Okinawan Brown Sugar Dessert Sauce

Vanilla ice cream topped with Okinawan brown sugar syrup and roasted soybean flour is a favorite summer treat in Japan Dessert is the hardest thing to decide on for a Japanese meal, because most Japanese “desserts” are pretty disappointing, especially when compared to (duh) chocolate. Which is why I’m delighted to show you how toContinueContinue reading “Okinawan Brown Sugar Dessert Sauce”

In Japan you can be “Honorably Alone”

How Japan has perfected the experience of eating, drinking and traveling by yourself We’ve all had that awkward experience of having to dine alone in a restaurant—the meek acceptance of the mingey table nearest the swinging kitchen door and the studious attention to an open book so people don’t think we were stood up. InContinueContinue reading “In Japan you can be “Honorably Alone””

The Most Refreshing Waterfall in the World

This month’s destination: Sharaito-no-taki, near Lake Kawaguchi Just looking at pictures of this astonishing waterfall is enough to beat the summer heat, and being surrounded by its 180° music is one of life’s truly sublime moments. This natural wonder is beautiful in every season—in the summertime, when the June monsoon sends cascades of rainwater coursingContinueContinue reading “The Most Refreshing Waterfall in the World“

JUNE 2020

Click on photo to read the feature Seasonal Secret for June: How to stay cool in the summer, the Japanese way Five ways that the Japanese have traditionally survived the miserably hot & humid summer months. Some actually work, and some rely on powers of imagination that this foreigner can only aspire to…read more •ContinueContinue reading “JUNE 2020”

The winner of the June Book Giveaway is…

If you recognize this email, congratulations!  You just won a copy of The Essential Haiku, edited by the amazing Robert Hass If this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me where to send it, and I’ll have one sent from Amazon pronto! (Much to my chagrin, I discovered there’s no ebook edition, so I regretContinueContinue reading “The winner of the June Book Giveaway is…”

Shinjū

By Laura Joh Rowland Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEntertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: A well-researched and deeply entertaining crime read, set in samurai-era Japan Who hasn’t wondered what it would have been like to live in a more chivalrous era, when warriors kept order with the world’s sharpest swords,ContinueContinue reading “Shinjū“

A serene lotus garden grown from 3,000-year-old seeds

This month’s destination: Gyoda Ancient Lotus Park, Saitama An excavation for a new city building unearthed 3,000-year-old lotus seeds of a variety that was thought to be long extinct. When they sprouted and bloomed, scientists were so delighted that the city dedicated a large tract of land to their cultivation, and the Gyōda Ancient LotusContinueContinue reading “A serene lotus garden grown from 3,000-year-old seeds”

Sweet & Salty Miso Sauce

Dengaku Sauce is one of those tasty toppings that makes even people who “don’t like Japanese food” beg for seconds. Everything from eggplant to slices of pork tenderloin to skewers of grilled chicken will disappear in record time if slathered in Dengaku. Sweet & Salty Miso Sauce 6 Japanese eggplants (or one big European one)ContinueContinue reading “Sweet & Salty Miso Sauce”

Souvenirs NOT to buy in July

Beautiful, right? So summery! The ultimate souvenir not only reminds you of the place where you bought it, it also reminds you of the joys of being in Japan during that season. Which is why you might be tempted to bring home one of these lovely handpainted flower lamps that are only sold during JulyContinueContinue reading “Souvenirs NOT to buy in July“

The winner of the May Book Giveaway is…

If you recognize this email, congratulations!  You just won a copy of Marie Mutsuki Mockett’s Where the Dead Pause and the Japanese Say Goodbye! If this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me if you’d prefer an ebook or a paperback, and where to send it (let me know which email to use for anContinueContinue reading “The winner of the May Book Giveaway is…”

Japanese Chicken Salad with Tangy Soy-Lemon Dressing

Summer is heating up in Japan, and this salad is the perfect way to avoid slaving over a hot stove! It tastes fresh and summer-y, satisfying enough to be a light meal in itself, or as a side with rice and grilled meat. It’s a great way to use leftover rotisserie chicken, and the TangyContinueContinue reading “Japanese Chicken Salad with Tangy Soy-Lemon Dressing“

How to stay cool in the summer, the Japanese way

Here are five ways that the Japanese have traditionally survived the miserably hot & humid summer months. Some actually work, and some rely on powers of imagination that this foreigner can only aspire to. 1 Goldfish Yeah, goldfish languidly waving their fins in their cool, watery world supposedly have the power to cool you off,ContinueContinue reading “How to stay cool in the summer, the Japanese way“

Let’s go to the Japanese island where the only residents are lots and lots of bunnies

This month’s destination: Okunoshima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture Remember when you could go to the airport half an hour before your flight and just walk onto the plane, without going through security? Remember when children could play outside until dark, with no supervision? Remember when we could all go to restaurants and bars and shopsContinueContinue reading “Let’s go to the Japanese island where the only residents are lots and lots of bunnies“

The Essential Haiku

Edited by Robert Hass Setting & details: N/AAuthenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Entertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: The most enjoyable book of haiku in the whole world I’m going to admit a shameful secret: I’m not a poetry reader. Except for this poetry. For some reason, whenever I sit down for five minutesContinueContinue reading “The Essential Haiku”

Six things you didn’t expect to discover on a pilgrimage

Naturally, the Japanese have figured out a way to make their version of a spiritual Iron Man not only good for the soul, but one of the most memorable journeys you’ll ever make. Here are six things that will surprise and delight you on your Japanese pilgrimage: 1 The most awesome souvenir in the entireContinueContinue reading “Six things you didn’t expect to discover on a pilgrimage“

Let’s go to one of the most mystical pilgrimage sites in all Japan

This month’s destination: Koya-san in Wakayama Prefecture This is Kōbō Daishi (or Kūkai, as he was also known), who founded Shingon Buddhism and built Koya-san. He taught that anyone could reach enlightenment (even common people, not just the high-born or priestly) and by following certain strict practices in this life, it was possible to attainContinueContinue reading “Let’s go to one of the most mystical pilgrimage sites in all Japan“

Where the Dead Pause and the Japanese Say Goodbye

by Marie Mutsuki Mockett Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEntertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: Thought provoking and insightful This is the book that made me want to visit Koya-san. The author takes us along on her own search for meaning in the wake of her father’s death, and visits allContinueContinue reading “Where the Dead Pause and the Japanese Say Goodbye”

Yakitori Chicken Mini-Burgers

This is a little less than half a recipe. I usually freeze half of them, then throw together a batch of sauce on another night for an easy five-minute dinner Serves 8 (if one serving size is 5 mini-burgers) Chicken Mini-Burgers 12 oz (340g) ground chicken 12 oz (340g) silken tofu (the soft, custard-y kind,ContinueContinue reading “Yakitori Chicken Mini-Burgers“

APRIL 2020

Click on photo to read the feature This month’s Book Review: Newcomer Ghosts of the Tsunami is a page-turningly readable piece of narrative non-fiction, written by the Asia Editor of The Times of London. Using fascinating personal accounts – like why Buddhist priests had to brush up on their exorcism skills – he delivers poignant insightsContinueContinue reading “APRIL 2020”

Creamy Sesame Noodles

You’ll never guess how healthy these sesame noodles are, because they’re decadently creamy…without the cream. Creamy Sesame Noodles Ingredients: 3.5 oz. (100 g) dried Japanese soba (buckwheat) noodles or regular pasta 2 T. (about two) sliced green onions Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish Diced cooked chicken (optional, but it makes a satisfying lunch if youContinueContinue reading “Creamy Sesame Noodles“

The OTHER famous spring season

Embracing allergy season, one Japanese nose bra at a time Ahhh, spring is here, and in Japan, that means it’s time for The Annual Season! Cherry blossoms? No, ALLERGIES. And it’s not actually the cherry blossoms that are the big culprits, it’s those dang cedar trees that produce all the fragrant wood used in traditionalContinueContinue reading “The OTHER famous spring season”

Why are Oreos more Japanese than sumo wrestlers?

A classic foreign cookie becomes seriously Japanese In last month’s Japanagram, we talked about turning foreign things Japanese, but I bet you never thought that the most extreme example of that might be…sumo. Foreigners have dominated this most sacred of Japanese sports since 1990. This photo, for example, is Asashoryu, the Mongolian who introduced revolutionary – and, forContinueContinue reading “Why are Oreos more Japanese than sumo wrestlers?”

MARCH 2020

Click on photo to read the feature March Book Review: Ghosts of the Tsunami Ghosts of the Tsunami is a page-turningly readable piece of narrative non-fiction, written by the Asia Editor of The Times of London. Using fascinating personal accounts – like why Buddhist priests had to brush up on their exorcism skills – he deliversContinueContinue reading “MARCH 2020”

Let’s see thousands of fish flags fluttering over a river

This month’s destination: Tatebayashi, in Gunma Prefecture Here’s something you won’t see anywhere else in the world: over four thousand colorful fish flags swimming over a river, just an easy day trip from Tokyo! The Tatebayashi koi nobori festival goes on for a nice long time – from late March to early May – soContinueContinue reading “Let’s see thousands of fish flags fluttering over a river”

Newcomer

by Keigo Higashino Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Entertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: Extremely engaging and satisfying In this Edgar-nominated mystery, Nihonbashi detective Koichiro Kaga pursues the killer of a recently-divorced middle-aged woman, solving all the little mysteries that crop up along the way as he eliminates suspects, one byContinueContinue reading “Newcomer”