The classic Japanese flavor combination of roasted soybean flour and Okinawan black sugar come together in these buttery sandwich cookies that will give new sparkle to your holiday table ‘Tis the season for cozy pleasures, so how about a sweet holiday treat with a delightful Japanese twist? These buttery shortbread cookies have a satisfying nuttyContinueContinue reading “Kinako Shortbread Cookies with Salted Black Sugar Buttercream”
Category Archives: November
One more reason why I love Japan
Because the same culture that gave us this… The red bridge spanning the Hirosaki Castle moat And this The awesome five-story-tall light-up Gundam robot And this The pagoda at Sensō-ji temple and Skytree, lit up at night… Also came up with this This building If this isn’t the most butt-ugly building you’ve ever seen, wrapContinueContinue reading “One more reason why I love Japan”
Let’s stroll down avenues lined with towering gold gingko trees
Tokyo’s ichō namiki Gingko trees are beautiful in every season—there’s a reason their unique leaves have been celebrated in kimonos, pottery, lacquer, and all the traditional arts for centuries—but catching them just as they turn into towering torches and blaze away for a few days in late fall is one of my favorite sights inContinueContinue reading “Let’s stroll down avenues lined with towering gold gingko trees”
Did YOU win one of the five audiobook giveaways?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of The Last Tea Bowl Thief audiobook! If you think one of these is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and I’ll send you the download code and instructions for getting it onto your device! I’m sorry if I didn’t pull your name from the hatContinueContinue reading “Did YOU win one of the five audiobook giveaways?”
Did you win the Sep-Oct book giveaway?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of Pachinko by Min Jin Lee! If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me if you’d like an ebook or paperback (and if paperback, let me know a mailing address you’d like it sent to) and I’ll get it toContinueContinue reading “Did you win the Sep-Oct book giveaway?”
NOVEMBER 2020
Click on photo or link to read the feature Why, Japan, Why?: In Japan, here’s how they tip the hand of fate! If someone told you they wanted to move a meeting you’d scheduled because the astrology forecast for that day is too unlucky, you’d probably be moving them right off the payroll, wouldn’t you?ContinueContinue reading “NOVEMBER 2020”
Book News
Entertaining stuff you may have missed because you have a life If you’re suffering from Too Much Jonelle, run! Save yourself! Guest blog, podcast & video roundup If you’re already suffering from Too Much Jonelle, run! Save yourself! But I don’t often blog or newsletter about the how-to and craft of writing, or the storiesContinueContinue reading “Book News”
Gold-leafed ice cream, a samurai neighborhood, and a legendary garden lit up at night
Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture Worth the trip for this alone! Everybody thinks that the best time to visit this ultra-famous Japanese garden is during cherry blossom season, but if you go in the spring with the crowdy crowds, you’ll miss one of the most spectacular sights in Japan: Kenroku-en Garden lit up at night in theContinueContinue reading “Gold-leafed ice cream, a samurai neighborhood, and a legendary garden lit up at night”
Did you win one of October’s book giveaways?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of Liza Dalby’s The Tale of Murasaki! If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me if you’d like an ebook or paperback (and if paperback, let me know a mailing address you’d like it sent to) and I’ll get it toContinueContinue reading “Did you win one of October’s book giveaways?”
Pop-Up Book Zoom
Finally, a get-together with friends that’s designed to be fun online! The Last Tea Bowl Thief Book Zoom:Irresistable discussion starters,a diabolical trivia drinking game,and good fortune for all Want to spend time with friends, but shudder at one more talking head gridfest? The Last Tea Bowl Thief Book Zoom is for you! It’s actually designedContinueContinue reading “Pop-Up Book Zoom”
The weird world of bonsai chrysanthemums
The first time I saw these, I laughed out loud, because the idea of someone lavishing the kind of loving care necessary to train a bonsai seemed so ludicrous when applied to ghetto chrysanthemums Venerable bonsai pines, move over for…bonsai chrysanthemums! Yes, bonsai chrysanthemums are A Thing. And it happens in Japan every year inContinueContinue reading “The weird world of bonsai chrysanthemums”
Idoru
By William Gibson Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEntertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: This book imagines a Japan that’s mesmerizing in its projections of near-future pop culture and chillingly prescient in predicting the kind of world that current technology is forging right now I’ve always thought it’s a shame toContinueContinue reading “Idoru”
How to tip the hand of fate
Not your lucky day? We can fix that! If someone told you they wanted to move a meeting you’d scheduled because the astrology forecast for that day is too unlucky, you’d probably be moving them right off the payroll, wouldn’t you? Unless you live in Japan. In Japan, that’s a perfectly legit reason to rescheduleContinueContinue reading “How to tip the hand of fate”
Chicken & Ginger Yakitori Meatballs
All over Japan, these absolutely delicious chicken meatballs are a must-try at yakitori restaurants. Skewered and slathered in a tangy sauce, they never fail to be a crowd pleaser! Makes 40 small meatballs (They freeze really well if you seal them into a container after boiling) 1 lb. (500g) ground chicken 2 t. (8g) sugarContinueContinue reading “Chicken & Ginger Yakitori Meatballs”
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