Higashi Osaka's traditional laughter festival

Priests and parishioners laugh out loud during the annual Laughter Festival held at Hiraoka Shrine in Higashi Osaka, Osaka Prefecture. The festival is said to originate in a legend in which the entrance to the cave where the Sun Goddess (Amaterasu Omikami) had gone into hiding was opened thanks to the beautiful prayers of Ame-no-Koyane-no Mikoto, Hiraoka Shrine's main deity; the dancing of Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto; and the laughter of the gods.

Beetroot dry curry

Usually I cook the beetroot curry and garnish with coconut, but got bored with it and wanted to try a new recipe.  My favourite ingredient is besan.  Hence decided to try a new recipe with besan.  Surprisingly it came out well and wanted to share the recipe.


Ingredients
* beetroot (finely cut) - 1cup
* green chilies (split lengthwise) - 5nos
* chick pea flour (besan) - 3~4tbsp
* salt - to taste
* mustard - 1/2tsp
* chana dal - 1/2tsp
* urad dal - 1/2tsp
* curry leaves - 5 (I did not have this though)
* asafetida - 1pinch
* turmeric powder - 1pinch
* cooking oil - 2tbsp
* water - 1/2 cup




Preparation
* heat oil in a pan
* when oil is hot enough add mustard seeds and allow to splutter
* add chana dal, urad dal and fry a little
* add turmeric power
* add asafetida
* add green chili
* fry well
* add salt
* add beetroot and fry a little
* add half of water and close the pan with a lid and allow to cook for 5min
* now and then check whether the water had drained and beetroot is cooked
* once cooked add the besan little by little and stir well
* once all the besan is added and stirred well add rest of water and again stir
* allow the water to drain and allow the beetroot/besan mix to kind of roast
* garnish with curry leaves


Serve hot with any rice item.

Getting "Driving License" in Japan

Driving lessons can cost you any thing from JPY40,000 to JPY350,000 depending upon what kind of course you want to take. 

1. Apply for Japanese Driving License directly 
Most of the car driving school will give you lesson only if you know good Japanese any way, its waste otherwise. 
There are some driving schools conducts lessons in English. Join the school and you can be guaranteed that you will get the license. This does not mean that School will issue license in any case, but the School will train you as a SAFE driver. 

2. Convert your existing license issues in India 
How long you had driven in India? If you had driven a lot then when you go for English translation of you License to JAF office, get the rule book. Read it properly and try to use them when you give the final driving test and it will be ok. 

Make sure you were in India for at least 180 days, (need not be continuous) after getting the driver license. 

Procedure is simple 
1. Translate your original License from JAF (near JR Hamamatsucho station). 

JAF Information 
JAF Address 

2. Go for written test. Please buy and go through the rule book at JAF before appearing. Not a must but its better. 

3. Select the date and time to appear for Driving test. 

4. Give the driving test, medical test (just eye examination), Snap. 

5. Walk away with your Japanese license valid till 3rd Birthday year. 

For Driving test, a small guide line for your help. 

1. Walk to the driver gate from behind the car, looking for any on-coming vehicle. 

2. Check side view, back view, touch and set the back view even if you think its ok. Fasten your seat belt. 

3. Check if every one, you, Instructor and the one accompanying you (the next candidate) has fasten the seat belts. 

4. Before starting to drive, ask the instructor if it is ok to go. 

5. Watch out in your all mirrors and also behind by physically turning your head before Starting to Drive. 

6. Try to go on Wednesday, reason, the examiner on Wednesday is lenient, but again, its your luck. 

7. Always come to full halt on Stop (Red triangle tomare 止まれ) sign, watch both side and proceed, if you slow down to "almost Zero" will fail you instantly. 

8. During 8, you can always, stop, reverse and drive. Be careful if you over drive any obstacle they you are fail.

9. If your own lane is closed by obstacle and even if no one coming from opposite side (this is the case always) DO not forget to slow down, Watch in back view mirror, give the Right indicator first and then left indicator while coming back to your lane. 

10. When asked to speed up and then slow down in 2nd round, In any case, do not give a jerk. Even if you can not reach to the speed he asks you, its sort of ok, but no sudden brake or acceleration, though you have to accelerate fast to reach near that speed. 

11. Do not forget, the signal system is more specific here 
A. The Straight arrow mark - It means, ONLY straight, no right or left turn until such an arrow is green. 
B. Green Light (no Arrow) - It means its free flow. straight, left or right if your way is clear (in case of turn). 
Normally its first the Straight green arrow then yellow and then Whole green light (during the test). So you must wait before proceeding. 

12. Do not forget to give signal at every moment you have to take a turn. 

13. Going slowly in 8 is not a disadvantage, so go carefully and slowly. People who had driven in India, will not have any problem in that  

14. Have a confidence look on you face but no disregard to instructor. He is there to gauge every move and expression you make. 

More info 
Some more info 
All the best.

Buying a Car in Japan

Needless to say that you can either buy a new car or go for a used one from one of the many used car dealers. Used cars are obviously much cheaper, sometimes costing as low as 50,000 Yen. However, before you buy a car, you must understand what lies ahead.

Registration
Buying a car from another individual is a little bit complicated than buying from a dealer. Buyer or the seller has to submit the Meigi Henkou (Re-registration) and Massho toroku (owner's cancellation registration) papers at theKensa Toroku Jimusho (Inspection/Registration Office).

Parking Space
You will have to find a parking space, buy insurances, pay taxes and get mandatory maintenance check at specified periods.

Before you own the car you will have to submit certificate of having a Shako Shomeishou (Registered parking space) to the police. If you have to rent the parking space, the fees may vary from a few thousand yen per month to anything depending on the locality. You need to look for a parking space almost the same way as you looked for an apartment. However, to rent a parking space generally you don't require a guarantor.

Vehicle Taxes
A car owner has to pay three main taxes: Acquisition Tax, Weight tax and an annual tax. every May.

The Acquisition and weight taxes are paid at the time one buys a car. The Acquisition Tax is around 5% of the price of the car.

The weight tax depends on the size of the car engine. While you should find out the details for the car you plan to buy, here is some rough idea. For cars with engine sizes up to 2 liters the weight tax may around 55,000 Yen. For larger sizes it may be around 75,000.

The annual tax is paid every May and is about 5,000 Yen for smaller cars but may be around 60,000 for bigger cars.

Vehicle Insurance
The Kyosei Hoken (Mandatory insurance) covers the car. The Jibaiseki hoken (Optional insurance) covers collateral injuries/damages you may incur or cause.

You may also insure against such things as theft, vandalism etc.

Considering the huge financial pot holes you may land into in case of accidents or damage caused to yourself or to others it is advisable that you get good insurance if you buy a car.

Find out the details of available options and discounts before you settle for a insurance company and the insurance plan.

Shaken - The Mandatory Vehicle Inspection
All cars older than 3 years have to have a Shaken (Mandatory maintenance check) once in two years.

The cost for this mandatory check may vary from around 150,000 Yen for smaller cars and more for the bigger ones. That is, if there is nothing really much to fix. If something is broken then the cost would go up further.

15 Easy Tips for Going Green at Home!

How to be eco friendly...

---

Narayanan Ravi Chandran

Many of us would have heard about eco, eco friendly, global warming etc.  What is it all about?  Have we ever thought of it?  Many of us just quote Kyoto Protocol was signed by US but declined ratification.  We all talk about it but have we ever thought about what we can do?  Again every one of us will think if only I change what difference it’s going to make.  You know if each one of us think and act we can change the world.

Each and every individual of us can contribute to reduce carbon emission considerably.  Here are several steps to do that.

Easy Tips for Going Green!

1. Ditch the Bottles

Bottled water is pricey and uses a lot of fuel to transport, as well as to make and store all those bottles. Use what comes out of your tap instead. Get a good filter to boost its purity.

2. Buy Local

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, most produce in the world travels an average of 1,500 miles before being sold. Reduce all that shipping by rediscovering the fresh bounty of your surrounding area. Find farmers' markets, co-ops and CSAs (community-supported agriculture projects).

3. Dispose of Disposables

Instead of relying on single-use containers, get real dishes, and wash them! The resources saved will really add up.  Use metal spoons wash and re-use them.  If at all you have to use plastic spoon still think before throwing it.  You can wash and use them again.

4. Banish Excess Packaging

Buy things in larger sizes if you know you'll use them. Try to select items that have less plastic and extra filler stuffed with them.

5. Bring Your Own Bags

It's so simple and plastic and paper bags both take resources to produce and distribute, and end up as litter.

6. Get a Green Thumb

Growing plants not only helps soak up excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but it can help clean toxins from the air and provide habitat (and food, though you may not want to hear that) for wildlife. And it reconnects you with nature!

7. Eat Less Meat

Modern meat is energy- and resource-intensive, and factory farms are huge polluters. Eating lower on the food chain reduces those problems.

8. Use Your Appliances Wisely

Get energy audit (doing one yourself is easy), unplug unused devices and pick Energy Star when it's time to replace.

9. Cook!

Plan meals ahead of time, so you aren't scrambling to pick up something convenient, which is likely to be less healthy and wrapped in more packaging.  Don’t attend phone or watch TV while cooking.  You will appreciate the difference.  While you are speaking on phone or watching TV when cooking your attention will be on that rather than cooking hence fuel will be wasted.

10. Become Educated

Learn to save money and time by reducing waste and unneeded consumption, whether that's water, energy, paper, food, travel and more.

11. Say No to Paper or Plastic

You don't have to wait till grocery bags are banned: Say no to plastic or paper ones now. Instead, bring your own reusable shopping bags. Consider an entire set of reusable, double-handled hemp bags that work great for a large order, and reusable organic cotton mesh bags for your fruits and vegetables.

For trips to the mall, opt for one of the new, eco-chic bags from sources such as reusable bags. These funky, graphically inspired totes and messenger bags are crafted from unlikely materials such as rice and sewn by hand in small batches in Cambodia.  EcoBags, another source, carries totes made from recycled cotton, as well as a recycled cotton lunch sack to replace the brown bag or Ziploc.

Or better yet, buy a FEED bag and support a project started by Lauren Bush, an honorary spokesperson for the UN World Food Program. Proceeds from the sale go to feed a child for a school year. The goal: Reduce the billions of plastic and paper bags headed for a landfill near you with a smarter answer.

12. Fill the Fridge

Keeping your refrigerator full, but not to the point of overstuffing, will allow it to run at max capacity. To help retain cold temperatures when the fridge and freezer are less full, place glass or ceramic pitchers of water in their compartments. Like using ice in a picnic cooler, this will insulate the interior and keep it cold.

Refrigerators and freezers account for about a sixth of all electricity use in a typical American home, and they use more electricity than any other single household appliance.

Over- or under-crowding makes the fridge work harder to maintain its optimal internal temp (37 degrees F).

13. Banish heaters

During winter avoid using heaters; keep yourselves warm by wearing warm clothing.  Use heating blankets which consumes less power.  If at all you have to use heater keep 2 degree C less than what you normally do.  In general 26 - 27 degree C is enough for us to keep warm.

14. Save water

Showers are better than using tub, but bucket is better than using shower.  You know the usage of water clearly, especially during winter.

15. Battery Recycling

Laptops, MP3 players, toys, cell phones - these are just some of the reasons that we need batteries in our daily lives.

Batteries are a unique product comprised of heavy metals which include nickel cadmium, alkaline, mercury, nickel metal hydride and lead acid, which can threaten our environment if not properly discarded or handled.

There are many ways to properly dispose of batteries, most of which depends on the type of battery you have. You can also reduce waste with prevention. Starting with prevention creates less or no leftover waste to become potentially hazardous. There are a few easy ways to reduce household battery waste.

• Check to see if you already have the batteries on hand before buying more

• When suited to the task buy hand operated items that function without batteries

• Look for the batteries that have less mercury and heavy metals

• Consider rechargeable batteries for some needs, but remember that they also contain heavy metals such as nickel-cadmium.

Battery recycling and reuse, through rechargeable batteries and long lasting batteries, can make a positive impact towards our reduction of battery waste and pollution.

These are a few steps to save energy and contribute to reduce CO2 emission.  Let’s try to follow at least 5 of the above and contribute for the green world.  This is the better gift we give for our next generation.

Kabuki and Kathakali

Indian Kathakali theatre shares many similarities with Japanese Kabuki. Both styles were created in the 17th Century, and both revolve around mythological stories and folk tales. The disciplined movement and dance that is so indicative of both forms, is enhanced by elaborate make-up, exceptional costumes and traditional music. All actors in both Kabuki and Kathakali are male, even when some characters are female. 

Hina matsuri (Japan) and Navartri Golu (India)

"Hina Matsuri (usually known as Doll's Festival)" is held on March 3rd. This is a day to pray for young girl's growth and happiness. It is also called "Momo no sekku (Peach Festival)" because of the peach blossom season on the old lunar calendar. May 5th is "Kodomo no hi (Children's Day)," and this is so called "Boy's Festival." While Children's Day is a national holiday, Hina Matsuri is not.  Most families with girls display "hina- ningyo" (special dolls for Hina Matsuri, see the photo beside) and dedicate peach blossoms to them. They are usually arranged on a five or seven-tiered stand covered with a red carpet. At the top are the Emperor and Empress. The next step contains three court ladies (sannin-kanjo), followed by five musicians (gonin-bayashi), two ministers (udaijin and sadaijin), and three servants ending the bottom row in a five-tiered display. There are also small pieces of furniture, small meal dishes, and other things.

Similar to Hina Matsuri, in South India, we celebrate Navarathri to display the arrangement of dolls. On the Navarathri days, kanyas (un-married) girls and Sumangalis (married women) visit the houses of the village.  The resident of the house offers them Manjal (turmeric), Kumkumam and Bhakshanam(Snacks). The visitors are invited to sing before the Kolu.  First three days of Navaraathri are dedicated to Durgaa, next three days to Lakshmi and the final three days to Saraswathi.  In the Vedic way, one can unite them as Veda Maathaa revered as Ilaa, Bharathi and Saraswathi.  In the top most step, the statues (Bommai) of Gods and Goddesses are displayed.  At the bottom most step are Bommai related to the creations of the Lord such as birds, animals et al are displayed.  Homage paid to the entire creations of the Lord and His consort.  In the smaartha tradition, Vinaayaka Bommai is the first one to be placed on the Kolu.  Generally dolls are arranged in steps of odd count i.e. 1,3,5,7,9.