Okudaira Masayuki (Okudaira 9th)
He is the "Last Samurai" of my hometown.
I thought he looks pretty much like modern
Japanese man. He studied in New Jersey in the U.S., then he built this school later. The original front gate of that school is still exists as an elementary school gate!! (Right)
Jisho-Ji (Temple) The Okudaira Family belonged
to this Zen temple. (Below)
Gougwan Ji (Temple)built 1587 by Kuroda Josui :Right
Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi requested Kuroda assassinate Lord Utsunomiya. Lord Kuroda planned to let his sun to marry Utsunomiya`s princess and kill all of his family when they came to participate in the marriage ceremony. Utsunomiya was killed in the event. Meanwhile his servants who stayed in Gogwan Ji Temple were attacked by Kuroda`s Samurai. All of them were killed. The splashed blood stain from the event still lies today on the white wall of the Temple. The bloodstain comes back again and again, no matter how often it is cleaned. Even though the Temple`s servants painted over the area with white paint. So at last it was decided to paint the wall over with red. This Temple is called "Red Wall Temple" since that strangely haunted event happened. Still one can find blade cuts on the posts from that battle.
Shimada Toranosuke,
A sword master of the end of Edo period.
He born as a child of the Hanshi Samurai.. Since he was a young boy, he had decided to be a master
swordsman. He apprenticed under the Hori Ittousai,
a Kenjutsu teacher of the Nakatsu-clan.
He also practiced at mount-Tentsuji
in the evening. At the age of 18, He was already
famous around the Kyushu area. Later, in 1837, He opened up his Choku Shinkage Ryu Dojo in Edo-Asakusa.
Katsu Kaishu was one of his students.
He also was interested in Western education
and taught students in Western subjects. His aim of Kenjutsu was "Ken (sword) Shin (mind) Icchi (be together)". His skill was so polished that he was called "A holy sword at the end of Edo"
The photo is a monument of"Ken Shin Icchi
(Left)
Ken Shin Icchi
"The sword is the heart. If you wish to learn the sword, first you must make your heart pure"
(Right, written on the monument)
Special Taste of Home!! Karaage
(Kyushu style Fried Chicken)
As I have been telling about my hometown history, I should also introduce our mouth watering Kyushu style fried chicken!
It is called Karaage (Ka-ra-a-geh). I don`t know the reason but a lots of Karaage delis are running businesses around my hometown. Even the Nakatsu city web site has a Karaage deli tour map for tourists! Once, a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise came to town about 10 years ago, but they went out of business after 2 years!!
What is this fact showing? That people didn`t go to KFC because our Karaage is so tasty! Even my husband who is American, loves to eat my home made Karaage a lot! There is even data that 60% of imported chicken has been consumed by people of Kyushu in Japan. People think that perhaps the reason is because Kyushu is closer to China, where originally Fried Chicken was born.
Karaage Recipe, Chaya style
5 cloves of Garlic - peeled and pressed(or grated)
3 Table spoons Soy sauce
3 Table spoons Sake (or Mirin Japanese Seasoning)
1 pinch of Sea salt
1 pinch of sugar
2 pinches of dry crashed Chile( like the one for Pizza )
Mix all ingredients above in a bowl then add
1 lb of fresh Chicken thigh meat - Remove fat skin, cut in 1x2 inches bite size
Mix well, cover with wrap, let it sit mimimum 1 hour in refregi. (Best taste
for over night)
Add 1 Cup of All purpose flower,
Mix lightly to coat all meats. then deep fry them about 5 min each side until golden and crispy.
The frying times really depends on the fryer you have , the meat piece size,
and or room temperature.
Make sure the inside of chicken is cooked well! but not too dark on the outside.
Using good Sea salt is also very important for the taste. I use"Blue Crab Bay" brand.
