Kateigaho thoughts

                 Kateigaho is a Japanese magazine that I look forward to enjoying while at my hairdresser.  It was expensive when we first lived in Japan many years ago - about 900 yen ($9.00 at that time) but now I saw it on sale at Shirokiya for $36.
            It is full of glossy, beautiful photographs and articles about Japanese and international culture, fashion and people.

              For instance, February's issue featured the famous Onsens (hot springs) in the snow and the foods they serve in winter.  There were detailed articles and photos of Versailles,  a leading Kabuki actor, fashion, jewelry and of course food.  A feast for the eyes.
     

I couldn't resist taking a photo of this page.
Anyone who has been to Japan must have
noticed that even the foods are attuned to nature.
The camellia branch and Otafuku (chubby
lady) covered dish
are associated with winter and Setsubun (holly leaves)

  At Ukaitei, a restaurant in Tokyo, we had a beautiful dinner  several years ago.  It was autumn and there were pine needles
 and ginkgo leaves adorning the plates.  The sake came in a green bamboo stalk inside a bigger slice of old bamboo.
     But if all this dainty beauty gets to be a bit much, Japan can also serve up a big plate of tender Kobe Matsuzaka steak cooked to
perfection!