Musings of a Cooking Boffin

Musings of a Cooking Boffin

The age of bloom


Two drawings of scenes from Wong Kar-Wai's In the Mood for Love, and some notes on a song an a novel used in this movie.

Tokyo Story


A watercolour of a made-up poster for the movie Tokyo Story.

Kitchen


Why Kitchen is my favourite novel.

The mystery of the giant Kannon statues


Of the fifty tallest statues in the world, eighteen are of a being called Kannon. So who is this Kannon, and why are some many of the tall statues of it?

Four portraits


The story behind a series of four portraits from a scene in the movie 'Our Little Sister'.

Per Tiziana


Eidon wrote a beautiful short piece with two different arrangements. I wondered if I could make a third arrangement.

Ukifune


The classical tale behind a Japanese pop song.

Daffodils


The short story of a whimsical music collaboration.

The True Pure Land


On the origin and meaning of a Shinshū Buddhist hymn which I encountered in Yu Miri's Tokyo Ueno Station.

The four wisdoms


On the origin and meaning of this chant, common in Japanese Buddhism.

The Winds of Kyoto


A very short story for the Fifth Annual Kyoto Writing Competition.

Drawing the Naginata Hoko


Some years ago I photographed musicians in a festival float in Kyoto on the eve of the Gion Matsuri. I finally turned it into a drawing.

Drawing the dancer of Ranryōō


Some years ago I saw a a traditional dance performance in Kyoto on the eve of the Gion Matsuri. I finally turned it into a drawing.

Move over onion, here's ginger


Quick and Tasty recipes don't use onion. There is no special reason, I just prefer ginger. So let's make the case for ginger.