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Tanpopo Studio April Newsletter

I recently had a chance to visit the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) for its Hard Bodies: Contemporary Japanese Lacquer Sculpture exhibits.You might be familiar with Japanese lacquerware. It’a a traditional craft where artisans coat kitchenware, decorative boxes, dressers and such to enhance wood’s durability as well as to showcase one’s artistic talent and craftsmanship. The artwork at Mia showcased 16 young artist who took the traditional lacquer craftsmanship to demonstrate how the old can be new, past can be present.

At Tanpopo Studio, we put emphasis on preserving tradition and culture. Throughout our tours and workshops, we focus on where things come from and how things are made.

If you are not joining our spring or summer tour, please consider joining our culinary journey this October where we will spend a beautiful fall afternoon in Kiso – a historical preservation town known for Japanese Lacquerware. Help preserve this traditional craft by sharing your experiences with others.

Here is what is happening with Tanpopo Studio this month.

Tanpopo Studio Monthly Meetup

This month’s meetup is scheduled for April 30th from 7-8pm at Quixotic Coffee Shop in Highland Park, Saint Paul.
The topic this month is Japanese Whisky and our recent trip to Hakushu Distillery in Yamanashi Prefecture. All are welcome.

It is free, but space is limited. Please send us an email if you are interested in attending.

Also, there also will be an Art Tour Exploratory Meet up with Wet Paint scheduled on May 11, from 6:30-7:30 pm. We’ll have more information on this exciting meet up in our May newsletter. Stay tuned!

Upcoming Tours to Japan

September – October Culinary Tour of Japan

October marks the beginning of harvest season and this is a great time to visit Japan.
Enjoy a fall walk in Kiso Valley, relax in hot spring and savor a regional Kaiseki dinner.

We have added more tours for 2019.

Classes and Workshops

Artist in the Kitchen!
April 21-23

Ramen Know How
April 24th at 6pm at Cooks of Crocus Hills, St. Paul

Grand Night Out
April 28th at 6pm at Cooks of Crocus Hills, St. Paul

Happy Travels,
Koshiki and Benjamin Smith

ニュースレター：２０１8 年４月号

四月になりましたがミネソタでは天気予報で雪が降るとの予報がありました。日本は桜の季節ですが、皆様いかがお過ごしでしょうか。

私は先月ミネアポリスの美術館で漆アートを鑑賞する機会がありました。後継者が減り機械作業で作られた安いものが手に入る今、16名の若い美術家が漆を使ったアートで日本の歴史や文化を世界に紹介するものでした。

私たちが日々忘れてしまいがちな歴史や文化の継続の必要性を考えさせられる場でした。

私たちたんぽぽスタジオでも物作りの現場、文化の継承に重点をおいた活動を心がけています。私たちの活動により世界各地に住むみなさんが日本の文化に触れる機会を増やし、そしてどこでどのように物が作られているのか学べる場になればと考えながら、体験ツアー、料理クラスなどを企画しています。

今月は信州食のツアーに始まり、イベントやワークショップが盛りだくさんです。

今月のコミュニティーミーティングは４月３０日７時から８時を予定しています。

今月のテーマは”日本ウイスキー”です。

お時間のある方は是非ご参加ください。

タンポポスタジオ

米村古紫季

March 2018 Newsletter

Happy March!

March is a month of celebration in Japan starting with Hinamatsuri (Doll/Girl’s Day) on March 3. It’s a day to wish and pray for girl’s wealth and happiness. March is also a month to celebrate early arrival of Spring. Cherry blossoms can be seen in many parts of Japan and it’s a reminder that Spring is just around the corner. Mizuna, bamboo shoots, udo, burdock and strawberries become available. How about sakura wine from Yamanashi prefecture?

Here is what is happening with Tanpopo Studio this month.

Tanpopo Studio Monthly Meetup

The first monthly meetup was a delicious success talking about all things ramen. Thank you for all the people who came and contributed to the meeting. This month’s meetup is scheduled for March 20th from 7-8pm at Quixotic Coffee Shop in Highland Park, Saint Paul. The topic is Travel Japanese. Learn some essential Japanese language skills for traveling. All are welcome. No experience necessary.

It is free, but space is limited. Please send us an email if you are interested in attending.

Upcoming Tours to Japan

June – Culinary Tour of Japan
Tsukiji Fish Market is planning to move this summer and this might be your last chance to see it all. Hope to see you there as this is a great time of the year to travel to Japan. On the 4th night of the tour, we will be relaxing at a traditional Onsen Ryokan, and enjoy a kaiseki style dinner.

June – Tokyo Ramen Crash Course
We still have room for this one of it’s kind ramen adventure. Bring a friend along and learn the “know how” of ramen.

Please send me an emai, if you are interested.

Make A Reservation Online
Or send an email to travel@tanpopojourneys.com

Classes and Workshops

Sake it to me!
March 9th at 6pm at Cooks of Crocus Hills, St. Paul

Spring Sushi
March 17th at 6pm at Seward Coop Franklin Store, Mpls

Crash Course on Ramen
March 31st at 4pm at Seward Coop Franklin Store, Mpls

Happy Travels,

Koshiki and Benjamin Smith

ニュースレター：２０１8 年３月号

３月になりましたが、ミネソタではまだまだ寒い日が続いています。

みなさまお元気ですか？

先月に引き続き、今月もイベントやワークショップが盛りだくさんです。

今月のコミュニティーミーティングは３月２０日７時から８時を予定しています。

お時間のある方は是非ご参加ください。

今月のテーマは”旅行者に役立つ日本語”です。

６月のツアーにまだ空きがあります。お知り合いの方で日本旅行を考えている方、是非どうぞ。３月１５日までに予約を入れますと、無料日本語レッスン、もしくは日本のお食事2名分がつきます。

今月もワークショップを行っています。

日本酒と日本食のペアリング、春のお寿司、ラーメンと盛りだくさんです。

どうぞお立ち寄りください。

来月日本でお会いできる皆さん、楽しみにしています。

では、まだまだ寒い季節ですが、お元気で。

タンポポスタジオ

米村古紫季

February 2018 Update

Happy February,

Our family started the year by visiting my aunt and uncle’s farm in Alexandria, Minnesota. They bought a farm about 10 years ago to raise cattle, chickens, hay and vegetables. They cooked us a delicious dinner using ingredients almost entirely harvested at the farm. It was a clear reminder about the importance of knowing where our food comes from and enjoying food together. Thank you, Carl and Laurie.

Tanpopo Studio Monthly Meetup
Starting in February, we’ll be hosting a monthly meetup at a local coffee shop. It’s an opportunity for you to learn more about upcoming tours. Moreover, there will be a monthly discussion topic about Japan, cooking, learning Japanese, travel tips and more. The kickoff meeting is scheduled on Monday, Feb. 12 from 7-8pm at Quixotic Coffee Shop in Highland Park, Saint Paul. Meet the Tanpopo Studio Team and learn about ramen! We’ll have ramen chef(s) there to to share tips on making your own ramen. It is free, but space is limited.
Please send us an email (koshiki@tanpopojourneys.com), if you are interested in attending.

April Guided Tour to Japan
We have 4 more seats available for the April Food Tour. If you haven’t thought about your Spring vacation yet, please consider joining the group. We have a few weeks left before registration closes. Jakfoto Film, photographers and filmmakers, will be there to capture the moment. This is a great chance to travel Japan in good company!

Hands-on Sushi Workshops
In January, we hosted a sushi workshop at Blu Skye Acr es in Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin. On a snowy Sunday afternoon, about ten of us gathered around of a large farm kitchen to learn how to make sushi together. From the kitchen window, you can see horses in the pasture and the surrounding forest. It felt like a mini-vacation in the woods.

There will be another workshop in February. If interested, please sign-up

New Team Members at Tanpopo Studio
We are excited to announce new team members – Lucas Erie and Zach Hurdle.They are both passionate about Japan, culture,food, travel and also speak Japanese. Lucas and Zach will be helping us with booking, marketing and communications and will be at our monthly meetup.

If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you.

Happy Travels,

Koshiki and Benjamin Smith
612-850-2138

ニュースレター：２０１8 年２月号

あっという間に二月になりましたが、皆様いかがお過ごしでしょうか？

私たちは新年早々に、ミネソタ州の西に位置する Alexandria にある叔父と叔母の農場にお邪魔しました。叔父と叔母は１０年ほど前に牛の飼育を始め、今は鶏の飼育に加え野菜も栽培しています。とても寒いお正月に私たちを迎えてくださり、農場で採れた食材を使って温かい夕食でもてなしてくださりました。私がいつも大切にしている食材のルーツや、家族の大切さを改めて目の当たりにした貴重なひと時でした。

先月開催されました、お寿司のワークショップはお陰様で満員となりました。また今月25日にウイスコンシンで行いたいと思います。お時間のある方は是非いらして下さい。

２月寿司ワークショップ

今月は、タンポポスタジオに新しくスタッフが2名加わることになりました。主にマーケティングに携わってくれます。さらに、今月から月一回、コミュニティーミーティングを始めたいと思います。日本の文化、言葉、食べ物、などについて皆さんで語り合えればと思っています。無料ですので時間のある方は是非参加ください。

では、寒く雪の多い季節ですが、風邪や怪我をせぬようお気をつけ下さい。

タンポポスタジオ

米村古紫季

January 2018 Update

January Newsletter 2018

“Happy New Year”

We are rapidly approaching the deadline for the April tours to Japan. Have you always wanted to visit Japan but haven’t had the chance. We are offering personally guided, small group tours to Tokyo and the countryside. Our emphasis is on food and drink, but these tours are designed to be enjoyed by everyone.

Last day to sign-up for the April tours to Japan is January 15th!
Visit our website for more information or send us an email. We’d love to see you in Japan!
https://www.tanpopojourneys.com/culinary-tour-of-japan/
https://www.tanpopojourneys.com/tokyo-ramen-crash-course/

A few days before the new year, our family spent a night at Blue Skye Acres, a beautiful hobby farm nestled in acres of woods in Wisconsin only 45 minutes away from the Twin Cities. From the kitchen counter where I sit, I can see the horses and donkeys in the backdrop of snow looking still and silent. Sun is about to set but the snow still bright from the winter afternoon sun.

This January, Tanpopo Studio is offering two sushi workshops.

1) Farmhouse Sushi WorkShop (Sunday January 14th, from 1-3:30)
Treat yourself this winter to a hands-on learning opportunity. This workshop is like cooking with friends in a private kitchen in the countryside. This 2 ½ hour workshop will take place at Blue Skye Acres in Wisconsin and in this small, hands-on workshop, you will learn how to prepare ingredients and we will teach you the skill set to make different style of sushi. Included is an afternoon meal of sushi and soba noodle soup to enjoy.

Arrive early to take a walk along the Ice Age Trail or to check out farm animals.

2) Sushi: Delicious History at Cooks of Crocus Hills (Saturday January 20, from 10-3)
This half day sushi class will take place at Cooks of Crocus Hills in St. Paul.
We will go over history, ingredients as well as different style of sushi during the class. Come in and ready to cook, because we will be cooking together today.

May 2018 brings everyone joy and happiness.

Koshiki & Ben Smith

ニュースレター：２０１8 年１月号

新年、明けましておめでとうございます。
年末、ウイスコンシン州のファームに滞在しました。外は寒く静かに雪が降っていますが、厨房の窓から見える景色はとても幻想的で、束の間ではありますが日々の忙しさを忘れさせてくれました。道中鹿の群れに遭遇しました。近くのりんごの実を沢山食べたのでしょうか。まだポッチャリとしていました。

さて今月は寿司ワークショップのお知らせです。
ミネソタでお寿司？と思われるかもしれませんが、巻き方、作り方などは同じ。日本の様においしいお魚は手に入りませんが、身近にある材料を使って料理を楽しんで頂きたいと思っています。気心知れるお友達や家族と一緒に是非お越し下さい。

1月14日　午後１時から３時半　ウイスコンシン州ファームハウス
1月20日　午前時１０時から午後３時　Cooks of Crocus Hills

今年も一年よろしくお願いします。

タンポポスタジオ
米村古紫季