Mirrors have always possessed a mystical image. In many cultures, there are folktales and mythology depicting mirrors or reflections in water with having the ability to see into the future. There is also the well-known superstition that says a broken mirror can bring seven years of bad luck. In feng shui, some say mirrors can balance energy, …
Last week during qi gong class, Dr. Wang, an acupuncturist and herbalist, gave a discussion on eyes. Over the last five years or so, there has been a noticeable deterioration of my eyesight. This is probably due to age, as well as the more frequent use of staring at a monitor. Our lifestyles today have …
Pickles are essential to an Asian meal. Many of us often bring over a jar of homemade pickles to friends and family when we visit one another because we know it will be appreciated and consumed quickly. Recently, my Japanese girlfriends visited and we shared a few recipes with each other. We all enjoy cooking …
Now that we are finally getting warmer weather in the Pacific Northwest, it’s the season to be outdoors. Today many of the new fabrics that are made to keep you dry are basically polyester. Unlike cotton, polyester seems to retain more body odor. I know this from my three boys coming home from their various …
In Japan, pork is more commonly used than beef. It may be due to its more affordable price and also the milder flavor seems to suit the palate. A popular everyday dish is Shogayaki, which is thinly sliced pork with a ginger soy sauce. It’s simple, quick, flavorful and goes well with rice, plus there …
May 5th is Children’s Day in Japan. Originally, and when I was growing up, the fifth day of the fifth month was Boy’s Day and March 3rd, or the third day of the third month was Girl’s Day. Now May 5th is a national holiday, combining both girls and boys to celebrate their health, growth …
Have you ever bit into fruit that was so dry and tasteless, that you ended up not eating it? Buying good fruit is not always easy but hope these three tips can help. I know only 3 sounds so little but I found that in this day and age of information overload, sometimes too many …
Toward the end of last year, a friend of my ikebana teacher approached my girlfriend and me encouraging us to attend Japanese Tea Ceremony lessons. Where I live, there seems to be many aging cultural teachers that have not been able to find new students. This trend is due to many factors. The teachers of …
Similar to the classic oil and vinegar recipe in the West, Asians have incorporated soy sauce into their salad dressings which have become very popular. If you go to the Asian supermarket in the states, there are a variety of Asian style dressings but sometimes I find them just a bit too sweet. With just …
The earthquake in Japan has made me realize what my feng shui master keeps reiterating: man cannot control nature, instead we must learn to work with nature. Also, it has become evident how we are so reliant on electrical power and oil. Our lifestyles take so much for granted, that it’s really a wake up …
The devastating earthquake in Japan has kept many of us awake and concerned for all. Fortunately, friends and family in Japan and Hawaii are all safe at this time and I am most grateful. Friend’s husbands have been stranded at the office and because trains stopped running, some have walked seven hours to get home. …
What do you eat when you have the flu? Is it the standard chicken soup and soda crackers, which is always so comforting? Do you make sure you have lots of liquids that include hot lemon and honey tea? These always do wonders for me, but being Asian, sometimes I crave Asian flavors when sick. …
A cup of tea. A cup of tea is a good companion when you are alone and when you are with company. My Master, Shan-Tung Hsu, has just published another book, The Essence of Tea. Yes, it’s a tea book not a feng shui book. You may wonder what a feng shui master has to …
If you are going to visit Japan or are involved in any interaction with Japanese people, it’s good to know the Japanese custom of bowing. While the handshake is the standard greeting in most parts of the world, even today, the Japanese still bow as it is ingrained in their culture, lifestyle and habits. Therefore, …
Do you or anyone you know, suffer from pain or have health issues? Don’t we all? Yes, we are all concerned with our health because we know that better health means better life. In feng shui, my master, Shan-Tung Hsu, always teaches us about qi energy in all things and how balancing the yin-yang will …
Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone! Valentine’s Day has become a special day for loved ones not only in the U.S., but in Asia as well. As a child, I recall the writing Valentine cards to my close friends, even though I went to an all girls school. But when I started working in Tokyo, I …
