I hope you don’t take this wrong… but my first 2-days in Japan went kind of “unusual” for many visitors. I enjoyed several cups of “Instant Noodle” for the first night. On the 2nd night, I had dinner at a place called “Izakaya” where my Sashiko friends can drink, and I could enjoy innards (a variety of meat).
Another person of mine says that I really should enjoy something fancy… but, the honest one in my mind tells me that I need to go through this. I used to have Instant Noodles with my father when the business was in a huge challenge around 2009. I enjoy(ed) the innards meat a lot, and the story of “Innards Meat” resonates with my struggles. I appreciate Caroline & Lea (2 participants who arrived 1 day early) joining this dinner (and I hope they were okay with something very strange).
In Japanese, the “Innards Meat” are often called “ホルモン (hormone)”. It doesn’t carry the same meaning as we understand “Hormone” in English. Among several stories why we call innards meat as “Hormone”, one story tells us that it was a subject to throw away (not for eating) in the past. In Western Dialect of Japanese, a thing to throw away can be called “ほおるもん” - and these 2 words sounds very similar.
It was once a subject to throw away - with no value.
Now, in today’s society, we enjoy it as some food places are specialized in that - like the one I had yesterday.
In our long life, it is perfectly understandable that “Value” changes. After all, as much as we believe that value is very subjective (as I decide the value), I think “Value” can be determined by someone's “mass” opinion - trend, peer pressure, media, and marketing.
Sashiko and Boro.
They are also a subject to be “shamed” as those who had to eat innards Meat would be in poverty to eat something to throw away. There are many stories to explain today's trend & phenomena, and I want to provide enough information for anyone to “try” this inner meat.
If they like the taste like I do, then be proud. The value is subjective.
If they like themselves saying they like something in trend, then their value can be very objective.
I just want you to be the one who tastes it & be honest with you even in Sashiko. Therefore, I teach something not many people teach in Sashiko - although I understand that the needs in the market can be a bit different. I will share as many stories as possible to offer the “taste” of something “used to be shameful to practice/eat”.
The photo is me eating innards Meat on a skewer.
When I have a chance to be with you in Japan, and if you wish to try it, I am more than happy to take you there!