Mitsui Fine Arts

The first Western-style sweet Japanese learned from Portugal about 400 years ago.

A friend came back from Japan and brought me my favorite sweets, カステーラ, castella by Fukusaya(thank you, Haruko-san). Castella is a sweet and moist cake similar to sponge cake. It is not only delicious but also has a fascinating history. It is first brought to Japan by the Portuguese. When the Japanese asked, “what is this?” they answered, “Bolo de Castella.” Japanese shortened the answer, named it Castella, and learned how to make it from it. Its recipe was tweaked many times, and Castella stayed and became one of the popular sweets in Japan. Fukusaya is one of the oldest brands, and the founder is believed to have learned the recipe directly from the Portuguese about 400 years ago. They make the best castella, in my opinion.

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Wisteria and my maiden name:⁠
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My maiden name is Endo, 遠藤; it has two characters, far and wisteria.⁠
My grandparents told me our name means "wisteria seen from afar." It's nice.

Art of Tying Chapter 3⁠
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Another place where we can find the art of tying is the bamboo gate and brushwood gate. Those simple gates enhance the natural look and Wabi sensitivity as the entrance to a garden. When I innocently shipped a gorgeous brushwood gate from Kyoto to San Rafael, California, the custom confiscated it. Because the gate contains plants. 😶

Toshiro Kawase arranges flowers, chapter 2⁠
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I subscribe to this publication limited to 1000 per issue. 工芸青花、Kogeiseika is a book (not a magazine) published by Seikanokai with three volumes delivered each calendar year. I crave its arrival, and once it arrives, all my will and routine surrender to devour the newly arrived book from Japan.