Wednesday, September 10, 2025
With shining golden ears of rice and the green mountains swaying in the pure breeze, the land of Hokuryu Town sings of bountiful harvests in September, when the annual autumn festival of Shinryu Shrine is held. Every year, we look forward to the "Sasazushi" (bamboo sushi), lovingly prepared by the Kitajima couple, who live nearby. We'd like to introduce you to the unique autumn flavors that combine the power of nature and sincerity.
On Tuesday, September 9th, the Autumn Annual Festival was solemnly held at Shinryu Shrine, the guardian deity of Hokuryu Town, to pray for a bountiful harvest and good health. Under a clear blue sky, the ears of rice shone golden, and the wind blew across the mountains as if blessing the festival, creating a moment when the whole town rejoiced in the bountiful harvest.
Every year on this special day, our neighbors, the Kitajima couple, deliver their handmade "Sasazushi" with all their heart. We were grateful to receive a share of their heartfelt gift this year as well.
The Kitajimas venture into the nearby mountains to select each supple and sturdy bamboo leaf, which they carefully sterilize and preserve.The leaves are then wrapped in the sushi rolls of pickled mackerel and salmon.
The pure aroma of bamboo and the refreshing flavor of vinegared rice are in perfect harmony, and with each bite you are reminded of the blessings of the mountains and sea, as well as the warm feelings of the couple.
Bamboo has been known to have antibacterial properties since ancient times, and vinegared rice is imbued with the wisdom to protect health. It is truly a "form of prayer" woven together by the power of nature and the human heart.
The taste of the food, which expresses gratitude for the autumn harvest and wishes for each other's healthy days, resonated deeply with the solemn atmosphere of the festival.
The rice ripening from the earth, the greenery of the mountains, the gifts of the sea - all of these are incorporated into the sasazushi, and together with the sincerity of the Kitajima couple, it enriches our hearts.
Enveloped in the lingering afterglow of the solemn ritual and the majestic blessings of nature, we once again gratefully savored and savored this year's food.
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Kitajima!
We wish you the best and thank you and prayers for Kitajima-san's delicious Sasasabushi.
◇ noboru & ikuko
