Japanese death linked to red yeast rice supplements

Japanese death linked to red yeast rice supplements

What is the significance of the deaths in Japan related to red yeast rice supplements?　

A series of media reports have reported that Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's red yeast rice causes kidney disease, quickly proving a causal relationship. This is in contrast to the government's refusal to acknowledge a causal relationship with the aftereffects of the coronavirus vaccine.　I learned about this situation from comments from X (formerly Twitter) rather than from major media reports. 

At the end of March 2024, the Japanese government's Consumer Affairs Agency announced the discontinuation of the use of red yeast rice-related products manufactured by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical.

Health foods subject to recall order

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced that as of May 1st, a total of 270 people who took Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's supplements containing red yeast rice developed kidney disease and other illnesses and were hospitalized.

Given that the government rarely recognizes the after-effects of COVID-19 vaccinations, I have the impression that the latest round of criticism against Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals was very swift.

I'm worried that fermented foods are being threatened due to this incident. Miso, soy sauce, vinegar, mirin, and sake used in Japanese cuisine are all fermented foods. If koji (yeast), which is the key to fermentation, is sterilized or processed in unnatural ways, it loses its natural power.

Sleep, Mysterious Time

Sleep, that mysterious time

Sleep may be a way for consciousness to heal in another dimension.　

According to Japanese sleep researcher Dr. Masashi Yanagisawa (1960-), shortening the appropriate amount of sleep can lead to sleep debt, which can lead to a weakened immune system and many other disorders.

When I was younger, I was obsessed with the 3-hour sleep method, but it seems I was wrong. At the time, I believed that if I spent less time sleeping and more time awake and active, my life would be that much richer. However, sleep is the source of unknown wealth, so if we don't get an appropriate amount of sleep every day, we will be destroyed.　

Moreover, it is said that we are more creative after a good night's sleep than when we have been awake for a long time. ​

Get along well with good sleep

There are individual differences in the appropriate amount of sleep and the appropriate timing of sleep (in other words, whether you are a morning person or a night person). This also seems to change as you get older. For example, for me, it seems like it's best to sleep between 10:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. (7 hours and 30 minutes).

Exposure to morning light is important in order to match your sleep rhythm with your body clock. However, if you are exposed to strong light at night, your body clock will be thrown off. ​

Ritual for a good night's sleep

Arranging your night routine for a good night's sleep will improve the quality of your life. Everyone has a different relaxing routine. Burn some incense, hold candles, listen to relaxing music, or meditate to induce sleep. . . It is good to arrange things in various ways. Then, if you follow that original routine every night, your brain will remember that if you do this, you'll fall asleep.

For example, you can watch a video like this to relax yourself 

3 hours before going to sleep. Helps clear your mind. 

Development and Tree Cutting

Tokyo's greenery is disappearing

Central Tokyo has a relatively large amount of greenery, but that landscape is changing. A large number of trees in the outer garden of Meiji Shrine in Tokyo will be cut down due to redevelopment. The number of trees to be felled is said to be 4,000 or more, including small trees, but it is not certain. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024, with overall completion expected in 2036.

The scenery of the ginkgo trees is wonderful.
There are also great cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy this view.

The autumn leaves are also great.

The healing benefits of greenery in the city center

Meiji Shrine is surrounded by an artificial forest, which was planned so that many types of trees would complement each other, resulting in a rich natural environment. It is a home for many insects and luminous objects. For those who visit there, it is a healing experience that restores their humanity.

If there was no greenery left in the city center, people would feel a sense of loss. You won't be able to deeply feel true richness in an environment consisting only of artificial buildings.

In Shinto, trees are sometimes worshiped as objects of worship.

A home shrine protect a family

A divine spirit dwells in Sakaki

In Japan, sacred places have been decorated with sakaki trees and rituals have been held since ancient times. In Shinto, it is believed that plants with pointed leaves possess divine power. Sakaki prepares the left and right sides. 

The sakaki on the right side often dies. This is to purify the family's impurity instead. There are three sacred cards placed at the shrine. This is because the tag on the right is the tag of the god related to that house.

A home shrine protect a family

Our home shrine is in the living room. We place it high and facing east. It has to be the highest place, but since this is difficult in reality, the word "cloud'' is pasted on the ceiling to make it consistent. East is the direction in which the sun rises.

Morning routine

Change the water in the sakaki every morning. Then, exchange water and sake at the shrine. Make sure that it is always clean.

Receive divine protection

Sometimes the sakaki on the right does not wither. It is thought that the connection between shrines and family members is weakening. In that case, it would be a good idea to change it to a new divine card. Also, going to worship at that shrine can strengthen your connection.

Save the world with Dr. Takashima's fermentation

Save the world with Dr. Takashima's fermentation

Dr. Yasuhide Takashima is a person who is serious about environmental issues. As a Ph.D. in Environmental Microbiology, he conducts research and development on the decomposition and disappearance of various persistent and radioactive substances. He shares his achievements and activities on his homepage and YouTube channel. He is also contributing to environmental conservation, such as the greening campaign of Mt. Fuji and the development of bio-toilets.

Is real technology threatened by resistance forces?

However, he was arrested in 2010 on suspicion of illegal dumping of sludge. There are difficulties in developing real technology. No information was found that the innocence was confirmed in subsequent trials. His commitment to environmental issues should be appreciated, though.

Dr. Yasuhide Takashima

Dr. Yasuhide Takashima is the representative director of Takashima Development Engineering Research Institute Co., Ltd. (founded in April 1987)
Academic Theme: “Decomposition and disappearance of various substances such as radioactive substances, heavy metals, and harmful substances by the presence and expression of degrading bacteria and degrading enzymes for all substances such as radioactive substances, heavy metals, and harmful substances using complex fermentation based on complex microbial dynamic system analysis”

Bio-toilet

Dr. Takashima has developed a permanent bio-toilet called “Organic View”. This bio-toilet uses complex fermentation technology to decompose and eliminate excrement and food waste. It also does not require water or electricity and does not produce any bad odors. In addition, the treated water can be used as reclaimed water for agriculture and river purification. This bio-toilet is an innovative system that is environmentally friendly and can be used in times of disaster or in places with poor infrastructure, such as in mountainous areas. As a result of this technological development, Dr. Takashima received the Fire and Disaster Management Agency Commissioner's Award for Excellence in 2008.

References

Overall homepage http://blog.tidt.main.jp/
http://y-takashima.jimdo.com/
Complex Fermentation: http://www.aun-unit.com/

https://y-takashima.jimdofree.com/

Eco Plant. https://eco-plant.org/service-guide/
https://eco-plant.org/works/
http://blog.tidt.main.jp/
http://y-takashima.jimdo.com/
http://www.aun-unit.com/

Source: Conversation with Bing 2023/9/10

Shaved Ice, Japanese Summer Tradition

Shaved Ice, Japanese Summer Tradition

"Taiyaki Wakaba" is a long-established
taiyaki restaurant since 1953,
but shaved ice is added to the menu only in summer.

One of the pleasures of summer in Japan is shaved ice. My favorite is the orthodox shaved ice with matcha and red beans. The slightly bitter taste of matcha and the sweet adzuki beans mixed with the crunchy coolness of the shaved ice create a perfect harmony. Shaved ice is a luxury on a hot day.

Shaved ice and ice sweets with a wide variety of prices and types

Depending on the shop, the ice is made with delicious water, or the matcha is the famous matcha from Uji, Kyoto. Prices also vary. There is also shaved ice that you can easily buy at convenience stores and supermarkets. Popsicle bars are also recommended.

You can buy this matcha shaved ice
 at Seven-Eleven, a convenience store.
It is 170 yen (tax included).
This shaved ice is made by inserting sweet,
creamy condensed milk into smooth matcha ice.
The matcha used is from Uji, Kyoto,
which is famous for its matcha.

Shaved ice made at home

You can easily make shaved ice at home with a shaved ice maker. When I was a kid in the 1970s, we used to make them ourselves. Even children can easily make it with syrup. Strawberry, melon, and lemon syrups were standard at the time.

May 5th: Children's Day in Japan, featuring Kashiwamochi

The traditional food on May 5th is "kashiwamochi, a sweet rice cake wrapped in oak leaves.

May 5th, also known as "Children's Day" or "Tango no Sekku", is a special day in Japan where families celebrate the health and happiness of their children. Boys' families may decorate their homes with traditional carp streamers and samurai dolls. Another important part of this holiday is Kashiwamochi , a traditional food. It is a sweet rice cake wrapped in oak leaves.

Kashiwamochi  is considered to be a lucky charm, and is the embodiment of the proverb "everything is good." It is customary to eat it during the new green season to feel the arrival of spring and to pray for good health.

Nutritionally, Kashiwamochi  contains nutritious white bean paste and tofu. However, since it contains a lot of sugar, it is important to eat in moderation. By eating in moderation, it becomes a healthy snack that considers nutritional balance.

The oak leaf that wraps kashiwa mochi resembles the shape of an oak fruit, hence the name “kashiwa”. Kashiwa is considered a sacred tree in Japan, and its leaves are large and round, reminiscent of the sun.