How Japan regained traditional salt after the war

Salt produced by traditional Japanese methods has been banned for a long time

In 1972, the traditional Japanese salt pans were completely abolished by law. Since then, the salt produced domestically from seawater has been switched to the modern industrial salt manufacturing method, and consumers have been able to remove the components such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium contained in traditional sea salt as impurities.  This event triggered a group of Japanese scholars who are worried about their health and consumers who are interested in food, and started a movement to revive natural salt.

Revival of traditional salt manufacturing and further challenges

The research that began with the clearing of the wilderness was a series of difficulties, but after trial and error, they succeeded in reviving the first sun-sea salt in Japan in 1977. 

However, the Japanese government did not approve the sale of sun-sea salt. And they had to dispose of the sun-sea salt they had made. Therefore, they applied to the government for permission to "distribute members as a sample for research" instead of "selling", and it was finally approved. This was often featured in various media such as television, national newspapers, radio and magazines. The response was great, and the number of members who distributed traditional salt increased dramatically.

The ultimate revival of traditional salt

Without giving up, they repeated daily research and negotiations with the country, and finally in 1984, they revived the traditional sea salt that was concentrated in salt pans and burned in a flat kettle. This salt contains various salts in a well-balanced manner.

Natural salt is finally available in stores

In 1985, the national law to monopolize salt was amended, and the development of traditional Japanese high-salt foods such as miso, soy sauce, pickled plums and pickles began. And in 1989, they founded a traditional salt company.　

Finally, in 1997, a quarter of a century after the total abolition of salt farms, the salt monopoly law was abolished, and the production and sale of salt in Japan was liberalized. In 2002, the salt monopoly law was completely abolished and salt imports were liberalized. Nowadays, a wide variety of salt is on the shelves.

Summary

After the war, traditional salt rich in minerals was banned in Japan. It is the result of the efforts of courageous people to be able to buy traditional salt, which tastes good and is indispensable for health management, at stores.

Traditional salt, rich in minerals, tastes good and is essential for health care. I use it not only for cooking but also for brushing my teeth. 

I pay tribute to the many ancestors who have contributed to the revival of traditional salt.

Source: https://www.uminosei.com/yomimono/uminosei/story/

Toilet Cleaning with Bare Hands

What does it mean to clean the toilet with bare hands?

When cleaning a dirty place, we often use rubber gloves. However, it takes a lot of courage to clean a dirty place without using rubber gloves. Instinctively, it is a very real feeling. The meaning of daring to do so is profound. You may feel a transformation of your spirit on an unconscious level.

People who clean the toilet with their bare hands

There are people in Japan who clean toilets with their bare hands. What amazes me is that some of them are business executives and celebrities. In fact, I've been doing it lately.

My Experience

It's been a month since I started cleaning the toilet with my bare hands. What I've developed is a sense of action and confidence in myself. I feel good every day. For example, I no longer worry about other people's nasty remarks.

Cleaning the toilet with bare hands changed my mind.

What is a toilet?

Toilets are the destination of human excrement. Therefore, keeping the toilet clean is a good consequence of the way people live. In Feng Shui, it is often said that cleaning the toilet will lead to good luck. There seems to be a secret in the toilet.

The toilet is spiritually significant.

Note

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when cleaning the toilet with your bare hands. First, don't force others to do it. If you don't do it voluntarily, it is meaningless. Secondly, keep your hands clean after cleaning. Finally, don't overdo it.

Conclusion

In Japan, there are celebrities who clean the toilet with their bare hands, which is surprising. If you try it, the psychological effect will be great. It's good to try it.

Japanese Hina Dolls as Projection of Happiness

Doll's Festival for daughter's happiness

March 3rd is the Doll's Festival. It's a day for girls. May 5th is a holiday for boys, but for some reason March 3rd is not a holiday. March 3rd is a special day, even if it's not a holiday. In Japan, parents decorate Hina dolls in the hope of their daughter's happiness.

The picture below is the Hina doll set of my home.

Old parents wishing for the happiness of their daughters and their daughters

In some areas, daughters' parents give Hina dolls to their daughters and couples in the hope of their granddaughter's happiness.

When my eldest daughter was born 23 years ago, my parents gave us a doll as a gift. 

Hina doll decoration of my family style

There were many ornaments in the set of Hina dolls. However, due to the compact size of the city, it was not possible to secure a place to store everything. So, the only set I have now is a king, a queen, three lady-in-waiters, and a red cloth.

Hina dolls taken from slightly below

Period to decorate

The period to decorate is about one month. It's usually from Setsubun to the morning of March 3rd. There is a jinx that if you extend the decoration on March 4, your daughter will fail to get married.

Various Types of Hina Doll Sets

There are various types of Hina dolls. There are various sizes and materials, and it is best to choose according to your taste and purpose.

Authentic Hina doll set has five instrumentalists at the bottom.

Compact Hina dolls made of paper can be placed anywhere

The full-scale Hina doll set has
the king and princess at the top,
and many servants and
household items are lined up underneath.

The wooden hina dolls have a natural taste

Summary

The custom of decorating Japanese Hina dolls is in praying for their daughter's happiness. There are various ways to decorate the Hina dolls, so it's best to decorate them as you like.