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.

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.

A restaurant with delicious acqua pazza in Kojimachi, Tokyo

I visited the restaurant after hearing that acqua pazza was delicious. Another reason is that the restaurant is in the middle of the stairs.

This is the restaurant “KAIDAN NO TOCHU” in Kojimachi, Tokyo. Counter seats are the main, and there are a several large table seats. It is really a building with a mysterious structure in the middle of the stairs. The interior of the store, which is well-designed with natural lighting, is based on white and has a good taste.

Stairs are not only a path for people, but also a path for the flow of energy, where the flow of energy becomes faster. Perhaps because of that, even when I entered the restaurant, I felt a strange floating feeling as if I was in a spaceship. I like this feeling.

Acquapazza is a whole oven-baked fish with clam soup and vegetables. The most delicious!

The Kojimachi neighborhood in Tokyo has both business districts and residential districts, and there are many high-quality, reasonably priced restaurants. “KAIDAN NO TOCHU” is one of them.

We also ordered an additional drink and dessert set. The combination of crispy choux and vanilla-flavoured custard cream creates a wonderful synergy. Herb tea is also delicious.

The reasonable lunch menu will suddenly rise in price in 2023. Even so, this restaurant is always full of diners. When I arrived at 12:20, it was already full and I waited for 30 minutes. I was lucky because sometimes I couldn't get in even if I waited. I felt happy after eating it. So this restaurant is a good match for me. I want to come again. even if the price goes up.

Address: 3-12-19 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Russia in Tokyo

"Cafe Russia" in Kichijoji, Tokyo

A 3-minute walk from Tokyo Kichijoji Station, there is a restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Russian cuisine, "Cafe Russia". The cafe is located on the first basement floor. Although it is a cafe, it is a full-fledged restaurant. As soon as you step inside, you hear a lot of Russian.

When it comes to Russian cuisine, 

the first thing that comes to mind is borscht.

 I am glad that it is reasonable at 700 yen. 

Best of all, it's delicious. It has a rich taste.

Cafe Russia entrance

The shop is on the first basement floor. It's a little confusing, but when you go down the stairs, you'll find a reddish-purple wall. That's Cafe Russia.

The cafe is just down the stairs.

The wall colors and decorations are exotic designs. 

The menu at the entrance of the shop is cool in Russian.

Russian tea comes with plenty of rose jam.
Very fragrant.

Beef stroganoff (1,000 yen)
One of the must-try menu items.

Recommended appetizer, "herring in a fur coat" (600 yen).

Serves both Russian and Georgian cuisine

Cafe Russia serves both Russian and Georgian cuisine. Georgian wine is also recommended. 

Padrajani: Georgian roasted eggplant with spicy walnut paste. 

There are 4 in one plate. 

Recommended appetizer.(700 yen)

Recommended appetizer, "Salmon wrapped in blini" (600 yen).

Georgia pizza.
There is plenty of cheese inside. 
(1,000 yen)

Coffee fortune telling

I had a coffee fortune-telling with Georgian coffee after dinner. Georgian coffee is made by boiling powder and sugar together, so you can tell fortunes by looking at the patterns on the bottom of the cup. 

This is how coffee fortune-telling works. It's in the menu.

The pattern looks like a bearded man,
but I don't know what it means.

Desert wine kagor (JPY350)

Russian

The menu book also includes information on how to pronounce Russian. "It was delicious," I told the staff in Russian. It was nice to hear "thank you" in Russian.

Other

I forgot the name of the menu, but everything is really delicious. By all means, if you go to Tokyo, I would like to recommend Cafe Russia in Kichijoji. It's a popular restaurant, so it's best to make a reservation.

Thankfully, as a bonus, the cake provided for free.

Address: 1-4-10 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino City, Tokyo Nine Building B1F

Noeud.TOKYO, Sustainable Restaurant

Noeud.TOKYO, providing sustainable food

"A sustainable restaurant that harmonizes nature, seasons, and food. Your precious time, not only “delicious”,experience “true deliciousness” for your mind, body, and environment want to provide". (from Noeud.TOKYO's website)

Noeud.TOKYO is a sustainable restaurant that harmonizes nature, seasons, and food. Nœud means "connection" in French. Beginning with food, the circle of nature, society, and people is newly connected and circulated, so that is exactly what Nœud is. Therefore, diners are not only "delicious", but also feel a connection to the mind, body and environment, and feel advanced.

The entrance of Noeud.TOKYO is in an inconspicuous place. 

The entrance of Noeud.TOKYO is under this staircase.

It's an open kitchen, so there's a sense of unity.

According to the restaurant, the business of food is based on various ecosystems and cycles, such as seeds, soil, producers, regions, the natural environment, and our health. At this restaurant, diners can experience the continuous circle drawn by food in all its ingredients, menus, and space.

This is a biscuit made from bread crumbs.
The eating experience itself is the best.

I ordered wine mariage to match the course. 
All of them are delicious.

Just the right amount of softness 
that makes use of vegetable ingredients

Powdered vegetable skins are wrapped around it.

Of course you can't eat stones, 
but it makes you feel strange.

Stone seems to be the main character. 
That's good. If your heart is satisfied

dessert

tea and sweets

Eating at Noeud.TOKYO made me feel like I was on another planet. It's an otherworldly experience.

Hillcrest Hirakawacho B1F, 2-5-7 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Culinary Art Feeds Soul

Culinary Art Feeds Soul

The culinary arts include relationship with ingredients, health and philosophy. Through the process, culinary art feeds the soul. I choose natural farming ingredients. This is because they are in harmony with the environment. And I make the most of seasonal vegetables and cook them. For example, carrot peels and leaves are also used in cooking. Because they are grown naturally, insects sometimes stick to the vegetables, but that is because they do not use pesticides. Insects are living beings just like humans. Cultivation that eliminates living things will eventually extinguish humans.

Naturally cultivated mandarin oranges with edible peels

Naturally cultivated vegetables can be eaten with their outer skins, so even if they are expensive, they are still worth it. It's environmentally friendly and waste-free. Practice is more important. I make a contract with a natural farmer and cook with vegetables that are delivered regularly.

This is a mandarin orange called kabosu. The outer skin is a little harder than ordinary Japanese mandarin oranges. It has a refreshing lemon-like scent. Take the seeds (if I had a garden, I'd like to sow them), cut them into small pieces with the outer skin, add honey and sugar, and put them in a zipper. You can make hot lemon tea just by pouring hot water.

Hot tea made with naturally cultivated mandarin oranges

If you cut kabosu into small pieces together with the outer skin,
add honey and sugar, and put it in a zipper,
it will take 2-3 days in the refrigerator
for the flavors to blend in and the skin to soften.

Face the world in everyday cooking

I don't eat vegetables grown efficiently in large quantities. Many of them are highly efficient for their business. In other words, efficiency is cheap labor, genetically modified, or unnatural. I subscribe to vegetables directly from the farmer for a fair price. They are so delicious, brightly colored, and have vibrant leaves that are incomparable to the pretty vegetables you see in supermarkets. Every day is practice. By making the right choices, I face the world. A small but decisive move. Even intellectuals, politicians, and teachers who talk about ideals are worthless to hear unless they are put into practice.

It is up to the farmer to decide what kind of vegetables will come.
Unlike the vegetables sold at the supermarket,
they are full of energy.
Turnips and carrots also have leaves and stems.
Of course, we also cook and eat them.

Vegetables delivered every week
in cardboard boxes from contracted farmers.

Musashi‐mitake‐jinja shrine, mysterious area in Tokyo

Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine, mysterious area in Tokyo

There is a mysterious area that can be reached in two and a half hours by orange JR Chuo Line（from Tokyo or Shinjuku to Mitake）, bus (from Mitake to Takimoto station), and Mitake Tozan Railway（from Takimoto station to Mitakesan Station）from central Tokyo. It is Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine and its surroundings.　

 Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine is located on the summit of Mt. Mitake
with an altitude of 929m and is a symbol of mountain worship.

From Ome Station onwards,
the number of trains decreases,
and the time flows slowly.

Early in the morning on weekends, 

passengers head for Mt. Ontake using the train.

Behind the main shrine of Musashi Mitake Shrine,
there are many historic shrines.
It is a good idea to visit each one.

Stroll around Mt. Mitake

After getting off the Mitake Tozan Railway at Mitakesan Station, it takes about 30 minutes to walk to  Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine. 

The air is fresh in the early morning forest bathing. It is also good to listen to the chirping of wild birds. 

The dense fog that rolls in from the trees is very mysterious. 

There is a huge zelkova tree on the way.　It is called Mitake no Jindai Keyaki.  According to one theory, the tree is over 1000 years old.

This giant zelkova tree is considered a sacred tree.

There are many temple lodgings in the mountains in this area, so staying overnight is recommended if you want to take your time and explore the area. In addition to the shrine, there are various destinations such as Rock Garden, Ayahiro Waterfall, Nanayo Waterfall, Mitakedaira, etc. 

The vivid green and soft moss is mysterious and beautiful.

Mitake Gorge Trail

Here along Mitake Gorge Trail,
large rocks and precipices combine
with greenery and clear streams,
creating an abundance of nature.

On the way back, it is good to walk instead of using the bus.
After exiting the torii gate at the entrance of the mountain,
there is a promenade along the Mitake Valley.

There is a Mitake Gorge Trail. It takes 3 hours to walk the entire course.  The sidewalk is narrow, so be careful not to fall. 

The sidewalk is narrow, so be careful not to fall.

The valley is also a mecca for rafting (rapid rafting on rubber boats) and canoeing. Thankfully, there are toilets along the way. 

There are several toilets along the trail.
The toilets are well maintained and comfortable.

There are also cafes and restaurants along the valley where you can enjoy the scenery. I especially recommend Sawanoien. There are sake breweries, sake tasting, kaiseki cuisine (a traditional Japanese multi-course meal), cafes, and galleries, etc.

There is an entrance to Sawanoien
from Mitake Gorge Trail near Sawanoi Station.

It's easy and comfortable to buy a meal ticket for
rice balls, oden, udon, soy milk, sake, etc.
from a vending machine,
and eat at a table with a parasol
while enjoying the natural scenery.

At this garden’s café,
you can enjoy soymilk latte and soymilk cheesecake
while overlooking the clear stream.

Summary

The area around Musashi‐Mitake‐Jinja Shrine is a mysterious area that is easily accessible from central Tokyo. When I go there, I feel like the unnatural time that I was used to is returned to nature. Life is not that long, so I want to spend more time enjoying the nature of the earth.