This blog is the fourth one in our series of Secrets of Japanese Business Etiquette (How not to Faux Pas). In particular, it will clear any confusion relating to business meetings in Japan. There has been much written about Japanese business etiquette, but sadly much of it seems written by people who have not been […]
This blog is the third one in our series of Secrets of Japanese Business Etiquette (How not to Faux Pas). In particular, it will clear any confusion in terms of appropriate business attire when conducting business in Japan. There has been much written about Japanese business etiquette, but sadly much of it seems written by […]
This blog is the second one in our series of Secrets of Japanese Business Etiquette (How not to Faux Pas). In particular, it will clear any confusion in terms of giving and receiving business cards when conducting business in Japan. There has been much written about Japanese business etiquette, but sadly much of it seems […]
This blog is the first one in our series of Secrets of Japanese Business Etiquette (How not to Faux Pas). In particular, it will clear any confusion in terms of bowing and greetings when conducting business in Japan. The Secrets of Japanese Business Etiquette series It is easy to experience culture shock when visiting Japan […]
No matter how big or small your kitchen is, one thing we all struggle with is storage space. This is why every inch of it matters. After researching numerous kitchen and interior design blogs we have selected 10 best storage ideas that will help you save precious space in your kitchen. So in no particular […]
As with all wooden kitchen utensils- spoons, blocks, bowls, etc- wooden chopping boards will eventually crack if not maintained properly. The easiest and most efficient way to prevent your board from splintering is to oil it. Throughout this article will cover the why, what, how and when of oiling your wooden board. Why should you […]
In today’s article we have identified the four basic knife cuts every cook (both beginners and professionals) should know how to do: The slice The chop The back-slice The rock-chop Before we begin, it is important to have the right knives for the job. Our Sakai Kyuba x Oishya knife set consists of three knives […]
With social distancing taking place during the coronavirus outbreak, many of us wonder what creative hobbies to embrace to pass time. After all, catching up on TV and reading novels can become repetitive after some time. This is why we have come up with a list of 15 creative hobbies you can easily start (9 […]
If you think about it, cutting boards are very versatile and one of the most valuable accessories in your kitchen. It acts at any given moment as a chopping block, food preparation surface, or serving station—sometimes all three. Therefore it’s essential that this can’t-live-without kitchen accessory be made of a high quality, everlasting material. Wood […]
The kitchen is a welcoming place for kids. With so much magic happening there—parents rushing around, prepping meals, pulling colorful items from the shelves and refrigerator, creating irresistible smells—cooking and baking can be a very enjoyable time for the family. Naturally, knives play a big part in kitchen activities. With everything going on, from divided […]
How do you cut a pomegranate using a knife without making a mess? Pomegranate is a beautiful fruit, with shiny red “jewels” called arils inside, containing sweet, juicy nectar that surrounds a white seed in the middle. They are a very tricky fruit to cut. The juice from any broken seeds can stain your clothes, […]
Wondering why you should sharpen kitchen knives? No matter if you’re a professional or a weekender foodie who likes to prepare something fast and tasty, it is crucial to keep your knives sharp so that they cut through food with less slippage. There are many reasons why you should keep your knives sharp – here […]
Dreaming of a minimalist kitchen? Some people can live with a messy home office or a disorganised bedroom closet. That’s not acceptable with the kitchen. We all have to eat. If the kitchen is a mess, it can have a real impact on your lifestyle. That’s why it’s extremely important for your wellbeing to declutter […]
We’ve gathered 50 best cooking tips from top chefs for you to enjoy. The smaller the item, the higher the baking temperature. For example, I bake mini chocolate chip-toffee cookies at 500 degrees F for only 4 minutes. Perfect end result. Store spices in a cool, dark place, not above your stove. Humidity, light and […]
Today’s post is a step by step guide on how to make sourdough bread from scratch. With a recipe for sourdough bread and growing your own starter. Making the sourdough bread This recipe makes 2 loaves Preparation time: over 2 hours Cooking time: 30 mins to 1 hour Ingredients: 500g strong white flour, plus extra […]
Are you looking for some ideas to make your kitchen more organised? Look no further. We’ve prepared for you 15 clever hacks to do just that. Here come our tips for the most organised kitchen ever! 1. Use Drawer Inserts source: Kitchen Solutions One of the problems with keeping a kitchen drawer organised is the […]
When it comes to selecting a perfect Japanese knife for women, the truth is, there isn’t a specific Japanese knife type for women. The beauty of these knives is the fact that they can be used by everyone. What determines which type of knife is good for you is the size of your hands and […]
A traditional Japanese diet is well balanced. It contains more fish than red meat, plenty of vegetables, pickled and fermented foods, and small portions of rice. Raw fish in dishes are also common. The diet involves little highly processed food and lower overall sugar intake. Basically, the Japanese diet is low in calories and extremely […]
If you haven’t heard yet of the Slow Living trend – now more than ever you have the chance to practice it fully. The title explains it all – the essential message is about consuming less and taking a slower approach to everyday life. This phenomenon has its roots in the Slow Food movement, started by […]
Have you ever lost yourself in a project, so much so that you completely lost track of time? Being consumed by a task like that, while it can be rare for most people, is a state of being called Flow. And flow leads to happiness at work. From endless hours spent completing assignments at the […]
Macrobiotics is all about eating in balance. Japanese philosopher George Ohsawa developed this increasingly popular diet. He believed in a holistic approach to health that incorporates many aspects of one’s lifestyle: diet, exercise, meditation and ‘yin and yang’ energy of particular foods. He suggested that health was directly linked and guided by nature. Thereby, eating […]
Does your to-do list look like a never-ending chore? Do you feel the constant need to keep refreshing your wardrobe and improving your home to be “within trends”? Are you always buying new things, only for the shine to eventually wear off? Then you need to learn from the ancient Japanese philosophy of Wabi-sabi and […]
Once reserved for the royal and wealthy, cushions are now an item of accessible luxury that completes spaces ranging from living rooms, bedrooms, outdoor seating areas or fancy co-working spaces. Deceptively named ‘throw cushions’ or ‘scatter cushions,’ mixing and matching these decorative pillows actually requires a little bit of know-how to get that timeless, yet […]
As a lifestyle ethos, minimalism encourages people eschew materialistic tendencies by spending their money on experiences rather than possessions. Popularised by nomads and driven by social media influencers, it has its strong grounds in science. A 20 year study conducted by Dr. Thomas Gilovich, a psychology professor at Cornell University, reached a powerful and straightforward […]
Stress is a natural part of life. While a certain amount of stress in our lives is normal and even necessary to keep us going, excessive stress can interfere with daily activities and take a toll on our personal lives and health. If you’re looking for a quick remedy to ease some of the overwhelming […]
If you are from Europe or America, most of the things you will experience when visiting Japan may come as a shock to you. What’s considered normal for Japanese people for us may be a deviation. And vice-versa. Doing business in Japan or with Japanese is no different. Some industries are more ‘relaxed’ and westernised […]
Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies use matcha (stone-ground powdered green tea). According to 8th century Zen Buddhist Eisai, matcha is the ultimate mental and medical remedy which has the ability to make ones life more full and complete. The tea ceremony is the ultimate in Japanese hospitality. There’s so much more to it than simply stirring […]
Whether you’ve found a knife in one of your old toolboxes or accidentally left your favourite non stainless kitchen knife in the dishwasher (or your forgetting family member did it despite you telling them 100 times not to do so…) chances are you have encountered a nasty case of rust. Ps. Actually, stainless knives do rust […]
Although the depiction of samurai warriors is traditionally male-oriented, the Onna-bugeisha, female samurai existed and were just as strong and fearsome. Long before the Western world began to view Samurai warriors as inherently male, there existed an impressive group of Female Samurai, every bit as powerful, smart and deadly as their male counterparts. They were known as the […]
Symbols and motives have always been an integral part of Japanese art, both in traditional and modern designs. Hence, there is a meaning behind each Japanese embroidery and kimono symbol. You can find symbols at Oishya that have been subtly integrated into products. For example, our logotype is an ancient Japanese crest representing 3 geisha […]
