Japanese Delicacies and Sake Tasting cum Rakugo Culture

Japanese Delicacies and Sake Tasting cum
Rakugo Culture Appreciation
The Japanese Deputy Consulate General is visiting SHTM to share the essence of Japanese culture. In
general, the rice-centered food culture of Japan evolved following the introduction of wet rice cultivation
from Asia more than 2,000 years ago. Rice is the staple food in the Japanese diet, and Japanese sake is
derived from rice, koji (rice malt made of rice and natural yeast) and water. Sake is brewed in a highly
labor-intensive process more similar to beer production than winemaking. This seminar will highlight 4
different types of sake from each category below (Fragrant, Smooth, Rich, Vintage):
-薫酒 Fragrant Type: 玉鋼大吟醸 Tamahagane Daiginjo (島根県 Shimane Prefecture)
-爽酒 Smooth Type: 〆張鶴 純米吟醸 Shimeharitsuru Junmai Ginjo (新潟県 Niigata Prefecture)
-醇酒 Rich Type: 文楽純米 Bunraku Junmai (埼玉県 Saitama Prefecture)
-熟酒 Aged Type: 月日重ねて Tsukihi Kasanete (奈良県 Nara Prefecture)
As an essential part of Japanese culture, Rakugo is a traditional performing art which consists mainly of
verbal communication between the characters in the stories. The conversations involve strong Japanese
cultural elements. It uses episodes from the lives of ordinary citizens to tell interesting and funny stories,
performed by a single person on a stage. Rakugo is a type of traditional Japanese speaking art that
originated over 400 years ago.
We are pleased to have invited Ms Ayuchi Momose and Mr. Sunshine to host this Japanese theme
seminar. Ms Ayuchi is a SSI (Sake Service Institute) certified sake sommelier for New York TIC
Restaurant Group, and founder of Momose Co Limited and Sake Bar Ginn in Hong Kong. And Mr.
Sunshine has performed Rakugo over Singapore, US, Canada, London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow,
Oxford, Paris, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra, Sri Lanka, as well as throughout Japan. Sunshine currently
appears regularly on television in Japan.
With courtesy to Japan External Trade Organization, Hong Kong Japanese Restaurant Association, JFC
International, Kikkoman, Sake Bar Ginn, the seminar details is as follows:
Japanese Delicacies and Sake Tasting cum Rakugo Culture Appreciation
Date: 11 May 2015 (Mon)
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Venue: THB100, Basement Level 1, School of Hotel & Tourism Management