Travel to Cities

Untangling My Chopsticks: A Culinary Sojourn in Kyoto

Format: Paperback
Author: Victoria Abbott Riccardi
ReleaseDate: 11 May, 2004
Publisher: Broadway
Rating:

Untangling My Chopsticks: A Culinary Sojourn in Kyoto

. Untangling My Chopsticks: A Culinary Sojourn in Kyoto by Victoria Abbott Riccardiis a fabulous book filled with savory recipes and detailed cultural intricacies.

OK Book, but what's up with the weight comments?
Fun, light reading, cruised through it in a couple of hours of Sunday afternoon lounging. I've just read about 120 pages of this book. It's an interesting read, but lacking in details. So far, it doesn't seem that the author has actually *eaten* any of the food she's prepared. Which begs the question of: why? She's offered opportunties to take things home and inexplicably turns things down. Huh?

In general, that's the weakness I've seen with the book so far. There's just not enough detail. Just interesting fluff.

And what's up with the weight comments? I'm only halfway through the book, and three time (count 'em, three!) the author has commented on someone's "rice belly" or some other way of saying that someone is a bit portly because they like to eat. I can't see the point of complaining about someone's size. Not because it's not PC, but because it takes away from the story. Either a detail is relevant (in which case, make it relevant, tell me why I should care about some Japanese woman's weight). Or it's irrelevant and it distracts from the story. In which case I'd much rather hear about why the author isn't eating the food she prepares. To be work for hours on this labor of love that you came to Japan to learn, and then not eat the food! That must be torture.

Don't read this while you're hungry!

What a delight this book is! It veritably sparkles like diamonds and rubies, and in fact she compares tea kaiseki with jewels. and after you do read it, you'll need to find a Japanese grocer in your city, because you'll be inspired to hunt all over for soba sauce and azuki bean paste.

I borrowed a copy from a friend to read, but now I'm inspired to buy my own copy so I can re-savor it and also contribute to Victoria's royalties. She deserves so much for this splendid book.

Her insights into the spirituality of food, even simple things like wrapping packages carefully like the Japanese do, make it a book that you can apply to your daily life, even if you never attend a tea ceremony.

My *ONLY* gripe, and I really hate to say this, is that her connection with Zen Buddhism was tenuous. She does go to Mount Hiei toward the end of the book and tries to sit with the monks, but she spends a lot more time talking about recipes again. But really that's okay because her main emphasis is not to meditate until satori, but to appreciate the food connection.

I can't think of anyone who would not fall in love with this book! Thank you, Bi-cu-to-ri-ha! (That's Japanese for her name, as heard from the lips of children. ).

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	Kyoto: Seven Paths to The Heart of The City (Origami Classroom)
	Old Kyoto: The Updated guide to Traditional Shops, Restaurants, and Inns