Sakura in Japan

27 Mar, 2025, No comments

Traditions associated with sakura in Japan are deeply rooted in the culture and symbolism of the country. Cherry blossoms (hanami) are not just a natural phenomenon, but an important cultural event associated with beauty, the transience of life, and renewal.

Here are some traditions associated with sakura:

Hanami (花見) - Flower Viewing

• One of the most famous Japanese traditions. People gather in parks and gardens under blooming cherry trees, have picnics, admire the blossoms, and enjoy the company of friends and family.

• Hanami symbolizes the beauty and transience of life, as cherry blossoms only bloom for about a week.

Sakura in art and poetry

• The image of sakura is often used in Japanese poetry (especially in haiku and tanka) as a symbol of the transience of life and beauty.

• In painting, sakura is depicted as the embodiment of sophistication and harmony of nature.

Sakura in clothing and patterns

• Sakura flower patterns are popular in kimonos and yukatas, especially in the spring season.

• Such patterns symbolize youth, new life and purity.

Culinary traditions

• Seasonal dishes are prepared during the cherry blossom season:

• Sakura mochi is a sweet rice dessert wrapped in a salted sakura leaf.

• Sakura tea is green tea with sakura petals, which give the drink a delicate aroma.

• Sakura sake is an alcoholic drink with the addition of sakura petals.

Sakura in the meaning of life and death

• Sakura blossoms are associated with the Buddhist philosophy of mono-no-aware (物の哀れ) - the awareness of the sad beauty of the transience of life.

• In the era of the samurai, sakura symbolized the way of the warrior (bushido) - to live with honor and be prepared for death at any moment.

Maslenica with Japanese style.

24 Feb, 2025, No comments

This year, Maslenitsa falls on the week from February 24 to March 2.

We invite you to prepare Japanese pancakes.

Japanese pancakes, or pancakes, are distinguished by their airiness and fluffiness.

They are prepared using egg whites whipped into a stiff foam, resulting in an incredibly soft texture.

Here's the classic recipe:

Ingredients (for 4-6 pancakes)

• Eggs – 2 pcs.

• Milk – 50 ml

• Flour – 60 g

• Baking powder – ½ tsp.

• Sugar – 25 g

• Vanilla extract – ½ tsp. (optional)

• A pinch of salt

• Oil (for frying)

Preparation

1. Separate the eggs into whites and yolks.

2. In a bowl, mix the yolks, milk and vanilla extract. Sift the flour with baking powder and add to the mixture, stir until smooth.

3. In another bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.

4. Carefully fold the whites into the dough, stirring with a spatula to maintain airiness.

5. Heat a frying pan over low heat and lightly grease with oil.

6. Fry the pancakes under the lid, laying out the dough in slides (you can use a cooking ring for the mold). Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.

7. Serve with honey, berries, whipped cream or maple syrup.

Bon appetit!

バレンタインデー Valentine's Day in Japan

7 Feb, 2025, No comments

In Japan, Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14, but it is a little different than in the West.

In Japan, on Valentine's Day, women usually give chocolate to men - be it a friend, colleague or boss.

Chocolates can be of two types:

1. Honmei-choco (本命チョコ) – These are chocolates that a woman gives to her lover or partner. These are often homemade or high quality chocolates.

2. Giri-choco (義理チョコ) – These are chocolates given to friends, colleagues or bosses to express gratitude.

They are not necessarily related to romantic feelings.

A month later, on March 14, Japan celebrates White Day (ホワイトデー, Howaito Dē), when men present women with sweets or gifts, usually white in color (such as chocolate, marshmallows, or other sweets).

Valentine's Day is a popular celebration in Japan, and stores sell a variety of chocolates and gift sets weeks in advance to help people prepare for the day.

Shirakami mountains

10 Nov, 2024, No comments

Part of Shirakami Sanchi was registered as a World Natural Heritage Site because it contains "one of the world's largest natural virgin beech forests, almost untouched by human influence".

Since beech trees have existed since the last ice age, they play an important role in the landscape of the Shirakami Sanchi area.

Often referred to as 'natural water basins', they are able to collect, store and filter rainwater throughout the year, providing ultra-clean water for surrounding areas.

Shirakami Sanchi (白神山地) is a broad mountain range located on the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures in the northern Tohoku region of Japan.

The central core of Shirakami Sanchi is made up of the last virgin beech forests in Japan, which led to the region being declared one of the country's first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1993.

Baltic Beauty 2024! Kipsala

23 Oct, 2024, No comments

SIA IS Group Pharma will participate in the Baltic Beauty 2024 exhibition. With its 6 brands.

We invite you to visit!

There will be special offers, contests, gifts.

We will be C6/D5!

Exhibition opening hours

1-2 November 11.00–20.00

November 3, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m

You can find all the information on the Baltic Beauty website:

https://www.bt1.lv/balticbeauty/eng/

NEW!!! E - BOOK!

18 Oct, 2024, No comments

Now you can read our e-books!

Today the first book in the NEW and ELECTRONIC BOOKS categories was released!

Welcome to our e-book!

"Japanese Pumpkin Recipes"

author: Nadja Leitan

"Is there pumpkin in Japan?"

And here the most interesting thing began!

This story gave me the idea to write a book of pumpkin recipes in Japan!

Pumpkin in Japan
Japanese pumpkin art
Hoku
8 recipes
Japanese fairy tale
English
24 pages

Today is health and sports day in Japan!

14 Oct, 2024, No comments

Health and Sports Day is a national holiday in Japan held on the second Monday of October every year.

It commemorates the opening of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and exists to promote sports and an active lifestyle.

Typical events of the Physical Education Day are massive morning exercise and warm-up, competitions of various sports (including traditional martial arts - kendo, judo and karate), amateur marathon races. This holiday is especially actively celebrated in educational institutions - kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and universities.

Source: https://anydaylife.com

6 REASONS WHY DO SPORTS

1. Exercise improves mood.

2. Sports activities help to deal with stress

3. Your productivity increases

4. Exercising increases the feeling of happiness.

5. Exercise improves sleep quality.

6. Physical activity makes you more focused.

We are for sports!

With love...

Momiji - hunting for maple leaves

3 Oct, 2024, No comments

From mid-October to the end of November, the entire country turns crimson-red with maple leaves. This period is called momiji (momiji - red leaves). Maples in Japan are perhaps the main tourist attraction of the autumn season. Blood red, they attract the eye and create a landscape of unsurpassed beauty.

The Japanese are very sensitive to trees - they see them as a source of inspiration, something poetic. Therefore, admiring momiji is of great importance to them. Momiji-gari - translated as hunting for maple leaves - is a very significant and important event for local residents.

Autumn in Japan a magical time!

AUTHENT liquid presentation 20.09.2024

1 Oct, 2024, No comments

Menard Latvia and Menard Japan presented the new Authent product!

AUTHENT Liquid - Authent emulsion.

A new innovative product in the field of beauty care. The future of beauty!

New ingredients that promote "skin-origin function".

Authent liquid combines the rich moisturizing effect of lotion with the moisture-protecting properties of emulsion. In addition to moisture and replenishing functions, Authent liquid uses the Moistful Gel Emulsion formula to achieve a unique texture that is dense and rich, but at the same time fresh, spreads evenly and absorbs easily into the skin.

Authent liquid is now available in our online store and in our stores at Lāčplėša Street 20A, Riga and Bulduru prospekts 64/68, Jūrmala.