Dear guests, dear friends!
The landscape around has become sad. Leaves are on the ground and the trees along the roads look as if stretching out their empty arms – somehow without response. It is the in-between-time when something ends and another does not yet begin. It is a time when we humans slip easily into sadness. November. It reminds me of a saying which may help a little. It also has the word “un” in it, like the Unpu Tenpu and Un wa yuusha wo tasuku proverbs, which you remember from the last two Miyabi letters. This time it is the saying Un ga warukereba shiawase made warui, something like the image of a light at the end of tunnel. It translates as One is unlucky until one is lucky again. Okay, we’ll survive November – even with its fog and drizzle.
To bolster your courage and resilience, we’ve put a hearty Miyabi Autumn Ramen on our menu for a few days – Ramen to warm you up. The broth is made from wagyu meat and bones, and I chose burdock gobo root and renkon lotus root to enhance the soup, in addition to egg and wagyu meat. Hopefully they will help with the cold and add to your efforts to wait patiently for that promised turn to happiness. We’ll make 50 servings starting on Monday November 11, and ending when sold.
Last Friday we had Miyabi Sushi Tabehoudai – Eat as much as you want – and because we didn’t have room for all of you who wanted to make reservations, we added two more nights, November 21 and 22. It’s Thursday and Friday and once again we’ll have trays of great sushi. The first date, November 21, is already full, but the following day, Friday, November 22, there are some free tables left. The reservation deposit you can pay HERE. There will be chawanmushi with hotate as chiisai kaiseki dish. I’m so glad that not only do I love chawanmushi, but now all of us at Miyabi and many guests love it too. Indeed, it’s the Japanese delicacy for special occasions! They serve it in Japanese onsen ryokan hotels. Hot springs – onsen – just think about…. Do you love onsen too? But back to Tabehoudai. I haven’t yet decided which kimono I will dres, but what I know is that it has to be autumn like. It’ll be a farewell to autumn, because then other patterns will come out. And other joys. Christmas time will come!
Speaking of kimonos, November 15 is Kimono Day. Did you know that? I didn’t. But I welcome it very much. Michal, who serves you at Miyabi, reminded me about it. He’s taken over our Facebook and Instagram. I’m sure you’ve noticed the positive development. Kimono. Often I thought about an event with kimono topic when we would get together at our Zen house Bringing one or two of our kimono and obi and komono (small accessories) and share their beauty with other kimono lovers. Okay, let’s get together on November 15, that’s Friday, at 4pm at the Zen House and have an Autumn Kimono Evening. In Japan, that day is the day people celebrate Shichi-go-san. Little girls and little boys who are seven, five or three that year are at the center of attention. Their parents dress them in kimonos and go with them to temples to show them off with pride and to pray for them. Do you agree that kimono is a beautiful garment? And that it suits everyone. We can talk about that at the Fall Kimono Evening. Kimonokai.
Kimonokai, Sakekai, Chakai, Haikukai. Kai means meeting. A gathering of friends who have a common theme. So a haikukai is a gathering of haiku lovers. I’m calling the next one for Monday, November 18th. If anyone wants to join, you’re welcome! If you need further informatio, please email me. These are very nice meetings. I hope that the next one will help to bridge that November in-between-time when we are often sad. Haiku heals.
Leaves are falling down
Trees stretching their empty hands
Do they need my help?
I wish that even in November we will all have energy to cope with whatever comes our way and if we can’t cope, let us believe that the turn promissed in the proverb Un ga warukereba shiawase made warui, will come soon. Be shiawase! Be happy!
Your Miyabi Darja
