Welcome to Hirochan's World

“Year of the Ox” illustration entered for the Japan Fair mascot contest 2021.

My “Peekaboo” self-portrait Valentine GIF.

Everyday could be National Pancake Day. A little Totoro shaped one agrees. Yum.

Valentine’s Day Dinner Menu: Main Course Wagyu beef Steak Patagonian shrimp Asparagus Dessert Chocolate-covered strawberries resting on Graham crackers

My “Lovely Heart” self-portrait Valentine illustration.

We had snow this weekend in WA. Everything is covered with fine powder snow. Stay warm!

My “Year of the Ox” self-portrait Lunar New Year illustration.

Gyoza potstickers filled with ground pork, chives, green onion. They are now pan fried with golden colored wings. Enjoy it with soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil for dipping.

Lunar New Year display at the Renton Uwajimaya store. The lion swallowed a whole cabbage!

Today’s phrase:  Welcoming spring

Eho-maki is eaten on Setsubun, Spring Festival, in Japan. These fortune sushi rolls are not supposed to be sliced in order to retain good luck. You eat the roll whole from one end to the other in silence while you make a wish. Do not forget to face toward the blessing direction which varies every year while eating. For 2021, the direction happened to be south x southeast.

My “Spring Festival oni mask” self-portrait illustration.

Using a donabe a Japanese earthenware pot, is traditional way to cook rice. I made brown rice with beans and sprinkled grated sesame seeds on top. It is that simple.