In Midnight in Broad Daylight, Pamela Rotner Sakamoto paints a powerful portrait of the Fukuhara family, illustrating their resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship and discrimination during World War II. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the strength found in family bonds and the enduring spirit of those who face adversity.

I just finished reading Sweet Bean Paste, and I have to admit it made me cry—not in a sad way, but in a profoundly beautiful way. The best books have that power, and this one certainly does.

9 years ago today Makoto and I tied the knot at Kamakura City Hall in a very simple civil ceremony. We didn’t have a large gathering, a party after, or even a honeymoon until about 6 months later.

Traditions are a big deal in Japan. They shape how people live, celebrate, and connect with one another. From colorful festivals to delicious food customs, these traditions keep history alive and bring communities together. Many are based on harvest rituals, reminding us of simpler times, especially in the countryside.

Continuing last week’s theme, the book "The Lantern of Lost Memories" invited me to think about the memories I might want to relive and take with me on my journey to the afterlife.

In the book, recently deceased souls enter a photo studio where a guide invites them to pick specific photos that represent key moments in their lives, one for every year lived. The pictures then get assembled into a lantern and lighted, so that the souls get to relive their most cherished moments as they move on to the next stage.

Last week I joined an online seminar by GLOBIS University - Graduate School of Management on Compassion-driven Leadership. It was a powerful reminder of what is really important in life. When I studied at GLOBIS 10 years ago I had Tad Wakasugi (the main speaker in the seminar) as a teacher, and I vaguely remember some of what he taught back then but when he mentioned Ina Foods and the 100-year calendar I felt like I was suddenly back in the classroom as this is one of the cases we studied!

A few weeks ago my husband and I signed up as volunteers for a local Japanese Cemetery Cleanup Day (Organized by the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California), so last Saturday we headed out to Colma (south of San Francisco on the peninsula) for a half day of work and connection.

This does mean that we regularly drive out 40 minutes or more for Japanese shopping, as many of the ingredients he uses (and craves) are not available closer to home.