The Natto Journey Continues!

あけましておめでとうございます。 "ah-kay-mah-shtay-oh-meh-deh-toe-go-zigh-ee-maas"

Happy New Year!

Welcome to the fifth issue of "Natto Talk!"

I'm thrilled to continue on this journey with you and explore the fascinating world of fermented soybeans together.

If you like Natto Talk, please do a friend and me a big favor and "pay it forward."

If a friend did forward this to you and if you like what you read, please join our Simply Natto "Foodie" community by visiting... natto-talk.html

January 2024, Natto Talk - Issue #5

In this fifth edition, you will learn about:

1. The new year in Japan

2. A mochi & natto recipe

3. This month's Japanese word from Simply Natto's "Natto Lingo"

The New Year in Japan

2024 is the "Year of the Dragon."

There are twelve zodiac animals (十二支 - "jew-knee-she") in Japan and they rotate each year on January first.

There is also a specific order for which the cycle circulates.

The chronologic order of the zodiac animals begins with rat, and then comes ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and finally pig.

When I ask my students to teach me the twelve zodiac animals, they always go in chronologic order.

When I've asked them why they all say the animals in that specific order, they've told me the order comes from an old fable.

According to the story a god asks all of the animals to appear on the first of the year, and the first twelve animals to appear are chosen to represent an individual year.

It is said that the ox set out on its journey earlier than the other animals due to its slow pace.

Other animals, for various reasons, took their time at the start and throughout their journey.

The rat on the other hand had a better idea, and instead chose to hitch a ride on the ox.

Just as the ox was approaching the end of the journey, the rat jumped off its back and completed its journey to become the first animal to appear in front of the god.

The rat was given the honor of being the first zodiac animal in the cycle, followed by the ox and then the other animals.

Like most fables or folklore, this makes for an interesting story.

Here are the Japanese characters and pronunciation for each zodiac animal:

子 (ne) "neh" - Rat

丑 (ushi) "oo-she" - Ox

寅 (tora) "tow-rah" - Tiger slightly roll the "r" in "rah"

卯 (u) "oo" - Rabbit

辰 (tatsu) "tah-tsue" - Dragon pronounce the "ts" in "tsue" together

巳 (mi) "me" - Snake

午 (uma) "oo-mah" - Horse

未 (hitsuji) "he-tsue-jee" - Sheep pronounce the "ts" in "tsue" together

申 (saru) "saw-roo" - Monkey slightly roll the "r" in "roo"

酉 (tori) "toe-ree" - Rooster slightly roll the "r" in "ree"

戌 (inu) "ee-new" - Dog

亥 (inoshishi) "ee-no-she-she" - Boar

**There are actually different Japanese kanji characters for each animal above, and the Japanese characters you see written above refer to the zodiac versions.

What zodiac animal are you?

Let's find out!

Rat: 2020 / 2008 / 1996 / 1984 / 1972 / 1960 / 1948

Ox: 2021 / 2009 / 1997 / 1985 / 1973 / 1961 / 1949

Tiger: 2022 / 2010 / 1998 / 1986 / 1974 / 1962 / 1950

Rabbit: 2023 / 2011 / 1999 / 1987 / 1975 / 1963 / 1951

Dragon: 2024 / 2012 / 2000 / 1988 / 1976 / 1964 / 1952

Snake: 2025 / 2013 / 2001 / 1989 / 1977 / 1965 / 1953

Horse: 2026 / 2014 / 2002 / 1990 / 1978 / 1966 / 1954

Sheep: 2027 / 2015 / 2003 / 1991 / 1979 / 1967 / 1955

Monkey: 2028 / 2016 / 2004 / 1992 / 1980 / 1968 / 1956

Rooster: 2029 / 2017 / 2005 / 1993 / 1981 / 1969 / 1957

Dog: 2030 / 2018 / 2006 / 1994 / 1982 / 1970 / 1958

Boar: 2031 / 2019 / 2007 / 1995 / 1983 / 1971 / 1959

**If you don't see the year you were born in, subtract twelve from the last year written for each zodiac animal. (i.e. Dragon: 1952 - 12 = 1940)

The picture above shows the twelve zodiac animals.

Did you figure out which one you are?

January Recipe: Natto & Mochi

Mochi is a popular food during the new year in Japan.

There are various ways to enjoy it, but why not try some with your natto.

Here's a recipe idea that combines two Japanese foods I love into one delicious dish.

How To Make:

Are you up for something unique?

Of course you are!

It's time to treat yourself to some Japanese Rice Cake.

This natto dish is light and really easy to make.

Here's what you'll need to make it:

1. a package / serving of natto (40-50g)

2. a piece of mochi (Japanese rice cake)

3. grated Japanese radish (daikon-oroshi)

4. Japanese Citrus Vinegar (ponzu) or Shoyu (soy sauce)

The Steps:

1. Put a piece (or more) of mochi into the toaster oven.

2. Cook the mochi for 4-5 minutes.

3. More cooking time may be needed - it needs to pop before taking it out.

4. While the mochi is cooking, grate the Japanese radish.

5. Set aside the grated Japanese radish and mix your natto with ponzu or shoyu.

6. Add spicy mustard, wasabi, yuzukosho, or any other seasonings to the natto and mix.

7. When the mochi has popped, take it out of the toaster oven and put it on a dish.

8. Top the mochi with the natto.

9. Top the natto with the grated Japanese radish.

10. Drizzle a bit more ponzu or shoyu onto the natto rice cake.

11. Enjoy some yummy fermented soybean and rice cake goodness.

**CAUTION:

Mochi is sticky with a smooth, elastic feel.

It's recommended that when eating mochi, take small bites and chew everything really well.

Please eat this dish slowly.

いただきます。"ee-taw-daw-key-maas" - Let's Eat!


Want more natto and rice recipe ideas?

You can discover more ways to enjoy your natto with rice by clicking on the following link: natto-dish-with-rice.html

Simply Natto's Language Corner

This month's Japanese word is:

辰年

(tatsu-doshi)

"tah-tsue-doe-she" pronounce the "ts" in "tsue" together

meaning: year of the dragon

Here's a video on how to pronounce 辰年 (tatsu-doshi) and what it means. SN-Natto-Lingo-Video-Tatsudoshi

What to do Next?

Comments? Ideas? Feedback?

What did you think of the baked sweet potato and natto combination?

Did the flavors suit your tastes?

I'd love to hear from you.

Just reply to this publication, or leave a comment on the videos, and tell me what you think!

To all of my fellow "Natto Foodies," thank you for joining me on this natto-filled adventure, and I look forward to sharing and discussing more natto goodness with you in our next issue of Natto Talk.

Until next time!

Justin