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Umami: Deepening The Flavor —for #TankaTuesday

A Haiku

sunning for a week
astute winter tradition
Miura Coast daikon

© selma

We went to the coast to take in the winter sun over the weekend and the moment I
saw the daikon radishes hanging in the sun, drying in the salty breeze, the first thing
that came to mind was I need to tell Colleen about this.

And so I took out my phone to snap shots of this old tradition that marks the season
in my lovely area of Japan.

Daikon are native to this area—Miura Daikon they’re called, and whoever has
traveled to Japan will have heard of this pickled delicacy.

I’m not sure this post fits the prompt but it’s here, for this group, I wanted to share it.
And if not fit for this week, then for last week’s which I noticed was Part 1 of this
12/12/23 Tanka Tuesday prompt. TY 🙇🏽‍♀️

Additionally, I’m including a link from The Yomiuri Shimbun (newspaper), dated last
year, that features the very spot where I took the photographs with my phone. I hope
you enjoy what I consider a lovely turn of events.

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Colleen: How does this time of year affect you where you live? Think
about the seasonal changes. What descriptive words come to mind? If
they work to define the season you’re in, add them to your kigo list.

Prompted by what Colleen asks, I’m adding daikon and winter tradition as my Kigo.


Thanks so much for reading and
Happy Holidays.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 40 Comments

  1. Sadje

    Very interesting custom.

    1. Selma Martin

      Yes, Sadje. The weather and season is perfect for it. Old wisdom. Xoxo blessings

      1. Sadje

        Indeed. ❤️🥰

  2. Annette Rochelle Aben

    How cool is this! While I am not a radish fan, I appreciate the awesomeness of the plant/tradition. Love your poetry too. Happy Holy Days, dear Selma, to you and all those who mean the most to you!!

    1. Selma Martin

      Your words and wishes melt me. Thanks, dear Annette. I wish you the same in these Holy Days. Blessings and appreciation. Merry Christmas. 🎄

  3. dorahak

    Astute indeed! Nice haiku, Selma.

    1. Selma Martin

      Aww. So happy you appreciated. 💡 😇 🕯️

    1. Selma Martin

      I thought I’d share. These sightings are rare, really. One needs to be in the right spot to see this. Glad you saw this.
      The short video in the link is gorgeous too. Blessings.
      Stress-free holidays. Hope your boys recover swiftly. Xoxo

      1. robertawrites235681907

        Hi Selma, thank you very much. Tomorrow is my last blogging day for this year. Is Christmas celebrated generally in Japan? It wasn’t in South Korea when I spent time there.

        1. Selma Martin

          Hi Robbie. Merry Christmas to you.
          Christmas is everywhere in Japan. It’s a real wonderland at this year. But the real celebration is in the hearts and homes of people who know the meaning of the holiday.

          My last post goes up compliments of Masticadores on the weekend. After that I’m taking a long break.

          Merry Christmas Robbie. You made my year extra special. Thank you.

          1. robertawrites235681907

            Hi Selma, I am glad we are blogging friends. I look forward to another wonderful poetry year next year. I am glad Christmas is celebrated in Japan.

  4. Colleen M. Chesebro

    Wow! I’ve never seen the raddish like this before. What a great photo, Selma.

    1. Selma Martin

      Glad I could capture that for you. It’s true. I wanted you to see that.
      A photo—the next best thing.
      Be well, Colleen. Happy holidays.

  5. nonsmokingladybug

    I love this kind of radish, it’s hard to find one here. It’s part of the Austrian and German dishes.

    1. Selma Martin

      Oh yeah? Thats wonderful to know that you know this veggie. Sad that it’s not readily available there.
      Thanks for appreciating this one, B. Blessings.

  6. Michele Lee

    A wonderful tradition! 🌅 I’ve grown radishes before but nothing like that! Thank you for sharing.

  7. Ingrid

    Your image is beautiful and reminds me of the Southwest Scottish coast! 😍

  8. Jules

    Wow they are huge – the sunning diakon! I’m sure I have eaten diakon, but mostly red or rainbow radishes.
    I always have local radishes in my salad and stirfry. 🙂

    I’m looking forward to some warm sun and a few beaches soon. Peace and love, Jules

  9. Gwen M. Plano

    Wonderful, Selma. I lived in Japan for five years and ate daikon radishes almost every day. Thank you for the memories. 😊

  10. Belladonna

    What a wonderful tradition. Never thought about growing radishes but now I just may.

    1. Selma Martin

      Hehe. These are humongous 😂
      Bless you. Hope you succeed. 👏🏽

      1. Belladonna

        They sure are! I’ll try to in the spring.

        1. Selma Martin

          Let me know how it goes, dawlin’ girl 👏🏽

  11. ben Alexander

    Selma, your haiku captures a delightful moment with elegance. The image of sunning for a week, paired with the mention of Miura Coast daikon, creates a vivid scene that celebrates both nature and tradition succinctly. Well done!

    ~David

  12. msjadeli

    Selma beautiful haiku and wonderful photos.

    1. Selma Martin

      I’m delighted that you read, Lisa. Thank you for being this sweeet. Bless you and Merry Christmas. 🎄

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