Today we celebrate the birthday of Japan, founded by Emperor Jimmu in 660 BC. Much like the Viking kings that recited their lineage from the Norse gods, Jimmu was said to be a descendant of the sun goddess, Amaterasu. The Imperial House of Japan continued its lineage from Amerterasu as a right to rule.

Jimmu launched a military campaign in the South from Kyushu and marched North to capture Naniwa (modern-day Osaka) with great effort. His clan was then led by a three-legged crow to take Yamato, where Jimmu would establish the seat of his empire on Honshu. When a mosquito tried to steal Jimmu’s divine blood, he summoned a dragonfly to kill mosquito. This is how Japan received the classical name The Dragonfly Islands.

 In Japan, February 11 is a holiday called Kigensetsu (National Foundation Day), commemorating the anniversary of Jimmu’s ascension to the throne.

Music Du Jour: Something for everyone—Japan Top 50 playlist, Japanese Classical, and a Kuboki Rock Band

Films Du Jour:

• Rashomon (1950)
• The Last Samurai (2003)
• 47 Ronin (2013)
• Battle Royale (2000)
• Nobody Knows (2004)
• Departures (2008)

Miscellaneous:

• Heiwadai (Peace Tower) Park in Miyazaki was constructed in 1940 to commemorate a Emperor Jimmu’s united; his mausoleum is in Kashihara, Nara.
• In Japan, all animated works are known as Anime, regardless of style, content, or genre
• Japanese TV commercials are said to be addictive
• There are five expressions to describe the aromas of sake, Japan’s national beverage
• The Japanese Tea Ceremony was influenced by Buddhists in the 12^th century when monks first prepared matcha tea powder for religious rituals
• Pokemon began as a fantasy player (physical) card game and it now has over 950 characters

Snacks du Jour: Make your own sushi, ramen, or tempura

Cocktail Du Jour – Japanese Whisky Ginger Highball

This recipe is from boozyoyster.com:

• 1 oz Japanese whisky (Toki Suntory)
• 5 oz ginger beer
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• soda water to taste

Fill a highball glass with ice. Gently pour the ginger beer into the glass. Add soda to about two fingers below the rim of the glass. Add the whisky and bitters and stir using a bar spoon. Taste and add more soda if necessary. Garnish with a slice of blood orange floating on top.

Mocktail Du Jour – Japanese Whisky Ginger Mocktail

• 1 oz non-alcoholic scotch
• 5 oz ginger beer
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• soda water to taste

Fill a highball glass with ice. Gently pour the ginger beer into the glass. Add soda to about two fingers below the rim of the glass. Add the non-alcoholic scotch and bitters and stir using a bar spoon. Taste and add more soda if necessary. Garnish with a slice of blood orange floating on top.

 Beer Du Jour

Sapporo, Asahi, or any Japanese beer

Wine Du Jour

Sake

 Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer. 

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 Celebrated too hard? Find your personal hangover fix with our bestselling Amazon book Hangover Remedies from Around the World. 

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Photo credit: “Dragonfly” original AI art by Wonder and BDJ © 2023