Hi! I’m thrilled you found us!
Whether you are a die hard fan of everything Japanese or you are curious about learning more about some of the delectables that Japan has to offer, our goal is to share helpful tips and info with you in a fun and educational way.
Many years in the complex financial services and banking world have taught me the importance of being able to connect with consumers so the benefits (and the pitfalls!) are super clear. I’ve become very passionate about constantly searching for and distilling the most useful information to help myself and others to enhance our lives.
My passion combined with my love for Japanese culture, the idea for this site was born. If you want to know more about Shiba Inu, sake and shochu, Japanese food or just looking for new ideas that can help enrich your life just a little more, we hope you sit back, relax and browse around a bit!
My personal journey to start blogging
In late 2018, I had to make a big decision: To stay with a company that I’ve been with for 20+ years or to start something new. The division of the company that I was working for announced that they were closing down the business. In order to stay, I had to apply for another position within the company. I know many people go through this but at this point in my life, I was feeling like there is something else that I was meant to do; something more in line with who I am and what I am passionate about.
Born in Illinois and spending kindergarten and part of elementary school years in Japan but growing up in Pennsylvania, California and Ohio, all things Japanese felt so instinctive yet I had to learn many Japanese things I loved from doing my own research as an adult. With the help of my sidekick, my husband Bill who served as my guinea pig, I tested out a lot of recipes, some of which turned out…“different.” lol
I wanted to begin sharing what I love and have learned over the last few years. And, don’t fret. All the recipes will be Bill-approved. Years of guinea-piggery has turned him into quite a Japanese food and sake snob these days!
Significance of Dragonfly
So, why is the logo a dragonfly?
As I was trying to figure out what would get me closer to who I am and what I’m passionate about, I kept seeing various images of a dragonfly – sometimes as a small graphic image on a website, in a magazine, in my daydreams about my possible business – just in random places. I remembered that there even was a swarm of dragonflies around a large tree in the back of our house earlier that year that I don’t recall seeing any other year.
These occurrences seemed more than just weird coincidences. So I started doing some research on what the dragonfly symbolizes and discovered two meaningful associations about them:
- Dragonfly symbolizes change and self-realization; the kind of change that only comes with mental and emotional maturity and the understanding of the deeper meaning of life.
- Japan was also referred to as the “Island of the Dragonfly.” It comes from an ancient legend in which a divine ruler of Japan sat atop a very high mountain. As he looked down upon the islands of Japan, he saw an image that brings to mind the dragonfly.
So, now my journey begins. It’s my chance to embrace who I am and find what I was meant to do; something more in line with who I am and what I am passionate about!
Credit: I am so grateful that I am surrounded by talented friends and I want to highlight their work on this site whenever possible!
- My profile picture: Taken by an amazing photographer / designer Adam Yates
- My logo graphic: Created by talented and lovely Melissa Syler