The art of the picnic

[gurdymonkey]

Detail from The Maple Viewers, Kano Hideyoshi, 16th c., Tokyo National Museum Collection
http://www.tnm.jp/en/servlet/Con?&pageId=E16&processId=02&col_id=A10470&ref=2&Q1=&Q2=&Q3=&Q4=11[34]_____4181_&Q5=&F1=&F2=

Because I became exhausted just reading about the logistics that go into running the tavern at A&S, I have to say that there is much to be said about the delights of a picnic on a summer's day.

One tent. (Optional. The first HOCM picnic was done under some trees on a blanket).

One Radio Flyer in dire need of paint and some WD-40 to stand in for porters to transport one's picnic goodies to the ideal idyllic spot.

One pond with poetically arranged willow trees and attendant water fowl. Optional, but highly idyllic as long as one manages to stay clear of the attendant water fowl poo.

A coupla deadbeat monkeys who can't be trusted to serve the mochi without eating it all. Cute though, and Always Cheerful (TM).

One five pound bag of sushi rice, a package of chicken thighs, rice vinegar, salt and a bottle of teryaki sauce. (Note to self, find that teryaki marinade with the sesame seeds in it again. The batch that went to Estrella was even better than this one.)

One hami melon. (Note to self, keep an eye out for this at the market again, it is yummilicious.)

Two bags of edamame. (Note to self, this was too much of a good thing. One package would've been ample.)

One bottle each of Hana Awaka (300ml) and Sho Chiku Bai nigorizake (750ml). Probably more sake than we needed to have for an intimate luncheon gathering, but nice to have.

Two teapots, one green tea with brown rice, one Chinese black tea with roses.

Three packages of supermarket mochi. (Yes, trystan , nom,nom,nom....)

One package of dorayaki. (One of my weaknesses.)

Assorted pickles. (Another of my weaknesses.)

One package dried squid. (I usually try to keep the menu from being too "weird," but the occasional exotic novelty in the name of horizon broadening is not a bad thing, particularly when one is serving under daylight conditions and informs one's guests of what is being served.)

One sheet of plywood and two IKEA plant stands. (Note to self, tabletop is looking rather tatty. It's probably time to sand it vigorously and stain or paint it.)

An assortment of cushions, camp stools and carpet for guest seating, with room to spill onto the lawn if necessary.

Delightful company to eat and drink the picnic fixin's. Thanks to all who came out and helped make some of that mountain of food go away.  Special thanks to lady_anna  for bringing soba, quail eggs and the nummy tangerine jellies which were most seasonal and cooling.

Comments

[matsujo9.livejournal.com]

Off topic:

What are the woman in red plaid and the one in stripes wearing as head gear? I've looked at the blown-up pictures on the museum site, but I'm still not quite sure what I'm looking at. Is it a feminine variant of an eboshi?

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

I'm honestly not sure. It may simply be a head scarf with long tails.

[matsujo9.livejournal.com]

Curious! I'll have to start looking through my books to see if I can find similar!

[takadai-no-tora.livejournal.com]

If you find something about those hats/headwraps, please post it. I have very short hair and I'd love to make one for the times I don't want to wear my wig. The lady at the top of the picture in dark blue has an interesting head covering too; it looks like a loose cowl that has been tucked into the top of her kosode.

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

I *did* enjoy the dried squid, but there's only so much ya can chew ;-)

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

bedouinchick's reaction was rather amusing though. It's definitely an acquired taste.

[xrian.livejournal.com]

Sorry I missed it!

[danabren.livejournal.com]

Is the (breastfeeding?) lady in green and red wearing what would modernly be known as a coolie hat? Cuz it's way OOP for me, but it'd be nice to tell folks on the TBoard that they finally have a place to wear 'em, especially since so few are willing to spend the money needed for a kasa.

[momstable.livejournal.com]

Onigiri for the win. Thank you for also sharing the leftovers. And your company.