Activity Reports
Jumbo Norimaki (Sushi Roll)!
December 2, 2011
A 100 m long Jumbo Norimaki (sushi roll) was successfully made! (Only about 20-30 cm is shown in this picture)
From November 23 to 27, “Tomoni-Mae-e-Ganbaru Shotengai Matsuri” (Let’s Work Together Together to Move Forward Shopping Street Festival) was held in the center of Ishinomaki, near the headquarters of the Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Centre. Aitopia-dori, Hashi-dori and Kotobukichominami-dori were the main streets of this festival. As well as a sale held by all the stores on the shopping streets, many events and activities were planned. These included supporting shops from all over the country, giving away saury fish for free; Ishinomaki’s traditional “Hidakamitaiko” (Japanese drum) and street performers, amongst more. With all these, the few days were filled with energy strong and warm enough to blow away the cold. This report will mainly cover an event of the first day of the festival, making a Jumbo Norimaki (sushi roll).
People gathered more than an hour before the starting time of noon to participate in this event.
First, plastic is placed on the large rolling sheet (like a bamboo blind), then a sheet of rolled seaweed is placed on top from one end to the other. This takes a few minutes.
Next, the freshly-made Sushi rice was placed on the seaweed thinly and evenly. Peace Boat volunteers with familiar blue bibs ran around to distribute the rice.
Next, ingredients (egg, crab cake, gourd strip etc) were placed from end to end. The children looked so excited!
And finally, roll it up. Everyone is rolling carefully with a serious look, but there might have been an accident?!
A a 100-meter-long Norimaki was successfully made! This photo was taken when everyone picked up the Norimaki together.
“I will give you this one, because you are working hard taking photos,” said one of the mothers there, giving me this Norimaki. It was delicious – showing the tastes and gentleness of Tohoku seaweed.
From restoration to reconstruction, human connections are helping the local economy to start moving again a little by little.
2011 was a year we will never – and must never – forget, and it only has one more month left.
We look forward to working with many more volunteers and energy next year!