Thursday 30 September 2010

Discover Korean Food #37: Dr. Sook-Ja Yoon's "Ogapi Jeyuk Bokum (Stir Fried Spicy Pork Acanthopanax)"

Ogapi Jeyuk Bokum is a stir fried spicy pork dish used with the water used for steaming Acanthopanax. Furthermore, it is an antioxidant and reduces fatigue, antiradioactivity and deintoxication.

* Ingredients
600g Pork belly, 2 tbsp fine rice wine
Acanthopanax water: 3g Acanthopanax, 2 cups water
Seasoning: 1/2 cup Acanthopanax water, 2 tbsp red chilli paste, 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1 tsp soy sauce, 3 tsp Acanthopanax fermented liquor
1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp fine rice wine, 2 tbsp chopped spring onion, 1 tbsp minced garlic, 1/8 black pepper powder. 2 tbsp sesame oil

* Recipe
1. Boil the Acanthopanax with water for 20 minutes. Pour into a cup.
2. Cut the Pork bellies in 0.3cm depth and 5cm length.
3. Preserve the pork belly with the fine rice wine and 1/2 cups of Acanthopanax water for a half an hour.
4. Make the seasoning sauce with the rest of the Acanthopanax water.
5. Mix the Acanthopanax with the pork belly. Leave them for 30 minutes then stir them.

ACANTHOPANAX
Acanthopanax, which has five leaves, has a bitter and spicy taste. Its properties help keep the body warm. Acanthopanax helps keep tendons and bones strong by supporting the liver and kidneys. Therefore, it is particularly good to alleviate backache, aching knees, fractures, bruising and oedema.

Wednesday 29 September 2010

LG Introduces World’s First Near Full HD 3D Notebook

LG Electronics (LG) announced the world’s first premium notebook offering cinematic 3D experience at near Full HD quality. To deliver an immersive 3D experience while rendering high-quality movies, games and graphics, the LG A510 features a hardware combination never before offered on a notebook: 15.6-inch Full HD 3D LED LCD display powered by Intel Core™ i7 Processor and NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M graphics card with 1GB of dedicated DDR3 video memory.
“3D is increasingly becoming a common part of the home entertainment landscape so it’s against this backdrop that we’re working to make this technology better and more accessible for consumers,” said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “As more and more people consume content and interact via portable screens, we think this is a natural next step for business travelers, college students and small office/home office owners. And we put the entire package in a beautifully-designed chassis because we don’t think high-tech has to be a dull grey pizza box.”
The A510 ships with polarized glasses for easier portability. A set of clip-on 3D lenses are also included for regular glasses-wearers. Beyond the visual, the notebook boasts SRS TruSurround HD for the ultimate immersive audio experience for movies and games.
With much of the content in the 3D world still in development, LG equipped the notebook with TriDef software which converts 2D into 3D content on demand. Using TriDef, viewers can see all their favorite shows and movies in up-converted 3D as soon as their LG A510 is unboxed.
This high-tech workhorse also boasts a unique design that is sure to please both tech-savvy and style-conscious consumers. An attractive metallic look with unique exterior finish and subtle LED lighting around the touchpad that changes color according to the system status add a distinctive look. The LG A510 is available in two colors: blue-black and champagne gold. The LG A510 offers additional convenience with a collection of smart features and applications.
The LG Smart Pack, LG’s unique software suite for notebooks, always ensures that the LG A510 is operating at peak performance. And a LED fingerprint reader can be programmed to provide quick and easy access to the most frequently used programs and websites, while also making it easier to log in.
LG will roll out this premium notebook in Asia, South America, the Middle East and Africa starting in October 2010.

Monday 27 September 2010

57th Korean Film Night: Handphone (2009)

Director: Kim Han-min
Certification: 18
Date & Time: THURS 7th October 2010,7:00pm
Venue: Korean Cultural Centre UK, Grand Buildings, 1-3 Strand, London WC 2N 5BW
Fee: Admission Free, Booking required
Contact: info@kccuk.org.uk / 0207 004 2600


Synopsis
A talent manager, Yoon Jin-ah, is readying a new breakthrough actress which he hopes will turn his fortunes around. The only problem is her ex-boyfriend tries to blackmail Jin-ah with dirty pictures of his client. He quickly retrieves the tape but realises that he has lost his phone which holds the only trace of evidence against his client. Lee-gyu, a lowly working class man who's at his wits end finds the phone and, initially, wanting to do the right thing, learns about the power he now holds over the highflying Jin-ah. Desperate, Jin-ah is willing to do anything to get his phone back.

Contains scenes of a violent nature.

Sunday 26 September 2010

Japan Day 2010 in Manchester

Date: 17 October 2010
Venue: Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester M60 2DS
Email: events@jsnw.org.uk
Web: http://www.jsnw.org.uk/
Organiser: Japan Society North West

JSNW is organising its third Japan Day this year. The venue is the prestigious Midland Hotel in Manchester.

The on-stage programme includes taiko drumming performances, and demonstrations of kimono dressing, aikido, kendo, iaido and bojutsu.

Doors open at 11:00 am and entry is free!

The first prize in our Japan Day Raffle will be two air tickets to Japan, donated by Finnair.
Fly from Manchester to Tokyo, Nagoya or Osaka.

Tickets cost £1 each and are only available on the day.

This will take place in Manchester and will be the third Japan Day in 6 years.

The schedule of events will be similar to Japan Day 2008 which included:

11:00 Doors Open
11:30 Formal Opening by Japanese Ambassador and the Lord Mayor of Liverpool
12:00 Bo-Jutsu, Aikido and Iaido13:00 Taiko Drummers by Tamashii School of Taiko
13:30 Kendo
14:00 Bo-Jutsu. Sushi Demonstration and then the Koto
15:00 and 16:00 Aikido and Kendo and Taiko

Friday 24 September 2010

Sony introduces super-slim WALKMAN® S750


The newest addition to the legendary WALKMAN® family is guaranteed to turn heads with stunning sound and slim, sensational looks in luxurious aluminium. Measuring just 7.2mm thin for effortless portability, the colourful WALKMAN® S750 Video MP3 player lets you enjoy your music, videos and podcasts in unmistakeable style.
Premium metallic looks are paired with rich, satisfying audio by Sony. Plug in the high-quality EX vertical in-ear headphones and experience beautiful WALKMAN® sound, with Digital Noise Cancelling cutting approximately 98.0% of ambient sound. A supplied adaptor lets air travellers enjoy the plane’s in-flight entertainment system with digital noise cancelling provided by WALKMAN®.
Complementing the Digital Noise Cancelling and EX headphones, the S750 is loaded with other Clear Audio technologies by Sony to get the best out of your music collection. Clear Bass and Clear Stereo are joined by DSEE that restores the high frequencies lost in compressed music files.
Sound quality aside, the WALKMAN® S750 also makes it brilliantly easy to enjoy your existing digital music collection. Supplied Content Transfer software simplifies drag-and-drop transfers to WALKMAN® from Windows® Explorer or your iTunes library (not including DRM files).
Windows® 7 even takes care of converting DivX® and AVCHD video files stored on your hard drive to playable format for viewing on WALKMAN®.
The bright, clear 5.1cm (2”) LCD offers a superb view of videos, photos and cover art with a wide viewing angle. In a WALKMAN® first, TruBlack technology reduces screen reflections, boosting contrast whether you’re indoors or outside.
Personalise WALKMAN® by selecting your favourite photo as wallpaper for the player’s home menu screen. Alternatively, pick from nine pre-installed wallpapers to reflect your personal taste.
Looking to match your listening to your mood? Unique to Sony, SensMe™ technology analyses your music library, automatically creating a series of 10 themed channels. Just pick your channel to suit the moment, from mellow to upbeat.
The WALKMAN® S750 gives music lovers a choice of exciting entertainment options. Lyrics Sync displays lyrics of your favourite song on screen. Karaoke Mode reduces the original performer’s vocal level so your voice can be heard clearly over the backing track. If you’re struggling to hit those high or low notes, playback key can be adjusted up or down to match anyone’s vocal reach without changing playback speed. You can even connect WALKMAN® to any TV with an optional A/V output cable and invite friends to your own karaoke party.


The WALKMAN® S750 also helps busy language students master tricky phrases more quickly. A Language Learning function ‘loops’ a chosen passage for listening at reduced playback speed without changing pitch or losing clarity.
Nothing on TV? Plug WALKMAN® S750 into your television via the optional A/V output cable and enjoy videos on screen in crisp 720 x 480 resolution.
Extra-long battery life lets you enjoy up to 50 hours of music playback time (10 hours video playback) from a single charge.
Release your WALKMAN® favourite sounds while you’re relaxing at home with the stylish RDP-NWD300 speaker dock. Available in black or white and supplied with a handy remote, it delivers clear, full stereo sound while trickle-charging WALKMAN®. A perfect travel partner for WALKMAN®, the new RDP-NWR100 is a compact, splash-proof speaker dock that looks and sounds great by the poolside, on fun days outdoors or even in the bathroom while you’re having a shower.
The new WALKMAN® S750 is part of the full line-up of MP3 and MP4 players by Sony. The WALKMAN® range includes the advanced A Series with premium looks, sound and features; the wireless, wearable W series for sports; the fun, colourful E Series and the accessible, easy-to-use B series.
The new WALKMAN® S750 series Video MP3 Player by Sony is available from October 2010.

Thursday 23 September 2010

Matsuri (Japanese festivals)

Japanese festivals are traditional festive occasions. Some festivals have their roots in Chinese festivals but have undergone dramatic changes as they mixed with local customs.

Some are so different that they do not even remotely resemble the original festival despite sharing the same name and date. There are also various local festivals (e.g. Tobata Gion) that are mostly unknown outside a given prefecture. It is commonly said that you will always find a festival somewhere in Japan.

Unlike most people of East Asian descent, Japanese people generally do not celebrate Chinese New Year (it having been supplanted by the Western New Year's Day in the late 19th century); although Chinese residents in Japan still do. In Yokohama Chinatown, Japan's biggest Chinatown, tourists from all over Japan come to enjoy the festival. And similarly the Nagasaki Lantern Festival is based in Nagasaki's Chinatown.

Festivals are often based around one or two main events, with food stalls, entertainment, and carnival games to keep people entertained. Some are based around temples or shrines, others hanabi (Fireworks), and still others around contests where the participants sport loin cloths.

Local festivals
Matsuri (祭) is the Japanese word for a festival or holiday. In Japan, festivals are usually sponsored by a local shrine or temple, though they can be secular.
There is no specific matsuri days for all of Japan; dates vary from area to area, and even within a specific area, but festival days do tend to cluster around traditional holidays such as Setsubun or Obon. Almost every locale has at least one matsuri in late summer/early autumn, usually related to the rice harvest.
Notable matsuri often feature processions which may include elaborate floats. Preparation for these processions is usually organized at the level of neighborhoods, or machi. Prior to these, the local kami may be ritually installed in mikoshi and paraded through the streets.
One can always find in the vicinity of a matsuri booths selling souvenirs and food such as takoyaki, and games, such as Goldfish scooping. Karaoke contests, sumo matches, and other forms of entertainment are often organized in conjunction with matsuri. If the festival is next to a lake, renting a boat is also an attraction.
Favorite elements of the most popular matsuri, such as the Nada Kenka Matsuri of Himeji or the Neputa Matsuri of Hirosaki, are often broadcast on television for the entire nation to enjoy.
Some examples of famous matsuri are the Jidai, Hadaka Matsuri, Aoi and Gion Matsuri held in Kyoto; Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka; and the Kanda Matsuri, Sannō and Sanja Matsuri of Tokyo. Especially, Gion Matsuri, Tenjin Matsuri, and Kanda Matsuri are the three most famous matsuri in Japan.

Wednesday 22 September 2010

Discover Korean Food #36: Dr. Sook-Ja Yoon's "Saeng Ji Hwang Baek Kimchi (White Kimchi with Rehmannia glutinosa var. purpurea Liquid)"

Bokryung Nokdu Geon is a pancake dish mixed with Poria Cococ Wolf powder, grinded Mung beans, minced pork and vegetables. The taste of Poria Cococ Wolf is sweat and bland. It is good for dropsy and urinating difficulty. It helps to have a good appetite. Also, it assists in maintaining blood sugar levels.

*Ingredients
1/2 cup peeled Mung beans, 1/4 cup salt, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 10g Poria Cococ Wolf powder
130g water, 50g bean sprouts, 1/2 Chinese cabbage leaf, 1 tsp minced garlics, 1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp sesame seeds salt, 1/4 tsp salt, 30 minced pork, 1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp fine rice wine, 1/8 tsp black pepper powder, 1/4 tsp salt
Garnish: 1/4 green pepper, 1/4 red pepper

*Recipe
1. Spread the Poria Cococ Wolf powder over the water in a saucepan.
2. Soak the Mung beans for 8 hours. Strain them after removing the skin.
3. Grind the Mung beans with the Poria Cococ wolf liquid. Season them with the salt.
4. Trim the bean sprouts and rinse the Chinese cabbage leaf. Put them into the boiling salt water. Chop them after blanching for 2 minutes.
5. Mix the pork and bean sprouts after seasoning them.
6. Cut the red pepper and the green pepper in 0.2cm lengths after washing.
7. Warm up the frying pan with the vegetable oil. Place one spoon of the Mung bean dough into the frying pan. Cover with the dough after putting bean sprouts and the pork in. Garnish the pancake with the green pepper and red pepper. Fry until it becomes yellowish.

Amomum seed
Amomum seed is the fruit of ginger and amomum. The taste of Amomum seed is bitter and spicy and it keeps the body cool. It helps to develop a strong stomach.

Monday 20 September 2010

Evolution Of The Revolutionary: The Nikon D7000 D-SLR Is The Preeminent Digital Camera For Demanding Photo Enthusiasts

Nikon Inc. introduced the new D7000 digital SLR camera designed to fulfill the needs of passionate photographers who demand exceptional performance, reliability, and unprecedented levels of control and versatility in a compact form factor. Engineered as an ideal balance of durability and functionality, the D7000 D-SLR features a multitude of new enhancements and updated Nikon technologies, which results in stunning photos and amazing full HD (High Definition) movies.

Continuing the tradition of innovative technology that began with the revolutionary D90, the first D-SLR to capture HD movie, the D7000 features a new 16.2-megapixel CMOS sensor with low-light ability never before seen in a DX-format (APS-C) camera. The new EXPEED 2 TM image-processing engine fuels the enhanced performance of the D7000 along with a new 39-point AF system and groundbreaking new 2,016 pixel RGB 3D Matrix Metering System to deliver amazing image quality in a variety of shooting conditions. Additionally, the D7000 D-SLR provides full 1080p HD movie capability with full-time auto focus (AF), enabling users to capture their world with both striking still and moving images.

“The D7000 D-SLR creates a new class of Nikon camera by delivering exceptional quality, control and an innovative feature set; this is a camera that enables D-SLR users to achieve a true expression of their creative vision, while concentrating primarily on image quality above all else,” said Lisa Osorio, general manager of marketing at Nikon Inc. “When you combine the innovation of the agile D7000 with the exceptional and robust line of NIKKOR lenses and accessories, the potential for D-SLR photographers and filmmakers is limitless.”

Unparalleled Performance From Unrivaled Technologies
With its new 16.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor and Nikon’s new EXPEED 2 image processing system, the D7000 D-SLR delivers superior image quality with low noise. The EXPEED 2 image-processing engine combined with a 14-bit Analog / Digital conversion brings a new level of even tonal gradations while managing color, contrast, exposure, and noise resulting in brilliant image quality. EXPEED 2 also manages the D7000’s speedy 50-millisecond shutter response, blazing AF speed and rapid six frame-per-second (fps) burst speed for up to 100 images.

The D7000 D-SLR features an all-new 39-point AF System, which includes nine center cross-type sensors that operate with more than 60 NIKKOR lenses. The 39 points in the new Multi-CAM 4800DX AF module work together to provide superior subject acquisition and fast tracking capabilities, allowing photographers to confidently capture a player stealing third from the sideline to fast-moving wildlife. Additionally, photographers can activate dynamic or single point AF, configurable in combinations of 9, 21 or 39 or a 21-point ring to match a variety of shooting styles and situations. Photographers can activate 3D tracking, which continuously follows moving subjects within the 39 AF points, highlighting the activated AF point in the viewfinder.

Utilizing Nikon’s exclusive Scene Recognition System, the camera analyzes subject information from a database containing more than 30,000 images to optimize focus, exposure and white balance. To assist in creating amazing imagery, the Scene Recognition System reads data from a groundbreaking 2,016-pixel 3D Color Matrix Meter RGB sensor that examines the scene’s brightness and color data then optimizes the camera’s performance prior to the actual exposure. Another revolutionary Nikon first, this system interprets scene data for improved control of light metering and i-TTL flash output. Additionally this new sensor allows for a new “Ambient” white balance setting which can be activated to allow warm rendering in Automatic White Balance.

Nikon Continues the Low-Light Fight
The D7000 D-SLR continues Nikon’s tradition of providing photographers the confidence to shoot in low-light, knowing they will capture high quality low-noise images. The camera’s native ISO range of 100-6400 affords the versatility to photograph in challenging lighting conditions, such as when indoors or in the evening. The ISO range can be expanded to a Hi-2 setting of 25,600, which was previously found only in Nikon FX-format territory. The resolution of the camera renders a pixel size of 4.78 µm, which allows more light to be gathered, resulting in a correctly exposed image that has less noise and finer grain.

Full 1080p HD Movies with Advanced Video Features
Building upon the popular D90 D-SLR, the Nikon D7000 captures breathtaking full 1080p HD movies with full-time autofocus and manual exposure control. To keep critical HD focus, users can choose to engage a variety of AF functions, including face priority to track up to 35 human faces, subject-tracking and normal or wide-area autofocus.

Advanced movie features also allow exposure adjustment on the fly while recording. The D7000 D-SLR offers variable frame rates and resolutions, and can record 1080p at a cinema-like 24 fps, or a web-friendly 720p at either 24 or 30 fps for up to 20 minutes per clip. Once recorded, users are able to edit and trim video clips in the camera to save time in post production. Whether utilizing a wireless or hot shoe mounted microphone, sound can be recorded via the stereo microphone input for professional audio results.

To further simplify movie shooting, Live View is activated by a single dedicated switch, and HD video recording is achieved by pressing a single button. The D7000 D-SLR also incorporates a built-in HDMI output CEC compliant (Consumer Electronic Control) that allows users to connect it to a HDTV and playback with most HDTV remote controls.

By adding versatile NIKKOR lenses to the equation, photographers can create a variety of photo perspectives to video such as isolating subjects with a shallow depth of field, and recording in low-light conditions. Combining the D7000 D-SLR with NIKKOR lenses also delivers the sharpness essential for HD video, and Nikon’s innovative Vibration Reduction (VR) II technology helps to eliminate the effects of camera shake.

Sunday 19 September 2010

Japan Matsuri 2010 in London

Date: 18 September 2010, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Venue: Spitalfields Market, Brushfield Street, Spitalfields London E1
Email:
contact@japanmatsuri.com
Web:
http://japanmatsuri.com/
Organiser:
The Japan Society and the Japanese Residents Association, in collaboration with other leading Japanese organizations; Hosted by Spitalfields Traders Market

The first large‐scale urban matsuri took place in London's historic Spitalfields Market in September 2009. Previously Matsuri had taken place in Hyde Park (1991 & 2001) but this was the first time a Japanese community celebration was held in the middle of a thriving modern mixed commercial and residential area. 2009 Japan Matsuri was a vibrant and colourful occasion, which attracted some 35,000 visitors (young andold, Japanese and non‐Japanese) and much media coverage including internet blog posts and streamed video.

THE VENUE
There has been a market at Spitalfields since the 13th century and the area soon became the commercialcentre of London with a rapidly changing population as communities came to Britain from Europe over thecenturies. Hammerson plc, which manages the present day Spitalfields Traders' Market, is committed to developinglinks with and making the site accessible to both the local resident and business communities. Situated astone's throw from Liverpool Street Station, the market has many Japanese corporate neighbours and was anatural choice when the organisers sought a venue for the ambitious new festival. Links with the City ofLondon are stronger than ever, with Michael Bear, Regeneration Director at Hammerson plc, set to become Lord Mayor of London from November 2010.

THE ORGANISERS
Japan Matsuri is at heart a community project. It is an event where members of the Japanese community inLondon can celebrate and enjoy food, music and dance with their friends and neighbours of all nationalities,in a similar way to a local festival in Japan. Everyone has a stake in the event: Japanese businesses eachprovide financial and volunteer support; Japanese traders and restaurants share their wares; Japaneseperformers young and old, give of their skills. The organisers' work is to bring all the various strands together and to provide the vision and theadministrative back up to realise the event. The lead is taken by the Japan Society and Japanese Residents'Association together with support from the Embassy of Japan, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industryand Nippon Club.

Friday 17 September 2010

Lu Jiuyuan, a Chinese scholar and philosopher who founded the school of the universal mind

Lu Jiuyuan (Chinese: 陸九淵, 1139–1192) was a Chinese scholar and philosopher who founded the school of the universal mind, the second most influential Neo-Confucian school. He was a contemporary and the main rival of Zhu Xi.

Lu's Philosophy of the Mind: Unity of the Mind and the Way
In his own words, Lu said, "The universe is my mind, and my mind is the universe." Unlike Zhu's emphasis of li, which is the principle that contains and underlies all things and beings, Lu brought forward the concept of the heart/mind as the ultimate one or source that encompasses everything including the universe and the principle. The unity of the mind expressed in the work of Lu means that the mind of humanity and the mind of the Way (Dao) are one and the same. This is in direct opposition to Zhu Xi's idea that the mind of Humanity and the mind of the Way are separate and distinct from each other. Zhu Xi also claimed that every individual thing possesses its own unique material force (chi) distinct from the principle (li). Lu vehemently opposed this dualistic doctrine and further emphasized that everything is connected and originated from the heart/mind.

Original Mind
The concept of original mind was first conceived by Mencius but was further developed by Lu. The original mind means that all human beings are born with innate moral knowledge and virtue. This original mind is fourfold as Mencius called them 'four roots of the heart':

Compassion - The root of humaneness (ren).
Shame - The root of righteousness (yi).
Respect - The root of propriety and ritual observance (li).
Knowledge of right and wrong - The root of wisdom (zhi).

Like real roots in nature these four roots must be nurtured first before flowers to bloom. So, in other words, these four roots of the heart are nothing but just tendencies of the mind. These four roots of the heart need proper nurturing and care to grow strong and healthy to manifest their true nature, which is moral virtue.
Lu believed that moral virtues are innately present in the human heart/mind and that, endowed by Heaven, humaneness and righteousness form the Original Mind of of human beings. The original mind is shared by all human beings, both sages and common people, and its truth is ageless and eternal.

Influence of Mencius on Lu's Philosophy

Mencius undoubtedly had a major influence on Lu, this can easily be attested to by the numerous quotes of Mencius used in the works of Lu. Their similarities are striking since Lu used many concepts and ideas first conceived by Mencius; but without exception Lu developed Mencius' ideas on his own and caused these ideas to reach a greater maturation. Furthermore, influenced by both Buddhism and Daoism, Lu incorporates the metaphysical aspects to his philosophy that added more complexity and subtlety to Mencius' original ideas.

Influence of Daoism on Lu Jiuyuan
There is a real and significant influence of Daoism on Lu's philosophy. The most prominent influences are the concept simplicity and spontaneity.
The concept of spontaneity is the central point of Daoism. According to Daoism, an ideal ruler is the king who has cultivated quiescence (stillness) to such a level that he can act harmoniously and spontaneously to any situation. Zhuangzi, Daoist philosopher, expresses this in his own words, "in stillness a sage, in motion a king"
Another influence of Daoism on Lu Jiuyuan in his belief that if one is 'to establish what is fundamental, one must eliminate desire.' This is to emphasize the simplicity of living without human desires that usually corrupt human beings' true simplistic nature.

School of the Universal Mind after Lu Jiuyuan

The philosophy of Lu Jiuyuan attracted not many followers in China following Lu's death in 1193. Lu's philosophy was almost completely forgotten until a later thinker named Wang Yangming republished and wrote his commentaries on Lu's works during Ming dynasty. Wang Yangming played a significant role in developing Lu's philosophy and the school of the universal mind rivaling Zhuxi's school of the principle. The school of the universal mind is also called the Lu-Wang school after the names of two major thinkers, Lu Jiuyuan and Wang Yangming. The influence of this school in China following Wang's death was however curtailed by the strong centralized bureaucratic state system which controlled the education of all the government officials through the state sponsored examination which was heavily influenced by the curriculum designed by Zhu Xi. The influence of Lu-Wang school in Japan was however much greater owing to the comparatively more decentralized government system following the Sengoku (Warring states) period. The Oyomei (Japenese for Wang Yangming) school in Japan inspired and made great influences on subsequent Japanese thinkers and activists such as Nakae Tōju and Ōshio Heihachirō.
In more recent times, Lu's philosophy was reintroduced by Liang Sou-ming in his book The Civilization and Philosophy of the East and the West (1921).

Thursday 16 September 2010

MUGENKYO TAIKO DRUMMERS 2010 TOUR

Date: 21 September - 3 November 2010
Vanue: Various
Tel & Fax: 01357 522 008
E-mail: mtd@taiko.co.uk
Web:
http://www.taiko.co.uk/
Organiser: Mugen Taiko Dojo Productions

Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers are the UK’s first and only professional touring taiko group, and Europe’s most established performing company in this fast-expanding field. Through performing over 100 concerts a year, the group have built a solid reputation for their hard-hitting and energetic performances since their establishment in 1994.
Mugenkyo present taiko in a modern and theatrical style – with precise choreography, dramatic lighting, and a variety of costumes ranging from the post-apocalyptic industrial to gorgeous earthy silks. The concert is extremely musically varied; powerful rhythms, huge taiko drums, delicate shinobue bamboo flute, expressive percussion,
and dance. Through their 12 years of rigorous touring, Mugenkyo have developed a style that is uniquely their own. Retaining the traditional spirit of taiko, yet creating a thoroughly contemporary sound, Mugenkyo are forging a new path with their innovative approach.

MUGENKYO TAIKO DRUMMERS 2010 TOUR

September
Tue 21 Alnwick, Playhouse 01665 510 785
Wed 22 Harrogate, Theatre 01423 502 116
Thu 23 Ripon, International Festival 01765 603 994
Fri 24 Bradford, St. Georges Hall 01274 432 000
Sat 25 Worcester, Swan Theatre 01905 611 427
Sun 26 Loughborough, Town Hall 01509 231 914
Tue 28 Horsham, The Capitol 01403 750 220
Wed 29 Clacton, Princes Theatre 01255 686 633
Thu 30 Chelmsford, Civic Theatre 01245 606 505

October
Fri 1 Dartford, Orchard Theatre 01322 220 000
Sat 2 Uppingham, Theatre 01572 820 820
Sun 3 Milton Keynes, The Stables 01908 280 800
Mon 4 Epsom, Playhouse 01372 742 555
Tue 5 Portsmouth, Kings Theatre 02392 828 282
Thu 7 Stourbridge, Town Hall 01384 812 812
Fri 8 Frome, Merlin Theatre 01373 465 949
Sat 9 Ilfracombe, Landmark Theatre 01271 324 242
Sun 10 Cardiff, St Davids Hall 0292 087 8444
Mon 11 Brighton, Theatre Royal 08448 717 650
Wed 13 Bournemouth, Pavilion Theatre 0844 576 3000
Thu 14 Carnbrook, Queen's Hall Theatre 01580 711 856
Fri 15 London, New Wimbledon Theatre 0844 871 7646
Sun 17 Kings Lynn, Corn Exchange 01553 764 864
Tue 19 Mansfield, Palace Theatre 01623 633 133
Wed 20 High Wycombe, Swan Theatre 01494 512 000
Thu 21 Cheltenham, Town Hall 0844 576 2210
Fri 22 Wakefield, Theatre Royal 01924 211 311
Sat 23 Rochdale, Gracie Fields Theatre 01706 716 689
Sun 24 Bracknell, The Wilde Theatre 01344 484 123
Tue 26 Harpenden, Eric Morecambe Hall 01582 767 525
Wed 27 Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal 01284 769 505
Thu 28 Retford, Majestic Theatre 01777 706 866
Fri 29 Barrow-In-Furness, Forum 28 01229 820 000
Sat 30 Musselburgh, Brunton Theatre 0131 665 2240
Sun 31 Inverness, Eden Court Theatre 01463 234 234

November
Tue 2 Glasgow, Pavilion Theatre 0141 332 1846
Wed 3 Dundee, Whitehall Theatre 08717 029 486

Tuesday 14 September 2010

Discover Korean Food #35: Dr. Sook-Ja Yoon's "Bokryung Nokdu Geon (Mung Beans Pancake with Poria Cococ Wolf)"

Bokryung Nokdu Geon is a pancake dish mixed with Poria Cococ Wolf powder, grinded Mung beans, minced pork and vegetables. The taste of Poria Cococ Wolf is sweat and bland. It is good for dropsy and urinating difficulty. It helps to have a good appetite. Also, it assists in maintaining blood sugar levels.

*Ingredients
1/2 cup peeled Mung beans, 1/4 cup salt2 tbsp, vegetable oil
10g Poria Cococ Wolf powder, 130g water
50g bean sprouts, 1/2 Chinese cabbage leaf, 1 tsp minced garlics, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp sesame seeds salt, 1/4 tsp salt
30 minced pork, 1/2 tsp minced garlic, 1/2 tsp fine rice wine, 1/8 tsp black pepper powder, 1/4 tsp salt
Garnish: 1/4 green pepper, 1/4 red pepper

*Recipe
1. Spread the Poria Cococ Wolf powder over the water in a saucepan.
2. Soak the Mung beans for 8 hours. Strain them after removing the skin.
3. Grind the Mung beans with the Poria Cococ wolf liquid. Season them with the salt.
4. Trim the bean sprouts and rinse the Chinese cabbage leaf. Put them into the boiling salt water. Chop them after blanching for 2 minutes.
5. Mix the pork and bean sprouts after seasoning them.
6. Cut the red pepper and the green pepper in 0.2cm lengths after washing.
7. Warm up the frying pan with the vegetable oil. Place one spoon of the Mung bean dough into the frying pan. Cover with the dough after putting bean sprouts and the porkin. Garnish the pancake with the green pepper and red pepper. Fry until it becomes yellowish.

Amomum seed
Amomum seed is the fruit of ginger and amomum. The taste of Amomum seed is bitter and spicy and it keeps the body cool. It helps to develop a strong stomach.

Saturday 11 September 2010

Asiana Cargo Starts Services to Atlanta

Asiana Airlines (President & CEO: Young-doo Yoon) will start new cargo services from Incheon to Atlanta starting on the 13th of September. Atlanta is a logistics foothold city that covers the southern and eastern sectors of the United States.

Asiana Airlines has established a new cargo route starting from Incheon via Anchorage via Atlanta and arriving in Chicago. Flights will depart Incheon every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 22:05hrs (local time) operating a B747-400 freighter.

Asiana Airlines has decided to establish the new cargo route to Atlanta due to various reasons. One is to support the logistics of various South Korean corporations such as the Hyundai/Kia Motors factories located in Alabama and Georgia, two to support world sporting events such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympics which are planed to be hosted in the South America and finally to set a foothold close to the South American market.

With the establishment of the new Cargo route, Asiana will now operate daily cargo flights to the east and west coast of the U.S and also operate 4 weekly flights to the southern part of the U.S. Asiana has now expanded it’s network in the U.S market and with this expansion. Asiana has increased it’s cargo load in the U.S to 23% per month amounting up to 190 thousand ton/km. Asiana also plans to increase it’s cargo routes according to the dates of receiving additional cargo carriers from the manufacturers in the future.

With the establishment of the Incheon/Atlanta Cargo route, Asiana Cargo now operates to 14 countries, 22 cities 23 routes. Also by receiving another cargo carrier in September, Asiana has a total cargo fleet of 9(8 B747, 1 B767) carriers operating internationally.

The East News