Spring, the season of sakura. While many of us dreaming of sitting under the cherry blossom in one of the many hanami spots in Japan and feeling pity not having the possibility to be there viewing the beautiful flower in person, the invitation of Mrs. Yumi Numata, spouse of Mr. Mikio Numata, the representative of Japan to Taiwan, to a Japanese cooking demonstration embedded in a sakura lunch party at her residence in Yangming Shan was indeed a much pleasant and highly appreciated treat on both the delicate Japanese cuisine and the sakura culture.
The party was a great success in every aspect. As soon as we stepped into the room, Yumi and Mr. Numata, wearing an apron, were there welcoming us with open arms. After taking the can’t-be-waited pictures with the hosts, we were further impressed by the delicate surrounding our hostess arranged. She even moved in a cherry tree in full blossom, making us feel like we were celebrating the festival in a Japanese garden. In the demonstration, Yumi explained to us how the Japanese made tea and dessert out of the cherry blossom and chef Mr. Nagase showed us how to elaborate typical miso soup and sauces. For us, to be able to have a private conversation with one of the top Japanese chefs was greatly inspiring. He used the best quality ingredients to prepare the feast. Each dish was so delicious, not to mention that they were all artfully arranged on top of appropriate and beautiful tableware, which added so much to the enjoyment of the meal. All our senses - taste, smell, and sight - were highly and equally satisfied.
We believe that after the party, what remains in all the participants' minds is not only how to cook with miso, or how soothing the cherry blossom and its culture is, but most of all the hospitality and sincere friendship Yumi and Mr. Numata extended to all WTIC members. Thank you, Yumi and Mr. Numata for such a fantastic physical and spiritual feast!
~ WTIC participants
Remarks from the hostess Yumi Numata:
We have been in Taiwan for more than one year and eight months. We feel very grateful to the people of Taiwan who are friendly and always extend warm concerns towards Japan. I have been ceaselessly looking for a way to properly express my gratitude to these friends. My husband also shows unanimous support to this idea of mine. Chef Mr. Nagase also shares our sentiment. Out of our gratitude, the Sakura Lunch Party takes place on March 24. Our Taiwanese staff members also cooperate with us by pouring their utmost effort in preparing and making this event as best as it could be. I think our residence in Taiwan is the best one for the representatives of Japan in the world, and I am the happiest ambassador's wife in the world!! The memory of this Skura Lunch Party may remain in my heart all through my life. ~Translated from Yumi's original in Japanese.
(This report is an integrated summary of the comments from Lily Chiu, Susan Wang, Christi Lan Lin, Mika Lin, Norma Sueli de Bobadilla, Hsiu-Hui Lin and Louise Bystrome, For more details, the original Japanese remarks from Mrs. Yumi Numata and must-see pictures, please check them out at the same website.)
Comments on Sakura Lunch Party from the attending members
It was my honor and pleasure to be invited by Mrs. Yumi Numata for a lunch at her residence the other day. (March 24, 2016) It was a fabulous lunch in every aspect. As soon as we stepped into the room, we were impressed by the delicate surrounding our hostess arranged. To our surprise, she even moved in a cherry tree with full blossoms, making us feel like dining in a Japanese garden. The chef Yumi extended was very professional. He used the best quality ingredients to prepare the cuisine for us. Each dish is so delicious, not to mention that they were all artfully arranged on appropriate and beautiful tableware, which added so much to the enjoyment of the meal. I could just say that, during those few hours, all our sense of taste, smell and sight were highly and equally satisfied. Thanks to Yumi’s hospitality, we had a wonderful afternoon eating and chatting with friends from all over the world. Such memory will last forever. (By Susan Wang’s own writing)
The time we spent at your residence was not only enjoyable but also meaningful to see how you introduced your art and culture in offering the Japanese food. I also deeply appreciated that your husband, Mr. Numata kept us company all the way to the end of the party. I am touched by the sincerity of both of you. I am sure your efforts with utmost sincerity will eventually spread more understanding and stronger friendship not only among WTIC members but also to the every corner of Taiwan. Miso now has become our indispensable ingredient in our home cooking: for salad, and soup with Seaweed and Bonito
(An extract from Christi Lin’s “Thank You” letter to Yumi)
It is really a surprising pleasure to meet Mr. Numata, wearing an apron like a chef, but standing alone with dignity in the corridor to greet each one of us. He cared tirelessly in every detail in order to make us feel entirely at home. He kept company with us from the beginning to the end in spite of his official functions. All his attitudes simply told us one thing: His entire devotion to the activity his better-half has organized for WTIC members. How could we remain ungrateful? To us, he is the best husband and can serve as the best example to all the gentlemen of the world!!
(From the telephone conversation exchanged with Mika)
I have learned a lot from how to make Miso Soup. It is really a very rewarding lesson to me. Since that day, Miso has become one undispensable ingredient in my daily home-cooking. (By Hsiu-Hui Lin over the phone call)
It is hardly to imagine that we could be invited one day by Mr. and Mrs. Numata for a lunch at their sumptuous residence in Yang-Min Shan. The elegant environment, the cozy atmosphere that the host, hostess and their assisting staff members has created by their genuine hospitality, delicious foods in variety, the traditional art and culture that the exquisite cuisine of Japan has demonstrated, all these combined has made the event of March 24 a grand success. I cannot find any suitable words to express properly my gratitude. I am sure your generosity and kindness shall always remain in the heart of each participant. (By President Lily Chiu over the phone call)
私達は、こちらに来て一年八か月になりますが、いつも雅子さんたちのように日本に暖かい目を向け、また、日本を好きでいて下さる人たちに心から感謝してしておりました。何とかこの気持ちを表したいと思っていたら、主人もぜひ協力したいと言ってくれました。長瀬さんも同じ気持ちで、また、台湾人のスタッフたちも身を粉にして頑張ってくれました。台湾のこの公邸は世界で一番の公邸で、私は世界一幸せな大使夫人ではないかと思っています。今回のこのランチは、私にとって生涯忘れられないものとなりそうです。
(By Numata Yumi in her e-mail)
It was a great pleasure to take part in the Sakura Lunch Party held on March 24th at the residence of Japan Representative. Much thanks to Madam’s invitation and great and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the party. From drinking the Sakura tea and savoring the delicious Japanese cuisine, It felt as Sakura were blooming in spring all around us. (By Charlotte Yu in her e-mail)
Honestly, I had really great time there in the gathering in Mr. and Mrs. Numata's residence. It was very precious time and moments to share the joy with them and all the kind participants there. The presentation of the Japanese culture for me was a very spectacular experience, especially in such a congenial atmosphere with all of the dear friends there. I am grateful to be part of the honorable participants and I am truly looking forward to the next gathering with all of you soon.
(By Norma Sueli de Bobadilla in her e-mail)
" Entering the most elegant house of the Japanese Representative Mr Mikio Numata and Mrs. Yumi Numata you feel very much welcome when greeted by the hostess. The warm and nice Japanese atmosphere together with an elaborate cooking demonstration administrated by their chef, was indeed a treat for us all. To be able to have a private conversation with one of the top Japanese chef was greatly inspiring
and I will try my best to follow his instructions. Thank you very much for a fantastic lunch!"
(By Louise Bystrome in her e-mail)
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