Temmusu, age, to konyaku

So I've been taking in the culture. I've been grilling the housewife students I have on what they cook at home. I got this recipe of sorts from these two women and made it tonight. San Go (San is the number 3 and a Go is a unit of measurement larger than a cup) of rice, equal parts water, two tablespoons of sake and shooyu (soy sauce), diced up konyaku and age, Japanese mushrooms, and diced chicken. All of it thrown into my rice cooker while I read a book. So about an hour later I pull this slop out and its not half bad. Most of the cooking I've done at home turns out quite bland and this was no exception. I discovered this dark brown sauce with sesame seeds in it at the grocery store (no idea what's in it or how to find out) and it makes everything tasty. So I added some of that and it was awesome. I couldn't even begin to tell you what konyaku is (other than describing it as fish gelatin) and age is some sort of fried bread (maybe). I'm quite pleased with my cooking ability and willingness to eat anything placed in front of me. I haven't tried any fish eyeballs, squid, or things so bizarre even the Japanese won't eat them. I bought natto, and apparently the Japanese are 50/50 on it. I've been told it absolutely stinks when you open it up, but it tastes pretty good and consists mostly of beans. So I bought some and I'll dig in tomorrow. I will say that the Japanese ingredients are hella cheap. I spent less than a dollar a piece for a bag of Japanese mushrooms, block of tofu, stick of Konyaku, and 5 rolls of age. I'm eating cheaper here than I did in the States. As long as I don't go blind, I'll be great.

Oh, and apparently you can look at porn on the train and no one even bats an eye. I was riding the train with Erin to work one morning and some Japanese guy in a suit next to us was looking at anime porn stuff. I laughed and pointed it out to her, who explained that its not weird at all. I said, oh, well, its only animated porn, so I guess that's not weird, right? Immediately after I said that he opened up another magazine with actual porn in it. Playboy photo-spread style. It was a packed train too. So I guess that's one point for Japan.