I was really missing my favorite sweets shop in Sendai this week. I love Yubeshi, good memories of summer weekends, early gym sessions, getting back, making some ocha, throwing a few chairs on the balcony, then relaxing and sharing the moment with my partner.

I don’t have much interest in recreating realistic things I’d rather take a photo but I feel like I should try. So, I attempted to make a realistic-looking ad for a Yubeshi brand. It’s not the shop we used to buy from; that shop’s name was 熊谷屋, not far from Kitayōbanhō Station, near the 7-Eleven on the way to the university.

Usually, Yubeshi feels more solid to me. I think these aren’t stiff enough not quite Warabi Mochi but I left them as they were because they felt more organic or visually interesting. If anyone has pointers on making it look more realistic or techniques to share, please do! It would be much appreciated.

熊谷屋 (元祖 仙臺駄菓子本舗 熊谷屋)

2 Chome-2-57 Kimachidori, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0801

 地図｜GOOGLE MAP 

https://kumagai-ya.co.jp/

INSTA @kumagaiya

A cherished moment in time came to me today. Many years past, in 2008, A trip to Yakushima and a hike to Jomon Sugi. One small pause on a deeper memory. At the time, and much the same now, stepping inside Wilson’s Stump, a heart-shaped opening framed by sunlight brought little awe yet it is etched in my memory, only cherished for reasons words can only hint at.

ふと思い出した大切な時間がある。2008年、ずいぶん昔のことだけど、屋久島を訪れて縄文杉までハイキングしたときのことだ。あの旅の中で、ウィルソン株の中に立ち寄った瞬間がある。その心形の空間に差し込む陽の光を見上げても、そのときは特に感動したわけではなかった。それでも、不思議なことに、その景色は記憶にしっかり刻まれている。言葉で表すのは難しいけれど、今になってみると、どこか特別な思い出として大切に感じる。

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