The Hub – Issue 9

From little things big things grow…or so the Paul Kelly song goes. But in the case of bonsai, it is quite the opposite. Size does matter – it is all about being miniature. Examples of this Japanese horticultural art can be found all around the world. The world’s oldest bonsai example can be found in a bonsai museum in Italy, while Australia boasts examples that are more than 100 years old.  In this issue of Hub we put bonsai under the microscope.

We enter the tiny world of Sushi Hub’s playful new food photography. These quirky sushi images are inspired by the world of miniature art and teeny objects.

The word ninja conjures up images of mystery, strength, skill and resilience. But where did the ninja legend originate. Can we still find them? What do they look like? We follow their secretive path and reveal their shadowy past and flamboyant present.

Edamame is a young bean with a mission. All grown up and wearing long pants it is a soy bean and the basis for a range of phytoestrogen-charged soy products from tofu and inari to beverages. But as a tender, furry, green youngster, this immature soy bean is edamame. It sits pride of place mounded on plates in Japanese style eating houses from your local Sushi Hub to funky Tokyo izakayas. We take a look at this Japanese bar food staple and see what makes it tick.

We all love giving and receiving presents.  In Japan, wrapping gifts indicates respect to others – and the wrapping can be just as important as the gift.The Japanese aesthetic of furoshiki, has made wrapping gifts an art form and we unravel its history and provide a few DIY templates for you to get your own furoshiki on.