Ladies, It's your turn.

　What is going to happen on 14th of February?  It's a Valentine's day! Everyone reflects their sweet affection to their loved one by giving gifts, flower and chocolate on this day. This day is kind of worldwide event and Japan is not an exception for using this sanctuary day for commercializing sweets. They also celebrate Valentine's day however nothing like others. It is women who give chocolate!

　So, most importantly, do they sell chess motif chocolate? Believe me or not, they do sell beautiful, melting sweet chess  pieces!

Sited by RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL online shopping website:https://www.melissa-ec.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=1827

 RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL, one of a luxurious hotel in Japan, sell this magnificent chess pieces chocolate box every year.  All chess pieces are in the box that imitates book. This must make every chess fans happy.

　Don't they have Shogi chocolate? Of course. Japan don't betray our expectation. Since last year, they produce actual size of Shogi pieces chocolate, called Shogi de Chocolat.

Sited from: http://www.isshin-do.co.jp/shogidechocolat.html

　I bought one last year and it actually tastes really good. The website also wrote they not only concentrate   on disighn but also a quality of taste as well.

　You wana make something special and original chocolate for Valentine's day? Oh and you even want baking a cake?? For those passionate ladies, these will help you.

Sited from:https://item.rakuten.co.jp/tubakiyacrafts/sweets_29/?scid=af_pc_etc&sc2id=af_113_0_10001868

  This layout will help you creating cute toppings for your cake! Even creating your own favorite flavor chocolate pieces is possible! Ladies, Are you ready???

Happy New Year!

   Happy New Year! I hope you have a wonderful time.
   Today, I would like to share an interesting Japanese chess players custom in New Year Holiday. Here is my question. Where do Japanese go during New Year Holiday? Their hometown? Perhaps. DVD Shop? Men, we can watch online nowadays. The answer is Shrine!! The first visit to a shrine of the new year is important to them. This is called Hatsumoude (初詣). I will explain bit more what do they do in Hatsumoude. They go to a shrine to make New Year's wishes such as good health, world peace or even something personal such as a promotion, marriage etc.... Before they wish their wishes, they usually toss their coins. This is like a common sense. The price doesn't effect to your wishes, yet, some people intentionally choose which coins they are going to use. For instance, they prefer 5 yen coin because a pronunciation of 5 yen is similar with ご縁(connection). It seems bit greedy but they tell their wishes to Gods, at the same time, they are hoping to make connection with Gods!
So, How much Japanese chess players toss? IM Shinya Kojima, No.1 Chess player in Japan, shared his photo on his twitter account like this.

64  yen! Can anyone guess why??

Hello Everyone!

   What do you think about popularization of chess in Japan? Comparing to overseas, one might think this way; it must be really really hard to find a place for practice.  Perhaps no one understands chess in my community. What should I do if my opponents don’t understand un passent!!...if you think this way, you are half correct and half incorrect.

    Let's see Japanese chess culture. The maximum number of participants at chess  tournament is 100 in Japan. If you are serious chess players, you will find out we only have two FIDE rated tournaments in Japan whereas there would be uncountable FIDE tournaments over the world and what's more, they are still trying to increase a number of FIDE tournaments for talented youngsters. If you would like to get norms for title, I certainly do not recommend you to play in Japan.

    I am not going to start debating what's wrong with this country because my argument is not to prove how Japan is developing country in chess. Believe me, I've seen All kinds of Chess activities here for almost two years and found out more and more number of chess lovers who start chess gatherings by themself.

    In this Blog, ice break, I would like to introduce chess culture in Japan.

Why did I chose "ice break" as my blog's title? Good question! Thanks for asking.

Ice break is a world usually describes an activity that helps people especially freshmen to feel more relaxed.  I hope my blog will be a nice ice breaker between Japanese chess culture and others!