Honor, Praise and Distinction
My Youth
My Youth by Tatsuo Miyamoto
School uniforms have been the standard dress code for over 150 years in Japan. Introduced in the late nineteenth century, they were modeled after the Imperial Japanese Army and resemble European style naval uniforms. For boys, the gakuran is classically recognizable, with a stiff straight neck collar and single row of buttons down the jacket front. Crafted in 2009, Tatsuo Miyamoto’s 14th Karakuri Creation Group work My Youth is a nod to his younger self, depicting his old school uniform. “This was made with the memories of starting school, graduating and reuniting with classmates.” The design was part of the group’s “nostalgia” themed exhibition, and in reliable Miyamoto-san style, his artwork evokes the theme in subtle ways which are appreciated more as the piece is explored.
school daze
The motif is clear from the faithfully crafted uniform, but there is an added flourish, a handkerchief with a little heart. Miyamoto is a hopeless romantic, and so many of his pieces feature a heart somewhere, whether obvious or subtle. He recalls the feelings of love from his youth and school days, when emotions are so much stronger and more passionate. Hiding in the piece is another romantic missive from Miyamoto as well, waiting to be discovered. He layers his nostalgia with many emotions, which makes it feel all the more realistic.
young at heart
It’s my birthday, again, and I’m feeling nostalgic, too. It’s also graduation season, and I have more than one to attend – so much celebration! It seemed apropos on all counts to feature Miyamoto’s school days, nostalgia themed piece, which I think is one of his most beautiful. Graduation is such a complicated experience, full of wistful good byes mixed with fond memories, and bright eyed optimism mingled with anxious uncertainty. It’s hard to explain but graduation time can actually make you feel nostalgic, for that time in your life that hasn’t even really, quite, ended yet.
Nostalgia by Noppasate Hirunwathit
Here’s a toast to nostalgia, then, on this graduation weekend. The cocktail, by Bangkok, Thailand bartender Noppasate Hirunwathit won the Bacardi Legacy competition in 2018. Hirunwathit recalls the memories of food and drink from his childhood as the inspiration for his drink, as well as the impetus for his career. “The bitter taste of medicine when we were sick, the taste of lollipops or our favourite fruits” can evoke those first time experiences with those flavors, and he recreates such a personal experience in the glass with this cocktail.
this makes me nostalgic
The exotic flavors of of banana, almond and coconut are perfectly complimented by the anchor spirit, rum. A little dry sherry balances the sweetness, and hints of smoky scotch play with the sense. The overall effect is lovely, and while sipping this drink may not cause you to recall your own memories of growing up in Southeast Asia, you can certainly appreciate the sensation of being transported back to a place tucked away in your mind. Here’s to that wistful feeling of what already was, which starts to form even as the moment is ending in happy celebration. Cheers.
a nostalgic pair
Nostalgia by Noppasate Hirunwathit
1 2/3 oz white rum (Bicardi Carta Blanca Superior)
1/3 oz banana liqueur (Giffard Banane du Bresil)
5/6 oz coconut water
1/6 oz orgeat
1/6 oz fino sherry
5 dashes peated Scotch (Caistel Chamuis)
Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass with ice
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