02 I almost died because there was no down.
PROFILE
After gaining experience in event planning, he started a business trip onigiri shop, "Jiten Hogure Onigiri Stand" with Tomohiko Takuma, who is also from Oita and lives in Oita, to make fluffy onigiri live right in front of your eyes. In addition to pop-ups and event stalls throughout Japan, they also perform overseas. He also appears in various media such as magazines and on the radio.
Instagram:@hogure_onigiri
What is the "onigiri" at the "Hogure Onigiri Stand"?
Hashimoto:It is an onigiri with a sensuous texture in which the rice is held fluffy so that air is allowed between the rice without crushing it, and the rice chunks break apart in the mouth.
I actually got to try it and it was seriously delicious.
Hashimoto:Thank you very much. The first thing that impresses me about the Hogure Onigiri is the crispy texture of the nori (seaweed). Therefore, it is good to have the first bite within 5 seconds of holding it. The laver is made from fragrant laver by Mr. Shimauchi, a laver fisherman from Ariake in Saga, and I want you to taste the texture before it softens from the heat.
What kind of places do you often open stores?
Hashimoto:I do a lot of event circuit, including catering and pop-ups. We also have a stall backstage at festivals, and our range is wide. I once directed the food at an event called "THU," where I made onigiri for many creators, both domestic and international, including a Hollywood movie director, artists, and their associates. At that time, a large number of business cards were inserted into the menu on the table, and I was told, "I will contact you tomorrow! and the next day, they really did contact me. The next day, I got a real call from them. From there, I felt like I was expanding into a variety of fields.
Please tell us the secret to cooking rice well.
Hashimoto:Preparation and rice cooking tools. The first step is to soak the rice properly. The rice cooking utensils are "Daikoku Gohan Nabe" made by Banko-Yaki in Mie Prefecture, and are used to cook delicious rice to our liking. The rice comes from Saga, Toyama, Niigata, Nagano, and other regions, and all are sweet and fresh. In order to bring out the potential of the rice to our liking, we adjust the amount of water used to cook the rice to about 70 to 80% of the specified level.
The ingredients are varied, including salmon, salted squid, torotaku, shrimp, and more.
Hashimoto:We also search for ingredients by visiting various places. Some of the oddities include the "Tandoor Chicken and Aryred Achard" and "Taco Meat with Tortilla Chips," which we made in collaboration with a craft beer brewery. Both turned out to be even more delicious than I had imagined.
Hashimoto-san, in what situations in your life do you use down?
Hashimoto:Down jackets are indispensable even in the fall and early spring when I am on the road looking for food or visiting farmers. I often travel to areas where it is very cold, and if I am careless, I end up freezing. Before I started the "Hogure Onigiri Stand" in earnest, I almost died in a snowy area when I was traveling by van to look for rice farmers. I was staying in the van to save money, but it was so cold.... I wished I had a warm down jacket or sleeping bag like this....
The "Aurora Stand Collar Down Jacket" features not only functionality but also a design without a hood.
Hashimoto:I loved wearing it and loved the clean neckline. It is easy to wear in the city as well as outdoors, and I personally prefer this style without the hood.
What kind of image did you have of the Nanga brand?
Hashimoto:I have the image of a brand with a sense of trust. I once read an interview with the president of Nanga, and I found out that he is very particular about the quality of his down by listening carefully to his customers' opinions. I really sympathized with him, thinking that when he knows the reactions of customers and the moments of joy they experience, he must be so happy that he can't compromise. I think it is also reassuring and cool that they have the proper background and have slid into the apparel business based on the high technology they have cultivated in the field of making sleeping bags.
What kind of places would you like to visit in the future as a "business traveler's rice ball stand"?
Hashimoto:I have only been as far north as Aizu, so I would love to visit Hokkaido and Tohoku. The other thing I would like to do is go abroad! I was supposed to go on a business trip to an American company that set a milestone in science fiction movies. Unfortunately, the trip was cancelled due to the Corona earthquake, but I would like to go to "South by Southwest" with that company to grab onigiri (rice balls) after the trip is over.
AURORA STAND COLLAR DOWN JACKET ¥40,700 Stand collar model of the standard "Aurora Down Jacket. The simple design without the hood and high functionality make it suitable for a wide range of uses, from full-fledged outdoor use to casual town use. It is made of Aurora Tex®, a proprietary fabric with excellent waterproofing and breathability, and has reduced surface stitching to prevent water from penetrating, making it comfortable and resistant to rain and moisture. Other features include night visibility and ease of shoulder movement. Available in a total of six colors.
