Makiko Itoh
is creating a window into JapanSelect a membership level
Thank you so much for your support! At this tier, you will get access to patron only posts which will alert you to any new stuff from me, early access to any posts on my own sites, and more. Plus the warm fuzzy feeling of being my supporter. ^_^ New bonus: no more ads on my sites!
More warm fuzzies from me for your support! You will also get to participate in regularly held polls to decide what I should write about next.
You will have access to deep dive patron-only posts about my thought processes when writing an article or selecting a theme to write about, how I go about developing and writing up a recipe, and other things that didn't make it to publication. There may even be some recipes not available anywhere else! Plus all the Onigiri rewards, and even more fuzzies!
About
While I love writing about food, I also want people to know more about the complex history, culture and society of my homeland too. There are lots of sites in English about Japan these days, but there are precious few actual Japanese people who are able to communicate the nuances of the good, bad and in-between parts of our old, yet post-modern, society from a native's point of view. You may think you know about Japan - but do you? And when you have a question about something Japanese, who do you ask about it?
That's where I think can help to bridge the gap. I was born in Tokyo, and both my parents are Japanese. But I can speak, write and think in English just as easily as I do in Japanese, because I grew up in the UK and the US as well as Japan. It's not just a matter of being fluent in the languages. I am also culturally fluent in Japanese and American, as well as to a limited extent British and French, and Swiss (yes I've lived in a lot of places) cultures. I know when certain Japanese concepts or norms that are taken for granted by Japanese people are puzzling to others, and can help to de-mystify them beyond mere translations.
Why Patreon?
Although I have two cookbooks out, both of which have have sold well, it takes months and years for a book to get to publication using traditional channels. I feel the time for me to branch out with my writing is now, and I also want to explore new methods of making this viable.
My ultimate goal is to be able to spend most of my time writing about Japan and Japanese society, food and culture. With enough support from patrons, that could become possible. Through my writings, I hope that I can help you gain some new insights into many aspects of Japan.