My last lesson with my Thursday night private class. I believe all Japanese have some kind of special hidden talent - be it playing some kind of musical instrument, painting, etc. The two men in this class are skilled at making soba and ikebana (flower arrangement). We had a farewell party instead of a proper lesson during this last session.

Takao, the ikebana expert, brought the flowers that he needed

First, you arrange the underlying structure - 3 stems of different lengths to represent heaven, man and earth.

Tadah! The finished product!

Then Shoichi, the soba chef, actually brought his hat and apron and all other equipment required.

First, he sifted the soba flour.

Then he poured in some seaweed water and kneaded it into dough.

Then he rolled it out...

and folded it...

...and finally he cut it into thin strips = soba noodles!

Then Noriko boiled the noodles and Kimiko made tiger prawn and maitake mushroom tempura and presto, we had a feast!