Ofuku (Netsuke) & Okonomiyaki (Japanese Savory Pancake) 阿福（根付）とオタフクソース

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This 3cm ivory netsuke sculpture is titled 'Ofuku.' Ofuku is the female version of a comical Japanese character with large cheeks and a joyful smile. She is often portrayed as a mask used in traditional Japanese theater, such as Noh, Bunraku, and Kyogen.

She is also known as Otafuku (or Ofuku) and Okame. The names Ofuku and Otafuku signify 'much good fortune' or 'plenty of happiness,' while Okame is culturally associated with longevity and wisdom.

The terms Ofuku, Otafuku, and Okame are so common in Japan that they appear in the names of many things—including the Okame parakeet and Ofuku beans. However, what interests me most is Otafuku sauce, a special okonomiyaki sauce from Hiroshima Prefecture.

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savory pancake containing a variety of ingredients, and there are generally two main styles: Osaka and Hiroshima.

The Osaka style is made from a wheat-flour-based batter mixed with all the ingredients. In contrast, the Hiroshima style requires layering: a thin batter is put on a hotplate first, followed by dried bonito flakes, sliced cabbage, bean sprouts, sliced green onions, pork slices, yakisoba noodles, and an egg, with a little more batter to hold it all together. It also takes some skill because you have to flip the layers twice before eating. (I can do that 😏!) Otafuku is a special sauce made for Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.

If you’re on a diet, I definitely recommend the Hiroshima-style one! It’s really filling since it has a lot of vegetables. But the Osaka-style one is yummy too—it's more like a pizza. I love both! 😋

You can see this Ofuku netsuke at the Tokyo National Museum. If you want to see more netsuke items, check out A List of Netsuke to see more than 40 pieces!

Netsuke - design of Ofuku mask, ivory, 19 century
阿福面牙彫根付 19世紀

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「阿福面牙彫根付（19世紀）」です。「阿福」、「お福」、「お多福」、「お亀」って同じ意味だそうです。

お多福といえば（私にとっては）オタフクソース。広島生まれ、育ちの母が子供の頃よく広島風お好み焼きを手際よく作ってくれました。私もちゃんとひっくり返せます😏！

広島風の方が野菜取れるな｡｡｡と思いつつ、大阪風は（いい意味で！）ジャンクぽくって好き。両方とも大好きです😋！

この阿福根付は、東京国立博物館で見ることができます。根付にご興味ある方はこちらの記事もお読みください。

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