Koloa Jodo Mission - Buddhist Temple Since 1910
Last month, Mr. H gave me lots of roots of "Myoga Ginger" which is one of my favorite food. (This is the second time I received Myoga roots from him.) Myoga is usually used as a garnish for Japanese food such as miso soup, soba or somen noodles, or Tofu dishes, but I like myoga itself with soy sauce. Not like ginger, we don't eat roots but flower bud, so we have to wait till summer for the harvest.
If possible, I wanted to plant all the roots but I had currently no place to plant, so I used some plastic containers as usual. Yet, I couldn't plant maybe 1/3 of the roots I received. Therefore they have been left outside in the plastic bag for one month.
Surprisingly, many of the roots have been growing so well. They put out shoots with little soil!!! This really amazed me.
I imagined that this environment for them to survive was really harsh, they only received natural sun and water which was rain, but almost no soil. But they have been growing well.
On the other hand, ginger roots in plastic containers have not made much progress. They were supposed to have good soil, water, and sunlight, but as compared to the harsh condition, their growth looked really slow.
I thought this was very interesting natural fact and I have understood in this way.
The roots in good conditions or environment do not grow faster and better because they don't need to make efforts.
Because their environment is good, they can take nutrition anytime. They can be more relaxed. As a result, they may become lazy.
On the other hand, the roots in severe conditions or bad environment do grow faster and better because they need to make every efforts in order to survive. Because their environment is really bad, making efforts is the only way to survive.
I thought of all the children of plantation workers here in Hawaii so many years ago. They used to live in a small house with many children. Most of them were poor. They must had hard time, as compared to our modern age, their environment of living was truly harsh.
However, I think they did grow incrediblly good. At the same time, they played important roles to make what we call present Hawaii. In addition, their minds and bodies are so strong, that's why many of them could have a "long life."
I think everybody will agree with me about the importance of "the roots." It is "the roots" or "the beginning part of the life" which could support future flowers or characters.
But what is truly important is, I realized, the environments or the conditions of the roots. This made me think a lot about education and dicipline....
Write a comment
Rick (Thursday, 19 June 2014 01:24)
Can you tell me where I can get myoga ginger root?
Kosen (Sunday, 22 June 2014 07:48)
I've never seen the myoga root at the stores in Hawaii. Maybe you can get it from me, if you can come here. ..I'd appreciate donation to Koloa Jodo Mission.
Rick (Tuesday, 24 June 2014 11:32)
Can you tell me where you located?
I'll be happy to donate !
Rick (Tuesday, 19 August 2014 23:29)
Hello, we'll be in Kauai this weekend, is it okay to visit the temple and also get some myoga from you?
Will you be available?
mariko reed (Wednesday, 07 January 2015 01:02)
Hello,
I'd also like to get some myoga roots from you if possible. I'd be happy to make a donation in return. Please let me know if this is possible and what day is a good day to come by.
Thank you,
Mariko
Tommy (Monday, 27 April 2015 03:23)
Hi I have been looking to grow myoga in Hawaii as well! Will be on Kauai this June. Would it be possible to visit? Willing to support through donation or another means. many thanks :)
Kosen (Monday, 27 April 2015 11:58)
Thank you very much for visiting my website. So many people are asking me about Myoga but I'm sorry I don't have it right now.
I'll appreciate if you can leave a message through contact.
Mike Morimoto (Monday, 20 July 2015 02:11)
I am very much interested in your myoga. Love pairing them with tofu, tempura, miso soup, and sashimi. Please let me know - I am ready to make a donation!
Sandy Enomoto-Endo (Sunday, 09 October 2016 21:08)
I am a member of the Haleiwa Jodo Mission on Oahu....How can I connect with you to purchase some roots from you? I will see Rev. on Wed. night...you may leave message with him or contact me through e mail
Angella Provenza (Wednesday, 01 February 2017 07:55)
Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the challenges. It was definitely informative. Your website is very useful. Thank you for sharing!
Daniel Nagata (Wednesday, 09 May 2018 15:54)
Would like to get myoga roots from you in late May 2018. Happy to make a donation. My grandparents provided the housing for the 1st sensei of the Koloa Jodo Otera in the early 1900s. I have old pictures. nagatadh@hawaiiantel.net
Sergio Campos (Wednesday, 07 July 2021 23:21)
I would like to get myoga roots from you if possible and will gladly make a donation. My email is Sergiosdsm@yahoo.com
Ma Farm (Thursday, 04 January 2024 02:29)
We have been asked by Japanese restaurant to grow myoga. I found it interesting that you can grow in Koloa which is a fairly hot and dryer side of Kauai since it prefers a little cooler temperature. We would try to grow it in Waimanalo on Oahu. Alre you still growing it and would you have roots available? We would make a contribution to your mission if you do. Mahalo, Bruce - MA Farmer