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Charcoal maker's stand near Hachioji. |
My latest assignment was to explain to readers why charcoal is an effective deodorizer and dehumidifier. Japanese people have long used it to prevent mildew in kimono closets and keep rooms from smelling musty or particularly stinky after a meal of grilled fish. After loads of reading, an interview with a friendly scientist, and a basic science lesson, I learned that there's more to charcoal than just grilled meat!
Read the full article Japanese Charcoal: How and Why This Natural Deodorizer Works Its Magic to get the full scoop.
Photo Note: Taken during a hike out near Hachioji, we came across this little stand. I, of course, thought it was a vegetable stand at first, but it instead belonged to one of Japan's last few remaining charcoal makers. At the time I had no idea I'd get this assignment, but I simply took the picture because it looked fascinating. Now that I know what I do, I wish I'd bought a bag of his charcoal for the house or the bamboo charcoal vinegar for the garden.
Comments
Also- another use which I put charcoal to work in Ghana was IN MY TUMMY- with charcoal pills- when I was get a horrible stomach bug- I would eat charcoal pills and it helped termendously.
So it's one of japan's last coal makers? Really?
Nate, A word of caution. It's not coal, but charcoal. Coal is a different entity, although related, and not one you might want to use to deodorize. :) Yup, it really is one of the last charcoal makers. It's a dying profession here, as the product is as widely used as it once was. Some are working to change that, but even so craftsmen and women like this one are few and far between.