When the cherry blossoms were in full bloom outside my grandmother's house, I knew that spring had finally arrived. I can still remember the light, the colors, and the scents that enveloped my senses and welcomed life back. It is precisely that feeling – of new beginnings and tradition – that I want to share in my upcoming book, and today I thought I'd offer a small taste from the first chapter: Haru – Spring.
In the book, I take you to the Söndrum district in western Halmstad. There, in a classic 70s house with a flat roof, was my second home. From the outside, it looked like any other house, but upstairs my grandparents had built a traditional Japanese room. I remember how as a child I would sneak in there to feel the mild, green scent of the tatami mat and browse through all my grandmother's Japanese objects. It was a place where the scent of sandalwood lay like a comforting veil in the room, while Japanese voices could be heard from the living room in the background.
One of the strongest memories I describe in the book is our hanami celebration. Sakura, the cherry blossom, is so much more than just a beautiful flower; it is a symbol of purity, new beginnings, and the fleeting beauty of life. For us in the Yoshiguchi family, spring meant gathering under the blossoming trees in front of the house. We set up hanami meals with onigiri, tamagoyaki, and karaage, and dragged out the karaoke kit to celebrate with friends and employees.
It was a strange but natural feeling – we were on Swedish soil, but we lived and breathed Japan. Despite the limited selection in grocery stores at the time, we managed to create our own Japan in Sweden. Through the food, the language, and that special atmosphere, I learned early on to appreciate the present and to pause for life's small moments.
Hanami reminds us that nothing lasts forever, and that is precisely why we must enjoy the bloom while it lasts. This chapter is a tribute to that fragility and to the roots that stretch all the way from Japan to a garden in Halmstad. I hope that by reading the book, you will feel some of the tranquility and gratitude that these spring days gave me.
Keep an eye on the blog for more glimpses from the book to come – I can't wait to share the rest of the story with you.
Basim Ali Yoshiguchi
Co-founder, Nekko Kitchen
Basim Ali Yoshiguchi is the co-founder of Nekko Kitchen. After many trips to Japan and a long-standing interest in Japanese food and culture, he has immersed himself in Japanese tea, from cultivation and processing to brewing in his own kitchen. Every product in the range is tested by the team before it is added.
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