``Onigiri Class by the Yamato Family Landlady'' will be held at Gyokuundo Gallery (Hirosaki City Tamachi) on February 25th.

Yamatoya is a Japanese restaurant founded in 1923 (Taisho 12). The third generation owner, Toshi Kudo, started selling onigiri at junior high school shops in 1971, and the onigiri became so popular in the Tsugaru region that people called them ``Yamatoya when it comes to onigiri.'' Currently, they do not have a store and only sell to order and sell frozen products.

Kudo, who is now 88 years old, got married at the age of 19 and started working at the Yamato family, and started making onigiri because he wanted his daughter to eat it. He started selling rice balls because he had doubts about the school's purchasing department, which mainly sold bread. Kudo says, ``Being able to survive to this age is a voice from heaven telling me that I have something left undone.I want to share my experience as much as possible.''

The class consists of two parts: the first part is a lecture by Mr. Kudo about onigiri and food, and the second part is a hands-on experience making onigiri. They plan to make three or four onigiri, and Kudo will prepare ``kenojiru'' as an accompaniment. Kudo is enthusiastic, saying, ``I hope to be able to convey the importance of rice and the concept of dietary education to future generations.''

The event is held from 10:00 to 12:30. Participation fee is 1,500 yen. Applications are accepted by phone (TEL 0172-32-6884 ) or by using the dedicated form on the Forms homepage.