Tau Kappa Epsilon – Mu Lambda Chapter takes 2nd place in Winter Carnival 2023 Men’s Month long statue division! This year’s theme was “Tasty Foods For Wintry Moods” organized by the Michigan Technological University Blue Key National Honor Society. This years elected statue chair was Jerod Busch (631).

“Frozen Noodles Fill the Pan as Samurai Defend Japan” by Tau Kappa Epsilon. Depicted in this icy scene are various classic hallmarks of Japanese culture. Each of these structures are woven together by a culinary history that reaches back hundreds of years. Known in Japan as washoku, traditional home cooking is the way its people have always subsisted, and it is a beloved cuisine across the globe.

Central to this cultural showcase is the majestic Himeji Castle, a towering fortress that has stood in Japan for nearly seven centuries. This landmark is a UNESCO world heritage site and has borne witness to the countless evolutions that Japanese cuisine experienced over time. Flanking Himeji Castle on either side are major symbols of spirituality in the country.

On the right is a statue of the Buddha whose worship in the nation sparked a departure from red meat that affects Japanese cuisine to this day. In tribute to this, he is shown near an ox cart full of white rice or gohan: the staple of many Japanese meals. Opposite the Buddha is a statue of the magnificent sea god Ryūjin, a patron of Japan in its mythology. Ryūjin is often associated with the bounty of the sea, and for this reason he is clutching a pearl in his claws. Seeking the good fortune that Ryūjin brings is a traditional Japanese cormorant fisherman who works with his birds to bring home the fresh fish that is central to so many Japanese foods. Opposite this fisherman is a temple showcasing some classic Japanese architecture.

Only at Michigan Tech — grab your shovel, slush gloves and ice machete. Be part of a Husky tradition. Huge and intricate snow statues are the highlight of MTU’s Winter Carnival. Month-long statue building with Tau Kappa Epsilon shows you how it’s done.

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