Discover Japan!

Hi there!

2008-11-29T10:33:00.002+09:00

How are you doing everyone who is excited to read my next post?

I am sorry, I said I will upload new post soon, but I never did it!

Well, things around me is hectic and I lost goot time to re-start my blog.

The reason why I started this blog is to improve and maintain my English skill by writing since I came back from Vancouver, Canada (yes, I lived in Canada for 6 months).

However, this blog becomes a tiny tiny bit popular and now it's like not only for myself!

I would like to update something interesting about Japan soon. (this time, seriously)

I think I want start this in December or from 2009.

I am actually going to NYC for a week in December, so hopefully after that.

Or I can do it today if I finish packing!

Anyway, you will see.

mayuko from Discover Japan

Photos

2008-09-21T09:19:00.002+09:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/discover-jp/

I uploaded the photos of Mountain climbing.

I will write about this later, so check the photos first!

New Announcement

2008-09-08T22:58:00.002+09:00

Hello everyone who visits my blog, "Discover Japan".

Here is the news. I'm coming back soon!

I am thinking to renew my blog style and shere Japanese culture, my thoughts, photos and more.

So, I will post my articles constantly again.

I hope to have all of you again.

See you soon :)

Annoucement

2008-05-07T20:56:00.002+09:00

Thank you for visiting my blog :) I like providing everything about my culture, Japan. Also, I think this is great to share ideas with you from all over the world.

Now, for some personal reasons, I will take a short break here. Hopefully, I can write my blog soon :) I will be back again!

Thanks for reading.

Shibuya

2008-05-06T12:19:00.004+09:00

Photos of Shibuya

The Soul of Japan, Bushido

2008-04-20T16:29:00.001+09:00

If you are ever fascinated by Samurai or Ninja, you definitely should read this book, called “Bushido (武士道)”. This book is not only talking about Samurai but also about how Japanese interprets matters and how they act against it.

Bushido is the book about “The Soul of Japan”. You could know the basis of Japanese soul a (Behavior, Loyalty, Duty, Education, Etiquette etc), and how special country Japanese is from this book. For example, when you give a present for someone, what do you say or do? Probably, you tell the person how nice the present is. However, Japanese people say “Tsumaranai Mono Desuga(つまらないものですが)” which means “Please accept my small gift” which might sound strange to some of you. Japanese people think that no gift is enough for the person who receives it. The gift is like a symbol of feeling toward the person.

The writer of Bushido is Inazo Nitobe (新渡戸稲造) who was painted in Japanese 5000 yen bill before. He was born in 1862 in Morioka prefecture, Northern Japan. He became a Christian in his agricultural school in Hokkaido. He went to Johns Hopkins University in the U.S and Universität Bonn in Germany. In 1891, he got married toMary Elkington who was an American. Inazo eventually became an administrative vice-minister for the United Nations. He wrote Bushido in English during his medical treatment. The book was translated into many languages, and it affected people all over the world.

I recommend this book even to Japanese people. This is interesting to see Japanese culture from the outside. Things we do is normal for us, but sometimes it is very special and even curious when it is compared to other countries. Check out this book, and find out Japanese soul!

Yokohama Bay Stars V.S. Hanshin Tigers

2008-04-12T22:55:00.005+09:00

I went go baseball game again! Today's game was Japanese professional baseball game.

Hanshin Tigers V.S. Yokohama Bay Stars in Yokohama stadium.

Again, Japanese charactors on the board. Does anyone feel strange? lol

This is how Japanese baseball fun cheer up their teams. They sing all the time...

I was at Bay Stars side. You can see blue color all over. That's the team color.

The other side is Tigers'. Yellow is all over!

And this picture is after the moment Takahiro Arai in Hanshin Tigers acheived his 1000th hit!

Yokohama Bay Stars' Dance performance. The charactors look cute :) Their faces are star.

Today's game was awsome. After Arai's 1000th hit,

Timonori Kanemoto acheieved his 2000th hit!! What a great show!

He is 37th player who made the 2000th hit record in Japan. Omedeto!!

Sakura in Shinjukugyoen

2008-04-06T16:47:00.005+09:00

I went to see Sakura(cherry blossoms) in Shinjukugyoen (新宿御苑) whish is huge and histrical park in Shinjuku ward in Tokyo. Here is about Shinjukugyoen.

Shinjukugyoen has 58.3 ha and the perimeter is about 3.5 km. Here is the map.

It was clowdy when I went there, but Sakura bloomed beautifully.

It was a garden for the Imperial Household, but became national park after war.

I think Japanese people are most crazy nation for Sakura.

People love to just watch and do Hanami party under the trees.

You can get in the part at 200 yen for an adult. I think sports stuff is not allowed, but you can lay down on the ground and relax, and even lunch :)

MLB Opening Game in Tokyo on March 25th!!

2008-03-26T20:01:00.005+09:00

Tokyo Dome. It looks really beautiful at night with light up.

It was really crowded... I saw many people had snacks, bento, and beer in their hand. Before people enter the dome, they had baggage check.

People, people, people!! All seats are sold out on this day, of course.

Manny Ramirez in Boston Red Sox.

Kurt Suzuki in Oakland Athletics. His grandparents are from Japan. He is originally from Hawaii. I think nobody in Japan know about him until this match that there is a Japanese player in Athletics.

Here are Daisuke Matsuzaka!

Dice-K seemed pretty tense at the very begining of the game. he got a home run in the first inning. This is the moment, you really can's the ball though.

Is this information is only in Japan? My foreign friend said this is very Japanese.

The game was nice. I was concentrated on eating hot dog at first :P Anyway, I stayed there till 8th inning. I wanted to stay there but I had to leave there early to avoid crowed. In 10th inning, Okajima in Boston Red Sox pitched and won the game! (I'm sad I missed the inning!)

MLB Opening Game in Tokyo

2008-03-23T10:30:00.000+09:00

On March 25th and 26th, there will be season openers in 2008 of Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics in Tokyo, Japan.

This is third time to have the opening game in Japan (NY Mets vs. Chicago Cabs in 2000, NY Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays in 2004)

Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston Red Sox will be a starting pitcher.

I will watch the game on 25th. Hopefully I can show you some photos and write about the game soon!

White Day　-It’s Boys Turn-

2008-03-13T22:21:00.002+09:00

Just right one month later of Valentine’s Day on March 14th, there exist “White Day” in Japan.

Girls present chocolate to boys on Valentine’s Day (refer to Valentine’s Day) and it is the day that girls confess their love to boys. Then what is White Day? If you receive chocolate on Valentine’s Day, you “have to” give them back sweets like candy, marshmallow and white chocolate to girls. This day is originally born in Japan.

These days, I see boys are buying sweets preparing for White Day. It is said that it is manner to give back to girls something deserves three times. So, boys simply can’t give cheep sweets to girls.

White Day custom is carrying out in Taiwan and Korea as well. I know there are black day, yellow day, rose day etc about love romance in Korea. What about in your country?

The Japanese Sword Museum

2008-03-09T17:01:00.003+09:00

Ninja, Samurai, Daimyou…People outside Japan are fascinated by the Japanese culture, especially boys.

There is one maniac museum in Shibuya word, The Japanese Sword Museum (日本刀博物館). Katana (Japanese swords) are displayed all over in the museum. It has a collection of 120 pieces of swords and sword fittings including National Treasure and important Cultural Property.

The fee is 525 yen for an adult and you can get brochure in English. The title of brochure is “Manual of How to Handle and Take Care of Swords”. I found it is quite interesting even you don’t have any Katana. For instance, “Whether drawing out a Tachi or Katana, one must hold the cutting edge up and grasp the scabbard from underneath in the left hand in a forward holding position. Then, hold the hilt from above with the right hand” quotation from the brochure.

I admit the Katana are shinny and beautiful. There are even art. However, I felt it was OK because only Katana are displayed (there is an old Japanese armor displayed though) and maybe girls are less interested in this stuff. If you are Katana mania, this is must-visit place for sure.

The Hip-Hop Black Guy Who Finds Japanese Soul

2008-03-01T17:34:00.002+09:00

ジェロ(JERO, Jerome White, Jr) is such an awesome black guy who made his debut as an Enka singer in Japan!

ジェロ was born in 1981 in the Pittsburg, the U.S. His grandmother was Japanese (already passed away), and he was affected by her who loved Enka (演歌, a traditional-style Japanese popular song).

The guy who learned how great Enka from his grandmother went to Pittsburg University majored in science. Since he was fascinated by Enka a lot, he came to Japan to be an Enka singer in 2003. While he worked as a computer engineer in Japan, he was keep singing as an armature Enka singer. In February, 2008, he made his debut as a professional singer with the song, “海雪(Umiyuki, ocean snow)” from Victor Entertainment.

Here is his first song music video, 海雪 by Jero. Check this out!!

You would believe “Japanese” sings this song if you hear only the song itself. The gap with Jero’s appearance which is just like hip-hop guy attracts people in Japan. Jero himself and that singing style (even hip-hop dance with the Enka song shown in the music video) are very fresh and innovative idea.

Now, Jero’s 海雪is in top 10 in music chart in Japan.

*By the way, he says he is not interested in hip-hop songs. He only sings Enka!

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-17T09:55:00.002+09:00

It's a bit late, but I wish you had had happy Valentine's day!

Here is the link about Valentine's day in Japan from my old post. How was your valentine's day? Did you have good time?

Valentine's Day

Okinawa Sweet, Chinsukou

2008-02-09T16:47:00.000+09:00

I’ve never been to Okinawa(south island in Japan), but I am into Okinawa sweet, Chinsukou (ちんすこう) recently. When people went to Okinawa, they definitely would buy it as a Okinawa souvenir.

Chinsukou is one of the traditional sweets in Okinawa. It is made of flower, sugar and lard mainly. It is like a crunchy sweet cookies and good much with Japanese green tea. In acient time, only a royal family and nobles were allowed to eat it when they have some celebrations.

There are so many kinds of Chinsukou; cheese, chocolate, purple sweet potato, pine apple, nuts, raw sugar, salt and so on.

Now that Chinsukou is famous Okinawa sweet, you can buy it in Tokyo or Kanagawa easily. It probably isn’t sold in small supermarkets, but you can find one in big ones.

See more Chinsukou

Out with the demon and in with fortune!

2008-02-02T08:39:00.000+09:00

Setsubun（節分), the day before the calendrical beginning of spring, is one of the traditional events in Japan. The word “Setubun” comes form “dividing the season” originally.

On February 3rd, Setsubun, people scatter roasted beans in the house saying “鬼は外、福は内!/Oni-wa-Soto, Fuku-wa-Uchi! (Out with the demon and in with fortune!)” After scattering beans all over the house, people eat beans as the same numbers of their age. For instance, if you are 23 years old, you need to eat exactly 23 beans.

Beans are considered to have power for cleansing a person of evil influences. Therefore, people take powerful beans into their bodies and it means that beans will have fortune in their house.

Hey, it snowed today in Kanto area. This is my first time to see snow lie on this much here in Yokohama!

Too Beautiful Politician

2008-01-26T20:02:00.000+09:00

Yuri Fujikawa (藤川ゆり) is getting into the news as a young and beautiful member of *Hachinohe city assembly. She looks pretty attractive and has idol-look face. *Hachinohe is the city in Aomori prefecture in Tohoku area.

Yuri who has father formally member of Hachinohe city assembly ran for nationwide local elections in April, 2007, and she won the election top. She was born in 1980, and just 27 years old now.

After graduation from Teikyo University, she started to work in an institution of caring old people for a few years. When she turned to be 27, her father tried to win at the election to be a member of the prefectural assembly but he failed. Then, she announced to stand as a candidate for member of city assembly after her father’s fail.

Since people are attracted by Yuri’s youth and beauty, she got really popular and that even made her website down because of too much access.

You will see how she is cute and beautiful visiting her official website. Yuri says she wants to work hard on welfare, but I think she is more likely to bring big economic effect for Hachinohe city. People will visit Hachinohe to see her, or even city may produce some souvenirs or novelty about her. Then, I think her beauty will save the town!

Movie from Youtube, Yuri Fijikawa.

7 Days and Planets

2008-01-19T11:34:00.000+09:00

Some of the readers here may already know how to say the day of the week, but I want to introduce them and how to remember them.

Here is the list of the day of the week.

日曜日（にちようび / Nichiyoubi）…Sunday

月曜日（げつようび / Getsuyoubi）…Monday

火曜日（かようび / Kayoubi）…Tuesday

水曜日（すいようび / Suiyoubi） …Wednesday

木曜日（もくようび / Mokuyoubi）…Thursday

金曜日（きんようび / Kinyoubi）…Friday

土曜日（どようび / Doyoubi）…Saturday

In Japan, the week usually starts with Sunday. You can see most calendar has Sunday first.

The only you need to remember is the word before “曜日/ Youbi”; 日、月、火、水、木、金、土. Those words are called “七曜 / Shichiyou” and stands for 7 planets you can see with the naked eye.

日 = Sun
月 = Moon
火 = Mars
水 = Mercury
木 = Jupiter
金 = Venus
土 = Saturn

People say just like日(Nichi)、月(Getsu)、火(Ka)、水(Sui)、木(Moku)、金(Kin)、土(Do) when they count the day of the week. For instance, you can say “土、日は休みです。（どにちはやすみです / Do Nichi wa Yasumidesu” means “I’m off on Saturday and Sunday.”

I know Chinese call the day with numbers, 1, 2, 3 …How do you call the day of the week in your language? Does it also have planets name?

Here is the link about planets on my blog "8 Planets on the Solar System"

Matsushita, National, Panasonic → “Panasonic”

2008-01-13T11:24:00.000+09:00

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. has announced to change its company name to “Panasonic” to strengthen the world brand name on 10th January. (The company productions; Lumix for digital camera, Diga for blue-ray disk recorder, Viera for plasma TV etc…)

Matsushita has distinguished the brand name for products; digital electrical appliances for abroad such as plasma TV are called “Panasonic” and white goods for domestic is called “National”.

The company is aiming to appeal the name in foreign markets to compete with other brand by uniting “Matsushita”, “Panasonic”, and “National”.

The origin of “Panasonic” is the created word, “Pan” and “Sonic”. Pan means known throughout the country, and Sonic means sound. Therefore, it totally means/wishes to let the sound of company be known throughout the country.

I think this is a good idea to unit all brand name in one, I somehow feel a bit sad to loose Matsushita and National name at the same time though. Anyway, it is likable to compete and appeal electronic brand in the world, them it will bring costumers good effects.

Do you have any Panasonic product?

Happy New Year

2008-01-09T21:07:00.000+09:00

Hi there, this is late but let me say Happy New Year! I hope you will have great year.

Here is a tip, how to say Happy New Year in Japanese.

あけましておめでとう in Hiragana

明けましておめでとう in Kanji

(Both are pronunced like "Akemashite Omedeto")

So あけましておめでとう everyone! I will start to write article again soon :)

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-24T20:36:00.000+09:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!

I wish you happy new year. Lots of love.

Christmas cake that I baked

At my friend's houes

We cooked special dishes for Christmas

Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility

2007-12-15T10:33:00.000+09:00

Have you heard of Asimo (アシモ) before? Asimo is humanoid robot which Honda developed. The word Asimo comes from “Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility”. It is not a big surprise anymore that it can go up and down the stairs.

The first Asimo was officially announced in 1996. It has 130 cm tall, and 52 kg. The speed of walking of “Asimo 2005” is 2.7km/h, and can run 6km/h. It is not put on the market yet, but you can lease it from Honda at the cost of 20,000,000 yen per year. Asimo succeed in ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange as the first creature besides human.

In December, Honda announced new technology this year. The new Asimo can avoid people or leave his post to make way for them in front of him. Even some Asimo can exchange information each other by radio, so they cooperate together, for instance one Asimo lead a guest to the table and another asimo brings drink to the guest. What is more impressive, asimo charge battery voluntarily before the buttery run out.

More information about ASIMO

New York Beauty

2007-12-08T00:26:00.000+09:00

I was traveling to New York for a week. This post may not be suitable for this blog theme, but let me show you photos of NY I took.

New York Beauty

Family Tree in Japanese

2007-11-25T09:46:00.000+09:00

When you introduce yourself in Japanese, introducing your family might be necessary. Let’s look at a simple family tree in Japanese. You are “Watashi”.

Here is usuful expressions.

I have a elder broterh.

→　(Watashi ni wa) Ani ga imasu. /（私には）兄がいます。

I have a elder sister and younger brother.

→　(Watashi ni wa) Ane to Otouto ga imasu. / （私には）姉と弟がいます。

How many brothers/sisters do you have?

Letter Art

2007-11-17T15:25:00.000+09:00

Now, here is a question for you. How can you see this Japanese word?

ぷ。

You may see this person is bowling. Probably, it is easier to recognize it like this.

ぷ。　...。　　......。　iiii

ぷ is just one of Hiragana letter in Japanese (it sounds "Pu"), but it looks like something different when you see it from another angle. Here is some arrangment of ぷ。

ぷ。　ぷ。　ぷ。

3 people are bowling at the same time.

ぷ。.....iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

This is bowling with many pins.

These are very difficult to recognize this at first for native Japanese

because they see it only as a letter.

Here is a question for you.

These are not Japanese letters but alphabet and mark. How can you see it?

＠ii

Hug Me Please!

2007-11-11T00:17:00.000+09:00

Recently, I just see many people who are holding a sign which says “Free Hugs” at the really crowded place or park in Japan. I felt really weird when I saw it for the first time because I had no idea what the purpose of it.

The origin of Free Hug is from the states in 2001. Jason Hunter walked along Miami with the sign after his mother’s dead. In 2004, Juan Mann from Australia started to Free Hug Campaign, and his achievement was recorded, broadcast on You tube, and then Free Hugs became famous.

A photo from Akihabara.

The sign says Free Hugs in Japanese.

The purpose of Free Hugs is to share happiness and sadness with people you don’t know; however, since hug is not common custom, or the word, “Hug” is not well-known in Japan, it seems to be difficult to get a hug from strangers or passengers.

Here is video from You tube. Free Hugs in Japan.

Do you see this campaign in your country? Have you ever given hug? I have never hugged with people who is holding the sign.

*This is not appropriate on this blog, but I want information about NY. I'm going there at the end of this month. I want to know cool places or must-visit places in NY. I hope to get some from you guys. Thanks!

Moshi Moshi?

2007-11-03T22:51:00.000+09:00

When you call on the phone, how do you say in your country? In Japan, we say “もしもし(Moshi Moshi)” at the beginning like “Hello” in English.

At the very beginning of phone development in Japan, people used to say “おいおい(Oi Oi)” instead of Moshi Moshi. In 1890, telephone switching was stated in Japan. Since then, telephone operators started to use Moshi Moshi which is written as 申し申し in Kanji and it means “I’m going to say.”

Here is another tip. In business scene, it is better not to say Moshi Moshi. You start the conversation without Moshi Moshi. Only when you cannot hear well, you can use Moshi Moshi.

Do you have any special word for the beginning of phone conversation in your country?

Big Revision of Kojien

2007-10-28T00:28:00.000+09:00

Japanese people may look up a word in 広辞苑(Kojien) at least once in their life. Kojien is famous Japanese dictionary which is really thick published by Iwanami Shoten. It was published since 1955 and has been sold 11,000,000 copies.

In January, new Kojien will appear, and its content will be revised dramatically. Young people’s sayings, slang are written in that. For instance, ニート(Nîto), 逆切れ(Gyakugire), イケメン(Ikemen), うざい(Uzai) and more. There will be 240,000 words in it, which is the greatest number in Kojien history.

Do you know the all above words? I pick up slang from them and explain about it. イケメン, in short, stands for good-looking man. It is the shorten word of イケてる面 (Iketerumen, イケてる means nice, 面 means face) and also considered as イケてるメンズ(Iketeru Mens), メンズ is an abuse word though.

Especially, girls use this word when they find handsome guys. Definitely, girls say “Ikemen!” to Orlando Bloom, Takuya Kimura and I Byeongheon. I would say it to Adam Brody from The O.C for sure :P

If someone say you are イケメン, that is really nice word of priaise!

Not To Be “Sneezed”

2007-10-20T16:55:00.000+09:00

ハクション(Hakushon)! This is typical sound for sneezing in Japanese. Sneezing is translated into Japanese as くしゃみ(Kushami). I know in western country, people say “bless you!” when someone sneezes. Japanese doesn’t say anything against it, however, people in middle ages used to say “くさめ(Kusame)” as a spell. Around the ages, people believed sneezing let soul out from nose and people’s life span would be shortened. Therefore, people said “Kusame” and since when don’t know, the word turned to be “Kushami” then; sneezing itself is called “Kushami” now.

Here is Japanese superstition about sneeze. If you sneeze once, people think that somebody is gossiping about the person and it is good one. If it happens twice, that turns to be bad gossip, and even more in third time sneeze.

Do you also have superstition about sneezing in your country? And I’m curious to know what you say when you sneeze.

Here is a tip: ハクション大魔王(Hakushon-Daimaou), old Japanese animation. Enjoy!

Unlimited Bubble Packing

2007-10-14T14:14:00.000+09:00

I am sure some people love to play with bubble packing by pushing them. Bubble packing is plastic materials with air in it, and usually used for as a wrapping of fragile things. This is funny but when people have bubble packing in their hands, they cannot help pushing them.

Playing with bubble packing could be good for relax or get rid of frustration sometimes. Normally, it always has the end. When you push one, it’s done. However, Japanese toy company, Bandai was succeeded to produce endless bubble packing toy.

The toy name is “∞プチプチ (Mugen Puchipuchi)” Bubble packing is called プチプチ informally in Japan, and ∞ means unlimited, which means you can play with bubble packing forever. Of course, sounds come out when you push it. There are 5 different color of it; white, blue, purple, orange and black. It costs 819 yen which is not expensive.

Bubble packing company, Kawakami industrial Co, .Ltd shares large amount of bubble packing in Japan has heart shape one in thousand bubble packing. If you find heart one, you may feel you are lucky. According to this, ∞プチプチ also has a trick. You could hear obviously different sound one in a hundred times of pushing.

In my case, I like to push bubble packing one by one, and destroying them at one time by twisting the sheet. Anyway, Bandai has sold three hundred thousand of ∞プチプチ in 9 days from its on the market. Do you think this toy will be big hit even in other countries??

Newborn Culture in Akihabara

2007-10-08T01:10:00.000+09:00

One of new Japan sightseeing spots, Akihabara has queer but attractive air all over the town. Although now Akihabara is known as anime Mecca for people who love cartoons and other stuff like that, called Otaku, the place was originally famous as huge electric town before.

You can buy every kind of electrical appliances, second hand items, of course, and even tiny electric parts for electric construction and amateur radio machine. Now, anima stores lines outstandingly on Main Street. Everything is related to animation; comic books, figures, novelty goods, games, CDs, magazines and costume!

Another thing what Akihabara made famous is Meido（メイド）, girls wearing housemaid costume. You can see these girls everywhere in Akihabara. Some wear it for solicitation of shops, and others wear it for have fun. Girls below are the later ones, and let people take photos of them. The sign they have says “ふり～はぐ(free hug)”, so one of my guy friends hugged them J I think I am going to write about Meido in details someday with Meido café.

You can actually see Cosupure people (コスプレ is shortened word of Costume play). Most disguise in animation characters. What I was surprised at Cosupure people is guys who wear sailor blouse which Japanese girls at high school wear, and even princess dress! I knew there are various people here, but I had culture shock when I really faced that culture. Akihabara is totally another world in Japan, and anything can happen there.

Akihabara information from here

Japanese Slang –KY-

2007-09-29T23:53:00.000+09:00

“KY” looks it comes from English or alphabet language, but this is Japanese slang.

“KY (ケーワイ)” is shortened word of “Kuki Yomenai (空気よめない)”. It is used for person who is unable to read a situation. For instance, a guy keeps talking to his favorite girl like forever. The girl is totally fed up with listening to his talking, and shows bored feeling on her face. However, he doesn’t notice that she is bored, and just doesn’t stop talking. The guy is KY like in this case. KY also has another meaning of Kuki Yome, saying a person to read a situation. It is used to describe a person mainly though.

This slang was born on the Internet, and gradually started to be used in real by young people use KY, and old people don’t know/use this.

By the way, do you know what is “JK” shortened for? This is also new slang among young people. Hint: it is for girls who go to high school.

Visiting Enoshima

2007-09-19T21:23:00.000+09:00

More Photos

What Do You Have In Your Brain?

2007-09-09T14:53:00.000+09:00

Isn’t it fun and curious if you can see what people think in real? You can find it out with “脳内メーカー(Nounai Maker)” by Usoko Maker. 脳内メーカー is popular website among Japanese now.

You just type your name (or someone’s name if you want to know), and 脳内メーカー tells you what you really think in your brain. I tried mine, and here it is.

Well, I don’t want to explain about inside my brain, but I do. You can see several Kanji in my brain, and they show what I am thinking. My brain has “休”, “金”, “友”, and “H”. So, I seem to think about “resting”, “money”, “friends” and “erotic thing”!

In case you try this, you type first and last name in Kanji if you have Kanji name. If you have alphabet name, you need to change it into Katakana, and it would work. For instance, “George Bush” can be “ジョージブッシュ”. Here is his brain inside. Wow, what a brain…!

脳内メーカー of course has unfounded way of judge people's inside brain, and it is just for having fun. It judge Kanji in your brain from Kanji in your name or Katanana, I think.

If you don’t know how to change your name into Katakana or don’t know the meaning of Kanji in your brain, I can translate it for you. Enjoy it!!

*It may take time to get result because this site is really popular. It had three hundred million accesses already.

One of Hot Japanese "Heroes"

2007-09-02T14:57:00.000+09:00

This amazing man, Masi Oka was not well-known in Japan till the drama; “Heroes” is big hit in the U.S. Masi Oka or Masayori Oka (his real name is 岡政偉) is the hottest Japanese in the U.S now.

Masi Oka was born in Tokyo, and moved to Los Angels, California at 6 years old with her mother. He speaks English, Japanese and fluent Spanish. You can guess he is now American, but he still has Japanese citizenship.

What made Masi famous in the U.S is a popular drama, “Heroes” on NBC. The drama was started to broadcast in 2006, and Masi plays role in Hiro Nakamura. He speaks lines in both Japanese and English in the drama. The lines of Heroes are all written in English, so Japanese for Japan scenes lines are translated by Masi himself. With his effort, he produced a great Japanese saying in this drama. He says “Yatta!” when Hiro Nakamura done best in the drama. “Ytta! (やった！)” is used to show you are happy or that you approve of something in Japanese.

Masi started his career not as an actor but a developer of special effects for movies. He worked in “Star Wars Episode 1, 2”, and “Hulk” as a background staff.

In this connection I may add that he once appeared on the cover of magazine, “Time” as one of “Asian-American Whiz Kids”. His IQ is 189 ,and he went to Mirman School for gifted.

For you who want to know more Masi Oka, here are interesting interview in Tavis Smiley.

Masi plays Hiro Nakumura in "Heroes"

Firework Festival in Kanazawa ward

2007-08-26T20:08:00.001+09:00

On Augusut 25th, my friend and I went to see fireworks at beach. We went there wearing Yukata which is an informal cotton kimono for summer wear.

Enjoy videos and a few photos!

New Record!

2007-08-18T14:13:00.001+09:00

On August 16, 2007, the highest temperature was recorded in Tajimi, Gifu prefecture and Kumagaya in Saitama prefecture. The new record is 40.9 degree which renewed the old record in Yamagata, 40.8 degree for the first time in 74 years. Here is an article about the former record in Yamagata.

This intense hear has lasted quite long. It is almost over 30 degree everyday in Kanto, east and south part of Japan. These hot days cause heatstroke everywhere. There are 18 people died because of heatstroke in total in Ibaraki, Chiba, Kanagawa, Mie, Shiga, Ohsaka, Hyogo, Saitama, Gunma, Tokyo, Akita, and Kyoto at the present.

Specially, old people and children tend to get ill with this heat. What is the problem about old people is they don’t use air conditioner. They think it is not healthy to keep turning on air conditioner and it costs money. Some even close the windows suffering thief coming in at night.

Summer in Japan is terrible with humidity. Even if the temperature is really high, you may not feel so uncomfortable without humidity. However, it is disgusting and unpleasant just with it. It is like you are having a sauna all the time.

Take lots of water and eat properly to survive summer in Japan!

Find Your Month in Japanese

2007-08-11T22:54:00.000+09:00

I think some of you guys who are interested in Japanese and reading this website know how to write month in Japanese; 一月、二月、三月…十一月、十二月. How about the month in different way of writing? In old Japan, people showed months as Kanji like below list. Those Kanji are still used to show a month. I was born in 葉月. Which month were you born in?

January(一月)…睦月(Mutsuki)　
Reason: There are various views of 睦月, and most convincing one is to mean having a banquet with whole family.

February(二月)…如月(Kisaragi)
Reason: 如月is used in China as another name of February.

March(三月)…弥生(Yayoi)
Reason: The month that plants grow thickly.

April(四月)…卯月(Uzuki)
Reason: There are several views of 卯月. However, it is considered as the month a plant, deutzia blooms.

May(五月)…皐月(Satsuki)
Reason: The month to plant rice seedlings

June(六月)…水無月(Minazuki)
Reason: There are several views of 水無月. There are two convincing reasons. First, the month lucks of water after rainy season. Second, the month that filling water into rice field.

July(七月)…文月(Fuzuki)
Reason: This month is related to Tanabata, and people give poetry. (not certain reason found)

August(八月)…葉月(Hazuki)
Reason: The strongest reason of 葉月 is the month leaves fall down.

September(九月)…長月(Nagatsuki)
Reason: The shortened word of 夜長月(yonagatsuki/ the month nights get longer) is strong reason.

October(十月)…神無月(Kaminazuki)
Reason: The month Gods from all over Japan are out of their towns because they gather Izumotaisha in Shimane prefecture to talk about a year.

November(十一月)…霜月(Shimotsuki)
Reason: The month to have frost

December(十二月)…師走(Shiwasu)
Reason: Final month of the year

The Car Saves Your Life

2007-08-04T11:58:00.000+09:00

Nissan motors announced they developed concept car which prevents drunken driving with some functions that detect alcohol smell in the car. This development is the first attempt in Japan.

The concept car detects alcohol using shift lever from sweat on your palm and with sensor on the driving seat by alcohol smell that comes out from your body.

When the car detects alcohol which can be drunken driving, it tells you with various messages and sounds, and rock the car not to drive.

Moreover, a small camera attached to the meter at driving seat watches how long the driver close their eyes, also the car watches how much the driving winds. If the driving is considered as having possibilities of dozing driving or drunken driving, the car warns and rolls up safety belt several times.

Nissan motors are going to have more experiments and consider to put the car to practical use in the future.

Photos of Nissan Concept Car

Kugenuma Seaside

2007-07-21T23:04:00.000+09:00

Probably 鵠沼海岸 is hard Kanji to read even for Japanese. 鵠沼海岸(Kugenuma Kaigan) is in Fujisawa city in Kanagawa prefecture. Some of you many know 湘南海岸(Shonan Kaigan), and Kugenuma Kaigan is so close to the beach.

Both Kugenuma Kaigan and Shonan Kaigan are very well-known as surfing beach. You can see people surfing all the time but winter; since spring to autumn. More photos.

I went Kugenuma Kaigan for the first time with my colleagues. It took about one hour by train from Yokohama, and it takes 25 minutes walk from 鵠沼海岸駅(Kugenuma Kaigan Station).

The day was not enough to go into the water; I was wearing swimming suits though. However, I enjoyed its summer and beach air a lot. Amazingly, there were so many crams in the sand, of course alive ones, and we even could see fish swimming at the shallows. Numerous seagulls were hunting those fish. That was pretty much summer beach. Here is interesting movie I took. A cram is escaping into the sand!

On August, there will be people at Kugenuma Kaigan and Shonan Kaigan. I know Shonan Kaigan is so famous and be crowded a lot, just like as no place to even sit down! However, Kugenuma has much room to relax and time your own beach time. You can check what Kugenuma Kaigan is like with live camera.

A Holiday Unique To Japan

2007-07-15T11:05:00.000+09:00

In Japan, there is a Day called '海の日’. 海の日 is one of Japanese national holidays and called “Marine Day” in English. The point of the day is to appreciate the blessing of ocean and wish prosperity of Marine country, Japan. 海の日 was just an anniversary(the day used to be called “海の記念日/Umi-no-kinembi” at the time) but turned into national holiday in 1996. 海の日 is on the third Monday in July, so this year is July 16th.

According to the description of the Ministry of Land, “Japan is the only one country in the world that has Marine day as a national holiday.” Since the 海の日 is a sort of new holiday in Japan, we have few event on the day. We may be able to celebrate this day by eating fish, going out the ocean, or even clean up the beaches. Anyway, Japanese people should thank to the ocean surrounds the country. The environment created this culture and developed people. Thanks, 海の日!

This pictures were taken at "海の公園(Umi-no-kouen)". 海の公園 is in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, and the beach is really close to my living place! This beach is the only one beach for swimming in Yokohama. I sometimes go there with my friend to relax. I took this pictures on April 30th...amazing.

Here is the list of Japanese national holidays.

Love Romance Beyond The Milky Way

2007-07-07T11:13:00.000+09:00

What would you do if you are allowed to meet the person you love only one time per year? You may go crazy or give up the relationship? There is a couple(stars) who meet each other annual year, on July 7th legends concerning the Tanabata(七夕) festival in Japan.

Orihime(織姫) and Hikoboshi(彦星) have such a long long distance relationship in the milky way. Orihime is daughter of the Lord of Heaven, and she was hard worker. Hikoboshi also worked hard everyday. The Lord of Heaven approved two young couples marriage one day. However, they prefer to their married life, and became lazy and stop working. The Lord of Heaven was furious with them and made them separate beyond the Milky Way, only allowed to meat one time on July 7th though. Then, July 7 is celebrated two stars and called, Tanabata(七夕).

People celebrate Tanabata festival having bamboo with Tanzaku(短冊), a strip of fancy paper written people’s wish on it. Here is the picture. It is said your wish comes true if you write your wish on Tanzaku.

Today, there will appear great Milky Way if the weather is good. What do you wish on Tanabata?

Yokohama Chinatown

2007-07-01T14:54:00.000+09:00

There are Chinatown mainly in Nagasaki, Hyogo and Kanagawa prefecture in Japan. It is like an illusion that you are in the country, China once you step in Chinatown. And, one of very fascinating Chinatown in Japan is in Yokohama, called Yokohama Chukagai(横浜中華街). It is huge Chinatown and famous sightseeing sport in Kanagawa.

626 stores; restaurants, suvenior stores, general shops gather in Yokohama Chinotown. It covers an area of 500 square meters, and the length of Main Street is about 300 meters.

There are several Chinese festivals held in Chinatown through the year. Especially, Shunsetsu is big and most important event which celebrate New Year following the old calendar for Chinese people.
Yokohama Chinatown

I have been there so many times but I still can’t figure all stores out yet. That means you are never tired of being there!

If you discover Yokohama Chinatown, it is better to have its map with you. To find stores you want to visit, to know where you are and not to lost there, you should take the map (especially, if you are new ther)

Here are several photos of Yokohama Chinatown.

(If you prefer Chinatown map in Japanese, Here it is)

Yokohama Chinatown

2007-06-17T11:14:00.001+09:00

Hi there! do you know what is Yokohama chinatown like? I will talk about this later! Enjoy my photos first!

Onomatopoeia –Sounds in Life-

2007-06-10T13:38:00.000+09:00

1, Sound of rain

・Light rain…Parapara (パラパラ)
・Heavy rain…Zâ zâ (ザーザー)

2, Sound of a clock

…Chiku-taku(チクタク), Kachi-kachi(カチカチ)

3, Sound of knock

…Ton-ton(トントン)

4, Sound of thunder

…Goro-goro(ゴロゴロ)

5, Sound of splash

…Zabun(ザブン), Bashan(バシャン)

Now, south Japan is having rainy season which called 梅雨(Tsuyu). This month is a little depressing but here is cute children song using sounds of rain which has been sung from old time.

Song: Amefuri
“Ame Ame Fure Fure Kahsanga Janomede Omukai Ureshiina
Pichi Pichi Chapu Chapu Lan Lan Lan”

Rain more, I am happy that mom comes to me with Janome (an old Japanese traditional umbrella). Pichi Pichi Chapu Chapu (sounds of stepping puddle) Lan Lan Lan (shows happy feeling).

Sankyo Warehouse

2007-06-02T18:06:00.000+09:00

What do you think these lined wooden buildings are? They look old-fashioned but elegance in the air, don’t they? These charming buildings are called Sankyo Souko(山居倉庫) which is warehouse established in 1893 in Sakata city, Yamagata prefecture to keep tons of rice.

Sankyo warehouse was built as attached warehouse of Sakata rice exchange place, and still used as agricultural warehouse now. The roofs of 12 buildings are dual structures, besides they prevent moisture so that not rice goes damp.

These massive keyaki trees have fresh green leaves in summer and they work on rice also to prevent rice from strong sunshine and wind.

This displayed boat was used to carry rice that were planted and harvested in Yamagata to Edo (Tokyo) or other prefectures that have less rice fields or farmers.

Sadly, the weather was not good when I visited there, so these photos look not nice. However, it is really clean and refreshing place especially in summer. There are some places inside warehouse that you can learn more about Sankyo Souko history, and souvenir stores. It openes from 9 am to 6 pm for free.

Onomatopoeia for Birds

2007-05-19T15:45:00.000+09:00

Onomatopoeia exist in languages and used as one of the tool of expression. I think Japanese onomatopoeia is especially rare in the world because some of them are not heard at all like real ones. Here is new onomatopoeia for birds.

Birds...............English..................Japanese

“Owl”.................Hoot.......................... Hôhô（ホーホー）

“Cockerel”........Cock-a-doodle-doo...Kokekokko（コケコッコ）

“Chicken”.........Cheep..........................Piyo-piyp（ピヨピヨ）

“Hen”...............Cackle / Cluck............Kokkokko（コッコッコ）

“Crow”..............Caw.............................Kâkâ（カーカー）

“Dove”...............Coo.............................Kûkû（クークー）

“Duck”...............Quak..........................Gâgâ（ガーガー）

“Sparrow”........Chirp...........................Chun-chun（ちゅんちゅん）

This is always fun and interesting to compare with these kinds of onomatopoeia, isn’t it?

The Mummified Priests for People

2007-05-12T11:32:00.000+09:00

You can do all sorts of things to save people you love; giving food, listening to one’s concerns, cheering up, and so on. However, can you kill yourself for them?

There are more than 10 Buddhists in Japan who attained Buddha hood while still in the alive, and they are called Sokushinbutsu (即身仏). Sokushin is one of Buddha training ways to save people, take fears away and grant their desires by being a Sokushinbutu.

To put how to be a Sokushinbutsu concretely, one stops to have the five grains, and have walnuts, hazelnuts, and nutmegs instead which take away moisture and fat in the body. Next, the one is buried in a pit, and s/he recites sutra with ringing a bell. When the bell ringing stop can be heard from a hollow bamboo utensil connecting ground and the pit as an air vent: means the one died, dig up it, fix the shape, and burry it again. After 3 years and 3 months, it is dug up and to be seen and prayed for people.

You can still visit and see Sokushinbutsu as a complete mummy. Expressly, Yamagata prefecture has 8 Sokushinbutsu. I saw two Sokushinbutsu at Kaikouji(海向寺) in Sakata city, Yamagata. One is Chuukaishounin(忠海上人) who was born in Tsuruoka city, Yamagata. He became Sokushinbutsu in 1755 at 58 years old. The another one is called Enmyoukaishounin(円明海上人), turned to a Sokushinbutsu in 1822 at 55 years old.

The two Sokushinbutsu looked really mummy. I felt it was kind of scary when I saw them first time. They looked have hard skin like wood. The staff there explained about Sokushinbutsu things and sell original charms. Popular ones are red charm which include a piece of clothe that Sokushinbutsu wear. They wear red clothe in the shrine and the clothe are to be changed every 12 years. So, worn clothe are cut in small pieces and put them into charms.

Sokushin cannot be in modern life because most people don’t’ have need of food or things in Japan. However, when people had hard time they cannot eat and not satisfied lives in old times, priests commit suicide by throwing themselves into Sokushinbutsu to undertake all fears people have. They lost their lives by themselves, but that could be the only gratification to meet people and be prayed by them after hundreds and thousands years.

Huge Monumental Image of Buddha in Kamakura

2007-05-03T15:08:00.000+09:00

I bet people who are interested in Japan have heard of "Daibutsu in Nara(奈良の大仏)" prefecture which is the largest Daibutsu(大仏), monumental statue of Buddha in Japan. Then, do you know the second largest Daibutsu in Japan?

The Daibutsu meditates silently close to my living place, Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture. The name Daibutsu is commonly known by “Kawakura-no-Daibutsu(鎌倉の大仏)”, Buddha in Kamakura and also called “Hase-no-Daibutsu(長谷の大仏)” because the place the Daibutsu is in is Hase. This is designated a national treasure in Japan.

“Kawakura-no-Daibutsu” was constructed more than 700 years ago with funds from civil. At first, the construction started in 1238 and finished 1243, and the Daibutsu was wooden, so it was totally destroyed with a storm soon, in 1247. The Daibutsu was constructed again with bronze in 1252, and it completed in several years.

The Daibutsu has 11.39 meters high. It’s just amazing scenery that the calm Daibutsu sits there and closed eyes. I was kind of scared when I stated it because it overwhelmed people with its giant appearance and I felt like it is about to open eyes and even move. That much it looked alive.

There is an interesting option at Kamakura-no-Daibutsu. You can come into the Daibutsu inside! It is just 20 yen to enter. When I got in the Daibutsu, the skin was really warm, it is because bronze absorbs sunlight and gets warm inside. I didn’t take a shot of Daibutsu inside because I somehow felt it is not allowed to do that, especially like for holy thing or place, I am not a Buddhist though. So, please check out visiting there how is like the Daibutsu inside.

Cherry-Blossom Viewing

2007-04-22T10:58:00.000+09:00

On April 1st, my friend and I had Hanami at Ohoka River in Yokohama. Hanami(花見) is to enjoy full-blown Sakura(桜, cheery blossoms), specially people enjoy it under trees having lunch in daytime or even drinking.

The place, Ohkawa Promenade is very well-known spot of Sakura road whose length is about 1.7 km. Various kinds of street stalls ranged along the river, so people bought and eat food there surrounded by pink arcade.

Unbelievably, it was hot the day, and highest temperature was 25 degree. It was absolutely best day for Hanami in Kanto area. All Sakura were in full bloom and the beautiful appearances overwhelmed people as you can see from my photos.

More Photos

To all who read my blog

i try to update my blog, but i don't have the Internet, actually. I thank all who visit my blog, and I try to keep writing my precious blog. Thank you.

Just One PASMO for Transfer

2007-03-31T14:51:00.000+09:00

On March 18th, IC card ticket, PASMO which can be used at most trains; JR, private railroads, municipal trains, subway, and buses in Tokyo and seven neighboring prefectures started.

PASMO inserts IC chip, and you can charge money from 1,000 yen to 20,000 yen at ticket machine. The fare is deducted from automatically when you hold PASMO over the automatic ticket gate for trains or buses. You can use PASMO even in shops in the station yard as electronic money, such as eat Soba and buying drinks at vending machine by hold PASMO up over a reader.

The new transfer card system started with 27 railway companies and 32 buss companies. After April, the use of PASMO can be expanded into 30 railway companies and 76 buss companies.

In fact, there, Suica which has almost the same function with PASMO by JR already exist. So, you can use mutually both PASMO and Suica now. Besides, you can change your usual magnetic commuter card into PASMO.

I already have one PASMO for my commutation ticket. It is nice for me when I take it from my bag. I just hold card case PASMO inside over the reader, and I don’t need to stop in front of the reader to take one card. That’s what is good as IC card.

Name of Countries in Japanese

2007-03-21T11:44:00.000+09:00

How do you call “Nihon” in your country? Japan, Japon or Reben? The way of calling countries names differs from every languages. Those are examples how Japanese call other countries. Check out yours.

North America
America…アメリカ(amerika)
Canada…カナダ(kanada)

South America
Venezuela…ベネズエラ(benezuera)
Mexico…メキシコ(mekisiko)
Brazil…ブラジル(burajiru)
Argentine…アルゼンチン(aruzenchin)
Peru…ペルー(perû)
Paraguay…パラグアイ(paraguai)
Chili…チリ(chiri)

Asia
Japan…ニホン(nihon)
Korea…カンコク(kankoku)
China…チュウゴク(chûgoku)
Russia…ロシア(rosia)
Turkey…トルコ(toruko)
India…インド(indo)
Cambodia…カンボジア(kambojia)
Malaysia…マレーシア(marêsia)
Indonesia…インドネシア(Indonesia)
Singapore…シンガポール(singapôru)
Vietnam…ベトナム(betonamu)
Saudi Arabia…サウジアラビア(saujiarabia)
Iraqi…イラク(iraku)

Oceania
Australia…オーストラリア(ousutoraria)
New Zealand…ニュージーランド(nyûjîrando)

Africa
Egypt…エジプト(ejiputo)
Ethiopia…エチオピア(echiopia)
Sudan…スーダン(sûdan)
Jamaica…ジャマイカ(jamaika)

Europe
England…イギリス(igirisu)
Germany…ドイツ(doitsu)
France…フランス(furansu)
Belgium…ベルギー(berugî)
Netherlands…オランダ(oranda)
Italy…イタリア(itaria)
Switzerland…スイス(suisu)
Greece…ギリシャ(girisha)
Spain…スペイン(supein)
Portugal…ポルトガル(porutogaru)
Sweden…スウェーデン(suêden)
Norway…ノルウェー(noruê)
Monaco…モナコ(monako)

Sankeien Garden

2007-03-07T11:19:00.000+09:00

You may remind of Yokohama as a metropolitan and port city. That’s of course true, but there is still tranquil and sophisticated garden there.

Sankeien Garden(三渓園) is located in Honmoku, 35 minutes far from Yokohama station. It is constructed with 17 historical buildings including 10 important cultural properties and spread-out Japanese garden. It covers an area of 175,000㎡. Sankeien is a residence of Mr.Sankei Hara originally who made his fortune by raw silk trading. He dismantled historic buildings from Kyoto and Kamakura, and reconstructed them there Sankeien is. Then he opened to the public in 1906 as “Sankeien”

There were many impressive old buildings, but I want to introduce one called Gasshou-zukuri(合掌造). To begin with, Gasshou-zukuri is a kind of houses with a steeply pitched roof. The reason why this type of houses is called comes from its shape, Gasshou. When Japanese pray something in front god, they join their hands, and that is called Gasshou. Therefore, that kind of houses is called Gasshou similar to the steep roof.

This Gasshou-zukuri was brought over from the Hida-Shirakawagou, Gifu prefecture and reassembled Sankeien. You can explore the inside, and see old tools in Hida district.

Sankeien opens 9:00-17:00. Adult is charged 500 yen and child is 200 yen. It specified as Japanese scenic spot in January 2007. I came to Sankeien for the first time, but I would like to visit here sometimes to see the changing of the view with flowers and leaves. You can still enjoy Japanese garden like Kyoto here, at Sankeien.

The 25th Yokohama International Women’s Ekiden

2007-02-27T15:17:00.000+09:00

On February 25, Yokohama International Women’s Ekiden was held in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture(Ekiden(駅伝) is long-distance relay footrace).The Ekiden started in 1983, and this time is the 25th meet.

The length of the Ekiden course is the same as full marathon, 42.195km. The 25th participating teams are China, England, Kenya Romania, Russia, the U.S, Japan international team, seven area picked teams. The course starts and finish at Yokohama Aka-renga Souko (Yokohama red-brick warehouse), and turn at Hakkeijima Sea Paradise. Since my living place is close to Hakkeijima, I decided to wait athletes there.

There were many cheer people and cameras because this Ekiden is live broadcast by Nihon TV for 30 broadcasting stations and on air at Radio Nippon.

I also took several exciting photos of great athletes.

The final result is Russia is 1st, the U.S is 2nd and Japan international team was 3rd.

That was nice experience for me to see marathon athletes who participate actively in the world; they ran so fast that the real time I cheered was short though. I who is now distant from sports is quite impressed facing the seriousness of international athletes.

Abbreviated Words in Japanese

2007-02-20T12:15:00.000+09:00

Japanese people like to shorten long words and say them simply. Those abbreviated words include many different things. For instance, nobody call “television” but “telebi” instead in Japan.

There are abbreviated words for electrical things

1.Digital camera....Dejikame(デジカメ)

2.Remote control…Remokon(リモコン)

3.Air conditioner…Eakon(エアコン)

4.Personal Computer…Pasokon(パソコン)

5.Keitai Denwa(Mobile phone)…Kêtai(ケータイ)

6.Internet…Netto(ネット)

7.Floppy disk…Furoppî(フロッピー)

8.Word processor…Wâpuro(ワープロ)

9.Acclelerator…Akuseru(アクセル)

10.Motorbike…Baiku(バイク)

Valentine and Chocolate Tendency

2007-02-13T15:34:00.000+09:00

How will you spend February 14th this year? Needless to say, February 14th is St. Valentine’s Day in the world. This is not of course original from Japanese culture, but the day is in fashion since 1958 in Japan, and she created new style of celebration in different way from other countries.

In western countries or others, people send a card or flowers to people they love or is attracted to on St. Valentine’s Day. In Japan, the day turns into the day for couples completely. On the day, girls present chocolate to their favorite men, and show their feeling how mush they love their men. The day is used to confess one’s love to someone as well.

There are actually two chocolates on St. Valentine’s Day in Japan. One is Honmei-choko(本命チョコ) which is for favorite man, of course only one man. Another is called Giri-choko(義理チョコ) that is for men friends, boss and colleagues in one’s office. I am not sure how to explain Giri, but it means like an obligation. To be sure, Honmei-choko is gorgeous and more expensive than Giri-choko, and Giri-choko should be small and reasonable price chocolate. Girls especially in school enjoy exchanging chocolates one another among girl friends in recent years.

Men in Japan are glad and sad by turns if chocolates they were presented by girls are Honmei-choko or Giri-choko on St. Valentine’s Day. Which chocolate do you want to get?

I Can Hear You

2007-02-09T10:37:00.000+09:00

As I mentioned at the last article, there will be National Sports Festival, Kokutai at Akita. To liven up the all year round festival, Kokutai association created its image song called, “make IT real”. You can hear the song from here (3rd WMP from the top).

Besides, to support the Kokutai, my father and his band, Hotline composed a song called,”Kikoeteruyo Kiminokoega” which means “I Can Hear You” This is not an official Kokutai image song, but has been spreading through the media ,and fortunately, its popularity is getting high in Akita. The article about the song was picked up at local papers, television, and radio.

A president of Akita biathlon association (the vice-president of all Japan biathlon association at the same time) saw one of the papers, and gets found of the song very much; therefore, the song became the official image song for Akita biathlon association. Since my hometown is the place for biathlon games, the song was broadcast all day long during the rehearsal competition. Now all people hope the song will be all Japan official biathlon song in the future. The song is free, so you can download it from the band official homepage if you are interested in.

There was a live concert to announce “I Can Hear You” at a pub. It was a great success, and all audiences were singing and dancing with the song. Here are some photos at the live. I joined the live as a chorus.

It would be great if the song spread throughout the world with this weblog.

2007-02-07T14:55:00.000+09:00

National Sports Festival is Ready

The National Sports Festival is going to start from February 10th in Akita. This festival is annual and held in one prefecture. Games are held all over the prefecture making the most of its lands or places. The official name of the festival is Kokumin Taiiku Taikai(国民体育大会);however, it is shortened as Kokutai(国体) to call it easily.

The National Sports Festival has its original name every year for one prefecture. For instance, the festival in Hyogo last year was called, Nojigiku Kokutai. Nojigiku is prefectural flower in Hyogo. In Akita case, the name is Wakasugi Kokutai. Wagasugi means young Japanese cedars. Since Akita is famous for good quality of Japanese cedars, the word was used in the festival name.

In Kokutai, the association make various symbols. Sugicchi(スギッチ) is a mascot for Wakasugi Kokutai. As stated above, Akita Sugi(Japanese cedars) is popular in Japan, the association made use of Sugi in Sugicchi.

In winter time, Alpine events, Nordic events, and biathlon will be held first. My hometown is the place for biathlon (a sporting that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting). During biathlon games, there will be Kenji Ogiwara who was the Olympic skiing athlete, and now the vice-president of all Japan biathlon association.

I hope the biathlon game place will gather people from all over Japan, and have hotly contested games!

One Touch!

2007-02-02T12:30:00.000+09:00

Experimentation is put into operation in Narita air port. To make departure formalities electronize, the novel system is used at Narita since January 30th.

All travelers have to do is to hold IC tip which records face photo and other information, and both right and left forefinger over an automatic gate. Then, registered information and the information is compared, and departure formalities are completed.

The experimentation is practiced by March 23rd at JAL and ANA for people who use mileage fliers program and who want to use the system.

The system will be to put into full-scale operation at Narita since November.

Proverb Dictionary -Go and Rome-

2007-01-22T11:54:00.000+09:00

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do” I think most people have heard this old saying. Of course, the meaning is that it is the way people follow a land customs and culture there.

This proverb is said in Japanese as well. “Go ni ittewa Go ni shitagae(郷に入っては郷に従え)” Go(郷) means hometown. If I translate this directly, I would say “when in hometown, follow the town”

When you in a different country like Japan which has unique culture and customs, you may have trouble to adjust it. However, it is the best way to follow the way of the land to melt into the place.

Let’s Say Sushi in Japanese!

2007-01-15T13:05:00.000+09:00

Needless to say, Sushi is most well-know Japanese dish in the world. I often see world people enjoy Sushi on TV. I just wondered how people in the world order or say Sushi name. Do they say it in their language or Japanese? For people who want to know the name of sushi, I introduce them so that you can order Sushi in Japanese next time!

Sushi served in the world must vary very much, so I tell you the name of standard Japanese sushi so far.

Salmon..........................Sâmon（サーモン）

Scallop...........................Hotate（ホタテ）

Squid ............................Ika（イカ）

Octopus........................Tako（タコ）

Pink prawn..................Amaebi（甘エビ）

Steamed prawn...........Mushiebi(蒸しエビ)

Sea urchin eggs............Uni（うに）

Salmon roe...................Ikura（イクラ）

Sweetend Omelet.......Tamago（タマゴ）

Tuna..............................Maguro(まぐろ)

・Lean Meat of a tuna.............Akami（赤身）

・Medium-fatty tuna..............Chûtoro（中トロ）

・The fatty flesh of a tuna......Ôtoro（大トロ）

I am curious to know whether bad-looking seafood like Tako and Uni are served or not in the world. My mother loves Uni, but I hate eating it….

Precipitous Temple, Yamadera

2007-01-08T15:44:00.000+09:00

During Oshogatsu, I went to Yamadera(山寺) for the first time. Yamadera is in Yamagata city, Yamagata prefecture. It is famous for hard climbing till you reach the top of Yamadera. However, the view especially from Godaido(五大堂) is magnificent to look down the town there. Some more photos from flickr.

Yamadera was founded in 860 by a Tendai priest for Buddhist monks engaged in ascetic practices. Therefore, Yamadera was located in steep place and it is hard to reach the top. It is said that there are about 1000 steps totally in Yamadera. Each step is one worldly passion, so once you go up the one stair, your worldly passion will be vanished.

Before going up 1000 steps, I had a meal near Yamadera station. Since Yamagata is famous for Soba, there are many Soba dishes there. I chose Shoujin(精進) set which is vegetarian diet to pretend one priest.

Yamadera walk starts with Konponchudo(根本中堂) which is national important culture property, and the oldest Japanese beech wooden structure in Japan. At there, Hotei sama welcomes you for people who have sick and chronic diseases by touching the place you have.

On the way, you will find Matsuo Basho’s statue and a stone monument. Basho is an poet in Edo period and known with his book, “Oku no Hosomichi(奥の細道)”. He composed a Haiku here, “Shizukasaya Iwanishimiiru Seminokoe(閑さや巌にしみ入る蝉の声)” which means “stillness, the sound of the cicadas sink into the rocks”

Here, Bashou buried the Haiku in here, so this place is called “Semi zuka(せみ塚)”, mound for cicadas.

I went up very slowly so that I don’t get tired. Then, I reached the top of Yamadera, called “Godaido(五大堂)”. This is a training hall to pray peace in the land, and great an observation platform at the same time.

It was much harder to go down the stairs than go up. However, I had nice exercise there, and I hope it is a good starting of New Year.

The Last Day of Year

2006-12-31T14:37:00.000+09:00

New Year’s Eve is called Ohmisoka(大晦日) in Japanese. As you can know from its Kanji, Misoka(晦日/三十日) stands for the last day of month, and Oh(大) means big. Therefore, Ohmisoka is the last day of year.

Especially Ohmisoka night is called Joya(除夜). There used to be a custom that people stay up late to welcome God, and this day was the only day children allowed to stay up late. There was a superstition that if you go to bed early at Joya, you will have white hair and the number of winkles on your face will increase.

On Ohmisoka, people eat Toshikoshi Soba(年越しそば) which is normal Soba but people have to eat before New Year comes. If you cannot eat Soba all, there is said you won’t have luck of money next year.

The reasons why people eat Soba come from its shape and name. Soba is a kind of Japanese noodle, and it is thin and long. One reason is praying for “people can live long and thin just like Soba”. Also, “gather the happiness at nearby” comes from the name, Soba which has the same pronunciation with nearby(nearby is Soba<側> in Japanese).

Moreover, chopped sliced spring onion, Negi(ねぎ) on Soba has meaning of “Rou o Negirau(労をねぎらう),appreciation for pains and troubles” from its same pronunciation.

Happy New Year everyone!
I wish all will have pleasant year! Have a good Ohmisoka eating Toshikoshi Soba! From Kayanon to All you.

Japanese Slang “Yabai”

2006-12-26T14:54:00.000+09:00

Yabai’s original meaning is “inconvenient” and “dangerous”. It of course still has original meaning and has new meaning at the same time as slang.

Some people living in Japan may have chance to listen to Japanese people saying Yabai. This is mainly used in among close friends and very informal situations. Especially, young people say Yabai when they are impressed and surprised at something. This is used independently.

For example, when you eat delicious cake, you can say “Kore Yabai!” which means “this is delicious!” When you see a really handsome guy on the street, you can say “Kare, Majide Yabai!” which means “He is so cool.” (See the meaning of Majide)

People also say “Yabê” instead of “Yabai”. “Yabê” is a kind of a derivative of Yabai. Both men and women can use this, but not suitable for women to use because it sounds a bit coarse in my opinion.

“Christmas Eve”

2006-12-22T15:28:00.000+09:00

Christmas is now that such a big event through the year in Japan. People celebrated and enjoy it by exchanging presents, having party and eating cake with family and couple.

Here is a beautiful and great Japanese hit song for you, “Christmas Eve” by Tatsuro Yamashita. This song was first released in 1983, and its highest rank was 44. Since this song was used in a commercial of JR Tohkai, its popularity has been up, and the song won the first place 6 years after its release. Now, “Christmas Eve” has been in top 100 for 20 years running and became a represent Christmas song in Japan.

“Christmas Eve” is broadcast everywhere in Japan in this season, and Japanese people feel the coming of Christmas.

How Can You See Moon?

2006-12-15T20:12:00.000+09:00

It is very honor that two towns near my hometown are once elected in top 3 of all Japan starry sky ranking. My hometown, of course is great spot to look at stars and do celestial observation. The sky here is much more clear and healthy than big cities.

By the way, how can you see moon? In Japan, people see the moon shape as rabbit making rice cake. This is old way, but when people make rice cake, they use Usu and Kine. Usu is a wooden bowl and Kine is like a big wooden hammer to mix rice up. This thing appears in Japanese old story, “Taketori Story”

I heard moon shape is different from countries. How can you see moon?

Akinomiya Hot Spring Town

2006-12-05T14:17:00.000+09:00

The place is celebrated for the oldest hot springs in Akita, called Akinomiy Onsen-kyo(秋の宮温泉郷) close to my hometown. Whole town is very still, calm and good place to relax. 12 hotels wait for people from all over Japan.

I went Akinomiya and bathe in one Onsen there called Tarobei(太郎兵衛). The Onsen was small but has very relaxing water. The water was a little hot for me. It was like 42℃ or more, but there is no wonder because the temperature of source is over 70℃.

Luckily, there were no people when I bathe in, so I could stretch my body and didn’t need to be embarrassed at all. Most Onsen has effects for body, and the Onsen has effects of rheumatism, wounds, menopausal disorder and 6 more disease symptoms. I bathe there for 30 minutes, and it kept me sweat a lot after I got out of it.

The fee of Onsen is just 300 yen, but there is coolest and cheapest hot spring in Akitanomiya. That is Kawara-no-Yukko(川原の湯っこ) under a retro suspension bridge just next to a river! The fee is completely free, and only you need to do there is dig sand and adjust the temperature of water. There hot water is boiling in some spots, and anybody can bathe in free Onsen adding cold water from a river. Kindly, scoops are set beside the river, so you don’t have to worry about carrying it! Most people visit there from spring to autumn and make Ashiyu by themselves. It is great natural Onsen and you can enjoy taking a forest bath at the same time. Thanks to media, this place is so popular in Japan that people come here from all over Japan.

Luck and Unlucky Number

2006-11-30T11:17:00.000+09:00

There are numbers in every country, and some of numbers have special meaning. Here, Japan also has special numbers which stand for good luck and bad luck.

Lucky Number…8 (Hachi) and 7(Nana)

“8” is written as “八” in Kanji. 八 is considered “末広がり(Suehirogari)” from its shape which widens toward the end. Suehirogari is to become more and more prosperous as time goes.

Lucky “7” comes from Western culture, and Japanese also likes to choose 7 in any occasion.

Unlucky Number…4(yon/shi), 9 (kyu, ku)

“4” is pronounced “yon” or “shi” which is used differently depending on things. Especially, the sound “Shi” has the same pronunciation with “死” which means die, so people are in the habit of not using “4” in hospitals and congratulations occasions.

“9” is pronounced “kyu” or “ku” which is used differently depending on things. The sound “ku” has the same pronunciation with “苦” which means pain or suffering. So, “49(yonjûkyu/shijûku)” is a super unlucky number because it means “die with pain”.

Express Your Feeling

2006-11-23T13:38:00.000+09:00

People use something marks or signs to express their feeling when they write e-mail or chat on the internet. Especially, Kaomoji (Emoticon/ Smiley) started in the U.S the origin place of the Internet, and developed a lot in Japan. It can be differentiated to 2 styles in Japan case; net community style and 2 cha style. I will introduce you the former one this time.

-Basic-

Laugh.................(^^)..........(^_^).........(*^^*)

Cry.....................(ToT).........(T_T)..........(;_;)

Confuse..............(@_@)

Sleep.................. (-_-) zzz

Peace................. (^_^)V

Surprise.............(*_*).......... (゜o゜).........＼(◎o◎)／

Sweat................ (^_^;

Anger................ (#ﾟ皿ﾟ)

Ouch................. (><)

-Move-

Memo....................._φ_(．．)

Sorry/Please...........ｍ（＿＿）ｍ

Kiss......................... (^з^)-☆Chu!!

Bye...........................(^.^)/~~~.........(;_;)/~~~

Dance......................＼(^o＼) (／o^)／

-Character-

Cat...................... (=^. .^=)..........=^.^=

Dog......................U・ェ・U

Draemon............ ((＝＾♀＾＝））

Miffy.................. (・ｘ・)

Squid..................くコ:彡

Fish....................<*)) >=<

Here is question for you. What do you think this Kaomoji means? I actually didn’t know the meaning, but found them make sense a lot and really look like. Hint; don’t look at each letters.

OTL or orz

Tokyo Tower

2006-11-20T15:20:00.000+09:00

What do you imagine is represent in Japan? Mt, Fuji, Samurai, or Anime? How about Tokyo tower? Photos of Tokyo tower.

Tokyo tower is must-visit place if you want to know the city, Tokyo. It is surely included to school excursions which are basically for schools far from Tokyo. People not also in Japan but also in the world visit there to see the great view from the observation platform.

The height of Tokyo tower is 333 meters which is tallest radio wave tower in Japan since its establishment in 1958. You can see 360℃ view of Tokyo at Daitenboudai ikkai/大展望台1階 (first observation platform) whose height is 145 meters. Especially in the west side, you can see Roppongi Hills, and the Imperial Palace and the Diet Building can be seen in the north side.

At the floor, you can try thrilling window called “Look Down Window” That’s a little bit scary to step on the window, but it never breaks even if you jump on it, of course.

It is also good to see the view at night. Since Tokyo tower always opens from 9am to 10 pm, you can enjoy different faces from it in daytime. Every Wednesdays and Thursdays, music artists gather Club 333 there and hold concerts mainly from 7pm which is free live.

New Japanese Monster –Daisuke Matsuzaka-

2006-11-15T15:19:00.000+09:00

Japan Professional Baseball, Seibu Lions officially announced to accept a highest biding price for Daisuke Matsuzaka, 26 years old pitcher who will play baseball in Major League Baseball using posting system. The contract price as a transfer fee is 6 billion yen ($51.11 million), and the successful bidder was “Boston Red Sox”. The price is beyond Ichiro whose contact price was 1.4 billion yen ($13.12 million) in 2000.

Daisuke is a well-known pitcher since he is a high school student. He participated in Koshien which is all Japan baseball games for high schools, and he led his team to victory twice at Koshien. He attracted a great deal of attention as a “baseball monster”

In 1998, Daisuke entered Seibu Lions. His pitching is always incredible and he announced 155km/h at his first start.

People in the world maybe know Daisuke as an ace of Japan at World Baseball Classics in 2006. He was the pitcher with the 3 wins which was the greatest number at the game, and he was prized MVP.

In 2003, he got married to an announcer, Tomoyo Shibata. Tomoyo gave birth to a girl in 2005.

Everyday Medias broadcast this news in Japan since Daisuke announced to join MLB. I even cannot imagine and feel how much is 6 billion yen. Anyway, I hope Daisuke will be an iron-armed pitcher in the U.S, and be a monster like Godzilla Matsui.

The Way of Saying Falling Snow

2006-11-11T12:40:00.000+09:00

I got a question from alex about onomatopoeia of falling snow. Here are my answers.

1, Hira-hira (ひらひら)= fluttering: like a falling petals

Ex) Yuki ga "Hira-hira" maiolilu. (雪がひらひら舞い降りる)

2, Shin-shin to (しんしんと/深深と)= falling thick and fast

Ex) Yuki ga "Shin-shin" to furu. (雪がしんしんと降る）

3, Doka-doka to (ドカドカと) = heavily: like things appears in large quantities at one time.

Ex) Yiki ga “Doka-doka to” furu. (雪がドカドカと降る)

4, Bota-bota to (ボタボタと) = dropping: similar to Doka-doka. Bota-bota is each thing is big and they drop.

Ex) Yuki ga “Bota-bota to” Ochiru. (雪がボタボタと落ちる)

5, Kon-kon to (こんこんと)=repeatedly

Ex) Yuki ga “Kon-kon to” furu. (雪がこんこんと降る)

6, Sala-sala (さらさら) = smoothly

Ex) Yuki ga “Sara-sara“ furu. (雪がさらさらと降る)

I use No, 1 to 4 commonly. No, 5 and 6 are found in my dictionary I hardly use. These are more like adverbs used when people express how snow is falling. In fact, I am amazed that Japanese language has lots of way for expressing things in sounds. Moreover, most of them are repeated like “Shin-shin”.

It’s time for enjoying winter in Japan! I just hope snow causes accidents or disasters like last year.

Onomatopoeia –Sounds of Water-

2006-11-07T15:19:00.000+09:00

After long find autumn days, it started to rain in Japan. This rain can be snow in 2 or 3 weeks in north Japan. Relating to depressing rain days, I will write onomatopoeia about water today. Here is another onomatopoeia post about animal.

1, Sound of Rain
...Light rain…Para-para (パラパラ)
...Heavy rain…Zâ zâ (ザーザー)
Ex) Ame ga Zâ zâ Furu (雨がザーザー降る)

2, Sound of Dripping
...Pota-pota(ポタポタ)
Ex) Mizu ga Pota-pota Ochiru (水がポタポタ落ちる)

3, Sound of Splash
...Zabun! (ザブン), Bashan! (バシャン)

4, Sound of Sloshing
…Chapu-chapu(ちゃぷちゃぷ)

5, Sound of Gurgling
…Goku-goku(ごくごく), Gubi-gubi(グビグビ)
Ex) Mizu o Gubi-gubi Nomu (水をグビグビ飲む)

Oh, rain is getting hard now, and it turned to hail! People in Hokkaidoh seem to be involved in a tornado. I hope this rain won’t effect people’s life.

Halloween and Obon

2006-10-31T10:20:00.000+09:00

Complying with onigiri’s request, I will write about Halloween situation in Japan. Halloween is getting one of popular event in Japan, but not as much as like Christmas. Most people who have a Halloween party tend to enjoy disguise which is like Kosupure, and it is not common yet to do “trick or treat” visiting houses.

There is a similar ceremony with Halloween in Japan called “Obon (お盆)”. Obon is the Festival of the Dead which mainly indicates for 3 to 5 days since August 15th,. It up to firms but, most of them generally takes the term off as a summer vacation.

During Obon, people go back to their home town. As its ceremony, people call deceased to their home and hold a memorial service by reciting a sutra. Besides, family pays a visit to ancestor’s grave. People clean the grave and place offerings. It depends on family but my family offerings ancestor’s favorite food like sweets and Sake. After the ceremony, Bon-Odori, Bon dance is held at a temple. The dance is a slow dance and people dance wearing Yukata, an informal cotton kimono for summer wear. Bon-Odori is said as an imitation that dead people who relieved of a pain at a hell are dancing with pleasure.

Originally, Obon was considered to come from Buddhism, but it contains less religious factor actually. Consequently, a lot of Japanese people tend to travel especially to abroad using this term. If you want to visit Japan, it maybe better to avoid these days since Narita air port would be congested.

Learning Samurai Words

2006-10-25T13:19:00.000+09:00

As you know, Samurai(侍) is old Japanese warrior with Katana(刀), Japanese sword. Some people in other countries seem to believe there are still Samurai in Japan though they don’t exist anymore.

When Samurai existed in Japan, they had their own words which still alive in current Japanese. I picked up an example of Samurai word here.

“Katajikenai (忝い)” means “Thank you”. This is very dignified word. In formal occasion, not women but men rarely use this word to show big gratitude to someone. In informal case, this word is used among friends, sometimes for joking. My Ireland friend uses more “Katajikenai” than “Arigatou” to make Japanese people laugh.

If you have any chance to meet Japanese people, try “Katajikenai” to them, and they will give you a smile!

Milk Tooth Custom

2006-10-20T13:33:00.000+09:00

On the other day, I pulled my 3rd wisdom teeth at a hospital. Wisdom teeth is “Oyashirazu (親知らず)” in Japanese. The operation was successful with a great dentist, but it was no less than fear, especially when he tried hard to pull my Oyashirazu strongly, I was just frozen. I was asked by a dental hygienist if I want the teeth. However, I refused immediately so that I don’t recall the thrilling moment.

By the way, I remember I used to throw my milk teeth, Nyu-shi(乳歯) in Japanese when it came off. If milk teeth above come off, children throw the teeth from 2nd floor. If the teeth below come off, they throw it toward a roof. These are a sort of charm for little kids to pray for having good permanent teeth, Eikyu-shi(永久歯) in Japanese.

I have heard coin things in the U.S when milk teeth come off. Do you have special custom in your country?

Bangaku –Subtle and Profound Dancing-

2006-10-15T13:48:00.000+09:00

There was Koyo Matsuri (autumn leaves festival) at Hottai waterfall. It was fortunate with the weather, and people enjoyed warm colors of mountains.

At the festival, I watched Bangaku(番楽) for the first time. Bangaku is a sort of Kagura; song and dancing at shrines celebrating Shinto gods, which is performed in autumn in both Akita and Yamagata prefecture. It leaves the old way of Noh.

Especially, Bangaku in my hometown is called “Honkai Bangaku” including 13 groups. This has being inherited since Edo period. Bangaku is performed at Obon (the Festival of the Dead), Shrine festival, autumn festival etc to pray for good health and the well-being of one’s family. Here is one of famous Honakai Bangaku performed by a 9 years old boy.

This is other performance of Bangaku with 2 men.

Tazawako -Deepest Love-

2006-10-12T11:18:00.000+09:00

Last weekend, I went to Tazawako, Akita with my girl friends. Tazawako is a blue sky lake which is a typical crater lake and runs as deed as 423 meters, which is the deepest lake in Japan. Thinking about Tokyo tower, it has 333 meters heights, so Tazawako can hide it easily. Tazawako shows different faces seasonally which is absolutely beautiful. Here is a picture of the lake with my friends. It is pity that I couldn’t take nice photos of lake because of cloudy. You can see great photos of Tazawako from here.

There is a lovely ancient tradition about Tazawako. A young man, Hachiroutaro who was the guardian spirit of Hachirogata which was the biggest lake in Akita (now it is not a lake but reclaimed land) fell in love with the guardian spirit of Tazawako, named Tatsuko. It is said that feeling of Hachiroutaro and Tatusko deepened Tazawako and the lake is never frozen.

In the first place, before Tatsuko became the guardian spirit of Tazawako, she was a beautiful woman lived with her mother. Tatsuko started to think she wants to keep her beauty forever, and she went to a mountain with 3 girl friends searching for a miraculous fountain. Tatsuko and her friends grilled fish for them from river, but Tatsuko had all 3 fish because she couldn’t help eating them all. Then, she felt really thirsty and found the miraculous fountain on the way she was searching for water. Tatsuko kept drinking the water and suddenly became a dragon, and the guardian spirit of Tazawako.

The dragon, Tatuko can be seen as a bronze statue. Tourists surely take photos with the bronze statue as their memory. As soon as my friends and I get to the place of Tatsuko bronze statue, we took some photos with her.

There is an Ukigi shrine next to Tatsuko bronze statue. You can buy several charms there; most of them are about love relating to Tatsuko and Hachiroutaro’s story. My friends and I tried a lot to tell one’s fortune. Only I got Daikichi which is the best lot.

At Ukigi shrine, you can buy food for fish in Tazawako. You just stand the shore and through food to the lake, and massive of daces appear. This is one of other fun in Tazawako.

At the opposite side of Tatsuko bronze statue, people can take a sightseeing boat. It takes about 40 minutes for going around the lake. The best season for a sightseeing boat is May with new green leaves or end of October with red and yellow leaves.

National Holidays in Japan

2006-10-09T12:06:00.000+09:00

Today, October 9th is a national holiday in Japan. Associated with the "holiday", I introduce all national holidays in Japan.

1.1st, Ganjitus (元日) / New Year’s Day.
Families and relatives gather and spend the day together wishing for good health and future by visiting or praying again Shrine.

The second Monday of January is Seijin no hi (成人の日) / Coming- of-age Day.
The day is a celebration day for people who become 20 years old.

2.11th, Kenkoku Kinenbi (建国記念日) / National Foundation Day.
This day is Japanese foundation day.

3.20th, Shunbun no hi (春分の日) / Vernal Equinox Day.
This day is the day for dead ancestors thinking of them and serve them rice cake and flowers.

4.29th, Midori no hi (緑の日) / Green Day.
This day is the birthday of Emperor, Showa passed away in 1989. People appreciate for the nature and its blessing.

5.3rd, Kenpou Kinenbi (憲法記念日) / Constitution Memorial Day.
This day is celebration day for operation of Japanese constitution.

5.4th, Kokumin no Kyujitsu (国民の休日) / National People’s Day.
When the day is between holidays, the day become a holiday.

5.5th, Kodomo no hi (こどもの日) / Children’s Day.
This day is a festival mainly for boys wishing for good future.

The third Monday of July is Umino hi (海の日) / Marine Day.
This is the day for blessing sea and wishing prosperity of Japan.

9.19th, Keirou no hi (敬老の日) / Respect-for-the Aged Day.
This is a day to respect aged people.

9.23rd, Shubun no hi (秋分の日) / Autumnal Equinox Day.
This day is similar to Vernal equinox Day thinking of dead ancestors.

The second Monday of October is Taiiku no hi (体育の日) / Sports Day.
This day was established associated with the day of Tokyo Olympic day. People do sports on this day.

11.3rd, Bunka no hi (文化の日) / Culture Day.
The day is celebration day to love freedom and peace wishing for development of culture.

11.23rd, Kinrou Kansha no hi (勤労感謝の日) / Labor Thankis-giving Day.
This day is the day respecting and appreciating all labors.

12.23rd, Tennou Tanjoubi (天皇誕生日) / Emperor’s Birthday.
The day is the current Emperor’s birthday.

* If a national holiday is on Sunday, Monday become a substitute day off, and more holidays people can get.

The days with Midori no hi(4/29), Kenpoukinenbi(5/3), Kokumin no Kyujitsu (5/4) and Kodomo no hi(5/5) are called Golden week. Besides, when Saturday and Sunday connect luckily, the Golden week get longer. People go back to parental home or go abroad using this long vacation all at once.

In addtion to Golden week, Bon(a Japanese Buddihist festival held annually in August to honour the dead. August 13th to 15th) can be long holidays. Bon is not a national holiday, but most companies are off in Bon.

These above are all national holidays in Japan. I think the number of national holidays is quite a lot compared with other countries. That’s why Japanese cannot take long vacations??

Hi Cheese!

2006-10-05T15:41:00.000+09:00

What do you say when you take a photo? Do you say nothing? In Japan, most people say above title, “Hi cheese!” The aim of saying this is to make people look smile with “e” mouth form. I am not sure the exact reason why Japanese people use “cheese”, but several sites say it is because The Day of Photo and The Day of Cheese are the same day, June 1st in Japan. Consequently, people started to say “cheese” when they take a photo.

Moreover, there is also a popular saying. When you release the shutter, you say “Ichi tasu Ichi wa?”, and people who are taken photo answer “Ni”. “Ichi tasu Ichi wa (１+１は？)” means “One plus One is what?”, and “Ni (２)” means “Two”. This one includes the same effect with “Hi Cheese!”

In Canada, people said (or I said) “1, 2, 3” when they take photos. Besides, I remember my Korean friends in Canada used “Kimchi (Korean pickles)” instead of “1, 2, 3”. What do you say when you take a photo in your country?

Image Song Boom in Japan

2006-10-02T14:11:00.000+09:00

From old times, any groups like to have their image songs in Japan. The groups can be school, prefecture, club and even company. I can sing 6 image songs for elementary school, junior high school (2 songs), high school, junior collage and town. While students belong to school, they sing school songs frequently as they have ceremonies and something important meetings.

People in Japan value image songs a lot. Singing the same song with everybody has effect to make people feel united and stimulate them to work on their aims. Whenever people make groups, they make their image songs which are becoming small boom now. I see many subscriptions for new image songs, and the prize money is always high like hundreds of thousands of dollars.

My father who is an amateur composer has composed several image songs for nursery school, elementary school, city, town, village, magician, road race, Japan Agricultural Cooperatives, commercial, and radio station. Some of them were ordered and others were elected at contests.

My father’s first elected image song, “Nangai no Ao” was for a small village, Nangai, Akita. That was more than 10 years ago. Time has passed, and the village was merged with several towns and cities last year, and became big 1 city, Daisen.

Yesterday, there was 1-year ceremony since the city is made. That was to announce citizens new image song for the city. In addition to the new song, 8 municipalities show their old image songs to look back over what they like. Since my father composed image song for Nangai, he had got pone call from the village and asked to stand the stage. Since the song is the key of women, I was somehow decided to sing the song in public.

I was so upset that I was shaking all the time because it was my fist time to sing a song alone in front of people. Besides, audience there included assembly members and many citizens. I felt so much pressure because I had to undertake a small village instead of them even though I am from another town. I don’t know whether I did well or not, but audiences gave me big applause to me.

Harvesting Rice in Japan

2006-09-25T22:35:00.000+09:00

Here, north Japan is season to work on rice cultivation. Since my grandfather has several rice fields, my family helped him to cultivate rice. This is from my window.

Most of works are done by machines in modern Japan. Combine below is a machine which unites reaping and threshing at the same time.

The machine gathers and cut rice plants, and separate rice and stems automatically.

After rice is reaped, rice need to be dried by drying machine. The machine dries rice slowly taking 12-24 hours.

It takes about 2 hours per a rice field in my family’s case. Here is an example progress of work. You can see sky is getting dark as time goes.

It took 2 days to finish reaping rice. I am not sure how much tons rice we harvest, but it was a LOT. One bag of rice has 40-50 kg. My father and I especially had to carry this bags many times. It is ok for man to carry the bags, but was terrible physical labor for me... This is my mother and father.

Since the combine was broken a few times, I devoted my energies to take photos to kill time, and these are my results.

This is a movie of harvesting rice. Never mind with quality. I used my 2-year old compact camera.

Shinzo Abe = New Prime Minister in Japan

2006-09-21T15:19:00.000+09:00

The Chief Cabinet Secretary, Shinzo Abe was elected for the Liberal Democratic Party President on September 19th. He competed with 2 rivals; Taro Asou, Foreign Minister and Sadakazu Tanigaki, the Minister of Finance. Shinzo is not prime minister of Japan yet, but it is certain that he will be top leader of Japan at extraordinary diet session on 26th which has a final election for him.

Now, Shinzo became the minimus Liberal Democratic Party President in Japanese history at 51 years old. Today, September 20th is his birthday, so he turned 52 years old now. Besides, he is the first LDP President who was born after World War Ⅱ.

It was no wonder for Japanese people that Shinzo was elected because of full popularity. This is not known well in Japan, but Shinzo is what is called “sarabret of political world”

There are so many outstanding relatives in his family tree. Starting with Toshimichi Okubo who appears on Japanese textbook, there are Shigeru Yoshida who was 45th-51st Prime Minister, Nobusuke Kishi who was also 56th and 57th Prime Minister, Eisaku Sato who was 61st-63rd prime minister and other relatives who were politicians.

Especially, Eisaku Sato corresponds to the great-uncle for Shinzo, Kishi Nobusuke is Shinzo’s grand father, and his father was also a politician.

Moreover, Taro Asou who was a rival of Shinzo at party race has Shigeru Yoshida as his grand father. It is getting confusing, but this means that Shinzo and Asou are relatives.

Anyway, new leader was born in Japan. I hope he will demonstrate his skill without reverse for “beautiful Japan”

A Nation of Long-Lived People

2006-09-19T14:48:00.000+09:00

September 18th was national holiday in Japan called “Keirou-no-hi (敬老の日)” which was born in Japan. This is translated “Respect-for-the-Aged Day” in English. “Keirou-no-hi” is a day to love and respect old people who rendered to society for a long time, and celebrate their long life. This day is celebrated on the third Monday in September.

I haven’t done anything to my grandparents, but I am thinking to bake a cake for them. My maternal grandfather is 76 years old and grandmother is 73 years old. They had surgery a few years ago, but are very fine today.

Japan is a nation of long-lived people. World Health Organization (WHO) published the World Heath Report on September 7th. According to the report, countries which have the longest average life span in the world in 2004 are Japan, Monaco and San Marino, and the average life span is 82 years old. The average life span for Japanese female is 86 years old, and for Japanese male is 79 years old. The shortest life span country is Zimbabwe in Africa, 36 years old.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan, a population of full 100 years old or more Japanese is 25,554. Female is 21,775 and male is 3,779.

The most aged woman in Japan is Yoko Minakawa, 113 years sold in Fukuoka, and man is Tomoji Tanabe, 111 years old. Tomoji cerebrated his 111th birthday on Keirou-no-hi. He said the secret of long life is not to drink alcohol.

I think the reasons of long-life span in Japan are good food and medical technology. Japanese food, washoku is very fatless, well-nourished and healthy. Japanese food is even eaten for diet food in other countries. Besides, medical technology develops day by day and it keeps people live longer with surgery or medicine.

Beautiful Waterfall

2006-09-14T11:26:00.000+09:00

I should have introduced this video! These videos were created by T-kayano introducing Hottai waterfall in my hometown. Who is do you think the gril in the video? That's secret!! Have a look at them! About Hottai waterfall.

Japanese Won Air Guitar World Championship 2006

2006-09-11T14:11:00.000+09:00

On September 8th (9th in Japan time), Ochi in Japan won at Air Guitar world championship in Oulu, Finland at the fist time. This is the first brilliant achievement in Japan and Asia.

In the Air Guitar contest, 13 countries participated (Australia, Austria, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, the United States, Germany, France, Japan, Italy, and the Great Britain), and Ochi qualified for the next round as 1st. Ochi played “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by JET for a minute wearing sultry sweater and sunglasses which reminds Japanese people of old fashioned guy in Japan. He performed powerfully on the stage with his dynamic body, and an audience commented s/he could see even a guitar was broken. Judges spoke very highly of his simple and traditional guitarring. Ochi received transparent guitar called “flying Finn” and an amplifier from Brian May, Queen Guitarist.

Air guitar is a performance how people play fictional guitar splendidly. Ochi started playing air guitar a month before. He took part in Japan contest with half joking, but he passed it and became a Japanese representative.

When I heard this news on TV, I couldn’t believe it because Ochi is a comedian in Japan. He plays manzai with a partner, and the duo is called Dainoji.

Air Guitar is now well-know and popular performance in Japan. It doesn’t need expensive guitar and an amplifier; you just need music and heart to rock on. This developped into not only guitar but also piano, drams, saxophone base and even vocal! I have seen some bands without instruments playing music like air guitar. I don’t have courage to try air guitar but still fun to see people playing.

Here is Ochi performance at Finland. (thank you, soursop!)
Here is Air band by Japanese top idol group, Arashi.

I should have introduced about Takeshi Kongouchi as well. He is No.4 air guitar player in the world who spread air guitar in Japan by performing on TV. He even released a CD. I like his performance too.

Here is information for people who want to master air guitar.
Air guitar text book
Air guitar DVD

Sake Town, Akita

2006-09-04T15:56:00.000+09:00

In recent years, Sake is loved by people all over the world now that it is known as Japanese represent drink. The special features of Sake are its mellow aroma as Sake is translated into Japanese wine in English. Once you open a Sake bottle, the fragrance spread and come into your nose. Moreover, you can enjoy drinking sake warm or cool. In summer, cool Sake is good much, and warm Sake would warm your body in winter.

Main ingredients of Sake are rice and water. There are plenty places where brew Sake in Japan, but the places called Sake centers are a few like Niigata, Yamagata, Aomori prefecture which has good rice and clean water for Sake. My hometown, Akita is also famous for good Sake place as you can know from my pictures.

On August 17th, an article was introduced on a local paper. That was about Akita’s Sake will be entertained at a reception of the United Nations Headquarters, New York in September. According to the persons concerned, Sake’s participation at an event related to UN is first challenge, and it is very exceptional case. Sake producers and companies are enthusiastic about this chance to promote Akita’s Sake to the world. Enering Sake are "Junmai-Ginjo Chokaisan" from Tenju brewery, "Yamahai-Junmai-Ginjo" from Naba store, and "Junmai-Ginjo Benimansaku" from Hinomaru brewery. You can buy their Sake on the internet (possibly within Japan).

By the way, some foreign people call Sake as “Saki”, but it should be pronounced “Sake” in fact. (This was a troublesome word when I was in Canada. Everybody talked about Sake but I didn’t understand what they were talking about because they pronounced “Saki”)

8 Planets in the Solar System

2006-08-31T14:51:00.000+09:00

On August 24th, International Astronomical Union (IAU) carried that they eliminate Pluto from the planets in the solar system. It sounds like big historical change for astronomy, but it doesn’t affect my life at all even if a planet is eliminated or added, I think.

By the way, there is interesting way to memorize 9 planets including Pluto in English. “My Very Educated Mother Just Showed Us Nine Planets” for example is well-know method, I heard there are several different saying like “…served us 9 pies” and “…served us nothing!”

In Japanese there is also one way to memorize 9 planets. That is “Sui Kin Chi Ka Moku Do Ten Kai Mei (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto)” It may sound like Okyoh, but every Japanese people learns this at school, and can say anytime.

Sui Suisei (水星) Mercury
Kin Kinsei (金星) Venus
Chi Chikyu (地球) Earth
Ka Kasei (火星) Mars
Moku Mokusei (木星) Jupiter
Do Dosei (土星) Saturn
Ten Tennousei (天王星) Uranus
Kai Kaiousei (海王星) Neptune
Mei Meiousei (冥王星) Pluto

I think English version is much easier to memorize 9 planets. What about you? Are there any ways to remember 9 planets in your country?

If you are interested in 9 planets in Japanese, why don’t you remember them using “Sui Kin Chi Ka Moku Do Ten Kai Mei”?

Postscript:

Suisei (Mercury), Kinsei (Venus), Kasei (Mares), Mokusei (Jupiter), Dosei (Saturn) are visible with naked eyes, and they are considered as different from stars which make constellation. These Japanese names come from the thought in China. In China, people thought all things are constructed with 5 element; tree, fire, soil, gold and water. Therefore, Suisei is with water, Kinsei is with Gold, Kasei is with fire, and Mokusei is with tree and Dose is wit soil Chinese characters.

Tennessee (Uranus), Jalousie (Neptune) and Meioses (Pluto) are not visible with naked eyes, so they were discovered after telescope was invented. These names were simply translated from English name.

Buddha Dwells in the Waterfall

2006-08-26T22:32:00.000+09:00

Hottai waterfall is one of the best sight spots to visit in my hometown. Its dynamic fall attracts people from all over Japan, and it arouses a feeling of coolness as well. In summer, people can swim at Hottai waterfall, but the water is so cold because the water is melted water from a mountain.

This majestic waterfall is constructed from first waterfall, second waterfall and third waterfall with the length of 100 meters and the drop of 57.4 meters. Third waterfall is the longest one on the photo. Hottai (法体) means Buddha, Buddha of the Pure Land, by intoning “Namu Amida Butsu” or priest. Surprisingly, the water is clear, and the color of deep place looks like emerald green which is absolutely beautiful.

The origin of the name, Hottai comes from fairy take-like story…
Once upon a time, a Buddhist priest visited the waterfall. When he was fascinated by the great waterfall, an old man with white hair appeared all of sudden. The priest asked the old man “what’s the name of this waterfall?” and the old man answered “Hottai”. The priest wondered about the old man, and asked him “where are you from?” The old man said “I live here. I am an immovable monarch for this waterfall.” The old man said like that and vanished all at once. The priest prayed 3 times for the waterfall and trained for 37 days in a cave close to the waterfall.

In fact, the Buddhist priest is considered as Kouboudaishi/Kukai who started Shingon-shu. That’s why the cave he trained is called “Koubou Douketsu (Cave for Koubou).

You can look down the water fall from an observation platform. Also, you can approach to fist and second waterfall which is really exciting and thrilling to see them. Since there is no rope, you have to be careful with their foot; otherwise, you fall easily from top of the waterfall. Here is a video I took first and second waterfall at thrilling place.

Hottai waterfall attracts people in every season because it has different faces. In spring, new green is beautifully much with the waterfall. In summer, people can cool down by swimming in the river and the place is crowded with tents to have BBQ. In autumn, red and yellow leaves show lovely appearance.

People can visit Hottai waterfall anytime except winter time because of massive snow. Here is an example tragedy of snow. This rest house was pushed by snow.

Here is several photos of Hottai waterfall.

Sherbet for Old Lady with Spatula

2006-08-21T17:33:00.000+09:00

The yummy-looking sherbet on the picture is called “Babahera (ババヘラ)”. It costs about 150 yen (US$ 1 and some cents). There are always 2 flavors in Babahera; strawberry and banana. The taste has moderate sweetness, and is loved by people from children to old people. The reason of the name, Babarahera comes from people who sell Babahera. Babahera sellers are normally old women who are in their 60s to 70s. Those called “Baba” in Japanese slang which is neither formal nor polite word. “Baba” serves Babahera using spatula which is called “hera” in Japanese. Therefore, this sherbet is called “Babahera”.

Babahera is really special street sherbet because it exists only in Akita. Since Babahera is such a familiar sherbet since my childhood, I had thought it was very Japanese thing. However, I had noticed it is only in Akita, when I was in Yokohama, and told about Babahera by Yokohama people. Babahera is usually sold at a festival or on a national street which has frequent traffic in Akita; however, now that Babahera is famous and popular sherbet in Japan, people can buy it on the Babahera site or enjoy it in a few area; “Namuko Nanja town ice cream city” and Namahage dining in Tokyo.

Babahera is really good to have in burning Japan summer. Whenever I find it, I buy it to cool down.

Japanese Culture –Slurp-

2006-08-15T21:32:00.000+09:00

Do you slurp when you eat noodles? Is slurp allowed in your country? I would answer these questions I slurp noodles and it is allowed in Japan.

Most Japanese slurp noodles in Japan. It doesn’t matter to slurp noodles if you are woman or man. Eating noodles with sounds is considered to make noodles good. Conversely, if you don’t make noise when you eat noodles, some Japanese may think the way you do is strange. I cannot say exact reason why Japanese slurp, but a blogger I fond on the internet said “Japanese people slurp because they enjoy more food flavor by slurping noodles.”

In my case, I decide noodles to slurp and not to slurp. I slurp cold noodles mainly like Zaru Soba and Hiyashi-Chuka. I don’t slurp spaghetti and hot noodles because I don’t want to splash sources or soup on my face and clothe.

I could know slurp is special culture in Japan when I had learned that slurp is considered as a bad manner in the U.S or Europe in my English class. Making noise during eating is bad manner in western countries. Sometimes, people can see parodies that Japanese eat spaghetti with making noise at a restaurant, and other westerners gaze him with unpleasant faces.

Interestingly, people who don’t slurp in their lives cannot slurp. I have watched a video that a westerner tried to slurp ramen, but he couldn’t slurp like Japanese do.

How about in your country? Do you slurp noodles? Is the action is allowed?

Large Steam Valley

2006-08-11T15:10:00.000+09:00

As I already attached photos on flickr, I visited an exciting valley, Oyasukyou in Akita. Although I live in 2-hour away from the place, I visited there only once when I was a little girl with my family. I went there again in July to ensure what it’s like. It rained when I visited there, but it was still fun to see dynamic steams.

Oyasukyou was encroached by a river, and became a valley which has 60 meters height from the bottom of valley and its entrance. It is called “Jigokudani” as well which means “Hell Valley” because hot air and steam blow out violently, and it reminds of hell. In fact, 98 degree hot water blows out 10 ton every hour. Once you get the valley, you can smell sulfur everywhere, and can feel hot and humid air. If you are caught in the big steam, you cannot find the direction. On the way back to the up ground, I had to go up 303 stairways!

There are countless Onsen in Oyasukyou; I didn’t go any of them though. It might be good to take Onsen after the hard exercise.

Here is an exciting video I took!

This valley and Ashiyu place is in the same area, so you can enjoy two exciting experiences at one place! (it takes 1 minute walk from Ashiyu place to the valley.)

How Do You Stop Shakkuri?

2006-08-08T18:22:00.000+09:00

I had Shakkuri on the other day which was really troublesome and took a long time to stop it. It is funny to see people have Shakkuri, but it is troublesome once you get it.

Shakkuri (しゃっくりin Hiragana) happens due to inflammation of the diaphragm, and it is called “Hiccup” in English. The name, Shakkuri comes from its sound when you have it, and it could be said in hiccup as well.

Since Shakkuri happens without people’s intention, it is annoying and cannot be stopped even if you try to stop.

In Japan, there is a popular account that if you have 100 times Shakkuri, you will die. This is totally untrue, but especially children tease each other by saying it.

There are some traditional ways to stop Shakkuri in Japan. Surprising someone who has Shakkuri, for instance is most well-known way to stop Shakkuri. Stopping breath for 30 seconds or 1 minute is also orthodox way to struggle with Shakkuri.

I am sure Shakkuri must have various saying or legend all over the world. I would like to know traditional or effective methods to stop Shakkuri. Can you tell me Shakkuri situation in your country, and how do you call Shakkuri in your language?

The Day Japanese People Eat Unagi

2006-08-05T16:38:00.000+09:00

There are days people eat Unagi (eel in English) in Japan. The days differ from every year, and their outstanding days are especially in July and August. These days are called “Doyou no Ushi no Hi” which indicates especially in summer.

This custom of eating Unagi started in Edo period (1603-1867). There are some origins about this Japanese custom. Ohtomo Yakamochi (717?-785) who is well known as a tanka poet recited a poet “maintain your health by eating eel” in the Man’yoshu; the earlist extant anthology of Japanese verse, it comprises some 4,500 peoms and was compiled in or after A.D 759.

In fact, Unagi is well-nourished fish. People in Japan especially eat Unaju which has broiled Unagi on rice. This dish is good for people who loose her/his appetite because of the summer heat when they want to get energy.

In my opinion, Unaju is delicious dish. There are of course some people who don’t like Unaju because of eel itself or gross looking once you turn it back and see the skin. I wonder weather there is country eat eel. Have you eaten eel?　

Hotline Live in Yashima

2006-08-01T13:17:00.000+09:00

On July 29th, there was a festival about a road race in Yashima, Akita. This road race is famous now that thousands people come to Yashima to join it. My father was asked to compose an image song of this road race 2 years ago, and he composed nice song for the annual festival.

The road race was 20th anniversary in this year. My father’s band, Hotline appeared this event and played the theme song, “天空への挑戦者たち (“Challengers for the Sky” if I translate the Japanese title into English).” You can listen to the song from below music bar.

Hotline played 9 songs in the festival, and I helped the band as a chorus who was luck of tense. I took some videos using my digital camera on the stage.

Summer and Winter

2006-07-28T10:24:00.000+09:00

Answering to ragge's request and relating to below post, "The highest Temperature in Japan", I introduce my old post on February 26th, 2006 from my old blog.

Having much snow causes many problems. It can be traffic accidents, burst in the water pipes because of the freeze, injury while one is clearing snow on the roof. There is one more thing that obstructs people’s lives relating to much snow. That is jamming.

Thick snow walls which surround people’s houses shut the radio waves. Therefore, it would be hard to listen to radios because of the noise interruption. Moreover, the inside of a house would turn to be the outside of a mobile phone’s service area, so the first floor is worst place for cell phones to be used. I have found a few places where the mobile phones can receive waves on the first floor. Then, if I want to send e-mails to my friends on the floor, I need to move the good points in my house.

Tiny snowflakes accumulate slowly on the ground, and it makes huge snow mountains. The power of nature is immeasurable.

Here is difference between winter picture and picture in summer in my hometown.

The Highest Temperature in Japan

2006-07-25T14:21:00.000+09:00

Today, July 25 is Memorial Day for Japan weather. Yamagata prefecture which is in northern Japan and located next to my hometown had highest temperature 73 years ago on that day.

Yamagata Local Meteorological Observatories recorded 40.8 degree around 3:00 pm. This record is an official, highest temperature in Japan that has not been broken now. Yamagata newspaper at that time told as “the asphalt of the streets were about to melt and horses seemed to cause cardiac paralysis because of the heat.”

Japanese shaved ice society decided July 25th as "Day of the shaved ice"　It is commemorating the highest temperature in Yamagata.

By the way, the lowest temperature in Japan was recorded in Hokkaido 94 years ago. It was -41 degree on January 15th.

I have experienced -40 degree world at ice pavilion in Hokkaido. I honestly couldn’t enter the place because of cool air, and I even couldn’t breathe at all. It is good place to cool down your body in summer.

Ashiyu ~Japanese Relaxation~

2006-07-20T13:46:00.000+09:00

Have you heard about “Ashiyu”? As “Ashiyu (足湯)” is know as its Chinese characters, it means “footbath” in English. 足 (ashi) means foot and 湯 (yu) means hot water. In Japanese footbath, Ashiyu case, people can soak their leg to under knees.

Onsen (hot spring) in Japan may be well-known by people from all over the world; however, Ashiyu rises in popularity among Japanese well because of the easiness.

If you take Onsen in Japan, you need to prepare many things like towels, shampoo set and a change of underclothes which is lot of work. Besides, people especially from other country are reluctant to take hot spring naked with other people. In these points, Ashiyu is very simple and people feel free to take Ashiyu because they just need to show their leg.

There are many Ashiyu places, and some of them are free of charge especially in Onsen town. I took Ashiyu at Minase village in Akita prefecture the other day which was my first time. Although I just put my legs in hot water, my whole body became warm and felt really comfortable. Moreover, Ashiyu doesn’t impose a burden on heart which could happen while you take Onsen.　What is good one more about Ashiyu is men and women can use the same Ashiyu place together enjoying conversation different from Onsen!

Some photos of Ashiyu from Flickr

Twist Your Tongue!! Vol. 2

2006-07-16T14:59:00.000+09:00

Here is second challenge of Japanese tongue twist! Tongue twist is called “Hayakuchi-kotoba (早口言葉 in Kanji, はやくちことば in Hiragana). Here is the first one.

Try this one.

“Momo mo Sumomo mo Momo no uchi.”
“Momo mo Sumomo mo Momo no uchi.”
“Momo mo Sumomo mo Momo no uchi.”

(桃もスモモも桃のうち)
(もももすももももものうち)

This is easy for you? How about this one?

“Momo mo Sumomo mo Momo no uchi.
Sumomo mo Momo mo Momo no uchi.”

“Momo mo Sumomo mo Momo no uchi.
Sumomo mo Momo mo Momo no uchi.”

“Momo mo Sumomo mo Momo no uchi.
Sumomo mo Momo mo Momo no uchi.”

(桃もスモモも桃のうち。スモモも桃も桃のうち)
(もももすももももものうち。すもももももももものうち)

If I translate this Hayakuchi-kotoba into English, I would say “Peach and plum belong to peach. Plum and peach belong to peach.” “Momo(桃)” means “peach”, and “Sumomo（スモモ）” means “Plum”.

Here, Japan is good season to have peach and plum.

Apology

2006-07-12T18:37:00.000+09:00

Hi everyone who read this message.

Some of you may think something is wrong with my blog because I don't post new article. I am really sorry about that.

I have hectic days since last weekend.

I was thinking that I could renew my blog on Sunday after my English speaking test. However, my great grand father passed away on Saturday morning.

My great grand father died at 92. It is generally considered as longevity died at 92, but it was still sad to see his silent and pale face. There will be a funeral tomorrow.

I feel sorry for readers, but I will update my blog after things are settled.

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Japanese Slang “Yabai”

“Christmas Eve”

How Can You See Moon?

Akinomiya Hot Spring Town

Luck and Unlucky Number

Express Your Feeling

Tokyo Tower

New Japanese Monster –Daisuke Matsuzaka-

The Way of Saying Falling Snow

Onomatopoeia –Sounds of Water-

Halloween and Obon

Learning Samurai Words

Milk Tooth Custom

Bangaku –Subtle and Profound Dancing-

Tazawako -Deepest Love-

National Holidays in Japan

Hi Cheese!

White Day　-It’s Boys Turn-