ayamochi

和菓子 (Wagashi) – Japanese Sweets

12th April – 卯月 Japanese sweets, 和菓子 (Wagashi) was named in order to make distinction to the Western sweets 洋菓子(Yougashi). Wagashi is less sweet than Yougashi, but it express seasons with the tastes and looks. For instance, in the spring time, many Wagashi uses Cherry blossom flower petals and make it pink color to bringContinue reading “和菓子 (Wagashi) – Japanese Sweets”

キジ (Kiji) – Pheasant

11th April – 卯月 Japanese national bird, it was determined in 1947. Pheasant stays in Japan whole year and it is Japanese endemic species. 雉 (Kiji) as a national bird of Japan, is believed to exist most places in Japan exept in Hokkaido and Tsushima, however many people never have seen them. Kiji is veryContinue reading “キジ (Kiji) – Pheasant”

椿 (Tsubaki) – Camellia Japonica

10th April – 卯月 Big red flower petals with yellow vivid style, this gorgeous flower is called 椿 (Tsubaki) and often drawn on the Kimonos. Many people might think this lower blooms in winter time, however some species are blooming in April. It generally blooms between December and April and this flower does not haveContinue reading “椿 (Tsubaki) – Camellia Japonica”

狛犬 (Komainu)

9th April – 卯月 In the shrine, you might realize there are 2 pair of statues of dog alike animals before getting close to the main hall. Those stone or wooden made statues are called 狛犬 (Komainu), and those are believed to guard the shrines from evils just as a watchdogs. Komainu 狛犬 can beContinue reading “狛犬 (Komainu)”

花祭り (Hana Matsuri) – Buddha’s flower festival

8th April – 卯月 8th of April is the birthday of Buddha, founder of Buddhism. The temples nationwide cerebrate this day. 2500 years ago, Buddha, the name before was Siddhartha was born in Lumbini flower garden, at the bottom of Himalayas. He was born in Shakya tribe’s royalty so he was a prince. After heContinue reading “花祭り (Hana Matsuri) – Buddha’s flower festival”

潮干狩り (Shiohigari) – Clam digging

7th April – 卯月 Digging the sandy beach to find shells such as clams when it is low tide. In the spring season in Japan, many family go to the sandy beach to enjoy 潮干狩り (Shiohigari). The sandy ground where normally is deep under the sea comes out due to the low tide, has plentyContinue reading “潮干狩り (Shiohigari) – Clam digging”

花粉症 (Kafunshou) – Hay fever

6th April – 卯月 Hay fever exists whole year in Japan, but the worst season starts from the early February and continues till May – In Japanese spring time, there are Cedar pollen flying around and make illiterate many people. Cedar tree afforestation had done from Edo era, and even after the World War 2,Continue reading “花粉症 (Kafunshou) – Hay fever”

こけし (Kokeshi) – Traditional Japanese wood doll

5th April – 卯月こけし (Kokehsi), also written as 子芥子, is the traditional wooden doll in Japan. It consists of round part with column and is drew face, hair plus Kimono. In the end of Edo era, Kokeshi were sold in the hot spring hotels in Tohoku area. At that time, people went to theContinue reading “こけし (Kokeshi) – Traditional Japanese wood doll”

タケノコ (Takenoko) – Bamboo shoot

4th April – 卯月 Most people probably know that 筍 (Takenoko = Bamboo shoot) is edible but did you know that we can only eat few bamboo species? 竹(Take =Bamboo) grows very fast, and within around 10 days, the bamboo shoot becomes hard Take tree. 竹 can live more than 100 years, so it isContinue reading “タケノコ (Takenoko) – Bamboo shoot”

オノマトペ : 動物 (Onomatope : Doubutsu) – Onomatopoeia No. 2:Animals

3rd April – 卯月 Japanese uses onomatopoeia a lot in the conversation, as I said on the previous blog. For the sound of animal barking, Japanese hear it differently to the other countries. -小鳥 (Kotori) Little bird: ピヨピヨ – Piyo Piyo -烏 (Karasu) Crow:　カーカー – Car Car -猫 (Neko) Cat:　ニャー – Nya- -犬 (Inu) Dog:　ワンワンContinue reading “オノマトペ : 動物 (Onomatope : Doubutsu) – Onomatopoeia No. 2:Animals”