Little Japan Dictionary

キラキラネーム (Kirakira ne-mu) – Shining Name

2nd April – 卯月

キラキラネーム is the name for people which uses abnormal Chinese character (Kanji) and / or can be read differently to the actual pronunciation.

Kirakira name have started to appear from the mid of 1990’s in Japan (aroud 1995), and in 2000’s the number of Kirakira name has increased rapidly.

In Japanese names, we have 2999 kanji that are normally used (commonly used Kanji for 2136, Kanji for people names: 863 words). Those Kanji are combined and it makes the names. The way of reading is not regulated, so some parents are making the unusual names for their children- even it does not have the pronunciation for the exact kanji.

Here are some examples of Kirakira names:

-黄熊 as ぷう (Pooh)

The exact way of reading could be Kiguma, meaning as yellow bear

-七音 as どれみ (Doremi)

The exact way of reading could be Nanaon, meaning seven sounds

-本気 as りある (Real)

The exact way of reading is Honki, meaning serious, earnestness

-男 as あだむ (Adam)

The exact way of reading is Otoko, meaning men

-紅葉 as めいぷる (Maple)

The exact way of reading is Kouyou, meaning of Autumn leaves

-頼音 as らいおん (Lion)

These are no exact meaning for this words, each kanji separately means 頼 as trust, 音 as sound

-桃花 as ぴんく (Pink)

The exact way of reading is Momoka, meaning as peach flower

Due to the increase in Kirakira names, the law that children above 15 years old can change their name without parent permission, has been recognized. To be able to change, there needs the appropriate reasons such as;

-The name sounds different to general Japanese names

-There are many same surname + last name people

-The name cannot be read correctly

-Can considered as weird name

-Willing to change due to the occupation

etc

There are some regions where mayor can reject the name for the children born in the area if the name seems inappropriate. This law was made after the incidence when parents named their kids as 悪魔 (Akuma), meaning of devil.

The kids with Kirakira name can be a target for bullying sometimes. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to carefully name the kids with respect.

日本に住む: 住居編 (Nihon ni Sumu: Jyuukyo hen) -Living in Japan: house

1st April –卯月 (Uzuki)

April is the time when new semester and terms start for schools and jobs in Japan. In this season, many people move to the cities to start working or commute schools, therefore there are heaps people starting to live by themselves. Today’s blog will give some information about living by oneself in Japan – 一人暮らし (Hitori gurashi).

Normally in Japan, if you rent a room, it comes with own bathroom, toilet, kitchen (some places might be different, but in that case shown as shared accommodation). Therefore, people need to purchase their own equipment and home appliances except the places where says they provide those items.

Generally, if you rent a place in Japan, you will need to pay the monthly rent plus 敷金 (Shikikin) and 礼金 (Reikin) as the initial costs.

Shikikin – Bond, pay at first to cover the fixing costs for your room. The repairing amount will be deducted and the rest will be returned when you move out. Shikikin is generally the same amount as the one month rent.

Reikin – Money that people pay to the owner of the house to appreciate for letting them stay. This money won’t come back and the amount is normally the same as one month rent.

In some cases, there are places where does not require Shikikin and Reikin, but it is better to check why they do not require them at first. Sometimes it might be required when you leave the house, or even they will force you to pay higher amount at the end. Thus, checking the contract carefully is a must!

Moreover, if you use any agency to find a place, you might need to pay 仲介手数料 (Chuukai tesuuryou) = referral fee to the agency where helped you. Referral fee are paid by the owner of the house and the person who rent the place, and this can cost around one month rent.

So far, the initial cost to rent the room in Japan is:

One month rent + 敷金 (Shikikin) + 礼金(Reikin) + 仲介手数料 (Chuukai tesuuryou) + house furniture

Already it seems like it will cost so much, doesn’t it?

The amount of rent can of course vary depending on the region and the size of the room. It is said that if you rent a room in Japan, it would be appropriate the monthly rent should be lower than 1/3 of your monthly income. So, if you earn 2,000 dollars per month, the room for 600 dollars would be sufficient.

Generally speaking, if renting a room in the city area, one room (1K) would be around 500,000 yen per month (About US 5000 dollars), but in Tokyo it could be around 800,000 yen (depending on all the situation and places). In many cases, this includes the cost called 管理費 (Kanrihi), the fee to be paid to management agency in the entire apartment, whole public area cleaning costs. However, if this is separated, you need to pay this extra amount.

Furthermore, for the other costs, the estimated amount for the general fees can be:

Water: ~3000 yen

Gas: ~5000 yen

Electricity: 3000 ~ 6000 yen

Wifi etc: 10,000 ~ 15,000 yen

This also depends on people, but please use as a brief measurement. People who go out often and not staying at home can be a lot lower fee than above.

When you want to keep continue living in the room after 2 years, you normally need to pay other costs too (Some places do not require). To renew the contract, you will need to pay 更新費 (Koushinhi). Koushinhi could cost about the amount of one month rent to the owner of the house + half a month rent to the agency. Plus you need to renew the fire insurance (火災保険料 Kasai hokenryou) for the room too after 2 years. Moreover, some places require you to pay for the 保証料 (Hoshouryou), which is the warranty money in the case when you become not be able to pay for the rent, this could be around one month rent.

Renting a room in Japan can cost so much and you might not be able to change the room easily. Therefore, it is suggested to take an enough time to decide the right room for you.

By the way, what day is today?

I actually pranked you on this blog: the correct information is…

Generally speaking, if renting a room in the city area, one room (1K) would be around the 5~60,000 yen per month (About US 5~600 dollars), but in Tokyo it could be around 80,000 yen (depending on all the situation and places).

Happy April fools everyone! 😀

桜エビ　(Sakura ebi) – Sakura Shrimp

31st March – 弥生

Sakura ebi – named afterits color, just like a pretty pink color, cherry blossom (桜=Sakura). Moreover, Sakura ebi can be taken the most in spring when sakura blooms, this is why it is called Sakura ebi. Sakuraebi lives only in Tokyo bay, Sagami bay and Suruga bay, however the area only allowed to actually do fishing is in Suruga bay, Shizuoka. Also the season for the fishing is even restricted twice a year, spring and autumn, around 40days. Therefore, Sakura ebi is very precious and luxury fish.

Sakura ebi normally lives very deep under the water, around 300m below. In the night in spring and autumn, they come to get the food upper in the ocean, from 20 to 60m from the surface of the water. Sakura ebi has luminous body and this shines under the water in the night, from this view, Sakura ebi is called ‘海の宝石’ (Umi no houseki = the jewelry of ocean).

However, there are one big problem regarding of Sakura ebi – Because Sakura ebi is very rare and luxury food, some company mislabel the similar fish. Food fraud has been rampant. The similar fish is called オキアミ (Okiami) and can be taken in China, South pole sea.

In order not to be deceived, following shows the difference between Sakura ebi and Okiami:

Sakura ebi

-Crustacean species

-3~5cm long body

– Female is bigger than male

-Have long beard, the length is around 2~3times longer than its body

Okiami

-Plankton

-Around 4cm long body

-When it is alive, the color is white and when it is taken out from the water it turns to be red

-When it gets less fresh, the color becomes white

-Do not have beard

Even though those are different fish, both has plenty calcium and fiber. Japanese enjoy eating fried Sakuraebi (かき揚げ, Kakiage), Okonomiyaki and raw Sakura ebi. If you have a chance to eat Sakura ebi, please give a go!

河童　（Kappa）

30th March – 弥生

Less than 150cm height, looks like children but green skin, wearing a dish on the top of the head, and having turtle shell at the back… this strange monster is called 河童 (Kappa) and is believed to live in the river. This creature can stay inside and outside the water and very good at swimming. The dish on the head can hold the water and if there is no water, or if the dish breaks, Kappa loses his power. This creature has been told and widely spread in Japan. Each place have different story with Kappa -good and bad exist.

One of the opinions are that the origin of the Kappa looks can be from the custom from Edo period. Around that time, it was pretty common that if the one family has got many kids that parents cannot take care of, they throw the kids into the river and kill them. This custom was called 間引き(Mabiki), and the dead body floating on the river looks like the Kappa looks. Very sad story but it was actually done in the old time.

Kappa has good and bad reputation: good ones are that Kappa helps rice planting, catch fish and deliver to the people. On the other hand, some places have been told that Kappa is violent and they drag people and animals into the river. One famous story is that Kappa takes human’s 尻子玉 (Shirikodama), which is believed as one part of organ that human have in the ass (it actually does not exist). They like doing mischief and play sumo.

In many Kappa drawings, they are drew with cucumber – this is because Kappa is considered as gods of water in some areas. Cucumber is the offering for the god of water therefore it was placed to the Kappa. Even nowadays, there is a sushi called ‘Kappa maki’, which is the cucumber roll.

There are some facts that Kappa could have been exist in Japan – In Fukuoka, Kurume city, there is a place called 北野天満宮 (Kitano-tenmanguu) and this place store an arm of Kappa mummy. In Saga, Imari city has the whole body of Kappa mummy. If you are interested, why not visiting those places to see the evidence of Kappa living in Japan?:)

柚子　（Yuzu）

29th March – 弥生

Yuzu, is the mandarin or lemon look-alike fruit, and Japan has the highest rate of its bith production and consumption. compared to the other citrus fruits, Yuzu has very strong acidity therefore it cannot be eaten raw like mandarin. However, Japanese love to use Yuzu for condiments as an accent in food. People squeeze the Yuzu fruit juice and use for various food, peel the Yuzu skin and put int the food to enjoy the smell, or even put Yuzu fruits in the bath to enjoy the smell while taking a bath.

Yuzu has yellow skin and the surface is bumpy. The Yuzu tree has a lot sharp thorns. In May to June, cute white flower blooms on Yuzu tree. This beautiful white flower is described as pure, innocent. The Yuzu fruits bear in around August to December. Yuzu fruits are harvested when it is yellow color and also green color.

Green color one is called 青柚子 (Ao-Yuzu), and picked in the earlier season. It has fresh tastes and little spicy flavour, therefore it is used for seasonings such as Yuzu pepper.

On the other hand, Yellow one is called ‘黄柚子’ (Ki-Yuzu), which is completely ripened. This ones are picked around November and it has stronger smell with little sweet flavor. People likes to drop this Kiyuzu in the bath to enjoy the smell.

Yuzu has plenty Vitamin C so it is good to include in the meals. The usage can be vary from the main dish to desserts so Japanese use it for variety things.

To find the good Yuzu fruit, check;

-Color should be equal throughout the surface

-The skin is hard

-Good smell

-The calyx seems fresh

The one which can apply all above would be the good quality one. If you have a chance to get Yuzu from supermarket, it is good to check those points!

日本人の考え方　（Nihonjin no kangaekata）－Stereotype Japanese thinking

28th March ‐ 弥生

Behind the history of being islander and not much connection with people from other countries, Japanese has established their own way to build relationship and communication method. Today’s topic is the stereotype of Japanese thought- It is of course not applicable for every single person in Japan, but it can be applicable in some points.

1. Japanese respect “和”(Wa)

Generally speaking, Japanese put importance on 和 (Wa)=harmony among each other, no fighting. Many of Japanese prefer to adjust themselves to the others. For instance, if one person says he wants to go to the BBQ today. The other 2 say that’s a good idea. The another one thinks he wants to eat salad, but he doesn’t want to break the 和, so he would say let’s go to BBQ too. Adjusting their opinion and being the same as others makes them feel secure.

There is a proverb: 出る杭は打たれる (Deru kui wa utareru). It means if you stand out, everybody will gang up and you will be bullied. Being different to others will break 和, therefore it is avoided and forced to make the opinion same as the others.

2. High contexts

When Japanese talk to each other, they generally understand what they really mean from the context of what they say – Japanese are good at reading others’ mind. For instance, when boss says ‘If you could help me with finishing this document, it would be great! But only if you don’t have nothing to do right now.’ This means the boss really wants your help. The second sentence is just a decoration, he wishes you to help whether you have other tasks or not. Japanese understand the context behind the words.

One really often case is that when one person asks you to go on a date, and you do not really want to go with this person, you just say I might go if I can, or I will check the schedule and see if I can. Sometimes, it really means possibility to go, but in many case it instantly shows I do not want to go, so the person who asks will probably not ask you too much from then. Showing possibility (but actually it means immediate NO from the first approach) might be the way to be polite to others, by not saying the fact that I do not want to go on a date with the person!

3. Strong work place relationship

Japanese company respect very strong connection within the coworkers, so there are generally not much separation in the private and work. Many case, coworkers hang out together a lot,become best friends, sometimes couples can be made within the coworkers. The strong relationship can be the reason why Japanese do not change the job easily.

Normally, Japanese companies hold drinking party after work, and if the boss asks the workers, it is very hard to say no as the boss has got the authority and make the atmosphere impossible to reject the invitation.

In summary, generally Japanese are recognized as:

-Low self assertion

-Prefer the same as the others

-Humble

-Sensitive for what others think about oneself

What are the stereotype of thinking in your country?

日本の怪談　（Nihon no Kaidan）ーJapanese ghost story

27th March – 弥生

The theme for 27th every month is Japanese ghost story, today’s topic is about good ghosts believed in Japan.

1. 座敷童 (Zashikiwarashi)

Little kids ghosts seen often in Iwate prefecture. This ghosts come to the old houses and storage then stay that places. Zashikiwarashi do mischief to people in order to surprise them. The house owner will be promoted in their job and become rich, so Zashikiwarashi is believed to bring happiness to them. Also if anybody see Zashikiwarashi, it has the same effect to them too, so many people try to reserve the hotels where sometimes Zashikiwarashi have seen. 緑風荘 (Ruoku-Fuu-Sou) is the most famous Zashikiwarashi hotel, many visitors who saw Zashikiwarashi there has become rich and happy, according to the reviews. On the other hand, if Zashikiwarashi left the house, the owner family will be unlucky and go obsolete, so it is important for them to keep Zashikiwarashi at home. Before Zashikiwarashi leave the house, they show up with red clothes, so it is the sign house owner need to prepare for the collapse.

2. 山男 (Yama-Otoko)

Huge man lives in the mountain. Had seen in many mountains in Japan.

Yamaotoko looks scary but actually this monster helps people for hunting, helps lost human in the mountains to go back to their village, sometimes work for human too. Yamaotoko only appears when there is only one person. Yamaotoko is believed to like Sake, and even just a little reward makes them work for human well – for example, some hard tasks like carrying heavy woods, materials. Yamaotoko cannot speak human language, however they are clever so they try to communicate with gesture.

3. 小豆洗い(Azuki Arai)

Their appearance is similar to monk, very short height and have huge eyes. They look smiling while washing 小豆(Azuki-red beans) on the riverside.

Azuki Arai sometimes only makes noise of washing red beans and people cannot see them. In some area, it is believed that if the mother who have daughter see Azuki Arai, their daughter will have a good engagement. However, on the other hand, some areas have unlucky story that if people see Azuki Arai and he beckons them, they will sink into the river and drawn.

4. 金霊 (Kanadama)

This ghost is the gathering of shining lights just look alike the brilliance of gold coins. This lights is believed to come from the sky and go into the house window. This ghosts only come into the good person’s house, who does good deed. That house will become very rich instantly and if the owner turned to be selfish and greedy, this ghosts will run away and house will obsolete, therefore it is always better to be humble and nice to others!

Hope only nice ghosts like them come to you to bring good lucks and happiness!:)

舞妓　- Maiko

26th March – 弥生

Guess most of the people already have heard the word “舞妓 – Maiko”. But do you know much about this?

Maiko is the girls who work for the 宴会 (Enkai)=party in Kyoto, 五花街(Gokagai). They dance and sing in the party, talk with the customers, pour liquor and so on. Those girls are aged around 15~16 years old and they are in the middle of training to become 芸妓 (Geiko) who are professional of hospitality in Enkai. It takes about 5years to become Geiko.

The only chance to become Maiko is just after graduating the junior high school – at the age of 15~16. The landlord lady at the place called 置屋(Okiya), will test the potential Maiko girls if they can get in or not. If they are successful, they can live in Okiya and landlord will take care of them like a mother.

However, those girls cannot become Maiko straight away. Firstly, they will experience the period called 仕込み (Shikomi), one year training period. Living with mother (=landlord) and sister (older girls at Okiya) and learning how to dance, talk and greet in a particular way in order to be sufficient to become Maiko. Shikomi girls wake up at first in the Okiya and clean up the house, and then they go to sleep at the last after cleaning up the house. Around a year after, when they know the manners and behavior, mother will give a go for them and they can officially become Maiko.

Once they become Maiko, they will be paired up with the older trainees and become sisters. Older sister will teach the younger one. Younger sister will get one letter of the older sister’s name to make her own name.

A month after being Maiko, they will learn many skills like Japanese guitar called 三味線 (Shamisen), Japanese drums, tea ceremony, dancing and singing.

The event places where Maiko serve customers are called 御座敷 (Ozashiki), Japanese style house and those are pretty fancy. Generally Ozashiki opens around 6pm, and customers will enjoy Maiko’s’ singing and dancing, play game with them. One Enkai takes about 2hours and there are no set price. However, customers generally pay around US1,000dollars ~ 2,000dollars per person! It includes food and service, plus some pocket money for each Maiko.

Although it costs a lot to join the Enkai, Maiko actually do not have set salary either. But they can get free accommodation, food, education (learning many different skills,which cost the most!) plus pocket money from mother, around US100 ~ 200dollars so they can grab some snack in the city.

Some extra information, how to tell the difference between Maiko and Geiko on the street. Maiko wear colorful, pattern designed kimono with high heel sandals. Moreover, they tie up their hair and decorate with a lot cute hair ornaments. On the other hand, Geiko wear simple darker colored kimono with no heel sandals. They wear wig without a lot ornaments.

日本人のメイク (Nihonjin no meiku) – Makeup in Japanese style

25th March – 弥生

Have you ever wondered which country the person on the street, or sitting next to you on the train, is from? Sometimes it is pretty hard to tell the difference until listening to the language they speak. Nowadays, the world is becoming international and many different nationality people live in the same place. Especially if you are from complete different area than Japan, it must be hard for you to recognize who is from Japan or Korea or China. However, for the girls, the way they wear makeups can be a little clue for you to tell the difference. Of course each person has their own style of makeups, and the trends for each countries can change very quick as the time passes. Or even some people like to wear makeup in the other country style, so it is not the definite recognition, it must vary. But on the other hand, makeup style can be a general hint to guess the nationality.

Today’s blog will give you a brief way to see the difference in makeup style in Japan, Korea and China.

Disclaimer: There might be some information that you disagree with, but this is just MY opinion, so in that case please just ignore!

Japan: Put importance in Kawaii style, try to make it as natural as possible

Many Japanese girls want to be cute rather than beautiful or sexy. But do not want to exaggerate or trying hard to show their effort – Natural cute looks is their goal. Also soft and gentle, friendly looks is preferred. Some points are;

-glossy lips

-big eyes (using double eye lid tapes to make bigger)

-natural skin color foundation

-natural arch shaped eyebrows

-soft pink cheek color in the middle of cheek

The way of putting cheek color roundly is the biggest difference to the other countries’ makeup style. However, nowadays Korean style makeup has been a trend among young generation in Japan, so it is making harder to tell the difference.

Korea: The skin condition is very important, Cool and Beauty is the theme of makeup

The Korean style makeup might be the most unique and easiest to tell the difference to the other countries’ makeup. Koreans put importance on skin care, so if they get pimples on the face, many cases they will put hiding patch on it. The recognizable Korean style makeup is;

-very white color foundation with glossy texture

-thick parallel straight eyebrows

-red lips

-gradation lip

-sideway wide eyes made by eyeliner

-cheek color along cheek bones

-drawing tear bags with pearl glitter

Another point to tell the difference with Japanese is that Korean ladies seems hardly use umbrellas to avoid sun light. Instead, they use a lot skin care items plus sunglasses for anti-sunburn!

China: Bringing clear color difference, sharp facial lines

Chinese style makeup can be made with vivid difference in color.

-white skin with matte texture

-brighter color foundation than real skin color

-long thick eyebrows

-clear eyeliner with wings at the corner of the eyes

-strong color lips

-no cheek color

Many Chinese girls seems to have smooth long black hair, so this could be another hint!

100円ショップ　- 100yen shop

24th March – 弥生

Most of items are sold for 100yen+tax (around US1dollar). It is common shops and exists many places in Japan. Very popular type of shop as the quality of the goods is amazing and variety of the goods surprises people.

It is like a common dollar shop in every countries, but it’s different – most of the goods are 100yen but those goods are great quality and even make us think ‘is it really 100yen??!’ – yes, those goods are this much good. They sell from food, snacks to kitchen, bath and gardening equipment. Almost everything can be purchased from those 100yen shop in Japan.

100yen shop is also called as 100均 (Hyakkin). This was from the word 100円均一(100yen Kin itsu), 均一 means equal, so 100均 is the shortened word.

Who would thought 100yen shop sells the lid for wet wipes? Can you guess which shop has tooth paste tube squeezer? Japanese 100yen shops have many things that are not necessary for life but if it exist, it’s useful. That is the concept of the shop, to make the life more convenient and stress-less.

There are many 100yen shop chains, but the most famous shops are:

Daiso Japan – the biggest 100yen shop chain, known for variety of different goods. They make 700 new items per months. Daiso generally takes card payment (not many other shops does). Daiso also has items which are more than 100yen, for instance sometimes 300yen, 500yen. Therefore it is recommended to double check the price.

Seria: the second biggest 100yen shop, known for variety of DIY craft items. As this shop mainly has items that customers make by themselves, Seria does not have many pre-made snacks or food – rather than that, they have decoration kits. Also Seria is famous for fashionable and trendy items, so many young generation like to purchase those cute items.

There are a lot things to learn from how 100yen makes profit, even they only sell super cheap items.

-margin mix strategy: Japanese 100yen mix both cheap items and higher costs items in the same shop. For example, toothbrush costs 1yen and laundry basket costs 150yen, but selling at the same price. By doing so, customers buy different items at once, so after all 100yen shop can gain profit.

-No advertising cost: As it is widely known that 100yen shop sells 100yen items and they have variety range of items which are useful and fun to look at, so they do not need to make ads or paper to get customers.

-smaller human resource cost: As 100yen shop mainly handle 100yen items and it is easy to calculate at register. Plus no need to put the price tag, so they just hire a few part time workers to manage shops.

-buying tons of same items at once: by buying items at once, it can make the cost of each items cheaper.

It is very interesting and exciting to go to 100yen shops in Japan, it’s like a treasure hunt to get the items that are never seen in the other shops, and it’s only 100yen!

If you have a chance to visit Japan, it is a must-thing to do – go and check 100yen shop!