20th April – 卯月 風呂敷 (Furoshiki) is the cloths to wrap things and carry. In the old time it was used for wrapping precious things, and as the time passed it became a bag for daily usage. Nowadays in Japan, we do not really see people who use 風呂敷 (Furoshiki), this is because bags becameContinue reading “風呂敷 (Furoshiki) – Cloth Wrapping”
Category Archives: Culture
即身仏 (Sokushin butsu)
16th April ‐ 卯月 Probably not many people know that there are Japanese mummies – called 即身仏 (Sokushin butsu), some merciful monks challenged themselves to become a self made mummy for the purpose of curing people who are suffering in the world. There are 17 of Sokushin butsu who sacrificed themselves to save others. HugeContinue reading “即身仏 (Sokushin butsu)”
お地蔵さん (Ojizou san)
14th April – 卯月 Have you ever seen the stone-made statues on the streets in Japan? The official name of this statues is 地蔵菩薩 (Jizou bosatsu), but called in a cuter way like お地蔵さん (Ojizousan) / 地蔵様 (Ojizousama). Ojizousan are located various places and believed to protect people, share the grief with people and healContinue reading “お地蔵さん (Ojizou san)”
日本国歌 (Nihon Kokka) – Japanese Anthem
13th April – 卯月 Each countries have its own national anthem, and so does Japan. Japanese national anthem is called 君が代 (Kimi ga yo) and it is known for the shortest anthem in the world. It consists of 32 words and only have about 45 seconds to finish up singing. Kimigayo was written by unknownContinue reading “日本国歌 (Nihon Kokka) – Japanese Anthem”
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”
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)”
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”
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”
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 JapaneseContinue reading “キラキラネーム (Kirakira ne-mu) – Shining Name”
Little Japan Dictionary 