20th July – 文月 Most Japanese have had at least one in their life – お守り(Omamori = Amulet), is the sacred familiar item sold in shrines. お守り sold at shrines receive worships and wishes from prayer and that ritual gives god power dwell inside. Nowadays, there are various types of お守りspecific for each wishes, suchContinue reading “お守り (Omamori) – Amulet”
Category Archives: Custom
風鈴 (Fuurin) – Wind Chime
19th July – 文月 風鈴 (Fuurin) is a type of wind chime which creates gentle calm sounds. It has 3 parts – 鐘 (Kane) as a bell part to make the sounds, 舌 (zestu) to hit the bell and 短冊 (Tanzaku) to catch the wind. When the wind blows, 風鈴 (Fuurin) makes beautiful sounds. AsContinue reading “風鈴 (Fuurin) – Wind Chime”
花火 (Hanabi) – Fireworks
17th July – 文月 In Natsumatsuri (Summer festival), you can often see the colorful huge fireworks shining up the dark sky. Even it is common to do small fireworks with family in the riverside. The first 花火大会 (Hanabi Taikai = Fireworks festival) started in 1733, at Sumidagawa, Tokyo. The small company called 鍵屋 (Kagiya) isContinue reading “花火 (Hanabi) – Fireworks”
日本の田舎あるある (Nihon no Inaka Aru Aru) – Common things in Japanese countryside
13th July – 文月 Most people firstly think of Japan as Tokyo, Osaka views – huge buildings lined up and people tightly packed in the busy trains. However, if going some distance away from the metropolis, people might surprise there are many green nature views spread around. Now in Japan it is trending to moveContinue reading “日本の田舎あるある (Nihon no Inaka Aru Aru) – Common things in Japanese countryside”
衣替え (Koromo Gae) – Changing clothes
1st June – 水無月 Minazuki 衣替え (Koromo gae): When the season changes, change the clothing accordingly. Generally, 1st June is the day most department stores and clothing shops change the display clothes to summer style. Summer clothes are sold around June till the end of September, then Winter clothes are sold during October and inContinue reading “衣替え (Koromo Gae) – Changing clothes”
日本食事マナー (Nihon Shokuji Manner) – Japanese eating Manner
20th May – 皐月 When you visit Japan, you might be fascinated by the variety of food you can eat there. While there are many food options, I would recommend you to try the actual Japanese food (和食 = Washoku). If you have a chance to try 和食, there are several rules / manners youContinue reading “日本食事マナー (Nihon Shokuji Manner) – Japanese eating Manner”
赤ちゃんのための行事 (Akachan no tame no Gyouji) – Events for babies
18th May – 皐月 Following the yesterday’s blog お食い初め (Okuizome = the very first food that baby eats), today’s blog is also about babies’ events that is held for the first 1 months they are born. お七夜 (Oshichiya) The celebration feast event for the new born baby. It is held 7 days after baby isContinue reading “赤ちゃんのための行事 (Akachan no tame no Gyouji) – Events for babies”
還暦祝い(Kanreki Iwai) – 60years old cerebration
16th May – 皐月 Japanese culture has special cerebration for turning point of years. One of the big cerebration can be 成人式 (Seijinshiki = 20years old) and 還暦祝い (Kanreki Iwai) for 60 years old. For 還暦祝い, traditionally people who turned 60 years old wear red hat and vest. However, nowadays, this custom is vanishing andContinue reading “還暦祝い(Kanreki Iwai) – 60years old cerebration”
こどもの日 (Kodomo no Hi)
5th May – 皐月 Part of Golden week holiday, the day for children – Respecting the children’s individual characters, wishing for happiness for them and appreciating their mothers for bringing up the children. Some people might have heard that 5th of May is also called as 端午の節句 (Tango no Sekku). However, this is a differentContinue reading “こどもの日 (Kodomo no Hi)”
八十八夜 (Hachijuu Hachi Ya) -The Eighty Eight night
1st May – 皐月 88 days after 立春 (Risshun) is the day of starting summer. This year falls 1st of May. From around this day, there are less frost therefore it is considered as the starting day of farming. Now the day is becoming longer and longer, the temperature is getting above 20 degrees inContinue reading “八十八夜 (Hachijuu Hachi Ya) -The Eighty Eight night”
Little Japan Dictionary 