29th April – 卯月 The birthday of Showa Emperor. It falls in the first day of the Golden week. Even the Heisei Emperor’s birthday is no more holiday (23rd of December, which was holiday till 2018), the birthday of Showa emperor is still regarded as Holiday. 昭和の日(Showa no hi) was called as 天皇誕生日( Tennou TanjoubiContinue reading “昭和の日(Shouwa no hi) – Public holiday”
Category Archives: Tradition
ゴールデンウィーク
28th April – 卯月 From the end of April to the start of May, Japan has huge continuous public holiday, called ゴールデンウィーク (Golden Week). This holiday consists of 昭和の日 (Showa no hi, 29th),憲法記念日 (Kenpou Kinenbi, 3rd), みどりの日 (Midori no hi, 4th), こどもの日 (Kodomo no hi, 5th). Japanese society is generally considered to be hard toContinue reading “ゴールデンウィーク”
箸 (Hashi) – Chopsticks
26th April – 卯月 Japan is the country where have the habit of using only chopsticks in the meal. There are many countries using chopsticks as well but they use spoons, forks as well at the same meal. This is related to the food Japanese eat mainly – now there are more choice of foodContinue reading “箸 (Hashi) – Chopsticks”
日本の風習 (Nihon no Fuu Shuu) – Japanese customs
24th April – 卯月 Suburbs and regions in Japan have many unique customs. Some of them still exists on the other hand some had already obsoleted. One example that has inherited is なまはげ (Namahage) in Akita prefecture. Namahage is a creature which wears scary 鬼(Oni=Demon) mask and straw clothes. He holds knife and breaks intoContinue reading “日本の風習 (Nihon no Fuu Shuu) – Japanese customs”
ランドセル (Randoseru)
21st April – 卯月 The rucksack which Japanese elementary school students use when they commute to school. The most Japanese elementary school students have the big square rucksack called ランドセル (Randoseru), and this commuting style has been very common from back in decades ago. The origin of ランドセル was in the end of Edo era,Continue reading “ランドセル (Randoseru)”
風呂敷 (Furoshiki) – Cloth Wrapping
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”
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”
Little Japan Dictionary 