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”
Category Archives: Tradition
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)”
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”
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”
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 andContinue reading “河童 （Kappa）”
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 beContinue reading “日本人の考え方 （Nihonjin no kangaekata）－Stereotype Japanese thinking”
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 toContinue reading “日本の怪談 （Nihon no Kaidan）ーJapanese ghost story”
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 girlsContinue reading “舞妓 - Maiko”
団扇 (Uchiwa) Japanese round fan
22nd March – 弥生 Rounded fan – Uchiwa, making wind manually, was introduced to Japan in Kofun era (around 1700 years ago)from China. In the older time, it was made of wood and rather used by higher positioned people for hiding their face than used for creating wind, intercepting sunshine like now. Or even itContinue reading “団扇 (Uchiwa) Japanese round fan”
Little Japan Dictionary 