#culture – Little Japan Dictionary

案山子(Kakashi) – Scarecrow

12th July – 文月 When you see the scenery of countryside in Japan, often 案山子 (Kakashi) stands in the rice fields and protects crops from birds – Rice field farmers cannot monitor the field 24 hours a day, they rely on Kakashi. The origin of the name ‘案山子:Kakashi’ was brought to Japan by the ChineseContinue reading “案山子(Kakashi) – Scarecrow”

お辞儀 (Ojigi) – Bowing

11th July – 文月 (Fuzuki) お辞儀: bowing action. Japanese generally bow in the situation of greeting, thanking, apologizing, asking favor and worshipping at the temples, shrines. Perhaps, you might have seen some movie scenes that Japanese person bows when calling, or all the kids in the class bowing at the same time when the classContinue reading “お辞儀 (Ojigi) – Bowing”

日本の怪談 (Nihon no Kaidan) – Japanese ghost stories

27th May –皐月 As every time on 27th, today’s theme is about ghost stories / urban Legend in Japan. Have you ever heard of UMA (Yu-ma)? UMA means mysterious / unidentified animals in Japan and several times every year, the TV shows have the programs that shows the videos and stories about UMA. Most likely,Continue reading “日本の怪談 (Nihon no Kaidan) – Japanese ghost stories”

ガリ (Gari) – Sweat ginger pickles

26th May – 皐月ガリ (Gari) is often seen when you eat Sushi. Ginger pickled by sweet vinegar. When you go to the sushi shop, you probably see this pink colored ginger there. Have you ever tried them before? It has sweet but sharp spicy tastes and most likely it is provided free. The pinkContinue reading “ガリ (Gari) – Sweat ginger pickles”

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”

日本の迷信 (Nihon no Meishin)-Japanese superstition No.3

10th March – 弥生 <<<Scary Japanese superstition related to death>>> In February, I shared some negative / positive superstitions that have been inherited over time. Seems like people like to learn those contents, so I would like to share more of them! Today’s topic is unlucky superstitions: -北枕で寝るのは、縁起が悪い Sleeping with head toward North is unluckyContinue reading “日本の迷信 (Nihon no Meishin)-Japanese superstition No.3”

巫女 (Miko) Shrine Maiden

7th March ー　弥生 When you go to the shrine, you probably see the ladies working with white and red clothes. Those people are called 巫女 (Miko / Fujo) and help the priests at the shrine. In the past, Miko had very important roles for both society and religiously. In the old time, Miko was theContinue reading “巫女 (Miko) Shrine Maiden”

ひな祭り　Hinamatsuri

3rd March – 弥生 Day to wish for the girls to have a good health and live well. Can be called 桃の節句 (Momo no sekku) On 3rd March, Japanese families put the gorgeous Japanese dolls inside the house to celebrate Hinamatsuri. The theme of this dolls is the marriage day for emperor and empress, withContinue reading “ひな祭り　Hinamatsuri”