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)”
Tag Archives: #Japanese
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”
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”
タケノコ (Takenoko) – Bamboo shoot
4th April – 卯月 Most people probably know that 筍 (Takenoko = Bamboo shoot) is edible but did you know that we can only eat few bamboo species? 竹(Take =Bamboo) grows very fast, and within around 10 days, the bamboo shoot becomes hard Take tree. 竹 can live more than 100 years, so it isContinue reading “タケノコ (Takenoko) – Bamboo shoot”
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”
日本に住む: 住居編 (Nihon ni Sumu: Jyuukyo hen) -Living in Japan: house
1st April –卯月 (Uzuki) April is the time when new semester and terms start for schools and jobs in Japan. In this season, many people move to the cities to start working or commute schools, therefore there are heaps people starting to live by themselves. Today’s blog will give some information about living by oneselfContinue reading “日本に住む: 住居編 (Nihon ni Sumu: Jyuukyo hen) -Living in Japan: house”
桜エビ (Sakura ebi) – Sakura Shrimp
31st March – 弥生 Sakura ebi – named afterits color, just like a pretty pink color, cherry blossom (桜=Sakura). Moreover, Sakura ebi can be taken the most in spring when sakura blooms, this is why it is called Sakura ebi. Sakuraebi lives only in Tokyo bay, Sagami bay and Suruga bay, however the area onlyContinue reading “桜エビ (Sakura ebi) – Sakura Shrimp”
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）”
柚子 （Yuzu）
29th March – 弥生 Yuzu, is the mandarin or lemon look-alike fruit, and Japan has the highest rate of its bith production and consumption. compared to the other citrus fruits, Yuzu has very strong acidity therefore it cannot be eaten raw like mandarin. However, Japanese love to use Yuzu for condiments as an accent inContinue reading “柚子 （Yuzu）”
Little Japan Dictionary 