29th July – 文月 From the end of July till early September, school kids have summer vacation in Japan. For most of adult who work at office, they also can get few days off in the middle of August. The common thing is that Japanese companies are mostly difficult to get continuous holidays, so thisContinue reading “夏休み (Natsu Yasumi) – Summer vacation”
Tag Archives: Tradition
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”
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”
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”
15th February – 如月
日本の迷信 （Nippon no Meishin） ‐ Japanese Superstition <<<Try to avoid those actions!>>> Just like the all other countries have their own superstition, Japan have many too! There are weird but interesting superstitions told from long time ago. Today’s blog, I would like to introduce the negative ones and then tomorrow the positive ones! 夜に爪を切ると、親の死に目に会えない If you cut yourContinue reading “15th February – 如月”
1st January – 睦月 (Mutsuki)
明けまして おめでとうございます (Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu) — Saying to each other and celebrate the New Year. Thanking the gods for letting people pass through the previous year safely, and celebrating about welcoming the gods again to earth. A Happy New Year! In Japan, it is the celebration of welcoming the gods who bring happiness, harvest andContinue reading “1st January – 睦月 (Mutsuki)”
Little Japan Dictionary 