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4 things you should know before going to Japan

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Hi there. It has been a year since the spread of the coronavirus, but there is still no prospect of us being able to travel abroad again… I hope the situation will improve soon!

In this article, I have summarized what you need to know before coming to Japan. If you are interested in visiting or living in Japan, the info here might help.

1. Is the food for everyone?

Japanese food is mainly fish, seaweed, vegetables, beans, and rice, but nowadays, with the advent of internationalization, a wide variety of foods are available. If you like a healthy diet, I’m sure you will enjoy eating in Japan. However, there are still very few Halal restaurants and dishes, and many Japanese dishes contain fish-based seasonings called dashi, so vegans who do not eat fish or any other meat will have a hard time finding something they can eat. Even in Japan, the understanding of Halal, vegetarian and vegan food is still young, and there are some restaurants that claim to be vegan or vegetarian but offer dishes containing shrimp, squid, etc. or food with broth, so you need to be careful.

There are also many fermented foods such as natto (fermented soybeans) and tsukemono (pickled vegetables). If you are not fond of them, it is best to refrain from eating them. 

When you go to a teishoku-ya (set meal restaurant), raw eggs are sometimes served, and many people generally eat them directly over rice. You may be very surprised when you see them for the first time, as they are not eaten raw in other countries. The quality control of eggs in Japan is excellent, so we can eat like this with no problem.

There are a variety of raw dishes, including sashimi, sushi, and “dancing food,” where live fish/prawns are eaten (or boiled a little. I don’t really like it and don’t want to eat it in this way to be honest… but some people love it) In a country like Australia, this kind of eating is punishable as “cruelty to animals”, but if you want to try it, you can do it in Japan.

Related posts

What makes Japan healthy? : Healthy diet and tips
Vegetarian & Vegan in Japan: What to eat and avoid

2. When is the best time to visit?

Japan has four seasons, and the average annual temperature varies from place to place. In Tokyo, the temperature ranges from 2°C to 31°C throughout the year, and it rarely gets below -0°C or above 34°C. Snow falls only a few times a year there. However, in the Tohoku area and Hokkaido, the lowest temperature in winter is around -7°C and it snows a lot. Okinawa, located in the south, has a mild climate with temperatures never dropping below 10°C throughout the year.

The best time to visit is in the Spring or Autumn. There are cherry blossom viewing and shopping sales in Spring, and in the Autumn, there are many cultural events and beautiful autumn leaves to see. The weather is also relatively stable in both seasons, making them the most popular seasons for tourists. By the way, many people choose to visit Kyoto during the summer vacation period, but be careful if you go sightseeing in Kyoto in the summer because it gets blazing hot there!

Related posts

12 amazing places you should visit in Hokkaido
Visit Okinawa, amazing southern islands of Japan!
Beautiful Autumn in Japan! and the COVID-19 situation update

3. Is it common to randomly talk to natives?

English is now part of compulsory education from elementary school onwards in Japan, so if you speak to the average person in English, they will probably understand what you are saying to some extent. However, Japan is one of the least developed countries in the world in terms of English speaking skills, and many people are uncomfortable with English conversation. Also, many people are shy and try to avoid conversations with people they have never met before.

If you speak slowly to young people in their 40s or younger, you should have no problem having a simple conversation, even in English. If you talk to someone who is older than that, he/she may be surprised to find out that the person he/she is talking to is a foreigner, or may get nervous and avoid the conversation. However, basically everyone is kind and listens well to others, so if you speak slowly enough, they will make an effort to understand what you are trying to say. 

If you can speak to them in simple Japanese, they will become less cautious and more likely to talk to you, so even if you don’t speak well, it is a good idea to be able to carry on a daily conversation in Japanese.

4. How you show respect

Japan is heavily influenced by Confucianism and Buddhism, and respecting and caring for others is considered a virtue. Unlike in the U.S. and many Western countries, most Japanese people are more concerned with how others think and feel about them than they are about themselves, and how they behave in public will affect how others perceive them. For example, even in the densely populated urban areas of Japan, almost everyone is very quiet on buses and trains, keeping silence so as not to disturb others around them. They don’t impose their opinions on others too much, and in the workplace, they show respect to others by giving detailed consideration to hierarchical relationships, seniority, and juniority, and by using polite language.

If you are unsure of how to behave, I recommend that you ask people around you and try to act like them until you will understand what to do/how to say. When someone does something nice for you, you can show your respect by simply bowing and saying “thank you”.

Since our daily life is based on such delicate human relationships, you might get disliked if you act in a way that is not considerate of others, such as being loud, too assertive, too friendly, using bad language or manners, or having a bad attitude. On the other hand, not doing these things (until you get to know the person well) will also show respect.  

Related posts

How and when to bow : A simple guide to bowing etiquette in Japan
Honne & Tatemae : How the Japanese people behave in public
Why do Japanese do Seiza?
4 ways to use a cell phone in Japan
Japanese drinking culture and rules

The fastest way to learn about Japan’s unique culture is to actually come and live in Japan. Familiarity is better than learning from books. Perhaps Japan is the easiest place in the world for you to live (or maybe not, but it’s worth experiencing the different world!). When Corona is over, please come visit us!

Cost of living in Tokyo for a single person

日本に訪れる前に知っておくべき4つのこと

こんにちは。コロナウィルスの蔓延から1年が過ぎましたが、いまだに海外旅行が再び出来る目処が立っていません。早く状況が改善すると良いですね。

今回の記事では日本に来る前に知っておくことに関してまとめました。日本での生活に興味のある方は是非読んでみてください。

• 日本の食べ物について
日本料理は魚、海藻類、野菜、豆類、米類が中心ですが、現在では国際化が進み、様々な種類食べ物が手に入るようになりました。健康的な食生活が好きな方は日本での食生活をとても楽しめると思います。ただし、ハラール対応のレストランや料理がまだ少ないことと、多くの日本食にはダシと呼ばれる魚を使った調味料が使われているので、魚などの肉類も一切食べないヴィーガンの方は食べられるものを探すことに苦労すると思います。日本国内でもハラール、ベジタリアンやヴィーガンに対する理解がまだ浅く、ヴィーガンやベジタリアン料理と言いながらエビやイカなどを含んだ料理やダシを使った食べ物を提供しているお店もあるので注意が必要です。

また、納豆や漬物などの発酵食品も多いので苦手な方は食べることを控えると良いでしょう。定食屋さんに行くと、たまに生卵がそのまま提供されて一般的にそのままご飯にかけて食べる人が多いですが、日本の生卵は衛生上、管理が徹底されているのでこのように食べることができます。他の国では生では食べられないので初めて見ると非常に驚くかもしれません。

生の料理は様々な物があり、刺身や寿司はもちろん、「踊り食い」と呼ばれる、生きた魚/海老などをそのまま（もしくは少し茹でて）食べる料理もあります。私は苦手で、この様にして食べたいとは思いませんが、、、。オーストラリアなどではこのような食べ方が「動物に対する残虐な行為」として罰せられる対象となっていますが、挑戦してみたい方は日本で試してみるのも良いかもしれません。

• 訪れるのに良い季節は？
日本には四季があり、年間の平均気温は場所により差があります。東京都の1 年を通して気温は 2°Cから 31°Cほどで、-0°C 未満または 34°C を超えることは滅多になく、雪も年に数回降る程度です。しかし東北や北海道では冬の時期の最低気温は-7°Cほどで雪も多く降り、逆に南に位置する沖縄では年間を通して10°Cを下回ることがなく温暖な気候です。

訪れるのに最も良い時期は春か秋で、春には桜の花見やショッピングなどのセール、秋には紅葉を見たり文化系のイベントが多く開催されたりします。気候も比較的安定している時期なので観光客に最も人気の季節です。夏休みの時期に京都へ出かける人も多いですが、夏の京都は日照りがひどく、非常に暑いので観光の際は注意が必要です。

• 誰にでも話しかけて大丈夫？
英語は現在は小学生から義務教育で学んでいるので、一般人に英語で話しかけても、話の内容をある程度理解してくれるでしょう。しかし、日本は先進国の中でも英語による会話力が低く、英会話に関して苦手意識を持っている人が少なくありません。また、シャイな人が多く、初対面の人との会話は避けようとする人もいます。

全体的に見て、40代くらいまでの若い人に対してはゆっくりと話しかければ、英語であっても簡単な会話することは問題ないでしょう。それ以上の年齢の人では、相手が普段話をしない外国人だと驚くか、緊張して会話を避けてしまう傾向にあります。ただ、基本的にみんな親切でよく話を聞いてくれるので、ゆっくりと話せばあなたが何を伝えようとしているか努力して聞いてくれるでしょう。簡単な日本語で話しかけられれば警戒感は薄まり、話しやすくなるので多少でも、上手くなくても、日常会話を日本語で出来るようにしておくと良いです。

• 敬意を示すには？
日本は儒教や仏教の影響を大きく受けていて、相手を敬い、気遣う事が徳とされています。アメリカや多くの西洋諸国と違って、多くの日本人は自分のことよりも相手がどのように思うか、どの様に感じるかに関心を持っていて、公共の場での振る舞い方によって周りの人からの評価が変わってきます。例えば、日本の都市部には多くの人が密集している場所でも、バスや電車内ではほとんどみんなが周りの人の迷惑にならないように沈黙を守り、非常に静かです。

また、あまり相手に自分の意見を押し付けることはせず、職場などでは上下関係や先輩、後輩などの人間関係に関して細かな配慮を行い、丁寧な言葉遣いをすることで相手に敬意を示します。

細かな言葉使いや作法などがあり、それらを身につけるには時間がかかりますが、どの様に振る舞うべきなのか迷ったら、近くの人に色々と聞いてみたり、周りの人と同じように行動してみることをお勧めします。　

この様に繊細な人間関係の上に日常生活があるので、「声が大きくうるさい」「自己主張が多すぎる」「フレンドリーすぎる」「言葉使いやマナーが悪い」「態度が悪い」など、他人のことを考えていない様な行動をすると嫌われます。逆にこれらを（相手と親しくなるまでは）行わない様にすることが敬意を示すことにもなります。相手があなたに何か良いことをしてくれた時に軽い会釈や「ありがとう」の一言を言うだけでも敬意を示すことが出来るので、常に周りの人のことを考えていれば円滑な人間関係を築くことができます。

日本の独特な文化を学ぶには「習うより慣れろ」で、実際に日本に来て生活してみることが一番早いです。もしかしたら、日本の生活はあなたにとって世界で一番過しやすいかもしれません。コロナが終息したらぜひ遊びに来てください！

Thank you for reading today’s post!
Until next time,
Taka

Strong Thailand-Japan relations：The past and the future

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It is said that the relationship between Thailand and Japan has a history of over 600 years. In recent years, cultural exchanges, diplomacy, and defense talks have been frequently held and the connections between the royal families of both countries are getting deeper. Not only the trade relations, but also the economic relations are becoming closer. Let’s learn the history of the relationship between Japan and Thailand, and the depth of the connection here.

History of relationships

The diplomacy between Thailand and Japan dates back to the time of the Shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga (1358 – 1408) in Japan, and there are records that Thailand ships stayed in Japan for a year. In Okinawa, there is a report that Naomasa Ryukyu (the king of the area at the time) opened a trade with Thailand in 1477. Awamori (local sake) in Okinawa is traditionally manufactured using Thai rice. According to one theory, it is said to be a remnant of the former trade with Thailand.

Later on, a Japanese town was formed in the capital Ayutthaya through trade with Thailand by the Shuin-sen ship (ship of Shogunal charter for foreign trade). Although it was not a formal diplomatic exchange, gifts and letters were sent between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Ayutthaya dynasty. In addition, Thailand imported silk, pottery, horses, etc, and deer skin, ivory, liquor, and materials used for manufacturing firearms, such as tin and lead, were exported to Japan.

When influential people such as the Tokugawa clan came to dominate in Japan, the number of the battles within the country significantly decreased, and many Ronin (samurai without a lord or master) also left Japan in search of a place to work, and some of them went to Thailand. In 1621, Nagamasa Yamada became the chief of the Japanese community, and 1,500 civilians and 800 mercenaries lived there. In this way, there were a lot of exchanges between Thailand and Japan, but the trade between the two declined due to the isolation policy by the Tokugawa Shogunate until the opening of the country in 1854.

In the 18th century, many Asian countries were colonized by the Western powers, and Japan ended the isolation policy and started the Meiji Restoration to construct a modern nation. Around the same time in Thailand, the Ayutthaya and Thonburi dynasties became the Rattanakosin dynasty, and under King Rama V, the nation was modernized. During this period, Japan and Thailand began formal diplomatic relations.

With the signing of Treaty of Amity and Commerce on September 26, 1887, diplomacy between Japan and Thailand began in earnest (2020 is the 133rd anniversary. The diplomatic relations with Thailand was the first treaty signed by the Japanese government in the Meiji era in Southeast Asian countries).

In the midst of powers between Britain and France, Thailand signed an unequal treaty with Japan and the United States, and by maintaining a neutral position on either side, it avoided becoming a colony of another country. In World War II/The Asia Pacific War, Thailand formed an alliance with Japan and declared war on the United States and Britain. However, at the end of the war, Thailand explained to the United States and Britain that “The declaration of war was forced by Japan and is invalid” . This was accepted and thus Thailand did not become a defeated country. Postwar diplomacy with Japan was restored by the Peace Treaty with Japan, which came into effect on April 28, 1952.

Deepening international relations

In recent years, Japan and Thailand have deepened their relationship as economic partners. Thailand has been exporting a lot of machinery/vehicle parts and steel to Japan, and mainly importing electrical equipment from Japan. The Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement was signed in 2007, and this has strengthened not only trade in goods, but also services, investment and ties between governments.

People from both countries are actively visiting Thailand and Japan. Many Japanese companies have expanded into Thailand since the 1980s. According to a survey by the JETRO Bangkok office, there were 5,444 Japanese companies in Thailand as of May 2017, and according to a survey by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there were 75,647 Japanese living in Thailand as of October 2018.

As of the end of 2019, 54,809 Thais were staying in Japan (according to a survey by the Ministry of Justice of Japan). Most of them live mainly in the city areas such as Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. In the 1980s, many Thais came to Japan to work, but nowadays, tourism is the main reason for coming to Japan. In 2019, 1,319,000 people visited Japan for sightseeing from Thailand, and the consumption of tourists increased by more than 30 billion in one year compared to 2018.

Nittaiji Temple

In Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, there is Nittaiji Temple (meaning a temple of Japan and the Kingdom of Thailand), the only super-denominational temple in Japan that does not belong to any denomination. Nittaiji Temple was built in 1904 to enshrine Shinshari (the remains of Buddha) sent from the Kingdom of Thailand in 1900. There is also a statue of King Rama V who donated Shinshari to Japan. It is a custom that the Thai ambassadors in Japan to worship on his/her birthday. Exchanges between Thailand and Japan through Buddhism have been carried out for a long time.

About Nittaiji : http://www.nittaiji.jp/kakuouzan/index_en.html

Currently, travelling between countries is restricted because of the coronavirus, but it is hoped by many that Thailand and Japan will continue to deepen their economic relations. I’m sure there will be a lot more exchanges in the tourism and service industries in the future. We hope to build even better relationships while respecting each other’s cultures!

タイと日本の関係：過去と未来について

タイと日本は、600年にわたる長い交流の歴史があるといわれています。近年では両国の王室・皇室間の親密な交流を通して、文化交流、外交、防衛協議が頻繁に行われています。また、貿易関係なども深まっており、経済関係がより密接になってきています。日本とタイの関係の歴史と繋がりの深さをここで学んでおきましょう。

関係の歴史

タイと日本の外交は足利義満の時代にまでさかのぼり、当時タイの船が日本に1年間滞在したという記録が残されています。また、沖縄では1477年に琉球王尚真がタイと交易を開いた記録が残っています。沖縄の泡盛はタイ米を使って製造されていますが、一説によるとこれはかつてのタイとの交易の名残だとも言われています。

その後は、御朱印船による対タイ交易を通じ、首都アユタヤに日本人町が形成されました。また、正式な国交ではありませんが、徳川幕府とアユタヤ朝の間でも献上品や書簡の交換が行われていた記録が残されています。当時、日本からは絹や陶器、馬などが輸出され、タイからは鹿の皮、象牙、酒や、火器などの製造に使う錫、鉛などが輸入されました。

日本国内で徳川家などの有力者が支配するようになると合戦が起こらなくなり、多くの浪人もタイを含む海外へ活躍の場を求めて出国しました。1621年の最盛期には山田長政が首領に就任し、1,500人の民間人と800人の傭兵が居住していたそうです。このように、タイと日本とは多くの交流がありましたが、徳川幕府による鎖国令にり1854年の開国まで国交は衰退しました。

開国後の18世紀では欧米列強によりアジアの国々が植民地化される中、日本は明治維新により近代国家建設を開始しました。同時期にタイではアユタヤ朝、トンブリー朝を経てラッタナコーシン朝となり、ラーマ5世の下で独立を維持しつつ、国家の近代化を図りました。この時期に日本とタイは正式な国交を始めました。

1887年（明治20年）9月26日に修好通商が調印されたことにより、日本とタイの外交が本格的に始まりました（2020年の今年で133周年です。タイとの外交関係は、明治の日本政府が東南アジア諸国で結んだ最初の条約でした）

タイはイギリスとフランスの権力争いに挟まれる中、日本やアメリカと不平等条約を結び、どちら側にも肩入れしない、中立の立場を保つことにより他国の植民地となることを避けました。また、第２次世界大戦・アジア太平洋戦争では、タイは日本と同盟を結び、米英に宣戦しました。しかし終戦時に「あの宣戦は日本に強要されたもので無効である」と米英に説明し、これが受け入れられて敗戦国になりませんでした。戦後の日本との外交は1952年4月28日に発効した日本国との平和条約によって回復しました。

深まる国際関係

近年、日本とタイは経済的なパートナーとしての関係がさらに深まっています。タイは機械/車両の部品や鉄鋼などを多く日本に輸出しており、日本からは電気機器などを主に輸入しています。また、日本とタイの間では、2007年に日タイ経済連携協定が締結されています。これにより物の貿易だけでなく、サービス、投資や政府間の繋がりも強化されてきました。

両国間の人の往来も活発で、1980年代以降に多くの日本企業がタイへの進出を行ってきました。ジェトロバンコク事務所の調査によると、2017年5月時点ではタイの日系企業は5,444社に上り、外務省の調査によると2018年10月時点でタイに住む日本人は75,647人だったそうです。

一方、日本に滞在しているタイ人は2019年末の時点で54,809人（日本国法務省調査）で、多くは首都圏を中心に生活しています。1980年代では出稼ぎに日本に来るタイ人が多くいましたが、現在は観光が主な来日の理由です。2019年には131万9000人の人が観光で日本を訪れ、旅行者の消費額は2018年と比べて、1年で300億以上も増加しています。

日泰寺：仏教を通じた交流

愛知県名古屋市にどの宗派にも属さない日本で唯一の超宗派の寺院、日泰寺（日本とタイ王国の寺院と言う意味）があります。日泰寺は1900年にタイ王国から送られた真舎利（釈迦の遺骨）を奉安するために1904年に創建されました。境内には真舎利を日本に寄贈したラーマ5世の像もあります。在日タイ大使は誕生日に参拝するのが習わしになっているそうです。このように仏教を通じたタイと日本の交流も長く行われてきました。

現在はコロナウィルスの影響により人の往来が制限されていますが、今後もタイと日本は経済的な関係を深めながら、観光やサービス産業でも多くの交流が行われることでしょう。お互いの文化を尊敬しながらさらに良い関係を築いて行くことを願っています。

参考
外務省 , Jetro

Thank you for reading today’s post!
See you next time,
Taka

Beautiful Autumn in Japan! and the COVID-19 situation update

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Here’s a short movie of Autumn in Takayama City last week. 

Most of the leaves have already fallen now, but it was really beautiful to walk through the forest. Japan is a country where you can enjoy all 4 seasons throughout the year.That is one of the best things living here!

Takayama City, known as an international tourist destination, has seen a significant decrease in tourists since the coronavirus, and the land price at Okuhida Onsengo Hirayu in Takayama City dropped by 9.3%, the highest rate of decline in commercial areas nationwide. Sadly speaking, many hotels and guesthouses have been closed.

In Japan, the number of people infected with the coronavirus increased significantly to 1,998 per day in August, and policies were taken to refrain from going out unnecessarily and moving across prefectures. After that, the number of infected people continued to decline, and the government led the “Go To Campaign” to promote tourism and consumption. 

Many people visited local tourist spots and the economy was going back, but in November, the number of infected people per day continued to exceed 2,000. The campaign is likely to be closed soon and going out/travelling may be restricted again. If there is no movement of people or consumption activities, it will be difficult to boost the economy, but the spread of the virus will never end if people continue to travel nationwide…

For business purposes only, people from countries with strong economic ties such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore (and some more) are allowed to enter Japan if they prove uninfected by taking the PCR test. However, entering Japan for sightseeing purposes has been closed and there is no prospect of reopening.

There is no information on successful vaccine development in Japan, and people are being asked to wear masks and not to hold drinking parties with multiple people.

美しい日本の秋とコロナウィルスの現状

こちらは現在、私が移住している高山市の先週の様子です。
今はだいぶ葉も散ってしまいましたが、紅葉がとても綺麗でした。
美しい四季を楽しめるのは、日本で生活する醍醐味の一つですね！

普段は国際的な観光地として栄える高山市も、コロナウィルス以降観光客が大幅に減り、高山市の奥飛騨温泉郷平湯では地価が9.3%減少と、全国の商業地で最大の下落率を記録しました。それに伴い多くの宿泊施設が閉鎖してしまいました。

日本全体では、コロナウィルスの感染者数が8月で1日1,998人と大幅に増えていたことを受けて、不要不急の外出や各県をまたぐ移動の自粛政策が取られていました。その後は感染者数の減少傾向が続き、国内での観光や消費を促進する“Go To キャンペーン”が政府主導で開催されました。多くの人が地方の観光地を訪れて、経済的にも回復に向かっていましたが、11月に入り1日の感染者数が2,000人を超える日が続き再び外出を制限される可能性が出てきており、警戒を強めています。人の移動や消費活動が無いと経済的に困窮してしまいますが、人の移動により感染者が増えてしまうという板挟みの状況はもうしばらく続きそうです。

すでにベトナム、タイ、シンガポールなど経済的な繋がりが強い国からのビジネス目的での日本への入国は、PCR検査を受けて無症状が証明出来れば可能となっています。しかし、観光目的での入国は以前空路が閉じたままで、再開の目処はありません。又、日本国内で現在ワクチンの開発に成功した情報は無く、マスクを着用し、複数人での飲み会も行わないように呼びかけられています。　

I wonder when it ends… 

I will post Information on the matter from time to time on my blog. 
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me : 
[email protected] 

Stay safe and well! 
Taka

Washi : Delicate and strong Japanese paper

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和紙/Washi paper is one of Japan’s most fundamental cultural and artistic products. 和/Wa means Japanese, and 紙/Shi means Paper. Washi has formed the backbone of many Japanese artforms over 1,300 years, and it is registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The production of hand making paper was brought to Japan by Buddhist monks from China and Korea. Monks made and used paper to write sacred sutras. Japan learned the technique of paper-making and improved it. Washi is made using fibers of the gampi tree, the paper mulberry bush, or the mitsumata shrub. Until the Meiji Period when Japan was westernized and imported mass-produced paper, Washi was the major type of paper in Japan.

Washi is handmade and it involves a long and intricate process. The production of it usually takes place during winter when water is cold and pure without bacteria. Washi production has been a way for farmers to support their income in the cold winter time.

The most commonly used fiber for making Washi is paper mulberry. Branches of the mulberry are boiled and outer barks get taken off. Then they are dried and boiled with lye to remove fat, starch, and tannin. After that, the spent lye is removed in running water and bleached. Washi makers then get rid of remaining impurities in the fibers by hand.

What is Washi used for?

Washi is tough and used in many traditional arts and crafts. 

Printing and writing: Washi is thick and can absorb inks well. It is widely used for printings and paintings including traditional Ukiyo-e paintings and ritual objects for Buddhism and Shintoism.

Art and Interior design: Because Washi is unique in color and delicate, it is used for many art forms such as origami, wall paper, lantern, indoor screens, blinds, wallpaper, etc. 

Bookbinding and bag: Washi is flexible and often used for book covers adding a warm feeling to the reader. Specially coated Washi is used for making bags, purses and even for clothes. 

3 Famous Washi in Japan

Mino Washi

Mino is an area in Gifu prefecture. The high quality paper was first made in this area in 8th century Japan. It was relatively inexpensive, and became widespread throughout Japan. Many monks and powerful lords would visit the area to buy strong, thin, and beautiful Washi of Mino.

Tosa Washi

Tosa is an area in Kochi Prefecture. A combination of traditional techniques and rich natural resources of Kochi (such as the use of water from the Niyodo river, which is said to have the best water in Shikoku island) make it possible to produce amazingly high quality Washi paper. Famous world’s thinnest handmade paper called Kagerou-no-Hane (dragonfly wing) is made here. It is used for the repair work of ancient artwork all over the world. It is only 0.03mm thick.

Echizen Washi

Echizen Washi is produced in Imadate in Fukui prefecture, and it has a history of over 1,500 years. Imadate is a small town surrounded by mountains. There are about 70 local paper factories and studios along the Okamoto River. Echizen Washi is known as one of the most traditional Washi papers in Japan.

Here’s a movie about Mino washi

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Fundamental 基礎の、基盤となる
・Intricate 複雑
・Impurities 不純物
・Income 収入
・Bleach 漂白する
・Relatively 比較的

Thank you for reading today’s post.
See you next time!
Taka

Wagashi : Beautiful Japanese sweets

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和菓子/Wagashi are traditional Japanese confections often served with tea. The roots of Wagashi can be traced back 2,000 years when Japan’s oldest processed food, Mochi (rice cake) was made.

The introduction of green tea from China led the development of Japanese tea ceremony and Wagashi evolved accordingly. A lot of unique Wagashi were created during the Edo period (1603-1867) when there was a national isolation policy, and peace during this time contributed a lot to the improvement. Later in the Meiji period (1868-1912), exchanges with other countries flourished and new kinds of Wagashi were made using modern ovens and other devices from overseas.

Ingredients

There are no set rules concerning what ingredients to be used.
Wagashi are typically made from plant-based ingredients such as beans, peas, rice, rice flour, wheat flour, sugar, agar-agar, chestnuts, sesame, tea, fruits, etc. Animal products are rarely used (the exception is the use of chicken eggs).

Popular Wagashi

Here is a list of typical Wagashi that can be found everywhere in Japan, and some are even sold at food stands during festivals. Different places have different flavours of Wagashi using local products.

・餡蜜/Anmitsu: Chilled agar jelly cubes (called 寒天/Kanten) with fruits and sugar syrup.

・ぼた餅/Botamochi: A sweet rice ball wrapped with あんこ/Anko (Red bean paste).

・草餅/Kusa mochi: A sweet mochi mixed with Japanese mugwort called yomogi. Anko is inside.

・葛餅/Kuzumochi: Rice cakes made of Kuzuko (a starch powder made from the root of the kudzu plant. It is used in many traditional East Asian cuisine) 

・蕨餅/Warabimochi: A jelly-like confection made from Bracken starch covered with きな粉/Kinako, sweet toasted soybean flour powder. 

・饅頭/Manju: Steamed cakes of red bean paste surrounded by a flour mixture.

・団子/Dango: A sweet Japanese dumpling, commonly skewered on a stick (often flavored with soy source).

・どら焼き/Dorayaki: A round and flat Wagashi. Red bean paste is placed in between castella. 

・今川焼き/Imagawayaki: Red bean paste is surrounded inside of hot fried dough. It has a round shape.

・鯛焼き/Taiyaki: It is similar to Imagawayaki, but shaped like a 鯛/Tai fish/sea bream (sea bream is traditionally eaten at celebrations to bring in good luck in Japan).

・金平糖/Kompeito: Crystal, star-shaped sugar candy available in many colors 

・お汁粉/Oshiruko: A hot dessert made from red bean paste in a liquid, soup form, with small rice cakes in it. 

・八ツ橋/Yatsuhashi: Thin sheets of sweetened mochi folded in a triangle, and a ball of red bean paste is inside. Available in different flavors but the most common is cinnamon. 

・羊羹/Yokan: A solid block of red bean paste, hardened with agar and additional sugar.  One of the oldest wagashi and many seasonal ingredients are added inside.

The names of Wagashi are usually made after poetry, natural scenery, or historical events. It takes a lot of work to make wagashi for its delicateness. A sense of the passing time and seasons can be appreciated by the seasonal changes in the Wagashi offered in shops and at events.
For example, a round-rice cake called 鏡餅/Kagami-mochi is placed at home on New year’s day as an offering to a deity, and 菱餅/Hishi-mochi (three differently colored diamond shaped mochi) and 雛あられ/Hina-arare (bite-sized sweet Japanese cracker) are displayed and served on the Doll’s festival (also called Girls’ festival day) in March.
Such traditions are slowly fading, but still an important part of Japanese culture.

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Confection お菓子
・Isolation policy 鎖国政策
・Surrounded by 〜に囲まれた/包まれた
・Skewered  串焼き
・Dough 生地
・Fade 色あせる、消える

Thank you for reading today’s post.
Until next time!
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Sensu, the traditional Japanese fan

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扇子/Sensu is a folding fan invented in Japan, with the date ranging from the 6th to 9th centuries. In old days, they were simply called 扇/Ougi. Japanese folding fans were originally made as court fans, and only people in high ranks were able to obtain them and they were tools to signify social standing, and often used during art performances like traditional dances. During war times in Japan, commanders would send samurais signals using fans. 

Today, Japanese fans are most typically used to keep cool during the hot and humid Japanese summer times, and they remain as an important artistic tool and stylish fashion accessory as well.

According to the historical record of the Song Dynasty (950-1279), the Japanese monk Chonen gifted folding fans to the emperor of China in 988. Later in the 16th century, Japanese foldable fans were imported to Europe and became popular in Spain and then in other countries around.

Folding fans were typically crafted from bamboo and paper (expensive ones have Japanese 和紙/Washi paper). Japanese cypress known as Hinoki was used for traditional ones, and silk for the fancy fans. 

Sensu were usually made for right-handed people, meaning you can spread a fan by opening from left to right. If you do the other way around, you will break the fan so be careful!

Other fans

うちわ/Uchiwa

Also known as a fixed fan, Uchiwa fans are traditionally circular and made from paper and bamboo. These days however, plastic and paper are common materials. In addition to the regular use, you will often see Uchiwa fans during summer festivals as accessories and also for Bon dance performances.

飾り扇子/Kazari Sensu

Kazari Sensu are folding fans made for the interior decoration, especially for traditional Japanese tatami houses. Fine ones are hand made and have beautiful, flashy paintings on expensive Japanese Washi paper, and sometimes used for occasions like weddings to bring in good fortune. Although the main purpose is to display, they can be used like regular folding fans.

Folding ones are popular souvenirs. If you want to be creative, you could try making one for yourself at home!

Japanese fans are great tools for hot summer days and now that we have to wear masks at all times, using them is a great way to cool down.
Have yourself a portable fan and enjoy the summer!

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Invent 開発する、作り出す
・Signify 意味する、示す
・Fancy 手が込んだ、派手な
・Typically 大抵
・the other way around 逆のやり方で
・Souvenir お土産

Thank you for reading today’s post. 
See you next time!
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Yokai : Legendary creatures from Japan

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Every country has some kind of scary folktales, and Japan is no exception. 妖怪/Yokai, are Japanese supernatural monsters, demons, and spirits often appear in Japanese folktales. They have emotions and personalities, and can also be called Obake, Mamono, Mononoke or Ayakashi. While most Yokai are considered evil for making troubles, there are a few that are believed to bring good fortune to those who encounter them (Good Yokai/Spirits are called Nigi-mitama. They are believed to be the spirits of respected ancestors and animals or sacred objects, and often appear with greenish aura around them. Evil spirits are called Ara-mitama. They could be turned into good ones by calming them down). Yokai usually have spiritual/supernatural abilities and some could possess people, animals, and objects. It is also believed that most Yokai can change their appearance (this is called 変化/Henge).

Famous Yokai

Above is Tengu

鬼/Oni

Oni are demons with horns and fangs. They are usually in red, blue, or green and look musculine like armies of hell. Each of them has a heavy hammer to kill humans to eat.

天狗/Tengu

Tengu are a kind of legendary creature/demon that takes the forms of birds of prey. In many stories, they have a human-like appearance with wings and red faces with long noses. They are dangerous spirits of mountains and forests, and it is also believed that evil people turn into Tengu after death to disturb the peace causing troubles such as attacking humans, robbing temples, and possessing women to seduce holy men.

かっぱ/Kappa

Kappa are human-like turtles living in rivers, swamps, or lakes, and they are excellent in swimming. It is said that they have the powers to control water and can cause river floods. They can be aggressive and may attack humans and eat them. However, if you show some respect by offering their favorite food like cucumbers, they will be friendly.
Cucumber sushi is called Kappa-maki by the way.

酒呑童子/Shuten douji

Shuten douji was a leader of demons and the strongest Oni of Japan that lived in Kyoto abducting a lot of young women. Shuten douji means “Sake-drinking lad”. Knowing that this Oni loved Sake, a hero Minamoto Raiko offered a poisoned Sake and killed him.

玉藻御前/Tamamo-no-Mae

According to a legend, Tamamo-no-Mae was the nine-tail fox that appeared in Japan as the most favored courtesan of Emperor Toba (1103 – 1156, 74th Emperor of Japan). She made the Emperor to be ill and caused chaos (It is also believed that this nine-tail fox first appeared in China as a concubine and ended many dynasties in China and also in India and later came to Japan). An astrologer, Abe no Yasuchika was called there to find the cause of the emperor’s illness and he found the evil fox disguising as the lady. The nine-tail fox acted violently but was killed a few years later in Nasu in Tochigi prefecture.

座敷童/Zashiki Warashi

Zashiki Warashi are good Yokai. If you see footprints or hear footsteps of a child inside or around your residence, that may be because of Zashiki Warashi. They are guardians of the house and believed to bring good fortune. This Yokai looks like a child and it enjoys playing harmless tricks like making noises or music to surprise people, just like a real child playing.

Yokai is said to be created as personifications of supernatural phenomena. In the Edo period, many artists made new Yokai by taking inspiration from tales or using their own imagination. A lot of Yokai were painted in Ukiyo-e art at that time. It’s really fun to enjoy the artworks and study legends about invisible monsters of the past … or maybe there are a lot of Yokai still here living with us. 

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Folktale 民話
・Possess 持つ、憑依する
・Rob 奪う
・Act violently 暴れる
・Residence 住居
・Supernatural 超自然的

Thank you for reading today’s post!
Until next time.
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Karaoke in Japan : History and Where to enjoy

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カラオケ/Karaoke is a type of interactive entertainment from Japan, and it is popular in many Asian countries. You can enjoy singing songs to music accompaniment with lyrics displayed on screen. People of all ages enjoy singing at Karaoke places in Japan. Many places in city areas are open until early in the morning, so some even sing all night long to get rid of stress and enjoy music.

At a Karaoke place, a group or individual can use private rooms called Karaoke boxes. Customers can use the machine to pick the song they like and sing using microphones (You can adjust the echo and the volume. At some places, lighting effects are also available).

Thousands of popular songs (without lead vocal parts) are available including many English songs. Guests can order food and drinks using phones that connect directly to the reception.

Some bars and nightclubs have Karaoke machines inside and customers enjoy drinking and singing. Karaoke is so popular that the global Karaoke market has been estimated to be worth about $10 billion.

History

In the 1960s, music cassette tapes were invented and it became easier to duplicate and edit music. Later in the 1970s, a Japanese engineer Shigeichi Negishi made the first Karaoke machine, and then Toshiharu Yamashita sold an 8-track playback deck. Then a drummer, Daisuke Inoue made a machine that played songs for a 100yen coin each, and it became popular. The machine was placed in restaurants and hotels and then Karaoke boxes, rooms where people can enjoy singing without worrying about making noises, were made. 

In 1975, Roberto del Rosario (from the Philippines) developed the sing-along system and he is the patent holder of the Karaoke machine. Karaoke became popular in many other Asian countries in the 1990s, and as the audio-visual technology gets better each year, the quality of Karaoke has been on the rise.

Popular Karaoke Places in Japan

Karaoke-kan, Big Echo, Joysound, Shidax are major places for enjoying Karaoke in Karaoke boxes. There are a lot more similar places like them, and the price is roughly around 500 yen per hour (the weekend and nighttime cost more. As an option, you can add 飲み放題/Nomihoudai plan by paying extra. With that, customers can have soft drinks as much as they want until the time to leave). At some places, you can even rent some instruments and costumes. Karaoke places are especially popular among young students. It is common to see them sing in groups on weekends. 

Due to the spread of coronavirus, concert halls and Karaoke places are having a really hard time keeping their businesses. Still, the love for music in Japan never dies and many are waiting to be able to enjoy singing at Karaoke places freely. If you are from a different country and have a chance to sing Karaoke, I recommend that you try and enjoy the entertainment from Japan!

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・accompaniment  伴奏
・get rid of    〜を取り除く
・reception   受付
・duplicate    複製する
・be placed   設置される
・be on the rise  上昇している

Thank you for reading today’s post.
Until next time!
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Japanese drinking culture and rules

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The Japanese love drinking. Drinking age in Japan is 20, and most people start drinking right after the legal age. According to a research done by WHO, Japan is on the 63rd (out of 186) of the list of countries by alcohol consumption per capita, being one of the top Asian countries where people drink much alcohol regularly (as of 2018). Let’s take a look at the drinking culture in Japan.

Popular alcohol drinks in Japan

日本酒/Nihonshu

Nihonshu or 酒/Sake is a strong rice wine which is about 15% strength/alcohol content and it has been loved for centuries. Most bars and restaurants have Nihonshu and it goes the best with seafood like sushi. There are many sake breweries in Japan and the taste and the way to make are slightly different from place to place.

ビール/Beer

Beer is loved by people of all ages over 20. There are 4 major companies that make the finest kinds of beer in Japan: Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, and Ebisu, and they are popular overseas as well. People drink lagers more than ales and regional craft beers are gaining popularity these days. Many enjoy traveling and drinking the local beer, and buy it as a souvenir. At 居酒屋/Izakaya, Japanese bar, beer is often ordered as a starter.

焼酎/Shochu

It is kind of a traditional alcoholic drink of Japan. Nihonshu is fermented or brewed, whereas Shochu is distilled. The original technique to make Shochu is said to be imported from Thailand in the 15th century, and flourished in Kagoshima in the Kyushu area. It can be made by distilling potatoes, rice, barley, buckwheat, etc, and there is a wide variety of taste and flavor.

ウィスキー/Whisky

Whisky is popular in Japan just like in many other countries, and there are several companies producing whisky in Japan. Besides drinking on the rocks, Japan has a different way of enjoying whisky: Highballs, which is whiskey mixed with carbonated water.

梅酒/Umeshu and チューハイ/Chuhai

梅酒/Umeshu is a sweet plum wine with the alcohol content of around 10-15%.Chuhai is an abbreviation of 焼酎ハイボール/Shochu Highball. Chuhai is made with Shochu (or sometimes with Vodka) and carbonated water with some lemon. Many different kinds of fruits are used and it is a casual drink.

Drinking with Colleagues is important in Japan

Many Japanese feel that after work drinking parties are an important way to enhance relationships. As people need to switch between Honne and Tatemae everyday, spending some casual time with co-workers will surely be helpful in understanding each other.

There is even a word, Nominication (combined word of 飲む/Drink and Communication), which is a way to build good relationships with colleagues and bosses by drinking together.

When lifetime employment was the standard in Japan, workers would say “You have to do Nominication if you want to work your way up the corporate ladder”. Many older generations worked and established relationships this way. 

However, the time is changing. The economy is unstable and career changes are more common and it’s easier to accommodate the needs of individuals now. Work environment is a lot more flexible than it used to be, and younger generations are more focused on their life and prefer spending less time with colleagues.

Still, a lot of people find that drinking and dining with teammates and bosses casually is important to develop closer relationships to build trust and share ideas and concerns about work and life.

General Drinking rules

1.Pour for others

When out at a drinking party, pour for others around you as you greet them casually. It is also considered polite if women pour men drinks, and workers pour their boss drinks. 

2.Wait until everyone has been served

Just like a formal dinner party, you should wait until everyone is ready for a toast.

3.Don’t drink from the bottle 

Drinking directly from the bottle is often considered rude because it’s against the sharing culture.

4.Say 乾杯/Kanpai 

Say “Kanpai(Cheers)” as you clink your glasses with your friends and colleagues and start drinking and eating.

After the spread of the virus, more and more people are starting to work remotely and drinking over PC screens using Zoom, called “Zoom Nomi” is becoming common. It is an easier way to get together and do Nominication, but there’s a report that people tend to drink more at home because you can drink as long as you want (and go to sleep in your room). 
It’s fun to be together but don’t forget to drink moderately and take care of your health!

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Alcohol consumption アルコール摂取
・go well with 〜と相性が良い
・as a starter 手始めとして
・abbreviation of 〜の省略
・lifetime employment 終身雇用
・tend to 〜しがち

Thank you for reading today’s post!
See you next time.
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

What exactly is Yukata and how does it differ from Kimono?

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A Yukata (浴衣) is a Japanese summer robe which is made of cotton or synthetic fabric. It is a casual version of Kimono, and originally was a bathrobe worn after soaking in Onsen as a quick way to cover the body and cool down. If you stay at a traditional Japanese inn, Yukata is often provided for this purpose, and it is common to see guests strolling around town wearing Yukata while onsen-hopping in popular Onsen resort towns. Nowadays people wear it as a summer garment, especially as a casual clothes for summer festivals. Yukata is worn by both men and women.

Customs

A wide variety of colors and designs are available. Just like Kimono, the general rule with Yukata is that younger people wear bright, vivid colors and bold patterns. While older people wear dark, matured colors with less flashy patterns. Yukata for men generally have darker and subdued colors.

Yukata is wrapped around the body and fastened with a sash called 帯/Obi over 腰紐/Koshihimo (a cord tied around the waist). The left side of the yukata goes over the right side. It is said that it brings bad fortune if it is reversed because that is how a traditional clothes is worn for a funeral. Obi is usually tied in a bow and placed in the back. Wooden sandals called 下駄/Geta are usually worn with Yukata. Foldable fan, 扇子/Sensu, and a 巾着/Kinchaku bag may be carried as a summer Yukata fashion.

These are geta shoes

Differences between Yukata and Kimono

Here are the main differences between Yukata and Kimono. If you are thinking about getting one, or trying to wear Japanese clothes, check the things below to make sure you are getting what you want and wear it right.

Season: Yukata is made a lot lighter than Kimono. Yukata is usually only worn during summer while Kimono can be used throughout the year. 

Material: Yukata is usually made of cotton or synthetic fabric and the price is lot cheaper than Kimono. Formal Kimono is made entirely from silk and hand-sewn. 

Collar: A regular Kimono has two collars but Yukata has only one. This is because a white underwear called 襦袢/Juban is used when putting on a Kimono but it is not worn under Yukata.

Below is a video on how to wear Yukata (for female).

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Fabric 布、繊維
・Soak in 〜に浸かる
・Flashy キラキラした、目立つ
・Mature 大人の
・Subdued 控えめな
・Throughout the year 一年中

Enjoy your summer!
See you next time.
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Wabi-Sabi : The Japanese Aesthetics

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What is Wabi-Sabi?

It is very hard to put the exact meanings of Wabi-Sabi into words, but it is basically a Japanese aesthetic concept, which is centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection by acknowledging “Nothing lasts, nothing is complete, and nothing is perfect”. Wabi-Sabi mind is unpretentious and connected to nature.

侘び寂び/Wabi-Sabi is a combination of two separate ways of seeing the world: Wabi is about the beauty in nature and to appreciate it in humble simplicity. Sabi is about the beauty of the impermanence of aging, the flow of the time and the seasons, and the aspect of imperfect reliability acknowledging that nothing stays the same.

For centuries, Wabi-Sabi has been practised in Japan and it is the basic idea behind traditional Japanese art works, architectures, crafts, etc. Things that are imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete like the nature itself has been considered as the most powerful and beautiful. Thus, traditional artists prefered simple images with less artificial effects, and left blank spaces intentionally as you can see in many Japanese scroll paintings. Interestingly, the concept contrasts the classical western notion of beauty, in which something perfect, monumental, and enduring has been considered as elegant.

Influence of Buddhism

The underlying idea behind Wabi-Sabi is the Buddhist teachings called 三法印/Sanpouin, which was introduced to Japan from China. The important three teachings of it are as below:

無常/Mujo, Impermanence: It is to understand and accept that nothing stays unchanged in life. You need to go through the rise and fall in life and even the ones you are deeply in love will have to leave this world at some point.

苦/Ku, Suffering: It is to acknowledge “To live is to suffer”. Life is hard and there are a lot of obstacles out there and within yourself. But at the same time, sufferings can lead to growth if you understand the cause and face it.

空/Kuu, Emptiness or Absence of Self: It is to know that being empty is important as it creates a lot more space and help you see the world as it is without interferences. The idea is similar to the concept of today’s minimalism movement.

Understanding these was honored especially among the Japanese nobilities and it is still practiced widely in Japan.
In a way, Wabi-Sabi is a mind training. The learners practice to find the core, basic beauty in nature and in everyday life, which is also an important aspect of Zen Buddhism. By applying the idea, one can achieve liberation from the material world and transcendence to a simpler life. Wabi-Sabi is on nonverbal terms so practitioners can not reach the genuine understanding of it without putting the concept in practice or making art works. 

We live in a state of constant longings and competitions with others, always being dissatisfied and stressed. It’s hard to take a break or step back and appreciate what we have right now. The Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi can teach us how to sort things out and find what really is important. Wabi-Sabi continues to inspire us today. 

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Aesthetic 美学、美の
・Acknowledge 認識する
・Unpretentious 控えめな
・Impermanent 永久的でない、一時的な
・Liberation from 〜からの解放
・Transcendence 超越

Thank you for reading today’s post!
See you next time.
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Ikebana : Flower arrangement in Japan

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生花/Ikebana is a traditional flower arrangement. The word is from the Japanese 生ける/Ikeru (to arrange flowers, have life, be living) and 花/Hana (Flower), and it is also known as 華道/Kadou. Ikebana aims to bring out the inner qualities of flowers and express the harmony between nature and humanity considering colors, lines, forms, spaces, and time.

History of Ikebana

When Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the 6th century from China and Korea, offering flowers to statues of the Buddha became common. Unlike India, where lotus was widely used, other native flowers for each season were used for this purpose in Japan. This practice is believed to be the origin of flower arrangement in Japan, though at that time there were no meanings or systems. Later on, central flower arrangement named Shin-no-hana started : In the middle, a huge branch of pine or cryptomeria was used, and 3 or 5 seasonable flowers were places around it.
That was the first attempt to represent natural scenery.

The styles of ikebana we see today were perfected in the Muromachi period (1336-1573) with the development of the 書院造/Shoin-zukuri (a style of Japanese houses used in the mansions of the military, temple guest halls, and as a place to train Zen. Floors in the residents are covered with tattami) architectural style. As the interior decorations, 掛物/Kakemono (scroll pictures) and flower arrangements in vases became popular. The practice of Ikebana flourished with the combination of belief systems of Buddhism along with 依代/Yorishiro (objects that divine spirits are summoned to) of Shintoism.

The flower arrangement became a fine art and mental training for lords and a Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1436-1490) spread the custom widely. He was so into art like tea ceremony and Ikebana that he even built a temple in Kyoto known as Ginkaku-ji, where he could focus on his studies.

Soami, a friend of Yoshimasa and a painter, conceived the idea of expressing three elements of heaven, human, and earth through Ikebana and that concept is still practiced today.
Under the influence of Buddhist tea masters, Ikebana has grown over the centuries, and there are over 2,000 ikebana schools now.

How flowers are arranged

Arrangements are often mounted in a vase, though this is not always the case. The surface of the water is considered as the surface of the earth from which plants stand. Ikebana often emphasizes areas of the plant such as its stems, leave, shape, line and form. Ikebana artists express through the combination of colors, shapes, lines, and the implied meanings. To reflect the beauty of the nature, applying minimalism without designing too much is considered to be a virtue.  

Artists need to think about the appropriate arrangements for occasions as well. For example, for a flower offering at death, they should use white flowers to express peace. If they give flowers as gifts, they need to choose flowers in bud, so that the person receiving can enjoy seeing them open.

Ikebana teaches a lot to the one who practices it : He/She can feel close to the nature, relax mind and learn to become more patient. Now that we live in a very hectic and stressful time, practitioners say it provides peace of mind, body, and soul. If you are in Japan, you can find many schools listed on the internet by just searching. If you are not here and would like to learn online, I can introduce a teacher so just send me a message to : [email protected]otaka.jp

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Humanity 人間性
・be perfected 完成される
・Architectural 建物の
・Elements 要素
・Imply ほのめかす
・Virtue 美徳

Thank you for reading today’s post. 
Until next time!
Taka 

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Maneki-neko : The lucky cat of Japan

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招き猫/Maneki-neko is a cat doll and it is believed that it brings good luck to the owner. It gained popularity in the feng shui movement in China, but it originated in Japan. They are translated as “Lucky Cats” or “Beckoning Cats” in English. Each cat has some meanings and there are interesting legends about its origin.

Common features and meanings

Cat dolls we see these days are usually made of ceramic or plastic, but you may find them made of different materials like wood or even real gold. They are traditionally seated with one paw raised in a beckoning gesture (the Japanese beckoning gesture is done by holding up a hand with palm down, and folding the fingers down and back repeatedly). A doll with the left paw raised is to bring in more customers and the right paw raised is to get more money. If both paws are raised, a cat doll is providing protection. It is believed that the higher the paw is raised, the more luck the cat invites.

Some of them hold a Koban coin, a gold coin used in the Edo period with the amount of money written on it. 千万両/Sen-man ryo is often used, which is ten million 両/Ryo (Ryo was the monetary unit used in the Edo period. 1 Ryo was about $1,000). 

Maneki-neko cats come in different colors and the most common color is white.Some of them are battery- or solar-powered and move arms endlessly in the beckoning gesture.

Cat dolls are often placed at the entrance of shops, restaurants, and other businesses so that they can welcome good fortune from the outside.

History

Although the exact birthplace of Maneki-neko is uncertain, It is commonly believed that it originated in Tokyo, (some insist it was Kyoto). And it is most likely that Maneki-neko first appeared during the later part of the Edo period.

Among many legends about the birth of Maneki-neko, the most popular is the legend of Gotoku temple. Once upon a time in the 17th century in Tokyo, there was a monk lived in a small temple. He was very poor but he cared his pet cat, Tama, and did not forget to share meals. Then there came the feudal lord of Hikone area, Lord Naotaka. He was on his way to do some huntings, and a storm came suddenly. He found a big tree near the temple and decided to stay there for a while. He noticed Tama raising one paw as if beckoning him to the temple. He was very curious and followed Tama and went inside of the temple. It was then that a lightning bolt hit the tree where he was and started pouring down. Thanks to Tama, Lord Naotaka was safe and he didn’t even need to get wet. He became the patron of the temple and repaired it and renamed it 豪徳寺/Gotoku temple in 1697 which made the monk happy as well. When Tama died, he was buried in a special grave and a statue of Beckoning cat was made to commemorate Tama. 

Another famous legend is a story of a cat sat in front of the store beckoning customers for poor shop owners and the place became popular. Whatever the origin was, the thing in common is that a beckoning cat brings good luck to the owner.  

Gotokuji Temple

So many cat dolls are placed there!

Address: Gotokuji, Tokyo prefecture 2-24-7

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Beckoning 招く
・Material 材料、物質、教材
・Once upon a time 昔々
・On one’s way to 〜へ行く途中で
・Decide to 〜すると決める
・be buried 埋められる

Thank you for reading today’s post!
See you next time.
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Obon : Summer festival time in Japan

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What is Obon?

お盆/Obon is an annual Japanese holiday/festival in the summer.
It is originally a Japanese Buddhist custom, which has been celebrated in Japan over 500 years. Obon is to commemorate and remember deceased ancestors and it is believed that their spirits return this time of the year to visit the relatives. During Obon season, people return to ancestral family places to visit ancestors’ graves and give some food offerings.
Family members get together and many summer festivals are held where people perform traditional dance known as 盆踊り/Bon Odori under the light of lanterns (it is believed that the fires will be a guide for ancestors to find where the relatives are).

When is it?

Obon is typically celebrated from Aug 13 to 15, but the dates may vary depending on the region of Japan.
In the Meiji era (1868-1912), the calendar system was changed to the Gregorian calendar and some areas change the date for Obon based on the new calendar while other places didn’t. Therefore, we see Obon in July in eastern Japan (such as Tokyo, Yokohama, etc), and on the 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar in other places (between Aug 8 and Sep 7. This can be seen in the northern part of the Kanto area, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Okinawa).
Obon is a traditional event and not an official holiday, but many people take some days off and close businesses to see relatives, be thankful to ancestors, and enjoy the summer.

Origin

Obon is based on a legend about a Buddhist monk named Maudgalyāyana (and Obon festival is originated from the Ghost Festival of China). He used his supernatural power to look in the world after death and found his deceased mother there, who was suffering because of the hungry ghosts around her.
He asked Buddha for help and Buddha told him to give offerings to Buddhist monks who had completed their summer retreat on the 15th day of the 7th month.
This worked and his mother was released. And then he danced in celebration making a large circle with others. This dance became Bon Dance.

About Bon Dance

Obon takes place in the hot summer, so people wear 浴衣/Yukata (light cotton Kimono) to join and enjoy the festival and Bon Dance. The style of Bon Dance varies from region to region. The typical Bon dance involves people gather in a circle around やぐら/Yagura, a high scaffold. It is also used as the bandstand for the musicians of Bon music. People dance in clockwise or counterclockwise around Yagura and sometimes move towards and away from it. Ohara Matsuri in Kagoshima and Awa Odori in Tokushima areas have different style: people proceed in a straight line and go through the streets like a parade, playing music and dancing to it.

Each region has a local dance style, as well as different music. In Hokkaido, ソーラン節/Soran Bushi, is performed. People dance acting like fishermen trying to catch fish using nets. Gujo in Gifu prefecture, is famous for Gujo Odori, which is the all night dancing celebration.

Many different kinds of music is played during dance performances including traditional festival music, folk music, some modern popular music, and 演歌/Enka (sort of like the Japanese blues/Folk music. Singers sing about the nostalgia and determination in life).

Can everyone join the festival?

The religious meaning of Obon season has faded and it is celebrated more of a fun summer festival nowadays. Even if you are a tourist from a different country, you are welcome to join. You can enjoy the feel of it if you attend wearing Yukata, but that is not a must.
But note that you may need to be a member of the performers to join some Bon dance, so if you would like to participate in the dancing, check in advance or ask someone there.

This year, a lot of summer events have already been cancelled because of the coronavirus. I hope festivals will be held next time and I would like to see many people enjoying the summer in 2021!

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Deceased 故人
・Ancestor 祖先
・Relatives 親族
・Clockwise 時計回り
・Religious 宗教の
・In advance 事前に

Thank you for reading today’s post.
See you next time!
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.

Honne & Tatemae : How the Japanese people behave in public

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Japanese Person: Come visit my place. We should get together sometime!（いつでも遊びに来てください/Itsudemo asobini kite kudasai）

You: We should! Let me know when. 

Japanese Person: Sure!

Then, you wait and wait but the Japanese person never invites you…

In Japan, this kind of communication sometimes occur. If you don’t know much about the Japanese culture, I’m sure you will be confused and wonder why do the Japanese do that. Are the Japanese people being rude by telling lies? Are they hiding things from you? Well, the truth is, “Come visit/You should visit sometime” is often said just to be polite, and it is not a real invitation. 

This is called 本音と建前/Honne & Tatemae in Japanese. 本音/Honne are the person’s true feelings and desires, and 建前/Tatemae, are the opinions and behaviors one displays in public. It seems complicated, but actually it is nothing new and a totally common way of behaving in cultures anywhere in the world.

Why do the Japanese behave like that?

In Japanese culture, people often avoid direct confrontation or disagreement in public because disapproval of others are seen as shame and that could lower the social standing.

Therefore, Honne are often kept hidden as they may be contrary to what is expected by society or what is required according to one’s position and circumstances.

Japan is an island nation with the population density of about 347 persons per km² (and about 6,157 persons in Tokyo). To make sure that the society works smoothly, people need to act formally caring others and avoiding conflicts as much as possible. Failure to do so might be seen as aggressive or insulting. By applying Tatemae behavior, one is socially protected and considered as being part of the society (and this explains why the Japanese prefer to work in groups rather than individually). Tatemae is what is expected by society, so it may or may not match one’s Honne and that is the reason why sometimes people tell lies (but assuming that the person listening to them know that they are just Tatemae, and people have no intention of hurting others by using Tatemae) to avoid exposing the true feelings. In a way, the Japanese are doing so to be polite in public.

Every culture has some aspects of Honne and Tatemae, or private mind and public mind in English. In order to look nice and maybe to get promoted, business workers in many countries don’t freely express personal thoughts and feelings to their boss, and in this era of massive amount of information and thinking how quickly one post goes viral on SNS, people are careful as to the amount and kind of information they share in order not to offend or hurt the others out there.

If you are stressed…

So, it is a mistake to simply conclude that the Japanese are two-faced and rude. Honne & Tatemae is a natural behavior in a very small collective society where a greater extent to avoid conflict with other people is needed. However, this can be very stressful especially for people from other countries. Even I, a Japanese person who grew up in Tokyo, got really stressed out when I came back from the U.S.
Everytime you talk to someone in public, you need to read his and her minds and judge if what they said was Honne or Tatemae. I would go like, why don’t everyone just use Honne!

Here’s a tip if you are tired about all this: Don’t take things personally, and get to know your colleagues/friends better. Building personal relationships outside of the office/school will make a huge difference. You can hear what people really think and see the true characters of them. If you like drinking, do not miss a chance to go to Izakaya (Japanese pub) together in a smaller group. If you don’t drink, you could join some kind of event together. You will be surprised how openly they talk compared to the way they behave in public. 
I’m a representative of an organisation called Family Planet Japan which supports foreign workers and residents in Japan. If you feel lonely, stressed, or need any help, feel free to contact us : [email protected] (This is not Tatemae by the way lol).

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Occur 起きる
・Disagreement 反対
・Density 密度
・Insulting 侮辱的な
・Go viral 情報が半端に共有される
・Take things personally 物事を個人的に受け取る

Thank you for reading today’s post.
Until next time!
Taka

How and when to bow : A simple guide to bowing etiquette in Japan

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When greeting each other, people in Japan bow instead of shaking hands. Why do we do that? Is there a meaning? What is a proper way to do it? Let’s learn about お辞儀/Ojigi, or bowing culture in Japan.

History

It is believed that bowing traces its roots back to Buddhism brought to Japan from the ancient China sometime between the 5th and 8th centuries. Bowing is an important gesture of respect and piety in Buddhist teachings, and worshippers bow in devotion. By lowering head, being the most important part of a body, you show that you are not intended to attack or hurt others. It is to admire the person you are talking to and also to be humble. Such religious etiquette is believed to be the foundation of Ojigi in Japan.

During the Kamakura period (1185-1333), with the appearance of first feudal military government and Samurai warriors, well-disciplined warrior etiquette along with bowing became important. Instructions on proper ways to bow and show loyalty to the master were made and later in the Edo period (1603-1868), the practice had spread to the common people when there were clear hierarchies. People in lower classes had to bow deeply to land owners and government officials as a sign of respect and obedience.

In modern days, bowing is a social etiquette and doing it correctly is widely considered to be the defining characteristic of adulthood. It is no wonder that many companies in Japan take the extra effort to train their employees on how to bow well during business meetings.

How do the Japanese bow?

A bowing ranges from a small nod of the head called 会釈/Eshaku to a deep bend at the waist called 最敬礼/Saikeirei. A deeper, longer bow indicates that much respect and a small nod with the head is casual and informal. Being overly polity will look strange, so casual nodding is often done in many situations nowadays and most Japanese do not expect foreigners to know proper bowing and etiquette, so a nod of the head is usually sufficient. However, when a formal greeting takes place on tatami floor, there’s a rule to get on the knees to bow. This is called 座礼/Zarei, and it is an important part of Japanese culture especially in traditional activities like the tea ceremony, kendo, etc. 

This is a formal way of bowing on tatami

Bowing is also used to thank, apologize, make a request or ask someone a favor. Bowing with your palms together at chest level is a greeting style in Thailand and is not widely practiced in Japan (though some people do it casually when asking something).

In Business situations

It depends on the custom of a company you are in, but generally speaking, when you meet someone for the first time, especially if they are from a different company, you need to bow as a greeting.
When you meet your boss or manager, bowing deeply first is often considered polite and respectful.
Bowing is also done before beginning a presentation and an important meeting. If you are a foreign worker and not sure what to do, just follow what others do.

At Shinto Shrines

If you have a chance to visit a shinto shrine, it is the best to know the proper way of showing respect. Worshipers at a Shinto shrine generally follow 二拝二拍手一拝/Nirei-Nihakushu-Ichirei, or 2 bows, 2 claps, and 1 bow procedure. 

Upon arriving at a shrine, it is proper for a worshiper to perform a slight bow towards the main temple building as they cross the 鳥居/Torii gate (The gate is believed to be the sacred gateway between the mundane world and the areas where gods are. When leaving the temple complex, the same procedure applies).
It is respectful to perform another bow toward the altar as an introduction when approaching the main temple building. Then throw some Japanese coins into 賽銭箱/Saisan-bako, offertory box as a donation and ring the bell above the entrance for blessings.
In the main praying process, a worshipper should perform two deep bows and two claps in front of the chest and make a wish. At the end, put the hands down and perform another deep bow to finish the praying. Noises made by the coins, bells and claps are believed to have the effect of taking the negative energy or evil spirits away and bringing in good fortunes.

There is another type of greeting at shops and restaurants.
Upon entering, you hear workers say いらっしゃいませ/Ira-shai-mase to customers. It is like saying “Thank you for coming to our shop”, and no response from the customer is required. 

Today’s words and phrases
今日の単語/フレーズ

・Worshippers 参拝者
・be intended to 〜であると意図される
・Feudal 封建制度の
・Indicate 示す、表す
・Bring in 〜を呼び込む
・Procedure 手順

Thank you for reading today’s post! 
I hope this will help you understand more about Japanese culture.
See you next time.
Taka

*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.