japan holic

Tokyo dialect and Osaka dialect

2009-07-16T22:38:00.000-07:00

Generally, Japanese use same language, even there’re some differences such as word. But Japanese in south like Okinawa understand the language used by Japanese in north like in Hokkaido.

But according to place where the language developing make some differences. Not only word, but also dialect.

These are some of the differences of Tokyo dialect and Osaka dialect.

Tokyo dialect	Osaka dialect	Mean
Sugoku, Totemo	Meccha, Messa, Bari, Monossoi	Very
Takusan	Yousan, Kyousan	Much, many
Hontou, Maji	Honma	Really
Chigau	Chau	It’s not
Dame	Akan	Don’t
Nasakenai	Hetare	Easy to give up
Jya	Hona	Well, Bye

Ramen

2009-07-15T04:40:00.000-07:00

Ramen (ラーメン)is Japanese noodle came from China. Ramen is the Japanese pronunciation of the 拉麺 (la mian). They also called this chuka soba (中華そば ) or shina soba (支那そば) in Meiji period. It is served in a meat- or fish-based broth, often flavored with soy or miso, and uses toppings such as sliced pork (チャーシュー), dried seaweed (海苔 nori), kamaboko, green onions and even corn.

Ramen – first – served for Tokugawa Mitsukuni (shogun), made by a Kong Hu Cu scientist. Ramen started to ate by citizens in Meiji period because ramen already served in restaurants in Kobe and Yokohama. In Taisho period, noodle sellers also sell their ramen. By the early Showa period, ramen had become a popular dish.

Ramen have consists of :

1. Noodle made by Chinese immigrant. They mixed noodle with bean sprouts, they also made tanmen (ramen without toppings), and mi ala kanton.

2. noodle sellers with handcart and used a type of a musical horn also called charamela. Some if them also use wagon. They walk around to sell their noodle.

Every city usually have their own characters of ramen. They promote the unique of their ramen. Sapporo is famous for its ramen. Domestic tourists come to Hokkaido to eat Sapporo ramen, which is ideal for Hokkaido’s harsh and snowy winters. The characteristic of Sapporo ramen is in the toppings, such as sweet corn, butter, bean sprouts, garlic, and sometime local seafood like squid, crab, etc.

Ramen is high carbohydrate and low vitamins and minerals. Ramen soup is high sodium, beside the noodles has very little degree of sodium.

Because ramen is very popular, there are Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum which is a unique ramen collections museum. The museum presents the history of ramen in Japan, instant ramen, various noodles, soups, toppings, etc in all Japan.

Onigiri

2009-07-09T00:07:00.000-07:00

Onigiri (御握り), or omusubi (御結び) or rice ball, usually have triangular shape and often wrapped in nori (seaweed).

In Murasaki Shikibu Nikki (Murasaki Shikibu’s Diary). She wrote about people who eating rice balls called tojiki and consumed as lunch in picnic time. Other writings said that many samurai sotred rice balls in wrapped bamboo as meal during war. In 1987, found carbonate rice from Yayoi period. In Ishikawa Prefecture and found human-finger-pressed in that rice. Not only in Ishikawa, this also found in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Onigiri filled with umeboshi, katsuoboshi, salted salmon, etc. But nowadays, onigiri filled with various fillings and flavors, such as meat, tsukudani, nozawana, miso as seasoning).

To make onigiri, better provide Japonica rice, that is when cooked, it will be sticky, and easier to formed into onigiri. Before making onigiri, first, wash your hands to make rice not sticky in your hands. Spread salt in your hand and formed the rice into onigiri. Make a hole in the center, filled with fillings you want, and close the hole with rice.

This onigiri can eat directly after made, but for variation, there is baked onigiri, which is the onigiri smeared with miso or salty soya.

In Japan, onigiri is a simple lunch for picnic. Rice in bento often onigiri-formed. Even nowadays onigiri also served in stores, but it also can be made in home.

Expression in Japanese

2009-07-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

These are some of Japanese expression, often used in conversation.

Masaka! （まさか！）= impossible!

Shimeta!　（しめた！） = gotcha!

Sassoku　（さっそく） = immediately

Tokoro de （ところで）= by the way

Yatta! （やった！）= Horray!

Yokatta　（よかった） = fortunately

Maji de?! （まじで？！） = really?!

Hontou?!　（本当？！）= really?!

Uwa~~ （うわ～～）= wooow~~

Sokka （そっか）/ sou ka （そうか）/ = I see ; “sou desu ka” （そうですか） is the formal form

Sumimasen （すみません）= pardon me / excuse me

Gomen nasai （ごめんなさい）= I’m sorry

Moshimoshi （もしもし）= hello (on phone)

Toyota New Prius

2009-07-03T20:47:00.000-07:00

This third generation of prius launched in Japan to make innovation as hybrid car. Toyota Motor Corp. said that they already produce 180.000 units of newest Prius .

Toyota New Prius become the most popular during May 2009, pass over hybrid car Honda Insight, which’s became the most popular car in Japan during April 2009.

According to newest test drive JCo8 from MLIT, new prius has fuel efficiency 32.6 km/liter abd CO2 emission 71 g/km. This means New Prius passed Japan’s national standard 2015.

Nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbon non methane emission decrease until reach 75%, under 2005 standard, according to MLIT system which is the most tight standard in Japan in vehicle’s emission gas.

Because of the result of the test, New Prius can get lower tax in hybrid car (friendly to environment)

Washi

2009-06-25T22:53:00.000-07:00

Washi or Wagami (和紙) is a Japan paper. Washi comes from wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper, and the term is used to describe paper made by hand in the traditional manner. Washi was developed from the traditional Chinese paper-making process.

Washi is made using fibers, almost any grass or tree can be material to made washi. Gampi, mitsumata, and paper mulberry are three popular sources.

Ganpishi (雁皮紙) - In ancient times, it was called Hishi (斐紙). Ganpishi has a smooth, shiny surface and is used for books and crafts.

Kozogami (楮紙) - Kozogami is made from paper mulberry and it is the most widely made type of washi. It has a toughness closer to cloth than to ordinary paper and does not weaken significantly when treated to be water-resistant.

Mitsumatagami (三椏紙) - Mitsumatagami or mitsumata shrub (Edgeworthia papyrifera) has an ivory-colored, fine surface and is used for shodo as well as printing. It was used to print paper money in Meiji period.

Washi also can be made using bamboo, hemp, rice, and wheat.

Washi is generally tougher than ordinary paper and used in many traditional arts such as origami (fold paper art), shodo (Japanese calligraphy), and ukiyo-e (a genre of woodblock prints).

Washi was also used to make various everyday stuffs like clothes house goods, and toys as vestments and ritual objects for Shinto priests and statues of Buddha. It was also used to make wreathsthat were as medals for winners in the 1998 Winter Paralympics.

Matsumoto Jun

2009-06-20T03:17:00.000-07:00

Matsumoto Jun (松本潤,) was born in Tokyo, August 30^th,1983. His nickname is Matsujun. Heis one of Japanese top singer and actor. He is best known as Arashi member, a Japanese popular boyband and as the youngest member in the group.

Matsujun is the youngest child. Because his older sister support od KinKi Kids, he made a decision to join Johnny’s Entertainment in 1996, which has popular actors, actresses, and singers, like Hamasaki Ayumi. When he was in elementary school graduation day, he sent his application and a week later, he received a phone from Johnny Kitagawa, the president of Johnny’s Entertainment and he was received without any audition. Matsujun graduated from Horikoshi Gakuen, a renowned high school known for its many performing arts alumnae, at the age of 18.

Matsujun began his career in the entertainment industry as a back-up dancer for other groups before he was gathered into a five-member group named Arashi in 1999 at the age of 16. The group's name means "storm" and is meant to represent the group's ambition of "creating a storm throughout the world" through their music. Arashi's debut single, “A.RA.SHI”. was success reaching number 1 on the charts

arashi

Beside as singer, they also have their own tv shows since 2001. Their first program is Mayonaka no Arashi ("Midnight Arashi") and had 38 episodes. Another tv hows are Arashi no Shukudai-kun ("Arashi's Homework"), Himitsu no Arashi-chan ("Arashi-chan's Secrets") and a game show, VS Arashi.

Matsujun have many dramas and movies where he played in. Such as HanaYori Dango as Doumyoji Tsukasa (he got an award from this drama), Gokusen 1, Banbino!, Kimi wa Petto, and the newest drama is Smile where he played as Japanese-Philippines.

Chikuwa and Kamaboko

2009-06-20T03:06:00.000-07:00

Chikuwa is the most simple food. Chikuwa found when an emperor wife’s in a tour to Korea. On the way, they eat dissolved fish and made it into ball form, skewered, and baked. Because the form was similar with Gama – a plant, so it called Gama no ho (Gama fruit), and then became kamaboko. In that time, kamaboko became expensive food and only noble family and emperor soldier can ate them.

In Edo period, kamaboko – finally – can ate by common. But emperor soldier became jealous. In order to keep ate kamaboko, common citizens called it with chikuwa, means can be cut like bamboo slices. And then, chikuwa became famous. But kamaboko still exist, it still kind of chikuwa but has different shape.

Chikuwa made from surimi fish, salt, sugar, starch flour, and white part of egg, and mixed. The dough molded in bamboo or metal mold and steamed.

Chikuwa is one of Japanese favorite food, and almost all over Japan eat it, because chikuwa is low fat, but rich of protein.

You can eat chikuwa uncooked, but it also have good taste if fried or cooked with broth or dressing.

kamaboko

New Year Food

2009-06-20T02:54:00.000-07:00

New year is the time when Japanese hope next year better then last year. New year identically with party and gathering. To celebrate new year, they make special food for new year.

In December, Japanese make mochi – made from rice flour. There are steamed mochi, baked mochi, fried mochi, mochi soup, etc

mochi

In the middle of December, Japanese do “bounenka”, a ritual which they go to gathering and have meal together and drink to forget all bad things during last year.

In December 31^st, Japanese eat soba – Japan noodle.

soba

At night before 00.00, they gather in front of big box and pray. This ritual – in the past – was throw a coin inside the box. Some of them also go to Fujisan (Fuji Mountain) to see new year sunrise called hatsu-hinode. When sun appear, they pray to Amaterasu (sun god).

After praying, they gather with their family and eat “Osechi ryori”, there is a food which is difficult to spoiled even kept days without warming. Now, Osechi ryori already sell in store with price about ¥10.000.

osechi ryori

Osechi ryori which served in box (jubako) has three until five kind of foods. Some of them are kuromame (sweet black soybean), date maki (sweet roll omelette egg), kurikinton (potato and sweet beans), tazukuri (dry sardines teriyaki), kobu maki (rolled konbu with fish), and kinpira gobo. These foods are decorated beautifully and sweet tastes. Why? Because Japanese have belief that if they eat beautiful and sweet foods, they life next year will be better than last year.

The way to Introduction

2009-06-20T02:52:00.000-07:00

To introduce yourself in Japanese, this is an example :

Hajimemashite はじめまして

Namae wa Yuki desu　名前はユキです

19 sai desu　１９歳です

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu　よろしくお願いします

It means :

Hi (but hajimemashite just used in introduce)

My name is Yuki

19 years old

I beg your help

Hajimemashite not only used in front of the introduction, but also used in the end of introduction.

Example.

Yuki desu

Hajimemashite.

In socialization, namae wa usually not used anymore, they only say their name.

If you won’t to say your age, it’s okay.

Some of them, if they introduce themselves, say his/her age, status (already married or not), their blood type, and what enterprise/business they came from (this is because they are very proud of their business/enterprise and pride to be inside)

Must remember point is keep polite in attitude and words / grammar you used, because it’s very important for first meeting with Japanese.

Things in Your Room

2009-06-20T02:51:00.001-07:00

In this post, I’ll introduce things that usually in bedroom in Japanese. If there’s a thing I don’t write, you can write it in comment box.

Doa ドア

Absorbed from English, ‘door’. Nowadays, Japanese often say door with ‘doa’

Mado まど

Means ‘window’.

Hon dana　本だな

Means ‘bookcase’. Japanese often use it to keep their books. According to the age, they keep science books, encyclopedia, comics, magazines, and other favorite books.

Beddo　ベッド

Means ‘bed’. Absorbed from English too, ‘bed’. Because in Japanese language, they don’t have consonant, so all consonant in the end or middle of the word added vocal letter.

yagu, moufu 夜具、モウフ

Means ‘blanket’.

makura　まくら

Means ‘pillow’.

tansu たんす

Means ‘clothes cupboard’.

senpuuki せんぷうき

Means ‘fan’. Nowadays they usually use air conditioner to make the air cooler.

tokei 時計

Means ‘watch’.

Denwa / keitai denwa　電話・けいたい電話

Means ‘house phone’ and ‘cellphone’.

Pasokon / Konpyuta　パソコン・コンピュータ

Means ‘computer’. Pasokon was absorbed from ‘personal computer’, and they make it short to be ‘pasokon’. And konpyuta was absorbed from English ‘computer’.

eakon /Reibo　エアコン．冷簿

Means ‘air conditioner’. They make it short to be ‘eakon’, or they often say it ‘reibo’, means ‘cooler machine’. They often turn it on in summer when the weather is hot.

danbo 　暖ぼ

Means ‘warmer machine’. In Japanese house, they have these two machines, danbo and reibo. Danbo will turn on in winter to make them keep warm.

terebi / terebishon　テレビ・テレビション

Means ‘television’. To make it short, they often say it ‘terebi’

rajio　ラジオ

Absorbed from English ‘radio’.

Kagami　かがみ

Means ‘mirror’.

gomi bako　ごみばこ

Means ‘rubbish box’.

Shibuya 109

2009-06-19T04:32:00.000-07:00

109 (Ichi-maru-kyū) is a department store in Shibuya, Tokyo.The store is operated by the Tokyu Malls Development (TMD), a company under the Tokyu Group.

Shibuya 109 located across the street from Shibuya station, Dogenzaka district of Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, what used to be called Koibumi Yokocho (Love letter lane), the center of fashion for young women in Japan, which opened in April 1979.

This building, which has variety of trendy clothing outlets, has succeeded by targeting women age 15 to 20, and have many new brands stuffs here. The main customer base of Shibuya 109 is girls in their teens who are fans of the popular all-girls group “Morning Musume”. Many popular foreign singers and actresses come here when they are in Japan. Not only foreign singers and actresses, Japanese singers and actresses also come here to shopping, even Japanese top diva, Hamasaki Ayumi, has her own store here.

The architect was Minoru Takeyama. Tokyu, the building's operator, designed the building as a "Fashion Community" containing small retail stores targeting the early-30s female consumer.

The name of the building, 109, is taken from the Japanese characters to (meaning 10) and kyu (9) as in Tokyu. The interior of the building is designed to move shoppers in a loop on each floor from the elevators past various shops. A movie theater was originally planned for the top floor, but the fire department would not grant approval due to emergency-evacuation routes not meeting appropriate standards. Although originally targed at women in their 30s, the building later became more known as a mecca for young women from the gyaru subculture

When it first opened for business, this fashion center aimed at a wide range of customers, from young people to the middle-aged and elderly. Following the collapse of the bubble economy in early 1990s, sales dropped off sharply. In 1995, Shibuya 109 reinvented itself by deciding to cease targeting men and to draw young women instead. The strategy paid off, and Shibuya 109 posted record sales of ¥23.5 billion ($213 million at ¥110 to the dollar) in 2003.

Because this fashion center has been attracting customers from all over Japan, such as middle school and high school girls visiting Tokyo on school trips, Shibuya 109 marked its twenty-fifth anniversary by beginning sales over the Internet.

Miso

2009-06-19T04:28:00.000-07:00

Miso, purportedly, was food sent by god. Miso was kind of soup.

Miso was soybean pasta from 10 months fermentation. Fermentation process using salt and koji. Koji made from mixed flour, leaves, and soybean. Because of long-rage fermentation, the taste was very salty.

According to the taste, shape, color, and aroma, miso has 3 categories. There are dark miso or brownish red, yellow, and white.

Dark miso (shinshu miso) made as soup topping in autumn and winter. This kind of miso cooked with radish or carrot.

White miso (shiro miso) often consumed in summer as hiyashi vinegar topping.

Yellow miso has sweet taste and can be consumed anytime.

Beside as soup topping, miso also ate with fish, meat, vegetables, uncooked food, ramen, etc.

Miso was delicious and healthy, because miso has so much nutrition. Two spoons of miso has 71 mg of calorie, 4.00 mg protein, 2.00 mg fat, 9.00 mg carbohydrate, 23.00 mg calcium, 1.25 mg zinc. That’s why, Japanese love miso and they believe miso was sent by god as present.

Okonomiyaki, Japanese Pizza

2009-06-19T04:24:00.000-07:00

The word “Okonomiyaki” came from ‘okonomi’ means ‘according appetite’, and ‘yaki’ means ‘bake’. According to those means, okonomiyaki was a food which people can choose the topping according to his/her appetite.

Purportedly, Okonomiyaki was made by sailors because they wanted to ate pizza like he ever ate in Italy. Therefore, they mixed liquid wheat. In their home, they introduced that food in Kansai area. Okonomiyaki, firstly, was developing form from Funoyaki (fried wheat flour dough).

In Meiji Era, Funoyaki developed to Dondonyaki (added nori/seaweed, sausage, fish, and sauce). Dondonyaki have a form like omelette and rolled with chopsticks.

In Showa Era, Dondonyaki developed to Kyabetsukyaki because it used uster sauce. Okonomiyaki was final form of Kyabetsuyaki.

Okonomiyaki made from special wheat flour because baking powder, salt, and dashi was already inside. The flour diluted with water, add slices of cabbage, egg, cockle shells, shrimp, and squid or meat. In order to make dough soft, added yamaimo (kind of potato) and baked in flat wok.

According to the way in making okonomiyaki, there are two kinds of okonomiyaki.

First, okonomiyaki ala Kansai, added slices of cabbage inside the dough

Second, okonomiyaki ala Hiroshima, slices of cabbage just put above dough when it already has omelette form.

Both of them have very thick and sticky sauce.

The difference between both kinds of okonomiyaki is the sauce Okonomiyaki ala Kansai has mayonnaise inside the sauce, and okonomiyaki ala Hiroshima hasn’t.

Nowadays, okonomiyaki already served in restaurants with various toppings. Some of toppings are red ginger, yakisoba noodle, tenkasu, corn, green onion, dried bonito flakes, beans, etc. Because of that, okonomiyaki was one of Japan’s healthy fast food.

Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony)

2009-06-16T21:42:00.000-07:00

Tea, or Camelia sinensis, was known in China since emperor Shen Nong period. From China, tea spread to all over the world.

Tea came to Japan, brought by Yeisei, a Buddhist monk, who knew tea when studying Buddha in China. Now, Yeisei known as “Japan’s father of tea”.

Tea became Japanese favorite quickly because has relation to religion. And then, tea ceremony was appeared, named chanoyu, means “hot water for tea”. Famous tea in Japan is maccha tea, made from green tea powder.

This ceremony – in beginning – used as discipline or the way to serve tea in front of emperor. There were so much difficult rules. Because of it, Lafcadio Hearn – a Ireland-greece journalist and historian – make a book of this ritual.

Chashitsu (Tea room) was very sacred, and then become the room where geisha waiting and geisha become tea steeper. Three Buddhist monks tried to made the ceremony holy again.

Chashitsu

Ikkyu (1394-1481) was a prince and a monk and become the one who tried to take back the holy in tea ceremony. And then been continue by his student, Murata Shuki (1422-1502) and he introduced again the right way in tea ceremony. And then, Sen-no Rikkyu (1521-1591). From those three monks, Sen-no Rikkyu was the most succeed. His standard in tea ceremony keep used until now.

First, guest accompanied to waiting room and served hot water in a cup. When in this room, guest will praise the home owner. And then, all people go to garden to wash their hand and mouth.

Guest go inside tea serve room. In go inside this room, guest must leave shoes and things outdoor. In this room, guest enjoy the decoration and ikebana while drink sake.

Then, guest go to garden and wait the house owner finish make thick tea. When the owner finish, they bell the gong in order to let guest come inside in Chashitsu. In Chashitsu, guest drink thick tea and some various of food. Usually, tea ceremony held about 4 hours.

Tea cup

This tradition have good values, as reflection of owner knowledge and personality, like life goal, the way of thinking, religion, and art knowledge, according to tea ceremony ideology.

And for the guests, before come to the ceremony, they must study the rules, habits, good manners, ethics, and how to enjoy served snack. Guests also admiring the garden, decoration, architecture, ceramic, and flowers inside the rooms.

Kanpo

2009-06-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

Kanpo is Japan’s traditional tonic (from medicinal herbs). Kanpo’s letter was came from two china character, there are Kan (han) means “from China”, and po (ho) means “way”. It means, before Kanpo reached Japan, Kanpo was China traditional treatment since thousand years ago. In 593, Suiko – Japan’s woman empress – sent her delegation to Korea, when in that time Korean used China medicinal treatment. Because China’s treatment was very practical, the empress sent two delegations to studied in China. They also learned to mixed herbs and Yin and Yang unsure to patient from China’s traditional healer. This treatment pattern brought to Japan and called Kanpo.

In Heian period, a student named Yasuyori Tanba, succeeded in studied Japan’s ancient treatment book “isshinho”, sourced from China. In this book, wrote about 17.000 medicine formulas and shorten become 365 medicinal herbs, consist of 120 joyaku or high medicinal, 120 chuyaku or middle medicinal, and 125 shimoyaku or low medicinal.

Joyaku used for common illness (ex. for vitality) and shimoyaku used for serious illness. But if consume continually can make negative side effect. And then, Kanpo maker in China fixed the formulas in order to make no side effect with using animal skin and fossil. But Japanese keep commit that base material of Kanpo was herbs.

Japanese modern citizens nowadays know Kanpo as Japanese Herbal Therapy. Kanpo used as illness healer and health keeper. Kanpo also can heal depression impact like insomnia, nervous, nightmare, etc.

Some of Japanese use Kanpo by themselves (no consultation) named Individual Kanpo Treatments with Barley Sprouts, this formula can heal sadness and depression for adults.

The way is : 6-15 gram barley sprout and 1 cup of water mixed together, drink once a day.

But this formula not for suckled mother.

Biota used to heal people who has depression indication, this herbal usually sell in tablet, and not for continually.

Licorice used for depression with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), this formula can smoothing blood stream, increasing oxygen supply to brain, and make mood better. Whis formula can drink every day for 6 weeks, not for they who have high blood pressure, leukemia, melanoma, and woman who has reproduction system interference.

Morinda used to keep health and increasing man’s vitality, the impact is difficult to urinate. . Beside medicinal herbs I said above, there are another medicinal herbs like Biota Seed pill to Nourish the heart, Coptis Decoction to destroy poison in body, etc. And those all Kanpo was made from herbs.

Dorama

2009-06-12T01:39:00.000-07:00

Dorama (ドラマ) or Japanese drama is television series in Japan. Word “Dorama” was absorbed from English, “Drama”. Dorama was very popular – like manga / comic.

Dorama has various story like school life, comedy, mystery, detective, etc. Dorama also has different story like another drama. Because of that, Dorama become very popular. Most of doramas story taken from manga. Like Zettai Kareshi, from manga with same name “Zettai Kareshi”

Dorama was turning during 3 months and according to four seasons in Japan, there are Winter (Januari-Maret), spring (April-June), summer (July-September), and autumn (Oktober-December). In beginning of a season, new title of dorama was turn. Therefore, dorama always up date every season.

Dorama – majority – in television from 21.00 until 23.00. Dorama which is in night, turning every week and usually the episodes number was among 9-12 every season. Dorama which is turn in morning (in NHK television) turning every day, called asadora.

Here some Dorama, include the synopsis.

Hana Yori Dango

Makino Tsukushi is the only poor student at Eitoku Gakuen, the school of the ridiculously rich and privileged that is ruled by Flower 4 or F4, a group of four boys who come from extremely powerful families: Domyoji Tsukasa, the leader and heir of the Domyoji World Finance Group; Hanazawa Rui, the introverted son of a large company; Nishikado Sojiro, a player who is the heir of a tea ceremony school; and Mimasaka Akira, a madam killer with ties to the underground. If a student gets on the F4’s bad side, he/she gets a red notice and is bullied and driven out of school.

Makino hopes to pass her days quietly-- without drawing any attention to herself-- but one day, she stands up to Domyoji in defense of her friend. The next day, Makino gets the dreaded red notice. Even though she is harassed, Makino decides to keep going to school because she is a “tough weed”. She declares war right back on the F4. Her resolve gets the attention of her crush Hanazawa Rui and oddly enough, rouses romantic feelings in her worst enemy, Domyoji Tsukasa.

The series is based on the Japanese shoujo manga "Hana Yori Dango" (Boys Before Flowers) by Kamio Yoko.

Atashinchi no Danshi

Horikita Maki’s character is burdened with 100 million yen worth of debt after her gambling father disappears. Chased out of her home by collectors, she is forced to sleep in places like internet cafes. However, she meets the president of a major company who offers to pay off the debt if she marries him, and she soon finds herself moving in with a rather eccentric family.

Banbino

A drama adaptation of a popular comic written by Sekiya Tetsuji. After a year of working at a neighborhood Italian restaurant, Ban Shogo (Matsumoto Jun), an enthusiastic, cocky young college student from Fukuoka, comes to Tokyo to perfect his cooking skills as a chef in Italian cuisine. He discovers he has much to learn and has to continually prove himself to the very competitive, quick and efficient staff at the upscale Italian restaurant.

Kimi wa petto

Smart, successful and good-looking Sumire Iwaya works for a big newspaper. However she is dumped for being a “perfect woman” followed by degradation. Then she finds Takeshi Goda (Jun Matsumoto) in a box out the front of her home and takes him in. He looks like a dog she used to own called Momo. She dubs him Momo and decides to “keep him as a pet.’ It’s the start of an unexpected life together as they overcome obstacles and gradually deepen their feelings for each other.

Su

2009-06-07T16:09:00.000-07:00

Su is another favorite drink beside sake and shochu.

Today, employers in Tokyo were ‘falling in love’ with this rice vinegar called Su. Su make their health and stamina become fit, especially in summer or if they have so mush business. Even make drunk – in the other side – Su was good for health.

Japanese – in average – drink 15 ml per day, and their high pressure blood decrease, no more tired, and increasing the produce of saliva and make absorbed system better.

This phenomenon of Su give inspiration for café and bar in Tokyo. They bargain various food from vegetables and fruits combined with Su. One of them is Korazu, a bar in Shinbanshi station,. Tokyo. In Korazu, there are nine kinds variation of vinegar, like black vinegar, red soya vinegar, milk vinegar, and also blueberry vinegar.

In Japanese cuisine, it is also common to blend vinegar with other condiments to make flavored vinegars.

Ponzu soy sauce: Mixed with citrus juices such as sudachi, soy sauce, soup stock and other flavorings.
Sushizu: This vinegar, used to make sushi rice, is blended with sugar, salt, mirin and other condiments.
Sanbaizu: Vinegar, soy sauce and mirin, mixed in equal parts.
Tosazu: A blended vinegar made by mixing with soy sauce, mirin and soup stock from ingredients such as katsuo-bushi (dried bonito) and kombu (kelp), bringing the mix to a boil and leaving it to cool.

Su not only used as drink, but also used in cooking like making sushi, ramen, etc.

Shamisen

2009-06-06T00:13:00.000-07:00

The shamisen or samisen ( literally "three flavor strings"), also called sangen (literally "three strings") is a three-stringed musical instrument played with a plectrum called a bachi

The shamisen is similar in length to a guitar but its neck is much slimmer and without frets, Its drum-like rounded rectangular body, known as the dō, is covered front and back with skin in the manner of a bajo, and amplifies the sound of the strings. The skin is usually from a dog or cat, but in the past a special type of paper was used and recently various types of plastics are being tried. On the skin of some of the best shamisen, the position of the cat's nipples can still be seen.

The three strings are traditionally made of silk or, more recently, nylon. The lowest passes over a small hump at the "nut" end so that it buzzes, creating a characteristic sound known as sawari (somewhat reminiscent of the "buzzing" of a sitar which is called jivari). The upper part of the dō is almost always protected by a cover known as a dō kake, and players often wear a little band of cloth on their left hand to facilitate sliding up and down the neck. This band is known as a yubikake. There may also be a cover on the head of the instrument, known as a tenjin. furry-paws

In most genres the shamisen is played with a large weighted plectrum called bachi, which was traditionally made with ivory or tortoise shell but which now is usually wooden, and which is in the shape likened to a ginkgo leaf. The sound of a shamisen is similar in some respects to that of the American banjo, in that the drum-like skin-covered body, known as a dō, amplifies the sound of the strings. As in the clawhammer style of American banjo playing, the bachi is often used to strike both string and skin, creating a highly percussive sound.

Shamisen used for traditional genres of Japanese music, such as jiuta, kouta, and nagauta, adhere to very strict standards. Purists of these genres demand that the shamisens be made of the correct wood, the correct skin, and are played with the correct bachi. There is little room for variation. The tsugaru-jamisen, on the other hand, has lent itself to modern use, and is used in modern genres such as jazz and rock. As a more open instrument, variations of it exist for show. The tuning pegs and bachi, which are usually fashioned out of ivory or turtle shell, for example, are sometimes made of acrylic material to give the shamisen a more modern, flashy look. Recently, avant-garde inventors have developed a Tsugaru-jamisen with electric pickups to be used with amplifiers, like the electric guitar: the electric tsugaru-jamisen has been born.

In kouta (小唄; literally "short song") and occasionally in other genres the shamisen is plucked with the fingers. Kouta (小唄) is the style of song learned by geisha and maiko. Its name literally means "small" or "short song," which contrasts with the music genre found in bunraku and kabuki, otherwise known as nagauta (長唄) (long song). Jiuta (地唄), or literally "earthen music" is a more classical style of shamisen music.

The shamisen derives from the sanshin, an instrument of theRyukyu Kingdom,now a prefecture of Japan in the 16th century and one of the primary instruments used in that area), which in turn evolved from the Chinese sanxian.

The shamisen can be played solo or with other shamisen, in ensembles with other Japanese instruments, with singing such as nagauta (長唄), or as an accompaniment to drama, notably kabuki (歌舞伎) and bunraku (文楽). Both men and women traditionally played the shamisen.

The most famous and perhaps most demanding of the narrative styles is gidayū, named after Takemoto Gidayū (1651-1714), who was heavily involved in the bunraku puppet-theater tradition in Osaka. The gidayū shamisen and its plectrum are the largest of the shamisen family, and the singer-narrator is required to speak the roles of the play, as well as to sing all the commentaries on the action. The singer-narrator role is often so vocally taxing that the performers are changed halfway through a scene. There is little notated in the books (maruhon) of the tradition except the words and the names of certain appropriate generic shamisen responses. The shamisen player must know the entire work perfectly in order to respond effectively to the interpretations of the text by the singer-narrator. From the 19th century female performers known as onna-jōruri or onna gidayū also carried on this concert tradition.

Shamisens vary in shape and size, depending on what genre the shamisen is used in. For example, the futozao (lit. "Thick Neck") of Tsugaru-jamisen is quite a recent innovation, and is purposefully constructed much larger than traditional style shamisens. Its body is much larger, and its neck is much longer and thicker than the traditional nagauta and/or jiuta shamisens.

Generally, the thin-necked hosozao is used in nagauta, the shorter and thinner neck facilitating the agile and virtuosic requirements of Kabuki. The hosozao is often used in kouta, where it is plucked with the fingernails. The chuzao is favoured for jiuta, with a broader, more mellow timbre. Finally, the thick-necked futozao is used in the robust music of Gidayubushi (the music of Bunraku), Joruri and Tsugaru-jamisen. In these genres, the thicker neck facilitates the greater force used in playing the music of these styles.

The bachi or plectrums used to play the shamisens also differ in shape. The bachi used for nagauta and jiuta shamisens are very triangular in shape, often having very sharp points. The Gidayu shamisen uses a very slender bachi, having a more subtle triangular shape. The bachi used in tsugaru-jamisen has a noticeable triangular shape, but is still less pronounced than the bachi used in nagauta and jiuta.

The width of the bridge (koma) also varies between genres, and even between schools of playing, such that a jiuta performer of the Ikuta-ryu plays with a different sized koma from that of a Yamada-ryu musician.

Izakaya ; Japanese café

2009-06-01T05:42:00.000-07:00

For Japanese, drink alcoholic drink already became their daily culture.

Sake, Shochu, Hopposhu, and wine consumed. They usually drink in their house, in bar, or in a drink shop ala Japan called Izakaya.

Izakaya came from sakaya (means sake shop) and additional letter i so have means sake store and consumer can have a drink there. All drink sold there was alcoholic drinks. In interior side, Izakaya often decorated ala western.

In daily word, Izakaya called Akachouchin or red lantern. It was because in past time, much of Izakayas decorated red lantern in front, but today already rare to get Izakaya like that. Izakaya today look like informal bar or restaurant which is sake and various snacks like robata, sashimi, tempura, yakitori, or all kinds of food (that match with sake) are available.

Izakaya was popular, city and town. Tokyo citizens often come to Izakaya after their busy day. For them, Izakaya have double functions, there are as drink place, and a place to relax. Because of it, Izakaya always crowd after work time. The consumers average were single person and 17 up years old students.

Nowadays, sake isn’t main drink anymore, there are also various alcoholic drink like shochu, hopposhu, beer, even cocktail, wine, and import whiskey.

Consumers really like nomihodai (drink as you wish) and tabehodai (eat as you wish).

Because Izakaya growth very fast, now Izakaya have differences according to the place and food, like Oden-ya (temporary tend at edge of street, was crowd in winter), Yakitori-ya (especially prepare drink and Yakitori or another baked food), Robatayaki (consumer sit around a table with baking tools), Chain Izakaya (popular since 1980s, have larger room, and many various of foods).

Beside kinds of Izakaya I described above, there’s an Izakaya with tatami and short table ala Japan. This kind of Izakaya usually enjoyed by rich people. Etiquette was do here. Before and after drink or eat, consumer gets oshibori or wet towel to clean their hands. And then otoushi or tsukidashi, that is opening snack. And then foods and drinks dished in queue.

Juny’s agenda

2009-06-01T05:26:00.000-07:00

This month doesn’t have many agenda in Japan…

The only one agenda this month just “Dad’s day”. It was the day to celebrate and said our thank to all dads…

It will held in 3^rd week in Juny…

So..

Let’s wait for it…

^.^

Shochu, another ‘sake’

2009-05-31T13:29:00.000-07:00

Sake isn’t the only one drink ala Japan. There’s Shochu, a kind of rink which have richer taste than sake. Shochu still be the most popular drink category in Japan. In last 2003, shochu can ‘beat’ sake and became the top as the most favoriute drink. Shochu’s taste was have many variations, like fruits, beans, sugar cane, and sweet potato. And there’s high-quality-wine-tasted shochu. Alcohol degree in shochu maximum 45%, minimum 0%.

According to history, shochu came from China. Firstly come to Japan by Ryukyu island (now Okinawa prefecture). From Okinawa, spread to Amami Ooshima island and then to Kagoshima. From this, the technique in making shochu spread to all Japan.

Now, shochu have its own name according to the area where it was produced.

Awamori, came from Okinawa. Main material is rice

Grain shochu, came from north west of Kyushu, already produced since 16^th centuries. Main material is beans
Imo shochu, came from Kagoshima prefecture, already produced since 17^th centuries. Main material is sweet potato
Mugi shochu, came from Nagasaki since 19^th centuries. Main material is barley

Imo shochu from Izu island, made from sweet potato
Kokutou shochu from Amami Ooshima, made from sugar cane.

Beside those 6 kinds of shochu, there are Soba shochu, kasutori shochu, and another shochu mdae from corn, sesame, orange, or carrot.

Kasutori shochu

Japanese Lesson ; Family

2009-05-30T21:53:00.000-07:00

Ok…in this session I’ll give you some vocabularies in Japanese family. Beside, I’ll also explain them as possible as I can ^.^

1. Chichi

Means ‘my father’. But if you wanna say ‘your father’, you should say ‘otousan’. And then, in calling your dad, you should say ‘otousan’ too. Because it will be sooooo weird if you call your dad with ‘chichi’. =D

Before World War II, father looked like very cruel, everybody must obedient to him, and he dominated the house. No body dared to argue him. Can you imagined that?

I’ve tried to imagine cruel face, big body, wrinkle in forehead, and no smile. But my imagine turned into something funny…Hahahha..

But after World War II and modernization came into Japan, because of American films, father’s function not as ‘cruel owner’ anymore, but turn into kid’s friend.

2. Haha

Means ‘my mother’. As description above, it just used to say ‘my mother’. If you wanna say ‘your mom’, you should say ‘okaasan’. It also used to call your own mom.

Mom in past time, long ago, was someone who must work very hard at home, and the husband wouldn’t wanted to help, that was the opinion which was dominated in that time. But now, mom can be career woman and the husband – now a day – want to help his wife.

3. Oneesan

Means ‘older sister’. You could change it with ‘oneechan’, either. It’s okay without ‘o’ (only neesan / neechan). But, another person’s older sister or someone older than you and you already close to her, you could say with ‘oneesan’ or ‘oneechan’. You could say it with including her name too, like “sakura neechan’.

Older sister – at home – was the second mother. She also help mom in cleaning house, cooking, take care of her younger sister/brother, etc.

4. Oniisan

Means ‘older brother’. The description same as above.

Older brother was the second father at home. He also help his father and have high responsibility in working. Maybe he knows he will be the next father in his own family ^^

5. Imouto

Means ‘younger sister’. You could add ‘san’ behind ‘imouto’ to say another person’s younger sister. But I’m sorry I don’t have much information about this. v_v

6. Otouto

Means ‘younger brother’. The explanation same as above. In many dorama or manga, otouto looks very close to his older brother. But I don’t know clearly.

7. Ojiisan

Means ‘grandfather’. Today, big part of Japanese people were old and become less of new generation. This problem is the biggest problem for Japan government.

After modernization, Japanese grandfather become ‘babysitter’ for their grandchild.

8. Obaasan

Means ‘grandmother’. Grandmother today also become babysitter for their grandchild.

9. Ojisan

Means ‘uncle’. Japanese also used this word to greet someone strange, for example, if you ask someone about how to get to building where your friend marriage party is, you should greet him with ‘ojiisan’.

10. Obaasan

Means ‘aunt’. This word also used to greet someone strange.

How to remember ojiisan-ojisan and obaasan-obasan easily??

I give you a simple advice. I bet you’ll get it.

Ojiisan and obaasan means granpa and grandma, they already have long age. Ojiisan and obaasan was voiced long in ‘i‘ and ‘a’. Because they have long age, so greeting words for them must long too ^^

The opposite occur in remembering ojisan-obasan

11. Akachan

Means ‘baby’. Aka means red, chan just addition. Why ‘baby’ in Japanese word using ‘red’? Because when the baby comes out from mother’s stomach, he/she come with blood and blood was red. ^^

For twins, it used “futago”.

If the kid ‘s age between 0-7 years old, the parents must spoiled the kid, because in Japanese belief, in that age, kids still God’s messenger. Because of it, everybody must not make a kids crying, sad, or something else. But must make kids happy.

12. Mago

Means ‘grandchild’. They often taken care by their grandfather or grandmother.

These are some of Japanese vocabulary in family side.

I’ll give you another vocabularies next… =)
hope it has advantages for you….

Arashi’s Girl type

2009-05-30T21:37:00.000-07:00

I got this news from a site, but I forget what site it is. But I just publish it here,,because I was arashi’s fan too ^^

Sakurai Sho

My favorite type is a girl who doesn't make me take care of her. In other words, I like a girl whom I feel I can talk with easily....or a girl who doesn't mind even if we don't have a talk for a long time. It must be a natural situation in which we both don't need to take care of each other. Therefore, I want to begin to make friends with her, and then date her after we get to know each other enough. When I have a girl friend, I don't feel like showing off toward her. I prefer to communicate with her in the same way as I do with my male friends, and if she gets to like me in such a process, that would be best. I want her to communicate with me like that, too. When falling in love with someone, we tend to pay much attention to it. It must be natural for us, but I want to maintain a sense of distance between me and my girl friend and have my own private time without her. In my case, I don't agree to the ideas something like, "because I'm a man, I should take a leadership when being with a girl friend" or "men should protect women." I want to be equal to my girl friend. But I also want to be a man who can protect my girl when it's necessary. In addition, there should be some rules between men and women, at least. As for girls, I hate those who are sitting on the ground outside. It looks too rude. On the train, too, there are many girls who are ill-mannered, and I get disappointed at such girls all the time. (laugh) Saying "I love you" to girls? I can't do it! I think I tend to become cool and blunt. Saying "I love you" is just embarrassing for me (laugh). Because I've been in boy's school, I may be prejudiced toward Valentine Day, like "What the heck is that???"(laugh) Since Valentine Day is mainly just for girls, I prefer to put more emphasis on my girl friend's birthday. I want to balance between my work and family in the future. Also, I want to be a person who has got a unique sense.

Matsumoto Jun

I often talk about love with my friends. Even if we already know that we don't have own girlfriends, we ask each other like, "Did you get your girl friend?" and look forward to hearing the answer like, "Not yet!" But I'll get upset when there is someone who answers "Yes, I've got it!" (laugh) I used to be just romantic toward love. My favorite type is a girl who is pure and gentle. In addition, I want her to have different characters and a different sense of values. When I'm in trouble and ask her for some advice, if she's got the same ideas as I do we both will not be able to see anything in a wide range. If she can think in a different way from I do, she may give me better advice. Of course, we may also have a crush each other because of it though. (laugh) There are many events, such as Valentine's Day and Xmas and they should be enjoyable for those who have own partners, but terrible for those who don't have. On last year's Eve, I was off from work, but didn't have my partner to stay with so I was totally lost. (laugh) As for Valentine, I would follow my partner's plan, anyway. I usually decide anything by myself but my girl friend may not make her honest feelings clear, right? It must depend on her character, but the best way for us is being honest toward each other depending on the situations, I think. In the future, I want to accomplish my own work, and obtain skills to judge various type of things. Also, I want to be a person who can understand others' feelings quickly. When I take interviews for magazines, I just have to tell them what I already know, but it's not that easy to work for dramas or something like that. We have to act for what we don't know. It means that we have to think about "What would my character be feeling in this situation???" so it's tough

Ohno Satoshi

There are lots of handsome guys in the world, such as those who are chosen as 'best' something. But I don't want it. It may be good for being called "handsome" in general, but a man I really feel handsome or cool must be able to take care of even tiny matters. Therefore, I'm now trying best for becoming such a man. When it comes to my work, I want to be talented for various fields like acting, singing and dancing. It would be best that I could be satisfied with every single work, but I guess it will never happen in the future. I've never been satisfied with my own work so far. But not being able to be satisfied with it should positively affect me. We can grow up in the process of pursuing something, right? Besides, simply I want to be a good daddy. (laugh) My favorite type is a girl with beautiful eyes. Now, there are some girls called "ganguro" with terrible make-ups, but I want to say "just being natural must be way better" to them (laugh). How do I change when falling in love with someone? If it's one-sided love, I will get crazy about her day by day and then tells her "I love you" honestly in the end. If she rejects me....I'll feel just "Oops" and then it'll be over. (laugh) If we've been dating for 6 months? Am I too picky? (laugh) Hm...I won't quarrel with her at all. Probably, we'll stay home together listening to music or chatting because I don't like going out. Therefore, I want my girl friend to be, more or less, on the same wave length as me. I don't like horsing around so much about Valentine's Day or Xmas. Instead, I prefer to give her a present on the normal days, and it must make her more happy. I like that.

Ninomiya Kazunari

My favorite type is a girl with beautiful hands. I see her hands at first when I meet a girl. If she's got slim, long fingers, I will be just gazing at her hands for sure (laugh). When I feel she's got "beautiful hands" then I turn my gaze on her face, and may think, "Oops, her hands don't tell how she looks like..." (laugh) But we never know what kind of person he/she is until we talk with him/her so only the appearance is not enough in terms of talking my "ideal" girlfriend. My ideal girlfriend in the real sense of meaning is one who has the same sense of values as me. What is important is that we can feel the same way towards anything, like laughing, crying, irritating, pleasing together. Even when being together and having no talk at all, we want to stay natural, not minding it at all. When I don't feel like talking, I don't want her to ask me like, "What was your day today?" Therefore, I'm not going to do what she feels annoying.....it means that my girlfriend should be one who is really similar to myself (laugh). Say...when I'm depressed, I want her to just let me alone without caring about me. I think that we can understand more or less what kind of person he/she is at first impression. Then, if we feel our sense of values are the same while talking, we'll have a good relationship each other. In addition, it'll be best if she is gentle. My own sense of love....I think I'll get cooled down when I fall in love with someone (laugh). (matsujun sitting next to nino is opposing to this saying "No no, you'll think about nothing except for your girlfriend! (laugh)") No no, I prefer to enjoy one-sided love. Even though we are in love, we can't be together....I like such situations (laugh). I want to be a father who can see things at the same level as my kids done. I want to let my kids have various experiences so that they can have more options in their lives. In addition....for example, if I can work with the future Juniors at the age of 30 or so (laugh), I don't want to be like the one saying "In my Jr's days..." instead I want to become a senior who can understand what those younger generations feel/think.

Aiba Masaki

My favorite type of girls? ....none especially. All the girls with whom I fell in love so far have nothing in common. I don't know which parts of them really attract me. Because I don't believe love at first sight, I don't have any special feelings toward girls even if I feel they are cute. I fall in love with someone after I really communicate with her. After I leave her, I feel like talking with her again, and may find that I'm in love with her then (laugh). I don't want to be necking with my girlfriend in public because our relationship will last longer if we keep some sort of distance between us, you know. We do what we like to do freely, have our own time... it'll be best if we can have respect for each other like that. When I get my driver's license in the future, I may have a date with my girlfriend by driving, but to be honest I don't want to go to so-called date spots where so many couples get together. Those places just make me tired. When I was in elementary school, girls brought lots of chocolates on Valentine's Day. I once got two chocolates from the same girl (laugh). But I can't understand why we have to say, "I love you" because it's Valentine's Day. This may be because I'm a man though (laugh). Today, it's said that boys are weaklings, but I think girls are too strong. In my family, I can see that (laugh). But this may make the relationship between men and women smooth, I guess. I want to be a man who has strong spirits. In this world, there should be some people who have mature ideas even at my age. On the other hand, there may be adults who still have innocence. Either type is attractive for me. I want to be a cool person in the future with having good experiences.

New Year Culture in Japan

2009-05-24T06:04:00.000-07:00

In Japanese, New Year called Shougatsu. According to Japanese belief, new year tradition must be celebrated as a symbol of spirit and new luck. This habit already does since past time. These are some of their habit to celebrate new year :

Cleaning whole of house and display decoration

Cleaning whole of house totally before new yeat called susuharai. After it, they display 3 kodamatsu (sharp bamboo decoration), and matsukasari (decoration made from casuarina tree), usually hanged in front of front door. Another decoration named shimenawa – look like little sumo rope, shimezakari – usually hanged in private car as a symbol to celebrate new year and hope for good luck.

Send New Year Card

Nengajou (send new year card) via post become a permanent culture in Japanese citizens. Even in super modern country – simply send happy new year via internet or handphone), but they still post cards. Because of there are so much people send their cards, made postman super busy. To help them in their work, they employ arubaito worker (half-time worker) in order to make people satisfied with their work.

Japan new year card

Hatsuuri (Sale)

Hatsuuri or special sale in new year become something that have been waiting for, with unbelievable discount. There are “lucky bags” or fukubukuro. People can choose and buy those bags very cheap. Interesting point is, inside those bags, there are variation things. If the buyer lucky, he/she can get very expensive things! This event usually held in second day of new year.

Eat

With their closest people, Japanese get eat and drink and forget every bad luck in last year. According to their myth, if you eat soba in new year, you’ll have good luck, better than last year.

Game

New year in Japan identical with traditional game, like karuta or card game special new year. There is also hanetsuki, a game like badminton, using wood as racket and shuttlecock. Another game is takoage (written and colorful kite), koma or spin, and sugoroku or snake and ladder.

hanetsuki rackets

Present

For kids, beside game, they also waiting for oseibo or purezento or present from their family. The present are things or otoshidama (pocket money). This money usually put in an unique wallet / pocket.

Religious Ceremony

Japanese frequently do their religious ritual in new year. There is joyanokane, that is new year bell rings for 108 times. And then, hatsumairi, that is go to Shinto temple for choumeiri or pray for good luck in future. Another ceremony is, koizome, that is write calligraphy with brush (write good luck and another hope). There are also engimono and omamori, that is sold paper in front of the temple.

Bamboo decoration

Family

Even they were very busy in new year, Japanese have keep their one tradition in celebrate new year, that is have sleep tight or neshougatsu. The advantage is to have hatsuyume (first nice dream in New Year) which is as a symbol of luck. Another family agenda is in the first day in office, called hatsuni. There are also nanakusagayu (drink 7 herbal drink in January 7^th), Kagamibiraki (open big mochi / kagamimochi ceremony) in January 11^th, azukigayu (drink red bean water for health) in January 15^th, and so many other traditions until setsubun (end od new year festival / ceremony) and also as symbol of the beginning of spring in February.

In the end of December, Japanese usually say “yoi o toshi o”, means “wish next year become good year”, and in January 1^st, they will say “Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu”, means “happy new year”.

Seijin Shiki, Japanese ‘adult to be’ ceremony

2009-05-23T05:26:00.000-07:00

For Japanese, January 15^th is the day when seijin shiki will held every year. Seijin shiki is one of important moment in Japanese life. Japan’s rule said, someone become adult in law if already 20 years old. If already reach 20 years old, someone free to use their politics rights (touhyouken), free to be choose (senkyoken), free to be council member (saibanin), free to have own use (zaisanken), can adopt child (youshinken), free from parents control, free to get marry, free to smoking and drink alcohol (kitsuen, inshu), free to get drive license, and free to sign trade contract. Before you get in seijin shiki, those free things can’t being got.

This tradition already held since old age. Boys did Genbuku tradition, beside girls did Mogi tradition. This tradition always held until today as government’s care for their new generations. As an adult, now they have many new free things and responsibility to their country.

Boys and girls entering the hall

Seinen-sai ceremony (young generation ceremony) was held in November 22^nd 1946 in Warabi city, Kitaadachi district, Saitama Prefecture, by local young generation leader named Takahashi Shojiro. This ceremony was the beginning of seijin shiki today. In beginning, this ceremony held to give hope of bright future for Japanese young generation which is lost their spirit and ambition because of World War II, with a philosophy that is to build great country, so every single person must grow in mentally and physically.

In 1948, Japan’s government took Seinen-sai ceremony as a lesson and decided January 15^th next year (1949) as Seijin no hi (‘adult to be’ day).

In seijin shiki, not only citizens who busy In preparing the event, but also Japan’s government.

a girl with furisode, boys with hakama and coat

Seijin shiki also become news in whole Japan in that day. In seijin shiki, there are speech from local government, getting souvenir, foods, and take a picture together with local official. Near January 15^th, local and Japan’s government invite all citizens who already 20 years old to come to where ceremony will be held, like hotel ballroom, meeting building, etc.

In January 15^th, girls and boys come to the ceremony place with tidy look. The girls wear Furisode (formal kimono for girls) with make-up and hair-do.

Girls wearing red furisode

The boys wear Hakama or formal coat.

Because in January still winter, the girls usually wear winter kimono and adding white fur in their shoulder as heater. Usually they use bright color kimono. To look modern, they give modifications in their costume without hiding traditional side.

Ninja

2009-05-23T00:11:00.000-07:00

Ninja means people who hiding or people who avoid something silently. Ninja was existed for 250 years, between Edo Age until Meiji Age. They appeared in 12^th centuries when there were wars in every city in Japan.

In Edo Age, under Shogun Tokugawa government, ninja had very active and important part like spy, propaganda, camouflage. All of them were ninja’s abilities.

According to history, ninja – in working on their mission - very loyal to their leader. Ninja willing to die for their leader’s life and willing to die in working on their mission, called seppuku.

Ninja was the most professional spy. Between Edo to Meiji Age, there were some ninjas who became spy in temple and samurai.

In feudal government, they duties were to gather information, as Kancho (spy agent), to gather foods and weapon from enemy, and had very important part in night attack.

In that time, there were ninja’s schools, that is training centre for ninja candidates. The most famous schools were Koga and Iga. Those schools were in Midpoint, between Owari area and Nikawa Area (Now Aichi and Kyoto prefecture).

Ninja’s existence developed and spread, and then, Magari no jin happened, that is Magari war in old city named Shiga. It was conflict between Ashikaga Yoshinao – 9^th shogun on Shogun Kamakura – with Sasaki Rokkaku, that is governor of south Shiga. The conflict held for 3 years until Ashikaga Yoshinao died.

Since Sasaki family didn’t want to guide a tour to Omi Area (Shiga), Oda Nobunaga – when he tried to made Japan united – destroyed all Sasaki family in an operation named Tensho-Iga no Ran (Ninja killing). In 1581, Sasaki family already destroyed because Koga Ninja didn’t help them. This situation was used by Tokugawa Ieyasu to employed ninjas and use their abilities to open a conflict or made propaganda.

Ninja collapsed because of there were so much Ninjas which specialist in using fire weapon in Shogun Tokugawa Era, and they wanted to get the top in government and made a war between ninjas. So that, Ninja in Shogun Tokugawa Era became collapse and lost their new generation.

Because of Ninjas main duty was to gather intelligent data, they must used ‘uneasy to saw’ cloth. Usually they used brown in front and black or grey in back.

Their mantel had many pockets to hide their katana (sword), and keep thin tools like Shikoro (small sword with two head) and San shaku tenugui (3 feet towel).

These are some of ninjas tools :

Geta (shoes made from wood)

Mizugumo (Water spider)

Shinobi Gatana (Ninja’s sword)

Shuriken (throw knife)

Every tools that ninja use was united from many style, used to prevention in war.

GoThic LoliTa

2009-05-16T03:45:00.000-07:00

Gothic Lolita is one of Lolita style, inspirited from gothic musician. In 2000s era, there was Gothic Lolita fever in Japan. Even this style already appeared since 1998, yet appear in Japan mode market in 2001. Two years later, Gothic Lolita style reached the top, especially in Tokyo. One of popularized this style was chief and guitarist of Mana Band, Malize Mizer or Marisu Miseru. While showed in stage, she often use balloon costume, dense hair, and dark make-up. She also popularize Elegant Gothic Lolita and Elegant Gothic Aristocrat, in order to introduced her fashion label named Moi-meme-moite. This trend also popularized with Kana singer with Gothololi. Another one is Mitzukazu Mihara.

To be Gothic Lolita is not difficult. Main costume must black and white, with ribbon accessories or round square lace.

Especially in Elegant Gothic Lolita and Gothic Lolita for short, focus in ‘look difficult’ costume, glamour, even look like a doll or rock musician. Gothic Lolita identical with collar blouse ala Peter Pan and cuffed arm. Interesting point is, sometime the teenagers mix and match their main costume of Gothic Lolita (black and white) with extreme color like red, pastel pink, or pastel blue.

They use long white socks or stocking or another color, with big and high heels shoes ala Mary Jane. For head, usually their hairs were black or blonde like doll hair, and also small hat which tied in chin as accessories.

For make up is so simple. Just use powder and little red lipstick, sharp eyelash and use eyeliner, and then, face become fresh and younger.

Gothic Lolita not only popular in Japan, but also in UK, USA, France, and Australia. Gothic Lolita also inspirited some anime and manga story like ‘Paradise Kiss’, ‘Sister Princess’, etc.

Shinkansen

2009-05-16T03:31:00.000-07:00

Shinkansen was the king of Japan’s transportation. With very high speed, reached 240-300 km/hour, shinkansen become the number one rival of air transportation. Shinkansen station were in centre of the city, make it reachable and practice. Today, there were 7 railway of Shinkansen in Japan, those are Tokaido Shinkansen (to Osaka), Sanyou Shinkansen (to Hiroshima, Hakata), Tohoku Shinkansen (to Sendai, Morioka), Joetsu Shinkansen (to Niigata), Yamagata Shinkansen (to Yamagata), Akita Shinkansen (to Akita), and Nagano Shinkansen (to Nagano).

The first railway was Tokaido Shinkansen, from Tokyo to Osaka. Both of it were the most higher growth city until today.

Shinkansen was developed by JR (Japan Railway) to serve people needs, that is faster and more practice transportation from Tokyo to Osaka. But, because of geography condition, especially mountainous way between Tokyo and Osaka, and population density make some problems in Shinkansen development, like how to stop in emergency, in order to not make a noise, and in order to make passenger safe and comfort.

The first Shinkansen development step was in motor technology and body design. To improve Shinkansen safety, shinkansen railway was made with wide 1435 mm – wider than original railway – and straight. In maximal speed, Shinkansen can’t stop in emergency. For example, in 200 km/hour speed, distance need until breaking distance was 2.5 km, while Tokaido Line – original train – need 600 m. This problem made JR engineer must work harder to made better break.And then, there was a bright idea, that is made the railway system free obstruction and made breaking system with using motor twist movement. That’s why Shinkansen railway made in highway system and tall fence.

Shinkansen development started with Shinkansen 0 series named “Hikari”. And then, Shinkanse 100 series Hikari, 300 series Nozomi, 400 series Tsubasa, 500 series Nozomi, E1 series Max, E2 series Asama, E3 series Komachi, etc were born. These shinkansen adapted with geography condition in its operation area. For example, in Tohoku area that is also snowy in winter and many bends in road, so that the railway made in order to make snow doesn’t stack, and there is ‘snow broom’ in front of the shinkansen.

Beside Japan, EuropeJapan, because in Europe, there are many unused land and few mountain. countries also active in developing fastest train, like TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse) in France and ICE (Inter-City Express) on German. Development fastest train in Europe easier than in

Manga and Anime

2009-05-08T21:39:00.000-07:00

Manga is a terminology for japan’s comic. A word “Manga” used first by an artist named Hokusai that means “human picture to tell something”. Manga is one of popular Japan culture that is very dynamic and already 2 centuries. Manga including caricature, anime, and comic.

Manga divided into two kinds, those are shounen and shoujo. Shounen is boys comic. Like ‘Dragon ball’, which is included in action category. Shoujo is girls comic, like “gals” which is easier to understand and soft.

According to the reader, manga divided into :

Kodomo (for kids), josei or redikomi (for woman), seinen (for man), shoujo (for girls), and shounen (for boys).

Zettai Kareshi (Absolute Boyfriend) manga

Nowadays, manga was very famous in all over the world. Even ever blocked by World War II, but manga always exist, until now on. Everyone in the world know about manga or comic.

People who really addicted to manga called “otaku”. To express their inspiration, there is a show for otaku, named “cosplay”, or costume play. In this show, people wearing anime or comic characters costume, as total as they can, as resemble as the original character, so that it looks like comic or anime character appear in our real world. Not only in cosplay event, wearing anime or comic character clothes already shown in Harajuku style.

Metantei Conan (Detective Conan) Anime

Because of the famous of anime and manga, Japan’s government prepare their young with built Department of Animation from Graduate School of Film, and New Media Tokyo University of The Arts. Presented of this department of animation become an affective step to defend anime and manga in future, with 2 years study with 3 curriculums and direct their young to work in anime and manga production, like 3 dimension, 2 dimension, [project planning, and story writing. The teachers are from anime and manga industry or anime award winner like Yamamoji Koji, Atama Yama, etc.

Sake

2009-05-08T21:23:00.000-07:00

Sake known as ‘wine’ in Japan version and include in Japan culture. Sake not only used for drink, but also used in cooking and Shinto ritual. For Japanese, they are who already 20 years old can drink sake.

According to definition from Japan’s government, sake is an alcoholic drink made from rice, koji, moto, and water fermentation and filtration.

Koji is concentrate enzyme of mildew (Aspergillus oryzae), and moto is yeast starter. One ton of rice can produce 3000 liters of sake with maximal 20% alcohol.

There are two groups of sake, there are with additional substance (adding alcohol) and without additional substance (purely rice). Sake without additional substance are Junmai sake, Junmai ginjo, and Junmai dai ginjo. Differences of them is in pure rice level. And sake with additional substance called cheap sake.

Why they add alcohol in produce sake? In World War II, they add alcohol to increase production volume and avoid decreasing of sake production because of decreasing of rice.

Simply, process of produce sake are : wash and mill the rice, soak and steam the rice, add koji, moto, and water, and then fermentation.

Hanami

2009-05-02T04:12:00.000-07:00

Hanami is a moment where Japanese give their respect for the changing of season that make flora get changing naturally.

Spring is one of beautiful season in Japan because all over Japan decorated with very beautiful cherry blossom (sakura). The most beautiful spots in spring are parks, all along the river, and tourism objects. This event only come once a year, therefore, people use it to go picnic under sakura tree, called Hanami.

Hanami was held since centuries ago. This tradition – that was describe love to sakura – have relation to braveness of Japan’s soldiers in war age. For them, die in a war is a holy thing and can be equal like sakura flower fall down.

Sakura only blossoms in spring. So that, they believe that beautifulness only come a moment, like human existing, so beautifulness now must enjoyed and appreciated well.

Sakura is very special. There are 300 kinds of cherry blossom in Japan, there are kind of color too, but most of it are white and pink.

There are some very beautiful place in spring in Japan. In Nara, there’s Yoshino mountain which covered by sakura flower in the beginning of spring. From the air, Yoshino mountain looks like a very big pink flower.

In Hiroshima Prefecture, there’s Miyajima, the most beautiful island in Japan. Miyajima not only known and famous because of cherry blossom in spring season, but also famous of Momoji tree (in autumn).

Miyajima Island

Hanami become very special because at the same time was the beginning of new semester in Japan, school and office. So that, Hanami become exact moment to receive new person in office, school, club, organization, etc.

Relation between and among person was very important for Japanese, and hanami was the beginning to build a relationship with the new person in their association.

Geisha

2009-05-02T04:06:00.000-07:00

Geisha in Japanese means is “actress”. Geisha must appear beautiful, elegant, have artistic talent, polite, and use polite words. Their job is to entertain guests with variation shows in tea house named “ochaya”. To entertain guests, geisha dancing a Japan’s traditional dance, singing, play music tools like shamisen, ikebana, chanoyu (tea ceremony), shodo (Japan calligraphy), etc.

Geisha only serve a guest who known so long with the tea house and usually the tea house will not accept new guest without introducing, that means, someone who want to be new guest, he must have a friend which already being permanent guest in the tea house, and his friend will introduce him to the tea house owner.

To be a geisha, in past time, she must geisha’s daughter. But if tea house owner accept her, she can be geisha too. Usually, beautiful uncared girls or from poor family sell them to o-kiya and o-kiya will teach and make-over them with bright color kimono. After finish their basic study, they will become “Maiko” (about 15-20 years old) that will be geisha. A Maiko always accompany a geisha in every event to study (keep attention to what geisha do) and to be introduced to her job. If they’re already 20 years old, Maiko will be geisha. But if she gets marry, she must quit from her job.

A geisha, suggested to have a “danna”, that is a man who ready to live her emotionally, economically, and sexuality.

Geisha’s relationship with danna’s wife was good. Geisha - in danna and his wife’s relationship - not as a destroyer of that relationship. Usually, the wife knows who is their husband’s geisha is. In some event, geisha will come to visit danna and his wife, and give a present to danna’s wife.

Nowadays, demand of a geisha was decrease, because the education levels were very hard and waste much time, and girls who want to be a geisha must study in geisha school, not teached by o-kiya anymore.

Tanabata Festival

2009-04-29T06:09:00.000-07:00

One of Japanese famous festival is Tanabata Festival.

In all over Japan on July 7^th, people celebrate Tanabata, and in stores, shopping spot, stations, and all along main streets, there are full color displays and white paper inscribed with kanji.

Tanabata Festival also known as Hoshi matsuri or star festival. Tanabata, in reality, is a celebration that base from a myth, that is a separated couple and met in Milky Way (Ama no kawa).

Legend said that this festival was based by a love story between two stars, that is weaver star or Vega or Shokujo or Orihime, and herdsman star or Altair or Kengyu or Aquila or Hikoboshi.

Kengyu and Shokujo

God in heaven have a daughter named Shokujo or Vega. Shokujo was always busy, so that her father worried about her loneliness. Someday, her father introduced her to a man named Kengyu or Altair. And than, both of them were in love. Because of it, Shokujo didn’t do her job anymore, that is weaving god’s cloths and Kengyu didn’t herd cows anymore. Shokujo’s father got angry and let them live separated. Shokujo cried all day, and her father worried about it. So that, he let them met once a year on July 7^th night. If it’s rain in festival day, that means Ama no kawa is overflow and block them away. So that, in July 6^th, people pray for them, that is no rain in the Tanabata day. People offer Tanzaku (a paper inscribed wishes) to two stars.

According to history, Tanabata was known in Japan in Nara Age (710-784 M) where at first was celebrated by rich family around palace.

Because Tanabata came from handmade art, so that Tanabata is a celebration for girls to hope for their talent in sewing, weaving, calligraphy, and another handcraft. This was held until Edo age (1603-1876 M). After Edo age, Tanabata celebration was held and enjoyed by common people.

In some areas, people light up the lanterns and float them on river or float bamboo branch on river to throw away their bad luck.

Decoration for Tanabata in Sendai

The most famous city with its Tanabata celebration is Sendai. In Sendai, Tanabata was held in August 7^th. Some citizens also celebrate it between July 6^th or 7^th. But according to year calendar, it was celebrate on July 7^th.

Tanabata tree and wishes paper

In this day, they celebrate Tanabata in temples and so many people pray there to get good luck in marriage. They also write their wishes – sometime a poem – in a colored paper (Tanzaku) and tied it on bamboo branch

Healthy tips ala Japan

2009-04-25T23:16:00.000-07:00

Japanese women are very beautiful, they have tight skin, always healthy, and look younger. Every woman in the world, i bet, want to be like them too. So that, here is some tips to get all of it.

Love to eat seaweed

Most of Japanese foods are contains of seaweed. Seaweed has much important minerals for our body, like calcium, magnesium, phosphor, zinc, and potassium.

Eat sushi

Sushi is very healthy. Rice and uncooked fish mixed in sushi, with low fat (fat 30%) and have much omega-3

Drink green tea

As antioxidant, green tea can prevent from early aging, decrease stomach inflamed risk, prevent heart attack, lever, and prevent cancer growth, and blocked obesity. Not only Japanese. Nowadays, another countries already know the profit of green tea.

Walk is a habit

Wherever they go, as the distance can pass by walking, Japanese will take a walk. So that, Japanese woman always looks beautiful, and become more beautiful with walking. Because walking not only healthy for heart, but also to keep skin tight.

Sushi ; Japanese healthy food

2009-04-25T23:11:00.000-07:00

One kind of Japanese foods is dominated with what already there in nature.

Sushi, which is combination of uncooked fish and spicy rice, which is a very exotic food for tourist, is everyday food for Japanese.

There are two kinds of sushi according to the shape. Kansai sushi style is sushi rice with another ingredients shaped in decorative shapes, and Edo sushi style is uncooked fish put above sushi rice, and also called nigiri sushi.

Sushi and sashimi are food made from sea material, so that have essential substance like omega-3, which is very important for our body to reach optimal healthy. Omega-3 can make blood pipe bigger, and automatically girder blood stream. Omega-3 rich in Tuna and Salmon.

Beside omega-3, seeweed as basic material of Nori (roasted seaweed) have much antioxidant essence that can prevent from cancer.

Cholesterol in sea food is HDL cholesterol that can decrease heart attack risk.

HaraJuku styLe ; LOLITA

2009-04-25T04:10:00.001-07:00

it was kind of super cute (super kawaii - in Japanese) costum play, of course girls wear it, NOT boys ^.^

Lolita - in general - was a dress with full of ribbon and lace with pastel color. So that, girls who wear it looks like a doll, cute, and sweet.
But there're kind of Lolita's style, like gothic style (with off black, from hair, eye make-up, dress, boots, ect, mix lolita original style with gothic style), classic lolita (lolita's original/traditional style, really like a doll, with soft color dress and accessories), Lolita (with pastel dress, looks so childish = means cute).

How to appear like a doll, like lolita?

First, wear full lace dress, with light color / pastel, like very light blue, very light pink, or white. If you needs to appear gothic, wear black dress,,and try towear black dress with lace too, so that you don't miss the lolita's look.

Second, wear cute accessories, similar with your dress color, and wear soft color of make up like very light pink lipstick, and also matching with your dress and accessories.

Third, your behavior, must cute and looks childish,,so that people look at you like a super kawaii doll.

And the most important point is..
Be confident!!!

Which Japanese Style are You?

2009-04-25T03:50:00.000-07:00

Kogal

Means young lady. They come from rich family and even they get adult, they still live with parents, so their money used to dress up and luxury lifestyle. The characters are : tanning skin, blonde, mini skirt, platform booth, branded things and accessories. But kogal not also have tan skin, there are with white skin also there.

Ganguro

Means black skin. The trend was in top in 90’s when girl’s like wear something like Afro girls with black skin, imitation eye lash, platform shoes, so much accessories. Ganguro usually put bright color around her eyes and lips.

Lolita

Means they who imitate Victorian doll with lace hat and dress. The character was cute and innocent. There are kind of Lolita ; Classic Lolita (appear with soft and traditional dress), Lolita (Appear with pastel dress, childish, full of ribbon and lace), and Gothic Lolita (mix Lolita style and gothic).

Visual Kei

This style imitate J-rock musician. They like to wear experimental and full color make-up and hair. The clothes were black and Gothic style.

"..haRajuKu.."

2009-04-24T05:47:00.000-07:00

Who don’t know about Harajuku?
Harajuku is a place in Tokyo District where people wearing costumes like in comics and anime or something weird. Yes, Harajuku known as trendsetter of comic and anime costumes. Harajuku was the most famous place. We know it not only in Gwen Stephanie's song, but also in comic, Japan drama (dorama), from magazine, etc.

Do you know where the name “Harajuku” came from?
Harajuku took from the name of a train station, “Harajuku”. Around the train was known as Harajuku.

Harajuku Station

Harajuku was always crowd because people, especially teenagers, always come. The most crowd time was in Saturday and Sunday.

Exciting things in Harajuku is, when we come out from the train station, we could find markets that sell cosplay (costume play) equipments. Harajuku was also a spot to show off what the teenagers wear, not only anime or comic costumes, but also their own made costumes which is reflect their true character.

There are some fashion street spots we could see, Yoyogi Park, Takeshita-doori, and Omote-Sando, .

Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park was the most crowd place – crowd of the teenagers – especially in Sunday and holiday. In this large park, you suggested to wear something unique if you won’t look weird.

From Yoyogi Park, you can walk to Takeshita-doori.

Takeshita Doori

Here, we could find super experimental Tokyoite style. Even the street wasn’t too large, but there are so many boutique and café. If you like Gothic Lolita style, Visual Kei (looks like J-Rock), there’re many boutique which sell properties for it here.

Omote-sando

Omote-Sando was the center of international brand stuffs, like Ralph Lauren, GAP, etc. So, people who saw here was ‘head to toe all branded fashionista’. But there’re small shops which sell brand urban wear like A Bathing Ape and Undercover.

Yukata

2009-04-23T05:32:00.000-07:00

Beside wear T-Shirt and hot pants, or tank top and mini skirt in summer, there’s yukata, Japanese summer clothes. But hey, isn’t it make hotter??

Of course not.

Yukata precisely wear in relax time in summer or Natsu

Literally, yukata means clothes after bath, that is a kind of kimono, but non formal , and made from cotton, without layer which wear in relax time in summer. Because yukata made from cotton, so that wind can pass through and make people feel cool. Beside for after bath cloth, yukata also used for sleep.

For boys, yukata usually made from dark color material, like black, dark blue, and dark purple with dark line pattern, and yukata for girls made from bright color or pastel material. Popular pattern for yukata for woman are sakura, chrysanthemum, flowers which blossoms in summer, gold fish, frog, itamutaro, pokemon, and hello kitty.

Wearing yukata is not easy, but not so difficult like wearing kimono. To looks good, yukata must compatible with user body measurement.

The long of yukata material always too long for the user, so that, the yukata must lifted a bit in waist, and stringed with koshihimo, and obi will added there (to cover koshihimo).

Nowadays, yukata used in every event, like summer festival. In summer festival, usually girls wear yukata, and wear geta (wood sandal). But boys not necessarily to wear yukata too, they’re free to wear yukata, or just T-shirt.

In bunkasai too, girls wear yukata. In bunkasai that was held in University of North Sumatera on 16-18 April 2009, we could saw woman and girls wearing yukata. It made them became more beautiful and elegant.

These are means of your yukata’s color, and some tips ;) =

Light Blue = easy, cool
Tips : wear light color or brighter color obi

Black = adult and sexy
Tips : wear colorful accessories

Peach = very feminine
Tips : wear dark or bright obi

Pink = feminine and cute
Tips : wear bright color accessories

White = plain and clean
Tips : wear bright color accessories