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Seijin no Hi. Congratulations for coming of age!

成人の日(Seijin no Hi) is the second Monday of January but may regions in Japan celebrate on the day before so that people can come back to their hometown to celebrate their coming of age day. However...

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Go! Go! Touka Ebisu!

Posted by Chisai Fujita   Japanese believe in many Gods. In Christmas, they go to a church and only one week after, they go to the temple where they ring “Kane (鐘/ bell)” for purify their bad spirits....

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What is HOURENSOU?

The other day, I was talking to some Japanese friends about working in a Japanese company. To tell the truth, I have never worked as an employee in Japan. My parents were never be a sarariiman and I...

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Jizo in the sky of Tokyo

One early summer day, I was walking down one of the main streets of Ginza in Tokyo to go to my favourite stationery shop. On the corner, there is Mitsukoshi Department Store where there were many...

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The myths that Japanese kids are taught.

I must´ve been 9 or 10 years old. After the school, I was walking to the bus stop with a classmate, Tomo-chan who lived quite close to my house. Then a black car passed in front of us. It was a...

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Kenkoku Kinen no Hi (National Foundation Day)

The 11th of February is Kenkoku Kinen no Hi (the National Foundation Day) in Japan and is a national bank holiday. This day was originally celebrated as the first emperor Jin-mu founded Japan – back...

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The real meaning of “The Woman should walk 3 steps behind her husband”

Ryosaikenbo (良妻賢母) is a theory to describe an ideal woman in Japan. This means literary, good wife, wise mother. This is based on the theory says that the nature of women is to organize the house,...

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Gaki Otto or Iku-men. What are Japanese husbands like?

Traditional Japanese husbands are not one of the best in the world. They tend to think housework is women´s job. They rarely give compliments to their wives or bring some flowers for no reason. As far...

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The poem for your blood type – Type A -

Japanese people are obsessed with the blood types. People check daily fortunetelling by the blood type just like the Westerners check horoscopes. As well as the star signs, Japanese people see the...

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How Japanese people get married?

In my life, I´ve been to the weddings only three times in my life. One was my eldest cousin´s where my mum got drunk and I couldn´t even taste my entrée but looking after her instead. No count. The...

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Power of words – Kotodama -

There are people who make comments that make you fell bad about yourself or discourage you. I´m sure any of us experienced this at least once in the life. This is because of the power of words. It is...

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History of Onigiri

copyright : iromeganeOne of the best snack you can get in Japan is onigiri (おにぎり/rice ball). There are konbini (コンビニ) every corner and you an pick one or two from a hundred (it´s really a lot! ) of...

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What is the antonym of Arigato?

One of the most well known Japanese words is Arigato (ありがとう). As soon as people know that I´m Japanese and if they know some Japanese, they say, "Arigato" with a big smile. It feels nice. Many people...

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Why Japanese say Itadakimasu together before they eat?

One of the things I was very surprised when I started to live outside of Japan is when people eat. I have lived with a family and eaten with many Western people in different cultures but until today,...

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The real meaning of Gochisosama

I always wondered why the word Goshisosama (ごちそうさま) is something to do with a running horse. Now you may be puzzled. I apologise. http://you-sokuhou.blomaga.jp/articles/40135.html The last time, I...

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Is Seiza really the traditional way to sit for Japanese people?

Does Japanese tea ceremony fascinate you? Everyone sit in a small tatami room and taste bitter matcha tea. Entire ceremony follows the very elegant ritual. Tea ceremony, as well as other Japanese...

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Is this green or blue in Japanese?

The other day, a German friend wanted to learn a little Japanese and she asked me the names of the colour since she is a clothing designer. “How do you say white in Japanese?” Typical questions until...

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The way you get the change back in Japan

A few days ago, I received a question about this thing from one of my students (I teach calligraphy).  http://tamenal.com/4520     Because he had read this article of The Japan Times and wanted to...

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History of Yakuza

Yakuza has now become an international word and is quite well known even outside of Japan. Italian Mafia is also famous and Yakuza can be understood as Japanese mafia. As well as the mafia, Yakuza...

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Is Japanese confusing to you?

Have you ever felt stuck after learning Japanese long enough because you start seeing more details of the language?  You say, “Am I making any progress or am I going backwards?” Is Japanese confusing...

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