Sense of Japan

What is a Kimono to a Japanese lady?

2010-10-28T20:53:00.000+09:00

I see a Japanese lady who wears a kimono at my train station every day.

She seems to be in her 40's to 50's and she looks like a typical Japanese lady because she has a small build.

Nowadays, I don't usually see this type of lady so I watched very carefully.

I have some questions, for example, "Why does she wear a kimono everyday?"
That simple question or, "What is a kimono to Japanese ladies?", and so
on. Anyway, I'm very curious about them.

That lady's generation is an exception since modern Japanese ladies don't wear kimonos so the most common style of dress is western style here in Japan.

In With young Japanese ladies,kimonos are regularly worn at college graduations or coming of age ceremonies. by the way, my one of the girl

friends said that she would definitely wear a kimono at her wedding.

After all, a kimono is something different compared to a wedding dress.

I really like Japanese ladies who wear Kimonos because it's somehow ceremonious to me. Similar to when men wear suits. hmm...something special....I guess.

Somehow, this topic gonna be desultory but I wrote about i've been concernd before that kimono in this time.

MT.FUJI

2010-08-29T13:16:00.001+09:00

A Few days ago, I tried to climb MT Fuji with my japanese friends for the first time even we couldn't see goraiko (top of Fuji mountain where one can watch the sunrise and, according to Japanese mythology, can connect with the spirit of the goddess of the mountain)

I was very surprised when i climbed it because I saw so many foreigners there like me.

Even though it was the first weekend that the mountain was open, I think, more than half of the people there were foreigners if you include asian people. I was also surprised because people were wearing such light clothing.

I tried to wear something heavy for the climb because I had heard how hard it is to climb MT Fuji from my Japanese friends but the light wear of other foreigners was a more fashionable trekking style.

Of course, some of the foreigners were not wearing light clothing but I felt that they still had underestimated MT Fuji.

I could understand if MT Fuji was 1000m high but it's 3776m and it is the highest mountain in Japan. Of course you can get mountain sickness and there is a 20 degrees difference between level 5 to top of the mountain and the weather is also unpredictable.

Unfortunately, It was terrible weather when we climbed. One of the foreigners who was wearing light clothing had to descend the mountain because they didn't have rain gear.
MT Fuji is very famous because it is always appearing in Japanese guide books for foreigners.

I felt this time that there is a big difference between just looking at Mt Fuji and climbing it. fortunately, I didn't get mountain sickness(one of my friends did get it though)and along the way It was very hard. But we were successful and finished safely.

I felt so many things, for example I felt the kindness of people and the scariness of nature. Also I saw many kinds of dramatic things happen to other climbers.
I really had a great experience.

I think that MT Fuji is wonderful mountain!! We saw great views when the sky was starting to clear up. It was an unbelievable sight. I had never seen it before. Of course if we could see the goraiko that would be great but it's not easy.I'll try again definitely!!

MT Fuji is really a beautiful and mysterious mountain so if you visit japan and, if you have the opportunity, please visit MT fuji and maybe try to climb it.

pachinko

2010-08-01T02:02:00.001+09:00

Japan doesn't have any legal gambling. So instead of casinos, there is Pachinko which can be enjoyed by ordinary people.

Pachinko shops are located in so many places in town. They have great Japanese technology so it introduces a very enjoyable element to the game.
Of course, the pachinko industry is huge and strong here in japan.

But actually pachinko has long history including complicated political motivation, especially with Korea (include of both north and south) controlling the industry here in Japan. This situation is widely known throughout Japan.

I played pachinko once and I won but it was probably beginner's luck.

According to some psychologists, when people get the pachinko fever, the psychological effect can be the same as with a drug and it can be very addictive.

Pachinko is a famous part of Japanese culture and if you like gambling, you can try it but please do so carefully.

Tenugui

2010-07-31T01:49:00.000+09:00

The Japanese Tenugui is a very nice item!

Tenugui is translated as "towel" in English but this is a poor description of this item. Although Tenugui can be used to wipe your hands, body or face, it has many other uses, for example, it can be used to wrap a lunch box or wine or it can be a book cover.

Recenty, Tenugui is very popular among young people it because can be used as a fashion accessory such as a scarf.

You can buy Tenugui at reasonably prices and they can be good souvenirs.

Foreign people often buy it as an artistic item because tenugui usually depicts Japanese woodblock print, samurai, etc.

By the way, I found a nice tenugui shop here.

Japanese lunch Box(bento)

2010-06-27T01:44:00.000+09:00

Do you know Japanese bento?

Bento is a full course meal in a box and made up of many kinds of food(Japanese call okazu).
It tastes good plus the color scheme is beautiful so it's like a work of art.

The price of the bento depends its size.
There are many kinds of bento but the makunouchi is the most popular one.

The makunouchi has many types of food such as fish, meat, rice, etc in it
and so is a well-balanced, healthy and is of course very tasty.

You can buy bento anywhere , for example a convenience store or near train stations
so i hope that you can find a favorite bento and enjoy it at lunch time.

I also think that another interesting bento is an Ekiben. An Ekiben is a boxed meal sold at stations and on trains.
Basically an Ekiben is eaten on the train, together with friends as you talk, while watching a beautiful view from inside of the train.
These are the greatest pleasures of an Ekiben.
Also you can enjoy eating an Ekinen in a lot of places because it has many kinds of local food.
That is the best part about an Ekiben.

If you visit to Japan and take a train, please try the Ekiben. I really reccommend it.

According to some media, Recently, bento is very popular among foreigners.
If you can find good a bento store please let me know.

Tairano Masakado's head's tomb.

2010-06-13T15:51:00.000+09:00

Here among the Japanese big companies' Headquarter buildings is a very eerie place with a samurai's head's tomb. This is a place where only the samurai's head is buried. The samurai's name was Tairano Masakado. He was one of the samurais who lived during the heian period but he was not merely a samurai.

He is one of the three major people in Japanese history who is said to have a grudge against the Japanese people.

More than a thousand years ago, while in the Kanto region, he became angry with what he felt was suppression by the imperial court and rebelled against it and declared "shinnou" which meant he would now be the new mikado. He was declared a traitor and the imperial court ordered Tairano Sadamori and Fujiwara Hidesato to kill him. They did this in a surprise attack and so when Tairano Masakado died, it was with great hatred towards the imperial court.

His body was buried near the battleground and his head was brought back to the capital and was the object of everyone's anger there. Afterwards, it is said that the head went looking for the body but could not find it and so it hung in the air and then fell in a place called Ootemachi. The people who lived nearby carefully buried and enshrined the head at the Kanda Shrine.

When the Edo period began, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who is very famous shogun in Japanese history, continued to take great care of for Masakado's tomb during his reign, according his to biography. After the Kanto earthquake in 1923, the Ministry of Finance tried to break into Masakado's tomb to build a temporary government office but then one of the major managers of the Ministry of Finance, the contractor and a few other people died suddenly. Also the GHQ tried to build at that place but they gave up the contract because some mysterious accidents started to happen a lot.

In addition, there are so many scary stories about Masakado here in Japan. So, to this day, Masakado's head's tomb is still exists here because of Masakado's curse.

Nowadays, people have a bad and scary image of Masakado, even though he helped many people with his sense of justice and resolute attitude during a time when the government that controlled all parts of the country was suppressing the ordinary people. So, while he was alive, the ordinary people respected Masakado and they thought that he was a god for the people.

By the way, I couldn't take a picture like I usually do probably because his curse scared me.I also paid very careful homage and paid a lot more money than usual.

If you visit this place that even Japanese people feel is very scary, I think that you should behave with a sense of awe towards him and, of course, be very careful.

Tairano Masakado's head's tomb located here.

大きな地図で見る

When buying cigarettes in Japan

2010-04-25T02:29:00.000+09:00

We could buy cigarettes very easily here in Japan untill 2 years ago.
When I came to here in Japan the first time everybody could buy cigarettes.

So I am very surprised because now if I want to buy cigarettes, I have to go to a bar or a store where I need to show my ID to the clerk. However, it helps to fix what used to be a big issue in Japan. So now it is similary to western countries where it is also difficult to buy cigarettes (of course this may vary depending on the country).

The issue was that, in the past, it was easy for minors to buy cigarettes.

They seemed to think that it was cool to smoke.

This issue got worse until Japan finally adopted a new system for buying cigarettes in 2008.

Under the new system, you need a special card, called a "taspo", in order to buy cigarettes from a vending machine. If you do not have this card, the machine will not allow you to buy the cigarettes. In a way, the taspo acts like a driver's license.

The new system already has many problems.

The first one is that cigarette sales tend to decrease sharply when a retailer sets up his own cigarette vending machine. So to avoid this, according to some newspapers, some retailers have placed a taspo at the side of vending machines for customers who might not have their own or provide some other way for a customer to borrow a taspo. It's ridiculous.

A second problem is how would the retailer go about fixing the vending machine if it were to break since the retailer would not usually have a mechanic as part of his regular staff. Another problem is how to assist customers in dealing with the complicated formalities involved in using the vending machines.
Although there are clearly many types of problems with these vending machines in Japan, smoking among minors has decreased after enforcement so, in the end, it was still a good choice.

Sometimes I think that there is too much freedom in Japan because people can drink alcohol outside in public places or can buy cigarettes from vending machines.

One's sense of value to the cherry blossom for Japanese people.

2010-04-25T01:58:00.002+09:00

As you already know, Cherry blossom(I want to take leave it say Sakura in here)is most famous in Japan and SAKURA is most loved by Japanese people. Also SAKURA is most famous as a signal for the start spring season. SAKURA is used in the rank insignia for the police and self defense forces and in the current design 100 yen coins. SAKURA is represented on so many things in Japan.
So many Japanese people go to watch SAKURA in this season.

Why is that? SAKURA is beautiful surely but as a foreigner, I don't see what is so special about these flowers. But now I understand ever since I experienced the blossom viewing (called "hanami") for the first time and i could relax and watch the sakura .Also I watched many Japanese people's faces during the viewing.

I could feel the sense of warmth and excitement in the hearts of the Japanese people who were at the viewing.
This is just my impression.

According to some ancient people,SAKURA is the symbol of the Japanese spirit. Somehow I can understand this sentiment. Watching the sakura somehow refreshed my heart and mind. I would be happy if I could experience this feeling every spring.

How do foreigners feel if they could see SAKURA here in Japan?
I want to hear about your feelings about SAKURA.

I took a some pictures of SAKURA here.
I hope that you get a chance to enjoy watching SAKURA!
This pictures located here.

大きな地図で見る

Japanese lantern

2010-04-11T01:17:00.000+09:00

Japanese lantern

Lanterns are often placed in front of Japanese Izakayas.

Occasionally in other countries,you can see lanterns at Sushi restaurants or Japanese restaurants that are not owned by Japanese.

I realized this some days ago.

The lanterns are usually red athough green lanterns have been showing up recently in Japan.I checked into this because I was curious.

Basically the lantern is one of the lighting instruments descend from ancient Japan.Red lanterns are very famous in Japan. For example, there is one decorating the main gate of Sensouji.
A green lantern means that a restaurant uses domestic food products more than 50 percent of the time.

I think that lantern is interesting because it has universal reach and looks good. Also the design is so unique that people gather to see what lanterns are used to decorate different stores.

Japan is awsome because there is a lot of curious stuff so as I walk around any place I don't feel bored.
It's like many kinds of high tech things and old things are coexisting.

I want to go to Kyoto again.

Umbrella vending machine

2010-04-08T01:10:00.000+09:00

Umbrella vending machine

In Japan, I can see many types of vending machine.
Today my interest is in the umbrella vending machine.

According to some of my friends, the umbrella vending machine also exists in Britain.

But Japan is awsome it because there are three types of umbrella in the vending machine,
For example ordinary plastic umbrella (400 yen), better quality ones (1000 yen), and foldable umbrella (1000 yen). so its japanese way of thinking, because its not color variation like british's but it is what's useful.

This vending machine's name was displayed only in hiragana.It's really bizarre because Japanese uses Kanji and Katakana (including katakana english)in this case. Perhaps the designer of this vending machine didn't know kanji for umbrella.

By the way,I can write it.

This picture located here.

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I found an interesting book at library.

2010-04-05T01:08:00.000+09:00

I found an interesting book at library.

The library is interesting to me.
Of course the library has many kinds of books so if i have time I can stay in the library all day long.
The Japanese are a diligent people.
I saw many office workers in here it because this library is located in the center of Tokyo.They were reading books hard in limited time.

Even I, who can't speak Japanese,have an interest in the Japanese library.
I found a book that interests me.

The book is an introduction of Kyoyo food. I also looked around and they had a Tokyo version and a Hiroshima version. So there was a version for each of the japanese prefectures (there are 47 of them) in there.

I'm not sure how to read Japanese sentences. Perhaps it shows how to make local dishes or kitchen stuff in the book.

I don't cook but I know that japanese people usually say "sa" "si" "su" "se" "so" which are the basic seasonings for food.
For example,"sa"means sugar(japanese people call sugar is sato),"si"is salt(sio),"su"is vinegar(su),"se"is soy sauce(syouyu),"so"is soybean paste(miso).
Typical or tradditional japanese foods use the five kinds of seasoning above.

I can understand Japan's long history and also the richness of the country if I focus only on the food.

Japanese food tastes really good and there is a lot of variety.
I have become accustomed to Japanese taste though I want to try eating other foods.

This is a little strange because I am not Japanese though I think that Japanese food is undoubtedly number one in all of the world.
In any case, Japanese food has a very delicate taste.

The Benefit of Convenience(Japanese IC card system)

2010-03-28T01:22:00.000+09:00

Nowadays,Everything is electronic in Japan(especially in big cities like Tokyo or Osaka)it's the IC card(IC chip).

How can I use the IC card?
It's so many things in one.

First is the train.Most of the japanese stations are adopting this type of IC card system(including commuter passes). When you pass at the gate,you can just touch the sensor of the gate and then you can go inside.
In other words,it is the same as showing your pass to the station attendant.

Next is the vending machine.When you buy some juices,you don't need to find coins from your wallet to put in the machine.The card can be used instead.Also the vending machine carries a tiny game machine.

Also the IC card can be used in many scenarios because the card has a lot of information imprinted into the chip. For example,as a cash card for the bank,digital TV card and so forth.But I was very surprised that the chip is used as a driver's lisence or passport so this is not just convenient,it's very useful and important as a matter of security.

In Recent years,the system has become popular in many countries but i think it's partly because they want to be comparable to Japan.
I realized that Japan doesn't have many natural resources but they have great technology so people say Japan is an economic power in the world.

Japanese style sink

2010-03-14T15:52:00.043+09:00

One of the restaurants has something.This is sink.
At first sight,it doesn't have a faucet.
...but here is Japan.it could be a trap perhaps or a Ninja lurking in the sink.

Anyway,I moved towards it cautiously,what is this sink!!of course
faucet, also the soap and even the dryer, all of functions are automatic and built into the sink.That's awsome!!

Japan was the one to develop the washlet toilet so maybe it was easy for them to develop the automatic sink.

I wonder if Japan's convenience evolution is everywhere...

If there is Such as convenience,I think I would like to live in Japan when I am old...

Eerie shrine next to Narita Airport.

2010-03-12T17:38:00.001+09:00

This is a very eerie torii gate (entrance to the shrine)

This shrine is located to very close to Narita airport, almost inside of
airport.

According to an ancient Japanese story,when the rope points to down as in the picture that means that an evil sprit haunts the shrine.

What is the purpose of building this small shrine in here. Even though it is located very close to the airport it's still very eerie.
Something's wrong!!
It is certain that this is a shrine with a past.

I don't really want to approach this shrine at night.

Japan has many beautiful shrines although this shrine is very eerie.

This picture located here.

大きな地図で見る
大きな地図で見る

Japanese police bicycle

2010-03-07T01:42:00.004+09:00

This is japanese police bicycle.
what do you think?
No!!It's not very high tech for something from Japan!I feel rather nostalgic when I look at the bicycle.

Even though I realized.
Policemen on bicycles can still catch criminals easily.Maybe when a policeman chases a robber but he can't catch up to him, probably the bicycle has a button to change it into a motorcycle.That it!!

Actually,the bicycle's white box holds tickets for penalties and the white bar on the side of the wheel is probably used to hold a night stick.

Anyway,I'm very surprised because Japanese police has such a simple bicycle even with high tech and exellent system.

There is very little crime and Japan is a very safe place.

Japan is a mysterious country....

ISARAGOZAKA in Tokyo

2010-02-23T19:53:00.035+09:00

ISARAGOZAKA in Tokyo

The original the name of Isaragozaka hill was Inbens.It was named after a Korean man named Ming INBENS who lived around here a long time ago.According to the older people in this region, the traditional name was changed to Isaragozaka because of the huge statue of Buddha.

There are many types of old temples scattered around this area.If you like looking at temples,I think it would be best to walk around.By the way,people could see the entire the Edo bay from this hill in Edo period.

There are a lot of politicians, famous people, nobleman and even royalty living around here nowadays.They have private mansions so people refer to it as the exclusive residential district in this area.

I had my first experience with meditation in Zen buddhism at a nearbly temple named Ryugenji.

These pictures located here.

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Japanese order system for IZAKAYA

2010-02-18T19:27:00.026+09:00

Japanese technology is great!
Because iPad was released a few weeks ago,Japanese style bars and grills already have innovations like iPad.
It's very easy to use.if you want to order to sushi,you can just select with your finger from the tab.
Of course,all menus are intergrated to the machine which includes alcohol, food, dessert and so forth. Also the machine can calculate the check.It seems as if robot quite robotlike.If this kind of system is used there will be no labour cost.
Amazing.....

I hope to bring the same technology to our country.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the liveliness of Japanese bar (IZAKAYA).　

Although I wonder if other countries also have an automatic system for tipping?

This picture's located here

Japanese signals

2010-02-18T19:25:00.006+09:00

Japanese traffic signals for sure are very high tech.

These signals use earth-friendly LED technology but they only make up 10% of all of the signals. The signal design is basically standardized across the entire country.

By the way, Japanese people obey the signals more compared to foreigners,except for the rare individuals who do not obey the signals late at night or early in the morning when traffic is low.
However that sort of people will obey by the traffic signals in the presence of a child.

Japanese people are showy.

This topic is a story of signals for pedestrian.

Japanese bronze statue(boy and girl)

2010-02-18T19:24:00.002+09:00

This is a typical bronze statue of a boy and girl, which was standing in a Japanese elementary school area.
The school cannot build a yard outside because it is located in the center of the Tokyo. I'm quite suprised because school yard should be outside!! I can't believe it.The poor children can't run too far when they are chasing the ball!Instead, the school's yard is on the rooftop.
Japan has many kinds of great technology, although it doesn't seem to have the technology to maintain a schoolyard on the ground level!

I thought the statue seemed to be crying or mourning...

This picture's located here