Archive by Author
Imperial Mothers Posted by Ginny on May 5, 2010
In honor of this coming Mother’s Day, I thought I’d introduce some exceptional imperial mothers. Like other countries, Japan celebrates Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May. However, it used to be that Mother’s Day was celebrated on Empress Kōjun’s (香淳皇后) birthday. She was the longest reigning empress when she passed away at 97 years of age. Another important…
May Day Posted by Ginny on May 2, 2010
May Day isn’t really a national holiday in Japan, but it’s considered an informal day off for public sector workers. While most people view it as a day of rest, trade unions try to maximize their exposure on this day. There are three major trade unions, but the trade union with the most members is…
Describing People Posted by Ginny on Apr 29, 2010
You can describe people with this formula : name + は + body part + が + adjective. Here’s an example : 井上さんは耳が小さいです = Inoue has small ears (いおうえ/井上 = Inoue. さん = polite suffix. は = particle. みみ/耳 = ear. が = particle. ちいさい/小さい = small. です = is) Now look at this sentence…
The View of Women in Japan Posted by Ginny on Apr 26, 2010
A woman by the name of Rina Bovrisse is causing some controversy in the fashion industry. A quick Google search of Japan + Prada shows just how “ugly” some of the accusations are. Bovrisse, a senior retail manager for Prada Japan, claims that she was told by the Prada Japan CEO to fire individuals who were “old…
Interrogative + も Posted by Ginny on Apr 23, 2010
The use of an interrogative + も is interesting in that it has different meanings based on whether it’s used in affirmative sentences or negative sentences : いつ (when) + も = always, all the time (1) 真弓の母はいつも忙しい = Mayumi’s mother is always busy (まゆみ/真弓 = Mayumi. の = possessive particle. はは/母 = mother. は =…
Interrogative + か・でも Posted by Ginny on Apr 20, 2010
The use of the interrogative なに (what) + か can mean “something” or “anything” : 何か飲みませんか = Would you like to drink anything/something? (なにか/何か = anything/something. のみませんす/飲みませんます = would you like to drink. か = question marking particle) だれ (who) + か can mean “someone” : 誰かをお待ちですか = Are you waiting for someone? (だれか/誰か = someone. を = particle…
Japanese Festivals in April Posted by Ginny on Apr 17, 2010
The highlight of the かなまら Festival is held in かながわ Prefecture, and is a parade where participants offer prayers to cure infertility and ensure safe child birth for the mother and child. More than ever, this festival has grown in social significance. Japan is facing a future of low birth rates and an increasing aging population. Locals say…