Archive for 'Culture'
Onsen Posted by Ginny on May 11, 2010
An onsen (おんせん) is a hot spring bath, meaning that the hot water comes from a heated spring. Traditionally, onsens were bathing facilities where people gathered to get clean. Nowadays, people have the convenience of having a bathtub at home, so getting clean isn’t the main reason why people go to the onsen. Onsen resorts…
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…
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…
Japanese Soups Posted by Ginny on Mar 31, 2010
There are different kinds of みそしる or miso soup. The most basic kind of miso soup includes tofu squares, seaweed, and a soup stock called だし. The だし can be made of dried kelp, fish, or mushrooms. Sometimes a bowl of rice is served along with the soup. Miso soup can be found in many asian…
Japanese Calligraphy Posted by Ginny on Mar 22, 2010
Early Japanese calligraphy was first influenced by Chinese calligraphy. The piece of writing on the left is titled がっきろん (楽毅論) and was produced by Empress Kōmyō (光明皇后). The Empress copied this text from the Chinese calligrapher Wang Xizhi. All the original works done by Wang Xizhi have been lost, so the only copy of this form…
The Ryukyuans Posted by Ginny on Mar 4, 2010
What do famous people like あらきゆ, あむろなみえ, and なかまゆきえ have in common? Other than the fact that they’re famous in Japan and in the music/acting industry, they all have one thing in common. That commonality comes from being a group of people called りゅうきゅうみんぞく or the Ryūkyū People. Currently, many Ryūkyūans live in the おきなわ and かごしま Prefectures. The Ryūkyūans…
The Seven Lucky Gods Posted by Ginny on Feb 25, 2010
The 七福神 (しちふくじん) or the Seven Lucky Gods are deities that occur frequently in Japanese art and mythology. 布袋 (ほてい) is the god of good health and abundance. He is depicted as a plump and bald man with a protruding belly. Somtimes he is seen holding a bag full of presents. He also symbolizes happiness, which…