Japanese Food: Regional Munchies Posted by Ginny on Feb 5, 2009
Time for our Kyoodo Ryoori (郷土料理) series! For those of you who don’t know, kyoodo ryoori (郷土料理) means ‘regional specialites.’ Today we’re going to take a trip to Kamakura, Kanagawa (鎌倉, 神奈). Kamakura (鎌倉) is a city steeped in history. Before Tookyoo (東京) became the capital city of Japan, Kamakura (鎌倉) was the foremost prosperous city…
Japanese Culture: Sapporo Yuki Matsuri (さっぽろ雪まつり) Posted by Ginny on Feb 4, 2009
Every year in February millions of people all over Japan head to Sapporo (札幌) for the annual Sapporo Yuki Matsuri (さっぽろ雪まつり). The Sapporo Yuki Matsuri (さっぽろ雪まつり) can be worded as the ‘Sapporo Snow Festival.’ Just where is Sapporo (札幌)? It’s located in the Hokkaidoo (北海道) prefecture and the one of the biggest cities in Japan. …
Japanese Culture: Risshun (立春) Part 2 Posted by Ginny on Feb 3, 2009
The last post described all the generic activities that most people in Japan perform on Risshun (立春). While the generic activities are performed by many people in Japan, these generic activities can differ slightly depending upon the region. Today’s post is a continuation of the last post, but with a focus on a case by case basis. For example, people in…
Japanese Culture: Risshun (立春) Posted by Ginny on Feb 2, 2009
All over Japan people are celebrating the season of Risshun (立春). Risshun (立春) refers to the spring setsubun (節分). Setsubun (節分) is a term that refers to the day before each new season. Another term that is inter-changeable with the term risshun (立春) is haru matsuri (春祭). Haru matsuri (春祭) literally means ‘spring festival’. The haru…
Japanese Culture: Kurokawa Noh (黒川能) Posted by Ginny on Feb 1, 2009
Hello everybody! Let me start off by asking, do you like festivals? I sure hope so, because today is the Kurokawa Noh Festival (黒川能). This festival is held every year in the town of Kushibiki (櫛引) in the prefecture of Yamagata (山形). If you’re also a theater junkie, this is also the festival for you…
Japanese Culture: Seijin no Hi (成人の日) Posted by Ginny on Jan 10, 2009
This coming Monday will be a holiday called seijin no hi (成人の日). Seijin no hi (成人の日), when translated into English, is called ‘coming of age day.’ Seijin no hi (成人の日) is a day where individuals who are twenty years old become adults. In the U.S., when you turn 18, you’re no longer considered a minor. …
Japanese Culture: Kagami biraki (鏡開き) Posted by Ginny on Jan 9, 2009
The observance of kagmi biraki (鏡開き) is usually an indication that the New Year’s celebrations are winding down to a close. Kagami biraki (鏡開き) is usually celebrated on the eleventh of January, but it can differ depending on the region. Kagami biraki (鏡開き) means ‘breaking of the mochi’ in Japanese. Mochi (もち) is a white…