Our blog - Entries of category Custom/Culture
Good Season for Plum Pickles
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- Custom/Culture
Kanto area started Tsuyu (rainy season), quite early this year, 12 days earlier than average!
In spite of the gloomy weather, Japanese people try to enjoy and cherish the season, by making pickles and appreciating the rain that cultivate rice plants.
In Japanese we write Tsuyu as"梅雨" literally meaning Plum Rain.
Plums are said to get ripe during this rainy season.
Japanese people enjoy making "Umeboshi"plum pickles during this time of year.
This special pickle, is very powerful and helps sterilize foods, helps stomach problems, helps fatigue recovery and enhances calcium assimilation etc. This pickle is considered a treasure and wisdom from our ancestors.
Japanese version
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- Custom/Culture
Current news broadcasting in Japan is generally according to the Japanese point of view and in line with the Japanese way of doing things. The Japanese language and culture tend to not present matters in a clear and concise manner, lest one be in error or offend people. In many situations, confirmation and reconfirmation or group consensus is necessary before issuing a statement. Consequently, foreigners sometimes react to the lack of a clear presentation, as if Japanese are trying to conceal something.
Japanese stardards of acceptable levels of radiation differ from those of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the US Government. Japan and America declared differing areas of evacuation for their citizens according to their own guidelines, which caused confusion throughout the world viewing the present nuclear crisis. This is the first time in recent history for the Japanese Government to deal with such a massive disaster, so they have limited experience in coordinating efforts to handle and resolve all the related ramifications. I hope that they can channel the expertise pouring into Japan from all over the world to reduce the shock and damage and to aid in the long and costly process of rebuilding Japan.
Concentrated efforts by major governments of the world both stemmed the rising yen and demonstrated their commitment to prevent significant disruption in the financial world. The Japanese government needs to get their house in order and base actions and expenditures on fact. Rumors of unsafe produce and dairy products caused by a broad marketing prohibition, must be quelled by proper testing, control and information disbursement, for those industries and livelihoods to recover. Drinking water supplies must be clearly monitored to allow use in unaffected areas and redistribution in bottled or other means to those areas where normal supply is disrupted.
Can this time help Japan to grow a bit more transparent and understandable to people of the world, of which the Japanese are one part?
Oseibo
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- Custom/Culture
“OSEIBO” in Japanese character stands for the “ending of the Year”. During the “Oseibo” season, it is customary in Japan to send “Oseibo” gifts. “Oseibo” was originally part of the New Years’ custom. In Japan, it is customary for offerings to be given to ancestors during the New Years in order to call their spirits. Therefore, people would visit the head family with offerings before the ending of the year and this was called “Oseibo” gifts.
New Years’ customs have changed with the times and have become more simplified.
In recent years, instead of bringing “Oseibo” gifts directly, many are sent by delivery services. Also, people have begun to send “Oseibo” gifts, not only to their head family, but to friends and superiors at work to express appreciation for the help and support in the past year. This custom has also become familiarized in the business scene. Companies would send it as Year End gifts to clients. (However, some companies do not accept these types of gifts so that equality among clients is kept and there are no favoritisms)
These gifts should be sent from early December up to Christmas, around the 25th.
In general, the budget for these gifts would be from 3,000 to 5,000 JPY. Standard gifts are beverages (such as beer) and food products (fish, ham, etc). However, there is no limit to the cost as well as what you can and cannot send. The most important thing is that the gift is chosen from the heart. After all, this is all in show of appreciation.
If you choose to send fresh food products, it would be wise to send the receiver a greeting card ahead of time and confirm that they would be home.
When sending these gifts, they should be wrapped using the “Hana-musubi” or “Cho-musubi”, as you can see on the right. 
This type of knot symbolizes occasions
that are good to be repeated since these
knots can be tied and untied over and over again.
“Oseibo” season is nearing. Maybe you will be receiving “Oseibo” gifts from your Japanese colleagues. This year, maybe you would want to send a “Oseibo” gift to someone just to say “Thanks” instead. If you visit a major department store, you will definitely see “Oseibo” section with many gifts to choose from. Good luck!
JAPANESE NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
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- Custom/Culture
JAPANESE NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
There are 15 National Holidays in Japan. Here is a list up with a brief explanation for each. It’s always better to know what everyone’s celebrating about!
January 1st : New Years’ Day (GANJITSU)
A day to celebrate the starting of a year. Tutelary God and/or God of agriculture are celebrated. KADOMATSU (or pine decoration) is displayed at entrances of homes for the gods to dwell in and KAGAMI MOCHI (or Mirror Mochi, named because it is shaped like a mirror used in ancient Japan for Shinto rituals) is displayed as offering to the gods. Many people visit shrines or temples for “Hatsumode” on this day to pray for peace and wellness of the new year.
2nd Monday of January : Coming-of-Age Day (SEIJIN NO HI)
A ceremony is held for the youth to become self aware and recognize that they are to leave their protected childhood behind, become independent and join the adult society.
The local government organizes these ceremonies and persons subject to this ceremony are ones who have turned 20. Hence, in Japan, citizens are considered to be an adult at age 20 and ones 19 and younger are considered as minors.
This ceremony became an official holiday in 1948 when military obligations were no longer effective. At that time, this holiday was on January 15th, however due to the Happy Monday Bill, it was revised to the current day in 2000.
February 11th : National Foundation Day (KENKOKU KINEN NO HI)
This day represents the ascension date of Japan’s first emperor, Emperor Jinmu, in 660 B.C. and is celebrated to commemorate the birth and to cultivate love for the nation.
This holiday was established in 1966.
March 20th or 21st : Vernal Equinox Day (SHUNBUN NO HI)
This day, where night and day is approximately equally long, was established as a national holiday in 1948 to praise nature, show love to all living things and make effort for the upcoming future. It is determined which day this will be according to the booklet made by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.
It also falls in the “O-HIGAN” time and people will visit graves to clean them and replace flowers and incense and such.
April 29th : Showa Day (SHOWA NO HI)
The birthday of Emperor Hirohito, who created and reigned during the Showa era.
This day is meant to set aside the turbulent days restored during the Showa era and look towards the future of Japan.
In 1948, this day was called the “Emperor’s Birthday”, however, when his 
reign ended in 1989, the “Emperor’s Birthday” changed to December 23rd, birthday of our current emperor. Since Emperor Hirohito had great knowledge and love for nature, it was decided to call this day MIDORI NIO HI, or greenery day, instead. In 2007, it was changed to Showa day due to holiday revision law.
reign ended in 1989, the “Emperor’s Birthday” changed to December 23rd, birthday of our current emperor. Since Emperor Hirohito had great knowledge and love for nature, it was decided to call this day MIDORI NIO HI, or greenery day, instead. In 2007, it was changed to Showa day due to holiday revision law.The following 3 day holiday from May 3rd to May 5th is known as “Golden Week”.
Many people take leave from work on the few days between this 3 day holiday and the weekend to spend a 7 – 10 day vacation.
May 3rd : Constitution Memorial Day (KENPO KINENBI)
A day to commemorate the trial of Japanese constitution and hope for growth of the country. Although the constitution was officially announced on November 3rd, 1946, because it was tried 6 months later on May 3rd, this date was set as national holiday.
May 4th : Greenery Day (MIDORI NO HI)
A day to show gratitude, honor and become familiarized with nature and nurture a rich spirit. When April 29th was changed to Showa day due to holiday revision law, May 4th, was selected as Greenery day.
May 5th : Children’s Day (KODOMO NO HI)
A day to value the qualities of children, wish for their future happiness and to show appreciation for mothers. In ancient times, this day was know as “Tango no Sekku”, a festival for boys to wish for their health and strength. However, in 1948, it was revised to fit both boys and girls.On this day, families will fly carp streamers outside their homes in wish for their children to grow up strong and succeed as the carp had. According to the Chinese historiography, many fish tried to climb the waterfall but only the carp succeeded and became a dragon. For this, the carp is thought of as a symbol of successful career.
3rd Monday of July : Marine Day (UMI NO HI)
A day to show appreciation to the blessings of the ocean and spread interest and understanding of the ocean to citizens as a island country.
Since 1941, July 20th was considered “Marine Anniversary” to commemorate Meiji Emperor’s arrival in 1876 from Aomori to Yokohama.
In 1996, persons involved in marine related work campaigned that “Marine Anniversary” should become a national holiday and it was accepted. In 2004, the date was revised from July 20th to the 3rd Monday of July due to the Happy Monday Bill.
It’s a fairly new holiday and marine related events are held.
3rd Monday of September : Respect-for-the-senior-citizens Day (KEIRO NO HI)
A day to show respect to senior citizens for having served so many years to society and to celebrate longevity. In 593, Imperial Prince Shotoku (or Shotokutaishi) had established “HIDEN-IN”, a facility that took in elderly without any family. The meaning of the word “HIDEN-IN” meant “to have compassion and saving the poor would result in happiness”. It is said that the establishment date of Hiden-In, September 15th, was the original date for this holiday until it was revised to the present day in 2004 due to the Happy Monday Bill.
September 23rd : Autumnal Equinox Day (SHUBUN NO HI)
Like the Vernal Equinox Day, night and day become equally long. This national holiday was set in 1948 to show respect to ancestors and commemorate the deceased. Twice a year, there is a time called “O-HIGAN”, one in spring during the Vernal Equinox Day and one here. “O-HIGAN” means “the other side of the river that the deceased crosses over to” and during this time, people visit graves an
d make offerings at family altars to comfort the spirits of their ancestors. “OHAGI”, a traditional Japanese cake made from sticky rice and “azuki” beans, are symbolic during this season. The color red of the “azuki” beans were believed to protect one from misfortune and the belief of warding off evil spirits lead to “OHAGI” being considered appropriate as offerings to the ancestors since the Edo period. Many people eat “OHAGI” during this time as well.
d make offerings at family altars to comfort the spirits of their ancestors. “OHAGI”, a traditional Japanese cake made from sticky rice and “azuki” beans, are symbolic during this season. The color red of the “azuki” beans were believed to protect one from misfortune and the belief of warding off evil spirits lead to “OHAGI” being considered appropriate as offerings to the ancestors since the Edo period. Many people eat “OHAGI” during this time as well.2nd Monday of October: Health-Sports Day (TAIIKU NO HI)
A day to enjoy sports to cultivate a healthy mind and body. On this day, the word “enjoy” would stand for actually participating in the sport instead of just watching, listening or reading about them. Many health/sport related events are held on this day.
In 1966, this holiday was set for October 10th, the day of the Tokyo Olympics’ opening ceremony. Due to the Happy Monday Bill, 2nd Monday of October became the official holiday in 2000.
November 3rd : Culture Day (BUNKA NO HI)
A day to love freedom, peace and to promote culture.
In 1946, this day was set as an anniversary day based on the new constitution which declared pacifism, sovereignty of the people, and basic human rights.
In 1948, it became a national holiday. At the Imperial Palace, the Emperor Order of Culture is awarded to recognized persons for services they have done for the government and / or society.
November 23rd : Labor Thanksgiving Day (KINRO KANSHA NO HI)
A day to value daily labor, celebrate production and show appreciation for one another.
Originally, this day was know as “Niinamesai”, where the emperor would celebrate the years’ harvest by eating that years’ rice for the first time and dedicating it to the Shinto gods. This is still conducted today within the Imperial Palace.
December 23rd : The Emperor’s Birthday (TENNO TANJOUBI)
Birthday of Emperor Akihito, Japan’s current emperor.
In the past, the emperor was considered godly and events that deified the emperor were held on this day. However, after the war ended, the emperor represented the “Symbol of the Japanese people”. On this birthday holiday, people genuinely celebrate the emperor’s birthday and is intended to bring closer the relationship between the emperor and the people. The Imperial Palace becomes open to the public only on this day and on January 2nd. People gather to the Imperial Palace in hopes to have a glimpse and show congratulations to the Emperor.
Obon
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- Custom/Culture
Obon and New Year are the most important traditional Buddhist festivals, when ancestors’ spirits come back to their homes to be reunited with their family. New Year is celebrated in January and Obon used to be celebrated from the 13th to 15th of the seventh month in the lunar calendar. Today most people celebrate around August 13 – 15 throughout Japan.
Many families tidy up the house and 
place a variety of food offerings on a Bon, a tray in front of a Buddhist altar for this event. Many children who left their parent’s homeswould go back home with their new family. On the first day of Obon, either lanterns or fires are lit to guide their ancestor’s spirits back home. People visit their 
ancestor’s graves with flowers and offerings and Buddhist’s priests may be called to visit homes to recite sutras. On the last day people send back their visiting spirits by lighting their way with hanging lanterns with family name and crests or making bon fires.
place a variety of food offerings on a Bon, a tray in front of a Buddhist altar for this event. Many children who left their parent’s homeswould go back home with their new family. On the first day of Obon, either lanterns or fires are lit to guide their ancestor’s spirits back home. People visit their ancestor’s graves with flowers and offerings and Buddhist’s priests may be called to visit homes to recite sutras. On the last day people send back their visiting spirits by lighting their way with hanging lanterns with family name and crests or making bon fires. 
Bon-odori (Obon dancing) is a big event during Obon. It’s said to be a happy dance of those spirits who were able to be released from hell, the realm of Hungry Ghosts. Other Obon-related activities are also conducted to console and entertain the ancestors' spirits. Obon is not a Japanese Public Holiday, but many people take vacations during this time to visit their hometown, and others choose to go overseas with families or friends. Try to avoid driving out to the countryside during this season as the traffic could be very bad. Enjoy the quite time in big cities!
Appearances are important
- Category :
- Custom/Culture
Japan is well-known for a wide range of pleasant to exquisite food arrangements. Does this aesthetic beauty add to the flavor, eating enjoyment or both? Judge for yourself or enjoy.
Japan is the land of “wa”, harmony. Is this because Japanese people are similar in nature and can occupy a crowded land without any conflict or do other factors produce a peaceful state? The Japanese society had a 250-year period without outside world influence and most people learned “to do things the Japanese way”. Culture, tradition, family structure and other factors helped cement patterns into a widely accepted way of living here.
Foreigners who live in Japan for a short or long time can chose to resist the Japanese way of doing things or begin to move with the general flow. Acting on the foreign way in which one was raised can cause that person to stick out or conflict with the “status quo” here. But those able to follow Japanese ways (to a degree), may find a more harmonious existence. It is your choice on how you live in Japan.
It even is possible to look like you conform, even though your heart is in another world!
Japan’s first antismoking ordinance took effect from April 1st. in Kanagawa
Prefecture, the second most populous prefecture, prohibiting smoking
in public facilities, including hospitals, schools and government offices.
The ordinance requires large restaurants and hotels to choose whether to become
non-smoking or create separate smoking areas. Restaurants and bars with
floor space of up to 100 sq. meters and hotels of up to 700 sq. meters
are exempt from the ordinance. However, they are required to “make efforts”
to provide a nonsmoking environment.
For violators, the ordinance sets fines of up to 2,000 yen for smokers and up to 20,000 yen for facility operators.
Antismoking code at swimming beaches is expected to be enforced by May.
“Sakura” Cherry Blossoms
“Mochi” Pounded rice cake
Have you tried Japanese confectionary (Wagashi)?
Wagashi are a very delicate, colorful and beautiful Japanese traditional confectionery and usually are served when you attend Japanese Tea ceremonies or visit somebody’s home.
I would like to introduce a variety of wagashi “Sakuramochi”, as one of this season’s typical confectioneries.
“Sakuramochi” is pounded rice (mochi) filled with red bean paste and with covering a pickled leaf of a sakura tree. There are two kinds of Sakuramochi in Japan; Chomyoji (Kanto region) and Domyoji (Kansai region).
Chomyoji; Kanto Region
/ Eastern Japan use Shiratama-ko (rice flour)
Domyoji; Kansai Region
/ Western Japan use Domyoji-ko (glutinous rice flour)
Fresh leaves of Oshimazakura are picked between May to August and pickled in salt for half a year. Previously, each type of Sakuramochi used to be available only in its region, but you can find both types in the Kanto region these days. One Japanese event, “Girls’ Day”, (March 3rd) is coming soon. Why don’t you try both “Chomyoji” and “Domyoji” as seasonal sweets and discover your favorite?
Setsubun (Eve of the first day of spring)
Setsubun originally was used to describe the day before the beginning of each season, “Setsu” meaning Seasonal and “bun” meaning Division. Today it is chiefly used for the day before the first day of spring which is called Risshun and falls on February 3rd or 4th. This is the time when the lowest temperatures are recorded. After Setsubun, signs of spring gradually begin.
Setsubun was considered to be a part of Lunar New Year activities. A special ritual is still performed to drive out evil of the former year and bring in happiness and luck by throwing beans(Mamemaki). Roasted soybeans are thrown out shouting “Oni wa soto” “Demons out” and into one’s home saying “Fuku wa uchi” “Come in good luck”. This Oni mask represents a demon, and Fuku mask represents happiness and luck.
These masks are worn by a member of the family to pretend like an Oni or Fuku, and beans are thrown by a Toshi-Otoko, a male born on the corresponding year on the Chinese Zodiac or else the head male of the household.
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| Oni | Fuku |
