Posted by Ginny
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. In contrast, age 20 is the age when you’re no longer considered a minor in Japan. The ceremony in which youngsters turn into adults is called seijin shiki (成人式). Seijin shiki (成人式) is a ceremony that almost every twenty year old attends. It’s like a rite of passage and many twenty year olds get dressed up at the seijin shiki (成人式).
The seijin shiki (成人式) takes place in the local town or city hall. The current governing official will usually make a speech where they will: 1) congradulate the youths and 2) give the youth advice for the future. You’ll see many women at the seijin shiki (成人式) wear something called a furisode (振袖). A furisode (振袖) is a kimono with long sleeves. The furisodes (振袖) have intricate designs and will often cost somewhere around 10,000 to 20,000 U.S. dollars. Since this day only comes once in a lifetime, parents are often willing to splurge on a furisode (振袖).
In addition to the furisode (振袖), women will wear what’s called a zoori (草履). A zoori (草履) is a thick soled shoe made of plastic. A zoori (草履) looks a lot like a western sandal, but unlike the sandal, a zoori (草履) has some height on its soles. In addition to the zoori (草履), special socks called tabi (足袋) are worn on this occasion. A tabi (足袋) is a sock that is divided into two compartments. The big toe gets its own compartment while the rest of the toes share the same compartment.
Men will also wear a special outfit on seijin no hi (成人の日). They either wear a western style suit or a hakama (袴) with a haori (羽織). Hakamas (袴) are baggy pants while haoris (羽織) are long jackets that are tied at the waist.
Seijin no hi (成人の日) is a day of liberty for most twenty year olds. They stay up way past curfew, drink and smoke to celebrate their new found freedom. In Japan, minors are not allowed to walk outside after 12 am. The police patrol the area to make sure no minors are out on curfew and they check I.Ds as well.
Ok, that’s it for today, Happy seijin no hi (成人の日) everyone!
Posted by Ginny
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 rice cake. Mochi (もち) is a general term for rice cake in Japanese. The specific mochi (もち) consumed on on kagami biraki (鏡開き) is a mochi (もち) called kagami mochi (鏡餅).
Kagami mochi (鏡餅) consists of two round mochi (もち) cakes one on top of the other. The larger mochi (もち) cake is on the bottom, while the smallar one is on the top. Sometimes a daidai (代々) is placed on the very top of the kagami mochi (鏡餅). A daidai (代々) is a bitter type of orange. The kanji (かんじ) or Chinese characters for daidai (代々) means generation to generation. As a result, a daidai (代々) is placed on top of the mochi (もち) to symbolize the continuation of generations and long life.
Unlike regular mochi (もち), the kagami mochi (鏡餅) is placed in a special part of the house. Some traditional Japanese homes have a small, home-made shrine called a kamidana (かみだな). On the kamidana (かみだな), you’ll see a sanpoo (三宝) or a stand. The sanpoo (三宝) holds the shihoobeni (四方紅). Shihoobeni (四方紅) is a sheet of cloth on which the kagami mochi (鏡餅) is placed.
On the day of kagami biraki (鏡開き), the kagami mochi (鏡餅) is broken into edible bits with a hammer. Using a knife to cut the kagami mochi (鏡餅) is considered taboo. The cutting act symbolizes the cutting of family ties and so a hammer is used instead. I think that eating a kagami mochi (鏡餅) is a perfect way to end the New Year’s celebrations. On that note, I’m going to end this post by showing you a Youtube clip on how to make kagami mochi (鏡餅).
Posted by Ginny
Around the seventh of January and many days afterward, the Japanese have a tradition of burning New Year’s decorations. Burning the New Year’s decorations symbolizes the act of moving forward. If you don’t burn the New Year’s decorations, it’s like holding on to the past. Moreover, holding on to the past is an act that doesn’t help you grow and mature as an indvidual.
On the eight of Janurary there is a tradition practiced in Tookyoo (とうきょ) called dondo yaki (どんどやき). A dondo yaki (どんどやき) is a tall tepee-like structure made of straw. The dondo yaki (どんどやき) is lit with a fire and all the New Year’s decorations are burned along with the dondo yaki (どんどやき). It’s a time to say good-bye to the old year and to any old, emotional attachments that might have held you back on a personal or professional level.
Some of the typical New Year’s decorations include the kadomatusu (門松). The Kadomatsu (門松) is a type of bamboo and pine decoration. From far away it looks like a minature tree, but it’s not a tree. There are usually three bamboo shoots tied with straw and some pine around the edges. The kadomatsu (門松) come in pairs and represent male and female entities. The kadomatsu (門松) is placed right outside of the house before the entrance. The kadomatsu (門松) is thought to invite kami (神) or spirits to dwell within the bamboo and pine. Of course, it’s supposed to bring in the good spirits, not the bad ones. Hopefully the kamis (神) leave the kadomatsu (門松) before it’s burned in the dondo yaki (どんどやき)!
The shimenawa (標縄) is also burned in the dondo yaki (どんどやき). Most normal rope is twisted in a certain direction, but the shimenawa (標縄) is a type of rope that has been twisted in the opposite directioon. It’s thought that bad spirits will be turned away in the opposite direction with the shimenawa (標縄). The shimenawa (標縄) is often accompanied by a shide (紙垂). A shide (紙垂) is a pointy, white type of paper with jagged edges. Again, the jagged edges are supposed to drive away evil spirits.
Lastly, let’s not forget the daruma (達磨). A daruma (達磨) is a type of doll without arms or legs. It’s made out of wood or plastic. Darumas (達磨) typically come in red, and have two eyes without pupils. A daruma (達磨) is an effective tool to help make your dreams a reality. How? Well first you start by making a wish or setting a goal. Then you draw in a black pupil for one of the eyes. If you’ve accomplished your goal or if your wish came true, you draw in the other eye. I personally like it because it constantly reminds me of what I need to do to fulfill my goals. I have a daruma (達磨) sitting on my desk and looking at it every day with only one eye drawn in is very distressing to me. It looks so wrong, with one eye blank and the other eye perfectly normal.
When the daruma (達磨) is burned along with the rest of the New Year’s decorations, it gives me a sense of relief. It’s like all the hard work and struggle is coming to a final close. Everyone, it’s been a pleasure writing this blog. I hope that you’ll continue reading and learning the Japanese language and culture in the year 2009. Bye!
Posted by Ginny
Jinjitsu (人日) is celebrated on the seventh of Janurary. Jinjitsu (人日) literally means ‘human day.’ It’s called human day because it’s believed to be a day when humans were first created. In the 1800s, criminals were given leniency and executions were delayed on Jinjitsu (人日). Jinjitsu (人日) used to be a holiday of compassion. Today, Jinjitsu (人日) is still celebrated but it’s considered part of the New Year’s celebrations rather than a separate celebration in and of itself. On this day Japanese people consume nanakusu gayu (七草の節句) which means ’seven herb porridge’ in Japanese.
Along with rice, nanakusu gayu (七草の節句) includes seven different types of herbs. One of the herbs contained in nanakusu gayu (七草の節句) is called seri (せり). Seri (せり) is a water dropwart that looks like a white flower. You have to be careful with water dropwarts because some of them are poisonous and can kill humans.
Another herb in nanakusu gayu (七草の節句) is called nazuna (なずな), which is called shepherd’s purse in English. Nazuna (なずな) can be used as animal feed and for medicinal purposes.
Have you ever heard of gogyoo (ごごよう)? Gogyoo (ごごよう) is called cudweed in English. It looks like a flower, but it’s definetely an edible herb. You might see caterpillars munching on gogyoo (ごごよう), for gogyoo (ごごよう) is their staple diet.
Hakobera (はこべら) is called chickweed in English. It’s considered a weed in the U.S., and you’ll see a lot of pesticides being used to get rid of hakobera (はこべら).
Hotokenoza (ほとけのざ) is called nipplewart in English. (I know, isn’t the name hilarious?!) Hotokenoza (ほとけのざ) is often used in salads in Japan.
Here’s a herb you might of heard of, it’s called suzuna (すずな). Suzuna (すずな) is a turnip leaf high in vitamin C.
Another common herb in Japan is suzushiro (すずしろ). Suzushiro (すずしろ) is a radish leaf or the leaf from the radish’s stem.
So those are the seven herbs that go into nanakusu gayu (七草の節句). As you can see, nanakusu gayu (七草の節句) is full of fiber so eat up everyone!
Posted by Ginny
There are some traditional Japanese games that children play for the New Year. Some of these games are very similar to the games that Americans play, but with a different twist.
Let me explain more about what I mean by mentioning the game called fukuwarai (福笑い). Fukuwarai (福笑い) is similar to the game ‘pin the tail on the donkey.’ Fukuwarai (福笑い) is often played at New Year’s parties called shinnenkai (しんねんかい). It’s a source of amusement and laughter for both young and old. So how do you play fukuwarai (福笑い)? The object of the games is to place the nose, mouth, ears, and eyes in the correct manner on a blank face. Since the player is blindfolded, the results are often histerical. The faces often look deformed and jokes are always made about how the faces resemble people at the party. I realize that some of you might be offended by the comment about making jokes about distorted faces, and really the jokes are not meant to be cruel. It’s just a form of self-deprecating humor. Don’t take it too seriously!
Now if you’ve ever played a board game before, then you’re going to know how to play a game called sugoroku (双六). Sugoroku (双六) is a game consisting of dice and some board pieces. It’s purely a chance game. The number of spaces you’re permitted to move depend on the dice. Due to the tendency to gamble when playing sugoroku (双六), it’s actually been banned a couple times in the past, by the Japanese government. Despite that, sogoroku (双六) continues to be a popular game among children and adults. I like it because you don’t have to think too much. You just roll the die and let fate take you wherever it takes you. Lol.
The next game is something close to playing a sport. If you’ve played badminton before and you liked it, then you’ll like this game. The game I’m referring to is hanetsuki (羽根突き). Hanestuki (羽根突き) consists of a paddle board, like the one you use in ping pong and a shuttlecock. The paddle board is wooden and called hagoita (羽子板). The hagoita (羽子板) is brightly colored and decorated. Sometimes people just buy the hagoita (羽子板) as a decorative piece than to play hanetsuki (羽根突き). Some hagoitas (羽子板) are so beautifully designed it seems a waste to use it as a paddle. Since the object of the game is to keep the shuttlecock in the air as long as possible, the hagoitas (羽子板) take a brutal beating from the many desperate attempts to whack it before it falls to the ground.
A lot of the games I just mentioned are rapidly becoming obsolete among the children of the current generation. Playstations and other video games are the things that kids want these days. Of course, these games are still a part of tradition, so they are played, but not as much as they were played in the past. The stores still sell these games, so it’s not an extinct tradition, well at least not yet. So if you haven’t noticed yet, New Years is a big deal in Japan, hence the many posts on it. I got lots more, so stay tuned! Bye!
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