Posts from July 2010

To Become

Posted by Ginny No Comments
Jul 29 2010

なる can be used to show a change in state :

彼の娘はどうなりましたか = What has become of his daughter?

(かれ/彼 = him. の = possessive particle. むすめ/娘 = daughter. は = particle. どう =how, in what way, about. なりました = became. か = question particle.)

When using a noun to show a change in state, use noun + になる

来年、大学院生になります = I will be (literally “become” or “turn into) a graduate student next year.

(らいねん/ 来年. だいがくいんせい/大学院生 = graduate student. になります = become)

You can also use なる in the past tense :

先週、会社員になりました = I became a company employee last week

(せんしゅう/先週 = last week. かいしゃいん/会社員 = company employee. になりました = became)

When using a な adjective, leave off the な and add になる :

最近、うどんが好きになりました = I have recently grown to like udon

(さいきん/最近 = recently. うどん = udon. が = particle. すきになりました/好きになりました = grown to like)

When using an い adjective, drop the い at the end of the adjective and add the stem to the くなる :

日本語のクラスが詰まらなくなりました = Japanese language class has become boring

(にほん/日本 = Japan. ご/語 = language. の = possessive marker. クラス = class. が =particle. つまらなくなりました/詰まらなくなりました = become)

Traditional Japanese Hats

Posted by Ginny 1 Comment
Jul 26 2010

The takuhatsugasa (托鉢笠) was a hat worn by travelers to avoid the glare of the sun or protect the face from rain. The hat was made of rice straw woven together. A good portion of the hat shields the face, and if you watch samurai movies, you’ll notice that the hat was used to shield the indentity of the wearer.

The tengai (天蓋) was a hat worn by the komusō (虚無僧) Buddhist monks. The komusō monks are known for wearing straw hats that cover the face. The wearing of the hat is meant to represent one’s desire to deny one’s ego and ambition.

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The sandogasa (山道笠) had a similar use to the takuhatsuga, but had a different shape. The sandogasa was fastened to the head with threaded straw or rope.

Japanese Swords

Posted by Ginny No Comments
Jul 23 2010

The samurai class has long been disbanded and the use of swords in public places has been banned. However, the swords of the samurai are still of keen interest to collectors and sword aficionados. Just by looking at the sword, you can tell the period in which it came. If only swords could talk! Imagine all the amazing and perilous stories they would tell!

The Tachi (太刀) is a type of sword with a severe curvature. The tachi was very useful on horseback. When the enemy came forward, the tachi was an efficient hacking tool. On the ground, however, the tachi wasn’t as useful. As a result of this disadvantage, the tachi was later abandoned in favor of the Katana.

The Katana (刀) is moderately curved, especially in comparison to the tachi. The katana was worn with the blade facing up, which allowed the user to pull out the sword and attack the enemy in a single swipe. This advantage allowed the sword bearer to react faster.

The Tantō (短刀) was a dagger – like weapon used for the purpose of stabbing. The blade of a tantō is almost straight, unlike the tachi and katana. The tantō was also used for ritual suicide and was often worn with the tachi by samurais.

The Wakizashi (脇差) was shorter than the katana and worn with the katana. Contrary to public belief, the wakizashi was not often used in ritual suicide called seppuku (切腹). Rather, the wakizashi was used to decapitate the enemy in battle.

Woodblock Prints

Posted by Ginny No Comments
Jul 20 2010

Moku Hanga (木版画) or woodblock printing is a unique art form of Japan. To make a woodblock print an image was painted on a thin piece of paper called washi (わし) and glued to a flat piece of wood. Then the artist would carve away an image on the wood. Lastly, the ink was added to the wood to complete the image.

There are different kinds of woodblock printing, all very beautiful, but different from each other.

The Benizurie (紅刷絵) are crimson colored woodblock prints. The name Benizurie means “rose colored printed pictures” and that’s because pinks, reds and greens characterize this type of woodblock printing. This woodblock printing was made by Ishikawa Toyonobu (石川豊信) and depicts two Kabuki (かぶき) actors.

The Aizurie (藍摺り絵)  are blue colored woodblock prints. In fact, Aizurie means “blue printed picture” and refers to woodblock prints that are printed in different shades of blue and sometimes red. This woodblock print was created by Sawa Sekkyō (沢雪喬) and is a depiction of a white falcon in a pine tree. The colors came from blue ink and gradations in light and dark was used to build a contrast.

Nishikie (錦絵) is a type of woodblock print that utilizes many colors in one block. This is an innovative form of woodblock print because previously, woodblock prints were designed with only one or two colors. This woodblock print was made by Suzuki Harunobu (鈴木春信) and depicts a courtesan with her female attendants.

Sea Day

Posted by Ginny No Comments
Jul 17 2010

The third Monday of July is a holiday in Japan called うみのひ (海の日) or Marine Day (literally means “Sea Day”). It’s always held on a Monday so people can have a three day weekend. Marine Day is a day where people go to the beaches and appreciate the beauty of the sea. The holiday is marked by a parade and a fireworks display.

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Since Japan is a country that is surrounded by a body of water, Japanese people have always been aware of the sea. In ancient times, a water god called すいじん (水神) was widely revered by the Japanese people. It’s not coincidental that the sea is seen as a deity because the sea provides seafood, means of transport, and recreational fun.

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