JIC: Japan Infomation Communication

Japanese tea ceremony

Introduction

The tea ceremony is a very special event in Japanese culture. The host spends days going over every detail to make sure that the ceremony will be perfect. There are various styles of tea ceremonies and it is recognized that every human encounter is a singular occasion that will never recur again in exactly the same way, and so every aspect of the tea ceremony is savored. The ceremony takes place in a room called the chashitsu. This room is designed and designated only for this ceremony. The room is usually within a teahouse, and is located away from the residence in the garden. 

This information is here.

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There are several schools of Sado, or Japanese tea ceremony, also known as Chanoyu. Tea, in this case O-cha (green tea), is as integral to culture in Japan as coffee is in the US (more so, in fact) or 'a cuppa' is in the UK. Also, its health benefits are widely touted and generally accepted worldwide. And study of the tea ceremony is still considered part of the 'proper' education of any aspiring young 'lady'. All these factors ensure that this ancient art form thrives even in modern-day Japan.€

This information is here.

History

The Japanese tea ceremony had its origins 700 years ago when Zen Buddhist monks began to explore this art form. However, this was only the rudimentary beginning. It was only 500 years ago that founder Sen No Rikkyu began to hone the simple tea ceremony practiced by the monks into a ritual. He transformed the ceremony to one of humility, simplicity, rusticness as well as self-cultivation. This is epitomized by the simple setting of the tea house e.g. a two mat tea space, chashitsu.

Inside the teahouse

There are no decorations in the teahouse except for an alcove called a tokonoma, in which a scroll painting (kakemono) is hung. This hanging is carefully chosen by the host and reveals the theme of the tea ceremony. In turn, each guest admires the scroll, the kettle (kama) and the hearth. Guests are seated according to their respective positions in the ceremony. Once the host seats himself, greetings are exchanged between the host and the main guest, and then the other guests.

This information is here.

About the tea ceremony

If a guest holds a tea bowl properly, it will relieve a host who selected a precious bowl for him. Proper etiquette indicates gratitude. Once the rules of tea are understood, a person will have no trouble if invited to a tea ceremony. When receiving matcha in a casual setting or in a Japanese residence, the rules can be modified.

1. Remove your accessories and metal goods beforehand. Bow lightly when confections are presented. They'll be passed on a tray from one guest to another. The border of the tatami mat separates host from guests.

2. A guest takes out kaishi (special paper napkins), folds one from the bottom and places its coarse side on top of the others. Kaishi are handy for wrapping confections or wiping one's hands.

3. Transfer a confection to the folded kaishi paper with a wooden pick called kuromoji. If a kaishi paper is not available, place the confection directly on a plate. Be careful not to scrape the plate.

4. Return the confection tray so its front faces the host. Eat the confection using a kuromoji pick. Finish the confection before tea is served. Anything uneaten should be wrapped in kaishi and taken home.

5. When tea is served, bow to host and guests. Draw the bowl to you. Put it between you and your neighbor, saying "Excuse me for going ahead of you." Lift it in your right hand, and rest it in your left.

6. Handle the bowl carefully. When drinking, turn it clockwise 90 degrees to avoid having its front face you. Sip. The last sip is a slurp to drain the tea. Asking for seconds will delight the host.

7. After drinking the tea, the rim of the bowl where you sipped should be wiped with your fingers, then wipe your fingers with a kaishi paper.

8. The tea bowl should then be carefully examined. First, place the bowl on the tatami mat and admire it from right and left.

9. In viewing the bottom of the bowl, hold it securely with both hands and turn it over. It is more stable if you rest your elbows on both knees.

10. Return the bowl to the original position and bow.

This information is here.

The tea ceremony's video is here.

posted by Yasuka Morita.

student Number is 05132302.

Honorific Japanese.

Honorific Japanese.

Japanese use some kinds of special way of talking when we discuss person whom we meet the first time. We call this special way as Keigo in Japanese. Actually, there are three types of Keigo. It is quite difficult for even native Japanese to use them properly.

Types of honorific Japanese.

Japanese honorifics can be devided three types of Keigo. We must distinguish them  at depend on situations. If people who cannot use honorific expressions properly, others think it is impolite, and bad manner of greeting.

            

         

          敬語 has three different types as follows :

① 尊敬語／そんけいご,　Respectful expressions
　　This is used for other people’s actions.
　　(= subject/agent is other person)
　　
　　社長(しゃちょう)は行(い)きますか。→ 社長はいらっしゃいますか。
　　(Will the president go?)

② 謙譲語／けんじょうご, Humble expressions
　　This one is used for me and my group people’s actions.
　　(=subject/agent is me or my group people)
　　
　　私(わたし)は行(い)きます。→私は参(まい)ります。
　　（I will go.）

③ 丁寧語／ていねいご, Polite expressions
　　This one is polite expressions.
　　Ex. おみず、おでんわ(water, telephone)　etc

Honorifics in Japanese are broadly referred to as keigo (敬語, literally "respectful language"), and fall under three main categories: sonkeigo (尊敬語), respectful language; kensongo (謙遜語) or kenjōgo (謙譲語), modest or humble language; and teineigo (丁寧語), polite language. Sometimes two more categories are also used: teichōgo (丁重語) and bikago (美化語), "word beautification". Each type of speech has its own vocabulary and verb endings. For example, the standard form of the verb to do is suru. This form is appropriate with family members and close friends. The polite (teineigo) form of suru is shimasu. This form is appropriate in most daily interactions. When showing respect, such as when talking about a customer or a superior, however, the polite form shimasu becomes the exalted (sonkeigo) form nasaimasu, and when referring to one's own actions or the actions of a group member, it becomes the humble (kenjōgo) itashimasu or shiteorimasu.

Picture is from Waseda University Library.

Usage.

Japanese people respect manners for other people. We can see many Keigo wards around our daily life, even station, announcement, on TV. We have to use Keigo for politeness especially at business.

To give you an idea about the Japanese language, below are some of the common phrases that can be very useful while on a business trip in Japan:

• Hajimemashite: means ‘I am pleased to meet you’ and should be used only the first time that you meet a person.
• Ohayogozaimasu: means ‘Good Morning’.
• Konnichiwa: means ‘Good Day’.
• Kombanwa: means ‘Good Evening’.
• Gochisosama deshita: means ‘Thank you’.
• Gomen nasai: means ‘Sorry’.
• Sumimasen: means ‘Excuse Me’.

All signs in the place were this bad or worse.

足元[足許](ashi-moto) = "footing"
滑りやすい(suberi-yasui) = "easy to slip/slide"

And this information below is from Japanese honorifics.

"Honorifics are considered extremely important in a business setting. Training in honorifics usually does not take place at school or university, so company trainees are trained in correct use of honorifics to customers and superiors.  Keigo is used when attendants speak to a customer (even in the supermarket and on trains), in formal business meetings, by women in jidaigeki. (in all situations) and by educated people in general."

                                                                                                                           

 

Respect verbs.                                    

This chart shows respectful verbs respectful verbs. When we use honorific Japanese, Japanese verbs form will be changed. It is not unexpected form from originally one. So it is very important and difficult part for foreigners who learn Japanese.

meaning	plain	respectful	humble
see	見る miru	御覧になる goran ni naru	拝見する haiken suru
meet	会う au	regular	お目にかかる o-me ni kakaru
be/come/go1	いる iru (be) 来る kuru (come) 行く iku (go)	いらっしゃる irassharu おいでになる oide ni naru	居る oru (be), 参る mairu(come, go)
know	知る shiru	ご存知である go-zonji de aru	存じて居る zonjite oru
eat	食べる taberu	召しあがる meshi-agaru	いただく itadaku2
do	する suru	なさる nasaru	いたす itasu
say	言う iu	おっしゃる ossharu	申す mōsu

¹ The distinction between these three verbs is lost in some respectful forms.

² いただく itadaku is actually the humble form of receive (貰う morau); it can also be related verbs like drink (飲む nomu).

Japanese language has more interesting point to study. so if you want to learn or have been interested in Japanese, visit the Japanese Language.

Posted by Hideyuki Maeda(04132219).

                                       

Funeral

Living for long time, many people will hear someone’s passing. If you live in Japan, you have a possibility to be invited to funeral and should know customs and manners at it.

After death

Just after death, the body is washed in warm water, called matsugo no mizu, to purify it for its journey into eternity. And many families are careful to place a dagger or sickle on the dead person's chest, a samurai-era custom meant to ward off malevolent spirits called mamono -- literally, "devil beings" -- who may attempt to occupy the corpse.

The Wake Service and the Wake

Within days after death, there's an all-night vigil called an otsuya, originally held to confirm that the person laid out before the family had indeed died. The wake is held in Buddhism style and the priest is invited to offer sutra. As attendants, men wear black suits, white shirt, and black or white tie and women black dress or kimono. Attendants give the bereaving family a gift of condolence money (called koden). It goes in a special envelope (koden bukuro) and is passed to the receptionist at the entrance of the funeral location. Koden bukuro are sold at all stationers' and convenience stores. The amount given in the case of a neighbor, is generally 3,000 yen, but it is best to ask a Japanese friend to confirm the amount beforehand.

Funeral

The next day, it's time for the funeral, at which a robed priest chants esoteric Buddhist verses called  okyo while mourners offer incense. The deceased is taken away in a strikingly ornate hearse to a crematorium for final disposition. Almost all Japanese opt for cremation, partly from custom but also out of pragmatic concern over space.

articles above are from The Japan Times- The long goodbye

For More detail of manners at Wake and Funeral, visit A LA CARTE The Buddist Funeral.

Cremation and Grave

Most remains are cremated in Japan. After funeral, the remains are carried to the crematory by the hearse. The bereaved family waits until cremation ends according to the clerk in charge’s instruction. When the cremation ends, the bereaved family accomodates the bone in the urn. When the urn (some Japanese will put a portion of the bones in a temple and some in the family grave, in which case 2 urns are filled) has been filled, it is covered and wrapped in a white cloth.

from Tanu Tech Japanese Buddist Funeral Custom

Cost of Funeral

A questionnaire survey conducted in 2003 by the Japan Consumer’s Association found that the average cost of a funeral nationwide was 1.5 million yen, or about US$ 14,000. This does not count the 380,000 yen (US$ 3,500) for expenses associated with the wake, or the 480,000 yen (US$ 4,400) yen paid to the Buddhist priest for various services. Thus, the total cost of a funeral for a family is roughly the same as a new automobile purchase.

from Japundit the Japanese way of death.

posted by Yoichiro Suzuki

Public Manner

                                                           Public Manner

  In Japan, there are some kinds of public manners. For example, in vehicle, park, road and so on. It is best to consider each other in public space, I think.

  Train manner

  We often ride on some kinds of trains in daily life, so there are train manners. I think, we should not do the act that exhibits a lack of concern for others. It is good to do a deed proper to the occasion.

  The act that exhibits a lack of concern for others. 

         ・ talk loudly, 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　 　　      

         ・ use our mobile phone, 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　               People who wait a train at the platform.

         ・ listen to the music loudly on a   

             Walkman, 　　　

         ・ sit on the priority seat, 　　　　　　　　　　　　　

         ・ squat on the aisle, 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

         ・ run noisily along the aisle, 　　　　　　　　　

         ・ leave their trash and so on. 　　　　　　                                                                

                                                                                              The above picture: use this information 　

  In the morning and evening of the day, some station is overcrowded with commuters. In this rush hour, public manner is particularly important for us. In detail, for example, mobile phone manners. People should turn off their mobile phones around the priority seat. People who have the pacemaker may sit on the priority seat. It is possible for them to break their pacemakers by the mobile phone signal, hertz and so on. I think, it's so dangerous to use mobile phones around the priority seat. Also, away from the priority seat, people should set their mobile phones to silent mode, and refrain from talking. So, people should respect mobile phone manners while taking the train. These public manners are important.

                                                

Priority seats and the mark of courtesy seats: use this information                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                        Smoking

  The smoking manner is important manner, too. For example, walking with a tobacco in their mouth at the public road and smoking at nonsmoking seats are not good.

   

       Mark of the no smoking area

                        and the smoking area: use this information

 

  "The anti-smoking hysteria has not arrived in Japan yet, and smoking is still relatively popular. The smoking rate among adult men is almost 50%, while for women it is below 15%. The law prohibits the smoking of cigarettes to persons under the age of twenty. Cigarettes can be bought in tobacco stores and at vending machines.

  If you are a sensitive person concerning smoke, you may have a hard time in some situations in Japan. Non-smoking areas are not very common in restaurants and public areas, not even in fast food or family restaurants. Furthermore, you won't be able to enjoy pachinko, since the parlors are extremely smoky places. On the other hand, all trains have non-smoking cars."

                                                                                                             Use this informationto indent.

       Graffiti

  In Japan, there are a lot of graffiti at public spaces or buildings. For example, some kinds of walls, doors, and the public toilet.

                                                                                                                   

       Picture: Person who remove the graffiti from the wall.

                                                                                                                     

  People who remove these graffiti are troubled. Graffiti will influence the environment, so graffiti is a green problem. It takes an enormous money to remove graffiti. In addition, It is difficult for people to eradicate completely. Accordingly, the manner is also important.

                                                                                                                                                         

Posted by Yuko Ogawa  #04132170

Japanese business manner

  Japanese make a point of manner, especially on business.Before you work for a company of Japan, or do some business with Japanese, you`d better to learn the Japanese business manner.

First is the appearance:

Those who dress according to their status or position impress the Japanese. Dress to impress.Men should wear dark conservative attire. Business suits (http://www.pliink.com/mt/marxy/archives/000886.html)are most suitable.Casual dress is never appropriate in a business setting.Shoes should be easy to remove, as you will do so often. Slip-ons are the best choice. Women’s dress should be conservative. Little emphasis should be placed on accessories. They should be minimal.Women should not wear pants in a business situation. Japanese men tend to find it offensive. Women should only wear low-heeled shoes to avoid towering over men. Second is the behavior: The word for toasting is kampai, pronounced 'kahm-pie'. When toasting the glass is never left unfilled. Drinking is an important part of Japanese culture. It is a way to relieve business stress. Never pour a drink yourself; always allow someone else to do it for you. Most business entertaining is done in restaurants or bars after business hours. Often in karaoke (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RSYb11ZC_4&feature=related) or "hostess bars." Businesswomen (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn19970425a5.html) should not attend "hostess bars." Let the host order the meal and pay. Business may be discussed at dinner during these events. "Sumimasen" (excuse-me) is a very useful term to add to your vocabulary along with the phrase "kekko desu" (I've had enough). Gift giving is very important both business and personal gifts. Always wrap gifts. The selection of the wrapping paper is critical. Do not give anything wrapped in white as it symbolizes death. Do not use bright colors or bows to wrap the gift. It is better to have the hotel or the store wrap the gift to ensure that it is appropriate. The most popular gift giving occasions in Japan are oseibo(http://gojapan.about.com/cs/traditioncustom/a/oseibo.htm) which falls at the end of the year and O-chugen which falls during the middle of the year. Good gift ideas include top choice beef, fruit and alcohol such as brandy, quality whiskey and Bourbon along with excellent wines. They also appreciate gifts from high-end department stores like Saks and Neiman Marcus. Third is the communication

In Japan, business cards are called meishi (http://www.spidacom.co.uk/cards.htm). Japanese give and receive meishi with both hands. It should be printed in your home language on one side and Japanese on the other. Present the card with the Japanese language side up. The card will contain the name and title along with the company name, address and telephone number of the businessman. In Japan, businessmen are call "sarariman." (http://www.venturejapan.com/japanese-business-culture.htm) 

Take special care in handling cards that are given to you. Do not write on the card. Do not put the card in you pocket or wallet, as either of these actions will be viewed as defacing or disrespecting the business card. Upon receipt of the card, it is important to make a photocopy of the name and title of the individual in your mind. Examine the card carefully as a show of respect.

The customary greeting is the bow. However, some Japanese may greet you with a handshake, albeit a weak one. Do not misinterpret a weak handshake as an indication of character.  If you are greeted with a bow, return with a bow as low as the one you received. How low you bow determines the status of the relationship between you and the other individual. When you bow keep your eyes low and your palms flat next to your thighs. The business card should be given after the bow. This is very important to remember.

  In introductions use the person’s last name plus the word san which means Mr. or Ms. The Japanese prefer to use last names. Do not request that they call you by your first name only. If you are uncertain about the pronunciation of a name, ask for assistance.

Understand that the Japanese prefer not to use the word no. If you ask a question they may simply respond with a yes but clearly mean no. Understanding this is critical in the negotiation process.

The passage is from http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/japan.htm

Posted by 04132083 Sansan Ra

Gift Giving

Gift and manners of giving it when visiting home

Visitors to Japan often have chance to stay at someone’s home and it is said that giving some souvenir for host family is polite. Actually, any present will make them happy but it’s not necessarily have-to work..

What you shouln’t send are kinds of knives, because it is thought to cut our relationship, and any gift of 4 or 9 pieces, 4 reminds Shi(death) and 9 Ku(suffering) in Japanese. Expecting these stuffs, most gifts should be good: any food (especially sweets) or local specialty of your own country will be great.

It is true that there are some manners to give a gift. Some are gift should be wrapped properly with Furoshiki, or the phrase when delivering gift be “Tsumaraimonodesuga” (it’s boring stuff), implying humbling oneself. However foreign visitors to Japan don’t need to care too much about them. If you want to know strict manners and for gift-giving, visit this site. Travelist.ca Gift Giving

Ochugen and Oseibo

In Japan, there are customs called mid-year gift (Ochu-gen) and year-end gift (Oseibo). We send Oseibo at the end of the year to show appreciation to bosses, clients, match-makers, old teachers, relatives and others who deserve consideration. You are supposed to send Ochu-gen from early July to around the time of 15th and Oseibo from early December to around 20th.

If you feel burden to send both Otyugen and Oseibo, you can send Oseibo only but

doing Otyugen only is supposed to be impolite.

The cost of a gift ranges from 3,000 yen to about 20,000 yen, and the aver

age is about 5,000 yen. However, you do not have to be concerned about prices because the most important thing is to convey your appreciation.

Popular items for oseibo are ham, cooking oil, gift certificates, beer, canned food, coffee, seasonings, seaweed, seafood, fruits, and so on. The type and cost of gifts depend on your relationship with the recipient. Usually, people give the most expensive gifts to their bosses at work..

The package like this image is used for the present of o Oseibo. We call this package "noshi" or "noshigami" in Japanese. The title of Oseibo is written on upper half of this package. And, a presenter's name is written on lower half of this one.

Article and picture are from Kashituka Symphony hills Japanese Customs and About.com Japanese end of year gifts.

Valentine ’s Day and White Day

On Valentine's Day, Japanese women give chocolate to men. (Men give gifts to women on March 14th called White Day.) This tradition started as a marketing tool for chocolate companies in Japan. Japanese women are encouraged to express love to men by giving chocolate and other gifts on February 14th.

Other days of gift giving

In Japan, there are some days of gift giving in common with other countries such as birth day Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Christmas and more unique time we send something like omimai(hospital visit), Nyugaku Iwai(entrance into school), or Hikkoshi Aisatsu(moving in). For more details for these customs, visit Everything2.com Gift giving in Japan.

posted by Yoichiro Suzuki

Japanese Eating

Japanese food is very popular in the world,and there are more and more Japanese restaurants in the foreign countries.I would like to introduce that how to eat Japanese food.

1. If you are eating with Japanese people, it's important to say "itadaki-masu" before a meal and to say "gochisou-sama" after a meal. These phrases indicate the beginning and the ending of a meal and express appreciations for the meal as well.
2. To eat a bowl of rice or soup, lift the bowl with one hand. It's proper to sip Japanese soup out of the bowl directly. Eat the ingredients with chopsticks, holding the bowl with one handTo eat side dishes, you don't need to lift plates or bowls. Cut large pieces of food into small pieces with your chopsticks and move to your mouth. To eat from large serving plates, you may use the clean top ends of your chopsticks to pick food to your own bowl or plate, if serving chopsticks are not available.

This information is from here

It is polite and proper to lift small bowls of rice or soup when you eat. It prevents you from dropping food. When you do not get a soup spoon, it is proper to drink the soup out of the bowl and eat the solid food with chopsticks. For large pieces of food, you separate the piece into small pieces with your chopsticks, or you just bite a piece off and put the rest back onto your plate.

It is a Japanese custom to make some slurping noises while eating noodles such as Soba, udon, and somen. People say it tastes better if they make slurping noises. People who eat noodles without a sound could seem strange in Japan.

This information is from here

To eat sushi, clean your hands at first. Pick up nigiri-zushi (hand-pressed sushi) between your thumb and the index finger and the middle finger. Dip the end of the topping (not sushi rice side) in soysauce and bring the sushi to your mouth. It's good to eat the whole piece all at once if you can.

This information is from this website

Natto is a Japanese original and traditional food.Nowadays, the natto product is packed in small plastic packages with soy sauce and mustard.

Most popular way to prepare natto is as follows.

1. 1.Please put natto into a suitable porcelain bowl.
2. Stir the natto with chopsticks or other suitable tool. Do not mash. Stir fast and well. (Not 1 hour, 60 seconds is enough:-p)
3. Pour the soy sauce and mix mustard.
4. If spring onions are available, it is recommended to finely chop these and mix in. Then put a spoon of natto on steamed rice and eat them together.

THis information is from here

posted by Sansan Ra  04132083   

Japanese Weddings

About Japanese wedding ceremony

Spring and fall are wedding seasons in Japan as much as they are favored by tourists. In some places where wedding ceremonies and receptions are held as many as forty couples are united and congratulated on a day of fortune under the almanac. A Japanese wedding ceremony can be Christian, Buddhist, or Shinto style. Since most Japanese aren't religious, the style doesn't necessarily match with their religion. For example, it's common for non-Christian couples to have their wedding ceremonies at a church.Non-family members don't usually attend the marriage ceremony itself, rather they go to the wedding reception, called "Kekkon Hiroen" in Japanese. The style and scale of wedding receptions vary depending on the regions in Japan.

This imformation is here.

Arranged marriages

Until not long ago, marriages in Japan were arranged by the parents of the man and woman. A mutual friend would be the matchmaker. Once both families agreed upon the match, they would meet at a formal dinner on a day that the Japanese almanac deemed auspicious." After the dinner,"Yui-no" (engagement) gifts, meant to symbolize happiness and fortune, were exchanged. The "Mokuroku" was the list of gifts which would be exchanged:

A "hakama" is a skirt that was given to the groom-to-be. It represented fidelity.

"Naga-Noshi" is abalone shell which is frequently used in Japan for crafts and gifts. It was meant to express the sincere wishes of the gift giver.

Money

"Katsuo-bushi" is dried bonito, a very valuable preserved food ingredient that was used to make soup stock. It expressed the wish that the couple would have a lasting marriage.

"Surume" is dried cuttlefish, symbolic of good wish to the couple for a lasting marriage.

"Konbu," is known for its ability to breed. It expresses the wish that the couple have happy and healthy children.

"Shiraga" is hemp. It is an exceedingly strong fiber and is used to symbolise wishes for strong family ties. "Shiraga" is literally traslates as "white hair." It is an appropriate gift to wish the couple a long and happy married life.

"Suehiro" is a fan that opens end to end and, therefore symbolizes wishes for happiness and a bright and happy future for the couple.

"Yanagi-daru," a wine cask. Instead of this traditonal gift the couple may be given a cash gift which would be used to purchase traditonal "sake" (rice wine).

"Sake" casks are exchanged at the engagement dinner. They are made from "yui-no," a willow trees with tender leaves. "Yui-no" sake casks were meant to symbolise a pledge for obedience and gentleness in marriage. This picture is sake.
Most important amongst the gifts for a bride-to-be was an "obi," a traditonal kimono sash. It represented female virtue.

This information is here.

The tradition

  Traditionally, the religious wedding ceremony is held in Shinto style at a shrine. Nowadays, this shrine may be located inside the hotel where the festivities take place. A Shinto priest conducts the ceremony which is visited by only the close family members of the couple. In the ceremony, the couple is purified, drinks sake, and the groom reads the words of commitment. At last, symbolic offerings are given to the kami. The couple is dressed in traditional kimono.

The wedding outfits

The all-white silk wedding kimono dates back to the Edo era (1700-1900) and the traditions of the  brides of the samurai.White symbolizes both a new beginning and an end, because the bride "dies" as her father's daughter and is reborn a member of her husband's family. The bride traditionally wears her hair up, fastened by tortoise-shell combs. A white cloth and veil cover her head, and her face is painted creamy white. The bride changes several times, once to an ornate gold, silver and red robe embroidered with auspicious symbols such as cranes and flowers, and again to a deep-colored, highly patterned kimono are a beautiful choice for the Japanese American bride; the color purple is the color of love in Japan. The groom wears a black silk kimono with his family crest in white, in five different places. Under this kimono is a striped, pleated skirt, or hakama. He carries a white folded fan and wears white sandals. Many Japanese Americans still treasure kimonos handed down through the generations. Renting an outfit is quite expensive: One New York store charges upwards of $1,600, which includes the services of a professional to dress you.

This imformation is here.

The traditional white japanese wedding kimono is called "shiro-muku". usually reserved for young, unmarried women. This is the last time she will be able to wear this kimono. Irises This is the "shiro-muku". Shiro meaning white and muku meaning pure. The wedding kimono actually consists of two different kimono. The white wedding kimono is worn for the wedding ceremony and an elaborate rich patterned silk brocade kimono called uchikake is worn over the white kimono at the wedding reception.

The food

Each dish in the Japanese wedding banquet is a symbolic wish--for happiness, prosperity, long life or many children. For example, konbu is served because the word sounds like the last half of the word for joy, yorokobu. Fish can be served with the tail and head forced up from the plate forming a circle, the symbol of eternity. Clams are served with both shells together, the two halves symbolizing the couple. Lobster is often served for its deep red color, the color of luck. The number of courses never equals a multiple of four, since the word for "four," shi, sounds like the word for death. For dessert, a Japanese bride might choose to serve komochi manjyu, which is made of gummy, sweetened rice with fillings inside.

This information is here.

posted by Yasuka Morita.

student number is 05132302.

Japanese Toilet

   Japanese Toilet               

There are two types of toilets in Japan. This image is Japanese traditional type of toilet. These days, however, there is not so many this type of toilet in Japan. There are mostly western types of toilet currently.

"There are two types of bathroom in Japan. Public bathrooms are usually having Japanese style toilets, especially at the stations. However there are many bathrooms with Western style toilets has been increasing especially in sightseeing spots. Public bathrooms with both, Japanese and Western style toilets, are also commonly". And visitors who came from other countries, they have to know how to use Japanese toilet.

          this information and picture got from this site.

Historical bathroom                                   

This is a Japanese toilet which was used in few hundreds years ago. nowadays, we hardly see this type of traditionally toilet but its also one of our historical heritages.

"During the Jomon period, settlements were built in a horseshoe shape, with a central plaza in the middle and garbage heaps around the settlement. In these garbage heaps, calcified fecal remains of humans or dogs, so called coprolites, were found, indicating that these garbage dumps were also used as toilets ".　

     this information and picture got from this site.

Vending machine

There are some vending machines for selling toilet papers at station or public toilet. It's so convenient for users if they do not have paper when they will use toilet. Usually its cost is 100 yen. And you can find very easily very nearby public toilet.

"In Japan you've got a couple of options.   In Kyoto people were handing out plastic-wrapped packets of toilet paper with advertising on it (I hear that the advertising is often pornographic).   And in Tokyo, at the very large and prominent Yasukuni-jinja shinto shrine, I came across this toilet paper vending machine ".

this information and picture got from this site.                                                                                                                                                

Toilets words 

There are so many people who came from other countries live in Japan. The first time those people use a  Japanese toilet,maybe they think it feels strange, but you get used to it soon.

      Toilet words

• トイレ toire - toilet - from the FRENCH word. The most common way to refer to the toilet in Japanese

• (お) 手洗い (o) te arai - "(the place to) wash one's hands" or the toilet

• WC - often toilets are marked with these 2 letters. They stand for the old-fashioned way of calling a toilet a "Water Closet"

• 便所 ben jo - The actual Japanese word for toilet - sounds like the English "BANJO on my knee"

• 水洗便所 sui sen benjo - a flush type of toilet. I remember the first time I heard this word. I was at school during the morning teacher's meeting. I kept hearing "SUISEN" over and over again. (suisen in education means a recommendation for students going to another school upon graduation - but of course, I didn't know that!) I looked it up in my dictionary and only found "suisen benjo." I was puzzled as to why the senseis were talking about a flush toilet for 15 whole minutes!

• 汲み取り便所 kumi tori benjo - the non-flush drop type of toilet

• トイレットペーパー toiretto pe-pa- - Toilet paper

            this words come from this site.

How to use the bathroom

Japanese style toilet is different from Western style. When you will use Japanese style toilet, you should know how to use it before you will do.  If you do not know how to use it, maybe you will have some troubles. For example ,Water beam

this two of information got from this site and this site.

this movie got from this site.

posted by Hideyuki Maeda 04132219

Bath Etiquette

Manners of taking bath

Japanese take a bath almost every day and there are many good public baths and hot sprigns.  Someone who  want to come to Japan and take them should know etiquettes to bathe in Japan.The image and list below are from Travel-Japan: Bath Etiquette.

1. Please take off your underwear before you go into the bathing area.
2. Please wash yourself thoroughly before getting into the bathtub.
(Please sit down while taking a shower, and do not waste water.)
3. Please keep your towel out of the bathtub.
4. Please do not run in the bathing area, and do not swim in the bathtub.
5. Please refrain from washing your clothes or underwear.
6. Please wipe yourself off before going into the dressing area.

Taking bath at home

Japanese bath rooms at home are a bit different from those of western. These are some customs and etiquettes how to bathe at home in Japan. The information below is from Etiquette in Japan.

The Japanese bathroom is usually separate from the toilet and looks different from the Western bathroom. It has a tiled floor with taps low down on the wall, and sometimes a shower. The bath itself is square, and is deeper than a Western bath. (see the picture below.) It is usually filled from a cold tap, and the water is then heated by a gas unit attached to the side. The tub is filled and heated only once per day. Family members take turns soaking in the tub. The guest is usually offered the first turn. Wash and rinse yourself in the tiled area before getting into the bath. The bath is for soaking and relaxing. Soap, shampoo, etc., should never be used in it. Do not empty the bath after you use it.

The Mixed bathing

In Japan, there is one unique custom on taking hot spring. That is "mixed bathing". Men and women usually take bath separately, but some hot spring ryokans(inns) have it. We can cover our body with towel while saoking in the bath tub, and could wear swimming suit at some baths but it depends. You need to ask usage of the bath to a person in charge of the ryokan. For guys, don't expect too much for it. Young ladies rarely take bath together...

This picture is from airbepal.com 

                                                                      

                                                                  

                  

 

Here is a link to youtube movie explaining the etiquette on taking bath in Japan in several languages.

For more infomation about visiting Japan, visit the Japan National Tourist Organization.

Posted by Yoichiro Suzuki