Tamaki SAITO（西東たまき）

When you walk through a Japanese neighborhood, you might notice small plates attached near the entrance of houses. These are called Hyousatsu (nameplates), and they carry the family name of the people living inside.More than just a sign, they are a cultural marker of identity and tradition in Japan. What Is a Hyousatsu? A Hyousatsu is a nameplate that usually shows the family’s surname.Sometimes the first names of family members are added as well.For visitors, postal workers, and delivery staff, the Hyousatsu makes it easy to confirm that the right person lives there. Designs and Materials Traditionally, Hyousatsu were made ...

Keiro-no-hi, Respect for the Aged Day is a national holiday, was established in 1966. It was first set on the date of 15th September though it was moved to the 3rd Monday of September to achieve a long weekend since 2003. The day is to express appreciation and gratitude for aged people for decades of their dedication to the family as well as to the society, also to celebrate their health and longevity. Celebration party would be held in the unit of a family or on a community basis with a feast and a gift. Hotels and restaurants offer the ...

The yutampo—Japan’s traditional hot water bottle—was once seen as old-fashioned. Today, it’s making a comeback as a simple, eco-friendly way to stay warm in winter. No electricity, gentle heat, and a cozy bedtime ritual—this is why many people are rediscovering it.   What Is a Yutampo? A yutampo is a heat-resistant container filled with hot (not boiling) water and placed in a bed before sleep. It pre-warms the futon and makes falling asleep easier—especially if your feet tend to feel cold.   Why It’s Back: Comfort × Eco No electricity: Just hot water. Lower bills, smaller footprint. Softer warmth: Doesn’t ...

Chestnut is a symbol of autumn. Japanese love to eat chestnuts cooked with rice, with a touch of sake rice wine and a pinch of salt. That's the specialty food for the autumn season. To obtain really fresh chestnuts though you will have to do a bit of labour; chestnut farms are opened to you. Go there one of the fine autumn days and pick spiny cupules in which two or three ripe chestnuts are contained. Actually, picking up chestnuts is a popular seasonal activity especially for the family with small children. Kindergartens usually include this event in their annual ...

‘Sports Day' a.k.a. ‘Undo-kai' is a must-do event in schools in every part of Japan. Basically, it's an all-day event which brings the whole family together, not only a core family but even extended family are invited because the day is ‘special'. It's held even in Japanese communities overseas. The event is a combination of fun plays and sports competitions challenged by the children that are divided into the team of two or so. They had spent weeks to prepare and practice to display their efforts. Traditionally, this event has been a symbol of one autumn weekend activity However, with ...

There is an event to appreciate the autumn full moon which is said to have started since Heian period (794-1185). Japanese aristocrats got aboard boats for moon viewing. The event is called ‘Tsukimi' – moon viewing. What noticeable is that what was enjoyed was the moon reflected on the water surface -- or even the surface of the glass they hold -- rather than the actual moon in the sky. Then they enjoyed writing and reciting the poetry. How elegant… isn't it? Now the tradition is not only for aristocrats On the day of the autumn full moon, modern people ...

Persimmon is a fruit which often stands between people's likes and dislikes. Large persimmon trees when most of the leaves have fallen in autumn depict a typical country scene and give us a feel of nostalgia.   Kaki This fruit, Kaki in the Japanese language, becomes very distinct if you eat fresh or dried Dried Kaki are not the ones remained and dehydrated up on the trees, of course; they have to be carefully processed especially preventing from getting mould. You will call this dried fruit ‘Hoshi-gaki' in Japanese which literally means ‘dried-persimmon.' You could see farm houses hang the ...

How does it sound that there is no cleaner stationed in school in Japan? Public school is cleaned by children themselves. Cleaning time is even set into their daily time table, about 20 minutes. Bloomed and swept, even regularly waxed by them. While in a conventional school, classroom floors are parquet, those of a modern school building are carpeted so that they are vacuumed. Cleaning task is undertaken by the team Children are divided into teams and deployed to every corner of the school. It gives them an opportunity to learn how to operate cleaning and how to cooperate each ...

Miso soup, or misoshiru, is one of the most essential dishes in Japanese cuisine.Served with almost every meal, it is simple, healthy, and endlessly versatile. Made with a savory dashi broth and miso paste, miso soup is more than food—it is part of Japan’s daily rhythm of life. Dashi: The Flavor Base of Miso Soup Miso soup always begins with dashi, the broth that defines Japanese cuisine.Dashi is simple to make, yet it carries a unique taste called umami—the “fifth flavor” beyond sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. Here are the main types: Kombu Dashi (Kelp Broth) Made by soaking or ...

‘Obon’ is a certain period of time in the middle of August where majority of Japanese will be engaged with ancestor-related rituals, basically in their home town. This is a Buddhist event occurring from the 13th to 16th of August． Obon is said that it’s the time the ancestors come back to visit their family. Actual rituals are totally different depends on the areas and regions. In some Tokyo area, for example, in the evening of the first day of obon period, family visit the ancestor’s grave, holding unlit lanterns. Lanterns are only lit at the grave and carried to ...