Tamaki SAITO（西東たまき）

During the summer, people are keen to grow climbing plants such as morning glory and bitter guard most commonly, by the windows of houses or public buildings. Windows will eventually get covered all over with the ‘Green Curtain’. This is a very practical idea. Not only the green coverage produces cool breezy shades against the sun but furthermore, the transpiration from the plants will actually reduce the temperature of nearby area. It also contributes to the reduction of CO2. This idea is not a new. But it has grown as much mainstream event in recent years along with the rise ...

There is a wonderful treat perfectly fulfil your need of refreshment in extremely hot and highly humid summer in Japan. ‘Kakigouri’ is only a heap of shaved ice cubes yet it’s amazingly enjoyable. It is made of a large ice cube of pure water with no additions, only to shave like snowflakes it becomes a special treat in deed. Since it’s easy to melt for its delicacy, it is laden onto a bowl to the fullest yet it’s easy to eat up because they are very light. Over the heap of shaved ice, any syrup of your choice will be ...

‘Seikyo’ which is known as Consumers' co-operative is largely popular and common system among Japanese to enrol in all over the country. You may see boxes of foods and groceries placed at the entrance of houses or apartments on certain time and date. They are delivered to the members of the Seikyo, which is familiar with the name ‘CO-OP’, upon their orders. The system is like this member will place their orders weekly, choosing items from paper catalogue or via internet and receive the order on their specific date of the week. You may like to have a private delivery ...

Japanese traditionally appreciate simplicity and minimalism. The idea is much alive to date. An umbrella which goes as compact as nearly 10 cm to fit tiny space in a women's purse will readily come into your mind. Manufacturers emulate not only to make things smaller but also to do it in style, of course, durability won't be left behind. Idea of folding can be seen even in a household. Japanese house has been known for being small. Especially, the housing by mid-century would not betray the images that often embraced by foreigners. The furniture that is foldable has been a ...

Extracurricular activity is one of the main elements without which junior high school life cannot be described. Once children start junior-high-schooling, they are to opt one ‘Bukatsu' to enroll in. Bukatsu is ‘Bukatsudo’, in short, which means extracurricular activities. A number of activities are available at every school － from art, study to sports. In the life of junior high school students, Bukatsu activity really dominates their life, especially among sports activities which require constant training to keep up. Every day by the time class starts at 8 am, students would have completed their morning quota of the training. As ...

‘Chawan’ is a collective noun for the ceramics used to serve meals. In many countries, dishes serve for anyone indifferently. Though in Japan, basic pieces of dishes – such as plates, bowls, cups, and so on, except large serving dishes and plates – are personalized. When a family takes meals, each of the family members uses their own chawan. The size of chawan is prepared to match the user The big daddy would need a bigger portion to eat so that his set shall be a larger one. Mother’s could be secondly large. For small kids, the smaller ones will ...

I guess ‘Emoji’ is one of the must-have apps. on the mobile phone. Those emotions and pictures help a lot to convey the nuances which alphabets cannot do enough; it softens the words and strengthens the emotions. But did you know the word ‘Emoji’ is Japanese? ‘E’ means picture and ‘moji’ means character, i.e. pictograph. Although Emoji first appeared on Japanese mobile phone in late 1990's, the use of pictograph in writing had been seen since 1980’s among young generations. Haven’t you found some Emoji icons that you would want to question what they mean? The Emoji app. includes a ...

Any idea about Japanese style bedding? In fact, western style bedding is becoming popular more and more, but traditionally Japanese sleep on ‘Futon’ prepared in a Tatami room. The word “futon' is used very loosely in English these days, referring to thick mattresses, duvets and sofa beds. The full futon set consists of several parts.     Futon set A set of Futon bedding consists of a mattress, blanket/s, and a duvet as well as a pillow. They are used with the covering for easy washing to keep them hygienic.   Futons are filled with cotton or feathers. First, a ...

Despite its significance to the life and health, household chores are often under-evaluated as a work, just because its value is not easily recognised as in the way we hardly dare to acknowledge how much air and water mean to our lives. You may catch a hint of male chauvinism in Japanese tradition; access of women to the Sumo ground is strictly prohibited, daughters of Emperor Family cannot take the throne but they are rather dismissed from the royal family once they get married. You may be also suggested by the low rate of political and executive positions taken by ...

I wonder if there are any major roads and streets in Japan that delivery trucks miss to run in a day. There are several of major courier companies in Japan With the rise of internet shopping and replacement of the classic mode of daily shopping by on-line, delivery trucks have to drive more and more. Since users of the service can request the delivery time as close as every two hours, the truck has to run the same route multiple times a day to meet the time specified. Actually, according to my experience, drivers are always on the run, and ...