culture
Extracurricular activities — known in Japan as Bukatsu — are an essential part of junior high school life. For many students, Bukatsu defines their school experience and plays a major role in shaping both their body and mind. What Is Bukatsu? The term Bukatsu is short for Bukatsudō (部活動), which literally means “club activities.” When students enter junior high school, they are expected to join at least one club — whether it’s a sports team, art club, music group, or science club. These activities help students develop discipline, teamwork, and friendship beyond the classroom. The Daily Routine of ...
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 ...
It is said that in Edo era, everything was recycled in the metropolitan city of Edo. The idea has been nurtured until now being aware that Japan is a natural-resource-poor country. Though there were some times that the idea of overheat consumption was appreciated as seen in the late 80's. But people are basically very keen to live frugally. A lot of saving ideas are shared via books, magazines and internet etc. and people don’t wait to bring those ideas into practice. It is a common tip to use bath water for washing clothes Pump up the remaining bath ...
Calligraphy in Japan, known as Shodo , is more than just writing beautifully.It is an art form that expresses both character and emotion through brush, ink, and balance. The black ink on white paper creates a striking contrast, where every line and curve reflects the writer’s spirit and discipline.Shodo is considered one of the most refined expressions of traditional Japanese aesthetics. What Is Shodo? The word Shodo literally means “the way of writing.”It combines artistic beauty with spiritual concentration — a practice deeply rooted in Zen philosophy. When you watch a calligrapher move the brush, each stroke seems alive.The rhythm, ...
It is quite common for kids from 6 years old under age 12, i.e. children of primary school age, to enrol the activity club called ‘Kodomo-kai’. ‘Kodomo’ means children and ‘Kai’ means society, club or gatherings in Japanese. The purpose of the kodomo-kai is to provide children with a chance to communicate and cooperate with younger and elders in the community and give them variety of experiences outside of the family and school life, with the backup of their parents. Funding source of "Kodomo-kai" A few coins of the fee are collected from every member monthly to keep up ...
Do you have any idea how Japanese crockery could look like? If the bowls and plates you know are the ones with smooth surface and round shape, you shall be betrayed. To suit with Japanese dishes whose nature is principally simple by singling out the spirit of the ingredient, crockery has got a chance to flourish itself. Japanese table is consisted of many plates and bowls whose material and shape are varied. They are chosen according to the image of the dishes and also four of the seasons of Japan. For instance, the cool and handsome look of glassware and ...
Whenever and wherever Japanese people travel, one thing is always on their mind — souvenirs, or omiyage (お土産). In Japan, bringing back souvenirs isn’t just about buying gifts; it’s about sharing your experience and showing thoughtfulness toward others. Whether it’s for friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors, bringing home omiyage is a deeply rooted social custom. More Than a Gift — A Gesture of Connection Souvenirs represent the joy of travel and the appreciation of those waiting back home. In Japan, it’s almost unthinkable to return from a trip without omiyage. People might even feel embarrassed to come back empty-handed ...
Japan is full of shortened words — and once you notice them, you’ll hear them everywhere. From remote control becoming Remo-con to smartphone becoming Sma-pho, abbreviations are a fun and natural part of everyday Japanese communication. 1. Why Japanese People Shorten Words Japanese culture values efficiency and simplicity, but there’s more to it than that. The Japanese language has a natural rhythm made of short syllables, so shortening words makes them easier to say and gives them a catchy, rhythmic sound. That’s why even foreign brand names and people’s names get shortened based on sound, not spelling: Starbucks → Staba ...
Every school classes or group of certain members would like to organise ‘Renrakumou’. Renrakumou is a list on which the member’s name and contact details are written. With renrakumou, you won’t need to collect member’s contact by asking individually. Especially, renrakumou made in schools has a purpose of emergency network When school has got some notices that they want to spread to the students/guardians urgently is when the renrakumou will play its roll. It is usually arranged in the tree-form network, starting from the teacher at the top then it comes down to the 2nd layers downwards. The teacher passes ...
Every country has its own set of superstitions — small beliefs that mix fear, respect, and curiosity. Japan is no exception. Even today, many traditional sayings and actions are quietly passed down through daily life. When Someone Sneezes In English-speaking countries, people say “Bless you!” when someone sneezes. But in Japan, sneezing means something completely different — someone is talking about you! No one knows whether they’re saying good or bad things, but the idea still makes people smile. Don’t Waste Even a Grain of Rice Japanese people are often taught to finish every bite on their plate. Leaving ...
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