culture
Every summer in Japan, the night sky bursts into color as fireworks festivals — hanabi-taikai (花火大会) — light up towns and cities across the country. More than just a visual spectacle, these events represent joy, togetherness, and the fleeting beauty that defines Japanese aesthetics. Families, couples, and friends gather by riversides, parks, and beaches to watch the fireworks bloom like giant flowers.In a season marked by heat and humidity, these displays offer a cool, shared moment of wonder under the stars. The Meaning Behind Hanabi The word hanabi (花火) literally means “flower fire.”It captures the Japanese appreciation for impermanence — ...
In Japan, taking a home-made lunch to work or school is more than just a practical routine — it’s a small expression of care, balance, and beauty. The meal packed inside is called an obento, and it reflects a deep cultural sense of thoughtfulness in everyday life. What Is an Obento? An obento is a single-portion meal neatly packed in a box. It’s the Japanese way of bringing a complete, balanced meal wherever you go. You’ll see office workers opening them in parks, students unwrapping them at lunch, and travelers enjoying them on trains. The Box Itself The ...
If you walk through a Japanese neighborhood early in the morning, you’ll see small children in uniforms heading to school — each carrying the same box-shaped backpack. That backpack is called a “randoseru” (ランドセル). For many Japanese people, it’s a nostalgic symbol of childhood — and surprisingly, its name came from Dutch. From Dutch Soldiers to Japanese Schoolchildren The word randoseru is derived from the Dutch word “ransel”, meaning “backpack.” During the late Edo and early Meiji periods, Japan adopted many ideas from Western countries, including the Netherlands. The original ransel was a military backpack used by Dutch soldiers. ...
Nowadays Japanese cannot expect to see foreigners struggle with chopsticks. Many of them can use them with ease. But how many foreigners could tell the distinctiveness of Japanese chopsticks? At a glance, Japanese chopsticks have tapered tips unlike those of Chinese or Korean. Basically, they are made of wood or bamboo, hardly made of metals, and lacquered for smoothness and durability. Chopsticks have sizes that match you They have ‘sizes’ (allover length) categorized by men’s and women’s, and for children in different ages, responding to the length of their fingers -- your best size would be well-advised if you consult ...
Bamboo is one of the most beloved plants in Japan. It represents strength, purity, and growth, and appears in nearly every aspect of Japanese life — from cuisine to crafts and traditional New Year decorations. It’s also a sign of spring’s arrival, as young bamboo shoots begin to sprout across fields, marking a new season of renewal. Takenoko: The Taste of Spring Each spring, Japanese families look forward to harvesting takenoko, or baby bamboo shoots. These shoots grow incredibly fast — sometimes up to one meter per day! They’re dug up when only the tip appears above the soil, ...
In late April and early May, the skies of Japan are decorated with vibrant, fluttering carp streamers.These are called Koinobori, and they are displayed every year to celebrate Children’s Day on May 5th. Far more than just decorations, Koinobori carry deep symbolism, representing parents’ hopes for their children’s health, strength, and future success. Origin and Symbolism The tradition of Koinobori began in the Edo period (1603–1868), when samurai households displayed banners to celebrate the birth of boys.Over time, these evolved into carp-shaped streamers, inspired by a Chinese legend: A carp that bravely swims upstream and climbs a waterfall transforms into ...
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