The Celebration of The First Birthday
Regardless of the country, a child’s first birthday is a special occasion. There are many ways to celebrate it. Some decorate the room with many colorful balloons, and others let …
Traditional Culture
Japanese traditional culture
A Summer Evening Stroll Along the River, Feeling the Spirit of Awa Odori
“Festivals” are an integral part of people’s lives, representing a place’s local customs and culture. Japan has a rich array of festivals, each with its own unique characteristics. “Bon Odori” …
Japanese traditions in May
Welcome to my first commemorable blog! It has been almost a half-century since I was born. However I don’t know much about many traditional costumes and events that are held …
Two Sakura Mochi Named After Temples
Sakura-mochi is a popular Japanese sweet that can be considered a symbol of spring. It is sold in various shops including traditional Japanese confectionery stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores. “Sakura” …
Ozoni: A mochi soup bowl filled with family history and local Japanese culture.
Ozoni is a mochi soup eaten on New Year’s Day in Japan. Japanese New Year’s events and food originated in Shintoism, and various customs were born from the idea of …
Bon Festival in Kyoto ～How to Welcome and Send Back One’s Ancestors’ Spirits～
Now I’m writing this in the scorching hot mid-July. With August approaching, most Japanese people look forward to the Bon holiday which is the second biggest holiday after the New …
Make the Most of Natsu Doyo (夏土用), the Hottest Days in Japan
Have you ever eaten Unagi, or eel? It looks really delicious, doesn’t it? There is a Japanese custom of eating eel on a certain day during the hottest days of …
Onigawara, the Guardian Deity of the Japanese House
In Japanese we have the word “Satsuki Bare” that means a bright clear day in May, and we have more opportunities to look up at the sky than on dark …
Why do Japanese people go to shrines?
This time, I would like to introduce you to the mysterious power spot called a “shrine” in Japan. Why do Japanese people go to shrines so often? Sometimes we are …
Introduction to Traditional Crafts of Japan
When you hear Japanese Traditional Crafts “Dentou Kougei” (伝統工芸), what items or techniques come to mind? There are various traditional crafts called “Kougeihin” (工芸品) in Japan, such as Kokeshi dolls …