Made in Occupied Japan
15 May 2012 16 Comments
in Japanese culture Tags: Japanese culture, Japanese, Japan, Japanese history
I knew our country lost World War 2, but I’ve never seen the proof. To be honest with you, I was very shocked.After I returned to Japan, I also asked to my Texan friend, Matt about the occupied stuff. He also helped me to find some links.I found that during our country was colonized by America, we had to print the mark “made in occupied Japan” on all our export things. I didn’t study it at my history class. I asked to both my husband and daughter if they studied it at school, but both of them also didn’t study. The occupied stuff are exported things, and that’s why we haven’t seen them in Japan. I also tried to search about “Ohata China”, but unfortunately, I couldn’t find any information about the china company. I guess we already don’t have the company in Japan any more.
I’d love to show the matching cup and saucer set to my parents. They might know about it more. I’m happy to be able to find a part of our history in America! If you know some information about it, could you tell me about them? I’m looking forward to receiving a lot of information from you!
Made in Occupied Japan Ohata China
Made in Occupied Japan Ohata China
Made in Occupied Japan Ohata China
Made in Occupied Japan Ohata China
Made in Occupied Japan Ohata China
Cherry blossoms in my town
20 Apr 2012 23 Comments
in myself Tags: Japan, Japanese, Japanese country side, Japanese culture, Japanese flowers, Japanese place, myself
Hi, friends! Long time no see. I’ve been very busy for preparing my studying abroad in America again, and couldn’t update my blog for a while.
Please forgive my laziness, everyone! I will fly to America again to take a painting class in Michigan tomorrow.
Today I’d love to show cherry blossoms in my town although I’m not a good photographer.
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
I took these pictures near to Asuwa river in Fukui City. It’s close to my house and only 3 minutes on foot!
There are over four hundred cherry trees there! It’s an amazing view!!!! Enjoy all pics that I took!
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
Cherry blossoms in Asuwa, Fukui City
My Way to Study My Second Langauge
23 Mar 2012 30 Comments
in English learning, myself Tags: English learning, myself
Today I’d like to try to write about my experiences how I’ve been studying English.
I’ve been learning conversational English for three years. When I made a decision to study it, I started to speak it for 8 to 10 hours a day. I did it for two years every single day. First, I started to find someone who can speak with me in English on Skype. Thinking back on then, I really think I was lucky because I could find several native English speakers who have been learning Japanese. While talking and teaching Japanese to them, I learned how to communicate with people in English. I slow down now and have been speaking English for two to three hours a day.
I also started to post my journal entries in English every single day when I started to speak it. In my case, it didn’t take so much time to improve both my listening skills and speaking skills. I think I can communicate pretty well, but improving my writing skills is a different story.
Following some my native English speaker friends’ advices, I started to watch American TV shows in English without subtitles. It’s been amazing working out for improving my listening skills. I’ve been watching a drama a hour every day. I also started to read books in English without using a dictionary. To keep my motivation for reading, I tried many things. The best way for me is showing my reading progress to somebody to use some websites for readers.
Now, my English level is almost advance, and I feel comfortable to communicate with people. My next goal is to be able to express what I want to say in a natural way. At the end of this journal entry I’d love to add this: I’ve studied abroad in America to take some painting classes four times in two years. It also very helped my skills to improve.
Kenroku-en in Winter
09 Feb 2012 8 Comments
in Japanese culture Tags: Japan, Japanese, Japanese country side, Japanese culture, Japanese scenery
A couple days of ago I went to Kanazawa City with my family to see a night view of a Japanese garden, called Kenroku-en.
As you know, this winter we have had a lot of snow. When we arrived at the park, there was a lot of snow. It was very cold. Our daughter started to complain about the snow and cold weather.
However, when we looked around the night view of the Japanese garden, we gasped. It was so dreamy, fantastic and beautiful!!
All trees covered with snow were lighted up with some lights. It was so fabolous! We have a lot of snow here where we live. To protect the heavy snow, all trees are covered by Yukitsuri. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukitsuri
We could see the Yukitsuri in Kenroku-en too. The scenery is very popular in winter.
While looking around the garden, we could listen to nice music. It was mix of a guitar and a Chinese instrument, called “erhu”. It created a very fantastic atmosphere. We loved it.
I love Japanese gardens. They have a lot of different faces in each season. I can’t tell you that which season is the best because cherry blossoms in spring, green leaves in summer, yellow, orange and red leaves in autumn and a lot of snow in winter, all of them are so nice!
Funny Pictures for Japanese People
27 Jan 2012 8 Comments
in Japanese culture, Japanese custom Tags: Japan, Japanese, Japanese culture, Japanese fashion
I’d like to share some funny pictures with you today. I took them when I was in America last time. I know they are not funny for Western people, but when Japanese people look at them, they definitely giggle.
First, look at the picture.
Funny Pictures for Japanese people
It doesn’t make sense for us. What is こってりみりん(kotteri Mirin）????? I guess it says the mirin （sweet cooking rice wine）has rich flavor, but I’ve never heard こってりみりんin Japan. It associates me with some syrup which have very strong flavor. When I looked at it, I really didn’t want to try it. I’m sorry.
Funny Pictures for Japanese people
This is also very funny for us. We don’t have the tea, 通便茶 (tuuben cha) in Japan! It imagines me that when we drink the tea, we can keep bowel movements very good. I’d like to try it!! It’s so funny.
Funny Pictures for Japanese people
The sweet made both my hubby and daughter laugh. I also have no idea what it says. What is the meaning by 恋愛のはさみ心ケーキ(renai no hasami gokoro cake）? The Japanese words doesn’t make sense for us, but we can guess the meaning. It’s really nice try! That’s why it sounds funny for us. I guess it wanted to say the flavor is sweet and bitter like when people love, we can fell the same feelings. I’m very curious about the sweet. I’d like to make sure if the flavor is exact the same as the lovers’ feelings.
Funny Pictures for Japanese people
It’s my favorite picture. Look at the logo of the T-shirt. We can see 守備職人 (syubi syoku nin）in Japanese. It also doesn’t make sense for me. When I looked at the T-shirt, I wanted to ask the guy, “Hey, are you an expart or master of the fieling of baseball or something like that?” Of course, I’m a shy person, so I couldn’t speak to the stranger. However, in my mind, I giggled. I guess he thought he was cool, that’s why he was wearing the T-shirt. However, he never thinks the logo never makes sense for Japanese people. When we see it, we giggle him in our mind. Poor the guy!
I like taking funny objects pictures relate to Japanese culture. So, when I go to America, next time, and if I have some chances to take some such pictures, I’d like to try it again.
Craftsmanship in Japanese Traditonal Arts and Crafts
10 Jan 2012 8 Comments
in Japanese culture, myself Tags: Japanese culture, Japanese spirits, myself
I went to Kanazawa City to take my first Kutani painting class for this year today. To be honest with you, I’m the only student for my Kutani teacher. When I started to take the class, there were two other students. However, both two of them started to be absent from classes since three months ago. I don’t know why.
I guess that’s because it will take a long time to finish one piece. They can’t stand it. My painting teacher is an elderly craftsman. So, he makes us follow old rules on painting. It seems to be old-fashion for them.
My teacher and I discussed Japanese traditional arts and crafts. Kanazawa City is one of the representative cities for Japanese arts and crafts. We can learn many arts and crafts there through museums, libraries, craft and art shows and classes. However, the population of the number who is interested in them has been going down. Many young people don’t like Japanese traditional arts and crafts. They prefer Western arts and crafts. It’s really sad.
One of my dreams is to introduce many various Japanese china painting in English all over the world. I told my dreams to my Kutani teacher. He encouraged me a lot. I got a very cute cup for Japanese sake, called 杯（はい、さかずき, Hai, Sakazuki) from my teacher. He painted it to me. It’s painted a dragon, this year’s Japanese-Chinese zodiac. He said that in Kutain every year painters paint the Chinese zodiac for the year on many 杯 and some 色紙 (しきし, Shikishi＝it’s made from paper for painting). They give them to their acquaintances to pray their good luck. I love the tradition!
Kutani Painting with a Japanese Painting Style, Dragon
Kutani Painting with a Japanese Painting Style,
2011 in review
01 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in myself, Review Tags: myself, Review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 7,400 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 6 trips to carry that many people.
A Story of Japanese Chinese Zodiac
29 Dec 2011 4 Comments
in Japanese culture Tags: Japan, Japanese, Japanese culture
Have you heard about Chinese Zodiac? It has 3000 years old in the history. It came from China. Do you know how and why we decided the order of the Chinese Zodiac? Why a cat wasn’t chosen as a member of the Japanese Chinese zodiac?
We have an interesting story about our Chinese Zodiac. I’d like to share the story with you today.
Long time ago, God told to the all animals. Come to my place to greet New Year’s greeting. Who comes to here first? I will make the winner as a leader of next year. All kind of animals made their own plans to win. A cat forgot to the date to go to the God’s place. He asked about it to a mouse. Since he hates the cat, he told a lie. He told to the cat that the date was one day later.
A cow thought that he was the slowest in the animals. So, he decided that he should start to go one day earlier. When he started, the mouse who was very smart looked at it. He jumped on the cow’s back. Without realizing it, the cow arrived at the gate of the God place. He thought he was the winner. However, the mouse jumped down from the cow’s back and ran. He won and got the first place. This was followed by the cow, a tiger, a rabbit, a dragon, a snake, a horse, a sheep, a monkey, a rooster, a dog and a boar. The cat arrived at there one day later. So, he couldn’t join the group. That’s why when cats look at mice, they chase mice because they still blame on it. In addition, when God saw the cat, he told that he should come there after he washed his face again. That’s why cats likes washing their faces.
What is your Chinese Zodiac? In Japan next year’s zodiac is a dragon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac
http://japanese.about.com/od/japanesecultur1/a/100498.htm
My New Year’s Resolutions
22 Dec 2011 6 Comments
in English learning, myself Tags: myself
What are your New Year’s Resolutions? In my case, of course I’d like to improve my painting skills and my English comprehension skills further.
Last year, I made a New Year’s Resolution that I wanted to read 48 books in English. However, after 5 months. I realized that it would be impossible for me. And then, I changed my resolution to read 24 books in English because two years ago I read 24 books in English. I thought I could do it this year too. It’s still hard for me!!!! I haven’t read 24 books in English yet. I know I have still 9 days left, but I don’t think I can achieve my goal. That’s because I still have to read three books in English!!
I have been pushing myself to reach the goal, but I don’t think that I will be able to achieve it.
So, next year, I’d like to become more organized to read books in English. I’m thinking that I’d like to challenge to read 48 books in English again next year! I think if I could read a book in English every single week, I could reach the goal. I really would love to challenge it again! Way to go, Yumi!!!
In addition, I’d like to add to write that I’d like to watch American dramas in English without any subtitles every single day next year. This year, although I watched many American dramas and movies in English without any subtitles, I couldn’t watch them every day. I’d like to challenge it too.
What is Trendy in Japan Now
16 Dec 2011 2 Comments
in Japanese culture Tags: Japan, Japanese, Japanese culture, Japanese economy, Japanese fashion, Japanese place
I’d like to write about current Japanese trends. As you know, I sometimes go to Tokyo to take my painting class. After school, my friend who loves to paint always takes me to many interesting places in Tokyo. Last time I went to Tokyo, she took me to a street whose name is Okubo (大久保）. The street is next to Shinjuku (新宿). Before our painting school moved to Yotsuya （四谷), I passed through the street to go to our old painting school in Mejiso（目白).
When I looked down the street, I was so surprised because it was full of Korean shops: beauty salons, book stores, theaters, music stores, restaurants, food stands, language schools in Korean, fancy shops where we can buy Korean movie stars’ and idols’ bromides, nail salons and everything! It was my first time to see the street in two years. Okubo street has changed everything. I heard Korean a lot. Even people who were walking around on the street also spoke in Korean with their cell phones. I felt like that as if I was in a street in Korea.
I know that in Japan many young people are very interested in Korean idols and movie stars. We can watch many Korean idols and dramas on TV now. Korean starts sometimes come to Okubo street. That’s why there were so many people at the time. Learning Korean language and watching Korean drams and movies are kind of trendy now. I have some friends who love Korean culture.
When I was young, we were crazy for American culture. My idols were American Hollywood stars. I was grown up with American movies. When I was a kid, American hamburgers were trendy. Many people stood in the long lines to buy them. However, young generation in Japan isn’t interested in American culture. They prefer Korean culture more. Actually, both my husband and daughter love it.
On the other hand, it is very interesting though, even though many Japanese people love Korean culture now, we don’t like buying things made in Korea. It’s very rare for us to see Samsung products and Korean automobiles. However, when I go to America, every time I can see Samsung products and Korean automobiles here and there. I also can watch many commercials of them in the U.S. that I never watch in Japan. Korean products are so popular among American people now, but they are not popular among Japanese people at all.
I don’t know why Japanese people don’t like buying Korean products. I guess that we think Korean products are our copy and a bit out of fashion. That’s why people don’t like it. However, we love Korean culture. It’s very controversial, isn’t it?
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