ice cream

When I went to Umeda in Osaka with my friend in the day of Golden Week, I saw this sign. The sign said that May 9 is the day of “ice cream.” This is the day that was decided by Japanese association of ice cream and to let people know this day, member of this association give ice cream to the people for free! The character in the picture is “prince of ice cream” who comes from star of ice cream to let people enjoy ice cream more. After coming back to my house, I researched about the association on the Internet. On the homepage of the association said that this day was established by Tokyo association of ice cream in 1964. (This is former name of Japanese association of ice cream). The purpose of establishing is to increase the sales of ice cream. This day is start of the season of ice cream so they chose May 9. The goal of this association is improvement of quality and manufacturing techniques of iced dessert and to help improvement of diet of people. I did not know the existence of the association before and it was very interesting for me. I think the cost of ice cream which was given by the association was not cheap because so many ice cream were given. However, to attain their goal, they gave it for free.


It was surprising for me because I thought that the purpose of company or some other group is to obtain profit. Sometimes the companies are too eager to earn money. Therefore, some company do illegal action. For example, it was broadcasted that one of the famous Japanese restaurant served the dishes which was served other customer before. It means they served leftovers dishes to the customer. Like this some company do illegal action to earn much money. Therefore, I was surprised to see the way of advertisement of the association. Moreover, I was surprised that the existence of such kinds of association. Then, I realized that even if I live in Japan and I am Japanese, there are a lot of things that I do not know about my country. I become sensitive to the thing witch I do not know or about my own country. It is very important to know about own country because the knowledge of own country help us think and judge about our own country. Therefore, I think people need to keep studying and thinking. Thanks to the class of visual anthropology




http://www.icecream.or.jp/

Japanese way of politics

I would like to tell you about way of politics in Japan.

Recently, as one of the ways to solve the problem of smoking of under 20 years old, card which is called “taspo” come up in Japan. When people buy tobacco by vending machine, people need to stick this card to vending machine. This card is built-in function which distinguish under 20 or not. Without this card, adult cannot buy tobacco by vending machine. Therefore, they need to obtain this card. When people obtain this card, they need to take picture and write their information in application form.

This card is developed by three groups: corporate juridical person of Japanese association of tobacco, the union of cooperative of tobacco sale in the whole country and industry association of Japanese vending machine. Those groups are not related to Japanese government. Those groups are admitted their existence by Japanese law but they are moved by government. Some countries way of politics are communism or socialism so that country’s direction are decided by government. However, Japan is a country which principle of politics is mixing of socialism and capitalism. Therefore, some companies are left administration by their own way. The reason why Japanese government introduce both socialism and capitalism is that to keep the balance of economy and gap between poor and rich. Japanese government believe that if companies can do their way, competition between companies occur and thanks to this competition, Japanese economy will increase. However, Japanese government forbid monopoly of company. That is because if only one company win the competition with other companies, other company bankrupt. Then, a lot of people lose their job and homeless will increase. To avoid those situation as possible Japanese government introduce both socialism and capitalism. Japanese want to enrich economy but they do not want to increase poor people who do not have something to eat in their daily life. Not only Japan but in other countries, this way is introduced.
This way is reflect Japanese thinking. Japanese tend to obtain part of good point in some things. For example, Japanese celebrate Christmas but the most of them are not Christian. The most of Japanese just want to enjoy that day.
Like this, even in politics Japanese characteristic is reflected.


The pictures are vendingmachine which have function of "tasopo"






http://www.taspo.jp/taspo/Management.html

volleyball

Japanese volleyball team



I will tell you about volley ball in Japan. Especially volley ball for mothers. Volley ball is one of the popular sports in Japan. There are two reason of it. The first reason is that volley ball in Japan is strong. According to wikipedia, Women’s volley ball team in Japan got 5 medals in Olympic games. In 1962, Women’s team was called “withes in the East” because Japanese team was very strong. In that year Japanese team got gold medal in Olympic Games. In that year Japan and soviet were rival and their game was attracted the world. Even now the topic about volley ball in this year is sometimes talked in TV program in Japan.
The second reason is that Japanese like team sports. When we think about popular sports in Japan like baseball or soccer, many of them are team sports. Why Japanese like team sports? That is because Japanese has strong sense of group work. We like to cooperate in a group. Therefore, Japanese baseball and American Base ball is a little bit different. American baseball tends to emphasize the achievement of individual. On the other hand, baseball in Japan cares about achievement of team more.
For those reasons volley ball in Japan is popular.






Volleyball is popular among female. In Japan there is “mamasan volley ball”. It means that mother’s play volleyball as hobby. Those mothers are influenced by popularity of volleyball. Some of them are fascinated with volleyball so start volleyball. Some of them are women who did volley ball when they were student or some of them are beginner. Usually player is 6 in volleyball but 9 people play in “mamasan“ volleyball. They play in community center in their town or they participate the volley ball team of PTA(this is community of parents in school) of their children. Even if you are not mother if you are at least 35 years old or you got married more than once, you can join this community. There are a lot of tournament for those “mamasan volley ball” team. LAWSON cup is one of the tournaments of “mamasan volleyball” and it was held on March. This tournament was held by National housewives volleyball League. According to the blog of mother who participate “mamas an volleyball, the practice of volleyball is very hard so it is a little busy to do both housework and volleyball. When the tournament is near, they practice everyday. However, even if the practice is hard, those wives really like volleyball so they can make an effort.
Like this Japanese likes volleyball.

nanakusagayu

I will tell you about rice porridge with seven different spring herbs in Japanese “nanakusagayu” and how this is connect with religion in Japan. In January seventh Japanese eat “nanakusagayu”. Seven herbs are Japanese parsley, shepherd’s purse, henbit, turnip, radish, and so on. In that season set of spring herbs are sold in super markets. By eating it, Japanese believe that we can be healthy in a year and quiet our stomach. In New Year’s Day we eat many foods so, we need to rest our stomach with “nanakusagayu”

First picture is "nanakusagayu" and second picture is one of the seven spring herbs; shepherd's purse.

The “nanakusagayu” has connection with Shinto. Shinto is one of the religions in Japan. According to Shinto in Japan there are the days “gosekku”. In Edo period the shogunte decided that day as ceremnies. January seventh, March third, May fifth, July seventh and September ninth are the days of “gosekku”. This decision was based on a thinking of Shinto. The thinking is that to remove a malicious spirit and have power to defeat all diseases. Then it was decided that in that day Japanese eat “nanakusagayu” for this reason.

The origin of “nanakusagayu” is not known by Japanese. Moreover, a lot of Japanese do not know “nanakusgayu” comes from Shinto. However, the basic purpose of eating “nanakusagayu” has not changed. Therefore, I think even if the origin is forgotten, the hope of people for the future is not change in each period. People hope to have peace in their life.

Kabuki

I will tell you about Kabuki. Kabuki is Japanese traditional entertainment. The origin of Kabuki is in Edo period and made by Izumonookuni. At that time she danced by disguising herself as a man. The reason of it is not clear.




Kabuki is very popular even now, so many people visit Kabukiza. This is the theater that presents only kabuki. The theater is established in Meiji era. A lot of people visit here to see Kabuki every day. In the theater you can get not only entertainment of Kabuki but also delicious food. Moreover, you can eat both in the shop and the theater. It means that you can eat food while watching Kabuki. Kabukiza is in Tokyo. You can see Kabuki also in Osaka, Kyoto and so on.



People who wear kimono is one of the actors of Kabuki. He’s name is ShimanojouKataoka. He is not women but man. In kabuki woman is not allowed to play, so man play women role also. The reason is that it was said that women’s kabuki disturb discipline in Edo period. Man who play role of women is called Onnagata. He is a pupil of the fifteenth Ninzaemon Kataoka. In 1997, he played in Canada.


Kabuki is very popular both Japan and other countries now. The reason is that famous actors like Ebizou Ichikawa succeeded to this name. This incident broadcasted in Japan. People go to the theater to see these actors. Thanks to this, some of the TV programs did a feature on Kabuki. Then, people have started to pay attention to it. Moreover, the plays of Kabuki in foreign country have increased. It is little opportunity for foreigner, so the plays are taken up by medias. If the value of newspaper for kabuki is good thing, foreigners become interested in kabuki. Then Kabuki becomes popular in Japan and foreign country.

I think it is very good thing that Japanese tradition become popular. It will be opportunity for Japanese to rethink their culture and be proud of it and it will be opportunity for foreigner to become interested in Japan. I have never been to seen Kabuki so if I have a chance to see it, I want to go to the theater of Kabuki.

Japanese Tea Ceremony

I will tell you about the condition of Japanese tradition “tea ceremony” now.
Tea ceremony is one of the Japanese traditions. Tea is green tea in Japanese “maccha” People make “maccha” in a certain way when they serve it to the guest and there are a lot of schools. For example, “rikyuryuu” was made by Senrikyu. Tea ceremony is very popular traditions from both Japanese and foreigner. From Japanese view, people who do tea ceremony have image that those people are quiet and good-looking. Therefore, women who want to have husband in a meeting with a view of marriage often say one of her hobbies is “tea ceremony”. If women say that man may regard the women that she become good wife. In that case good wife mean who work hard for husband without saying dissatisfaction. The reason of this kind of vies toward people who do “tea ceremony” is that Japanese people have a feeling of respect for “tea ceremony” itself.
From foreigner view, “tea ceremony” is representative of Japanese culture. A lot of foreigner want experience it at lease once. In one of the schools in “urasenke”, there are seminar of “tea ceremony” for foreigner. Why “tea ceremony” is popular among both Japanese and foreigner? The atmospheres in the room of “tea ceremony” make people calm and forget the stressful daily life. In fact, green tea contains the ingredient that make people relax. Moreover, flowers and ceramics that are used in “tea ceremony” are art of Japan. Therefore, foreigner can see not only “tea ceremony” itself but also another aspect of Japanese tradition.
For those reasons “tea ceremony” is very popular traditions.

breakfast

I will tell you about breakfast in Japan. A lot of Japanese eat Western style breakfast now. The reason is because it is tasty and very easy to make in the morning. We do not have time in the morning so it is very important that we save the time as possible. In the picture, the first one is the breakfast that I eat every day: milk, bread and a fried egg. The birthplace of bread is Mesopotamia and fried egg is America or England. A flavor that you use for fried egg is often argued in Japan. The popular flavors are soy sauce, sauce or salt and pepper.
Many restaurants also serve western style breakfast that is called “morning set”. The contents of breakfast are different in any restaurants. From few years ago, McDonald’s has started serving menus in the morning. The reason why these kinds of menus are popular is sometimes people miss eating breakfast or sometimes it is troublesome for them to make breakfast. Therefore, “morning set” is very popular.
There are many young people who do not eat breakfast in Japan. However, we cannot work our brain without eating breakfast. Therefore, people recommend younger to eat breakfast every day.

http://www.japan-guide.com/topic/0007.html

cell phone

I will tell you about Japanese “keitai” culture.
Japanese cell phone is the most advanced all over the world. There are a lot of functions and most of Japanese people have more than one their own cell phone. When you walk around Japan, you can find the scene like these pictures many times. There are two reasons why Japanese people often use cell phone. The first reason is to kill time. Japanese people do not like to be in situation that they do not have nothing to do. The second reason is that cell phone becomes one of the communication skills in daily life for Japanese people. We often get in touch with someone through cell phone.
“Keitai” has become indispensable thing in our daily life in a few years.

http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=359&pID=1099

cafe

I’d like to tell you about cafes in Japan. Cafes are very popular especially among young peoples in Japan from a few years ago. I guess the reason why Japanese like café is that they seek relaxation in daily life. There are many troubles but people need the time to make them calm and café helps us to feel relax. When Japanese think of café, it is very fine place that serves food and drink. Café is not same like large chains that exist many places. Café reflects the characteristic of a storekeeper. To tell the truth, I am one of the girls who like café very much. The shop in the pictures is my favorite café in Nara. I have not gone there for a long time so I want to go there on this spring vacation.

vending machines

I took a picture of vending machines which are located near to my house.
There are a lot of vending machines and many kinds of it in Japan. Drink vending machine and tobacco vending machine is very popular in Japan. Except those two kinds of vending machine I found an egg vending machine and a battery vending machine. The reason is because I guess vending machine is very easy way to sell something. This fact shows how Japan is safer in terms of public peace than any other countries. There is no one in Japan who steals vending machine.
I realized it through vending machine.


Link→http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2010.html

Japanese characteristics

I took this picture in my hometown. There are a lot of sentence like English which is not correct English in Japan. “Unko” means “excrement” in Japanese. The owner of the house refuses people to let a pet dog defecate. Even if you find some strange words like English, do not surprise but enjoy the mistake.




I recommend foreigner to know about temples in Japan. There are a lot of temples in Japan and it is good way to experience Japanese culture through visiting to temples. Before visiting to temple, I recommend foreigner to study about temple because it will help you to understand and enjoy temple more.