Class Notes - January 11 - 2004
Tel:
0982-37-0806
E-mail: ahner1@hotmail.com
January 11, 2005
Ururu TV Show, Sundays at 7PM:
Ururu translates to mean "Almost
Cry". It's a television show that depicts Japanese young people living in a foreign country as in a "home stay". The
Ururu part comes in when it's time to return to Japan. The feelings one experiences when parting with a friend can sometimes
be overwhelming, right? But, I thought that the boy on last Sundays' show was faking it. In my noon class, it
seemed that I was the only one that thought so.
Acting Friendly
It is my contention that Japanese
are only friendly to another when the person is in the same group, club, office or family. Somehow, Japanese are taught
to 'look away' when they see a face of someone that they don't know well. Correct me if I'm wrong. You can
E-mail me at ahner1@hotmail.com.
January 6, 2005
A high percentage of Japanese pay
cash for everything, even cars. Some time ago, I heard that someone left a paper bag of 4,000,000 Yen, yon hyaku man,
or about 40 thousand dollars on the bench of a hot lunch outlet. It's called We'sn which comes out to mean, "We Soon",
meaning we get your order to you sooner than the competition. Anyway, the finder turned it in. I haven't heard
if anyone claimed it. Of course, we Americans think it is rediculous to carry so much cash. But, people don't
have checking accounts here. And, they think bank transfers are cumbersome to use, and there is a trusting air, because
(I think) the news outfits don't relate the news in detail. The only place to get local news in Nobeoka is in the PTA
groups or Oyakai Groups (parent-children groups) as gossip.
January 5, 2005
Last night, I found a purse at the
local shopping mall parking lot. There was over 1,000 dollars in it, well (110,000 yen) and several credit cards.
I drove home with thoughts of keeping the contents. But, there was personal stuff in it; pictures, glasses, etc.
So, my honest nature took over.
In Japan, the custom is to give 10% of what is found to the finder/returner.
But, they only gave us a box of cookies that evening. I was disappointed.
I had a 1200 dollar camera
returned to me once. Keiko gave them 120 dollars worth of t-shirts and drinks. That was 13 years ago. I thought
ever since the bubble burst, economically speaking, people are not as generous as they once were, I supposed.
However,
this morning, the woman and her son arrived at our door with an envelope. It contained 20,000 Yen and a message that
indicated that it was the Japanese way to express thanks for someone's help. They drove away in a sporty BMW.
I
have to admit, I feel kind of ashamed of myself. I was feeling kind of selfish. I had mistakenly questioned the
integrity of the Japanese people.
Later, my wife Keiko, took 10% of the 20,000 Yen for her hand in the affair.
After all, she did telephone the persons involved.
.......
The people at Haneda airport were
a little odd. There were so many people crowded in a tight space. I did manage to break through to a couple of
travelers just standing around. We had some conversation. I met a crew from Europe, I forget what country.
One of them spoke English. He said that they were going to Miyazaki to have some kind of scientific conference.
He said that their purpose was to break down barriers of communication. I mentioned that the barriers would most likely
go right back up just after they returned to their home country. He stopped talking to me about then.
There was another girl from Canada.
She teaches in North Western Kyushu, I forget the names of the cities. She's in her last year. She displayed a
face of dismay, but after I touched bases with her, she lightened up and we had some good conversation. She seemed sorry
to have to return to her country sometime soon. She was so young. I can only relate to her by remembering the
time of my last 6 months of college. It was a time of uncertainty, a state of limbo. I wasn't sure what I was
going to do with the rest of my life. Also, the last couple of months of my USARMY stint, I felt a little unsure.
But, at least I was going home and back to college. I suppose it all has something to do with one's goals or not having goals.
January 2, 2005
Shimobashira is the name for little
pillars of frost that spring from the ground on icy mornings in Japan. I have been meaning to see some, but I get up
too late in the mornings. Today was a good day, but I wandered out into the open at about 10:30 AM.
There is another word, hitobashira.
Over a thousand years ago in Japan, when a new bridge was being built, the people wanted to insure that the bridge would be
built safely. So, a young maiden-volunteer was tied to a pillar and offered up. The maiden would drown during
the ceremony, I was told.
http://www.cameraslens.com/strangleritual.html
I never know when to bow in Japan.
I think I bow too much. Probably, my bows look somewhat odd to Japanese. And, I tend to smile when I bow.
I feel a little rediculous when I bow. I wonder if Japanese feel rediculous when they shake hands with someone.
I haven't learned to whisper yet.
In Japan, I probably speak in a louder voice. My Japanese may boom along. I feel that my Japanese listeners are
not really listening. Perhaps, they are recovering from my booms.
I tend to move too close to Japanese
people. When I feel I want to be more friendly, I tend to move closer and smile. When I want to whisper, I tend
to move closer. But, my closeness may disturb Japanese, I feel. Perhaps, they are not used to my sense of proximity.
When I speak to someone, I always
try to get their eye contact. I don't necessarily expect them to keep eye contact with me. But, when I Iisten
to someone speak, I don't necessarily feel that I need to nod and make "listening noises" either. I have noticed that Japanese
almost always look away or downward when they speak to someone. When Japanese listen to someone, they look at them and
nod and make litening noises.
I have been recently watching Gokusen
drama series. I am happy.
http://www.futureblues.com/gokusen/
http://www.jdorama.com/drama_600.htm
Oya Yubi Sedai: a generation of
keitai addicts that use their thumbs so much for entering messages on their cell phones that they are also using their thumbs
to move things, scratch their noses, count money, point at things and ring door bells.
Wan Ko Garu or One Ring Girl: many
Japanese, young women are so keen on not missing a cell phone call that they almost always answer thier keitai cell phones
on the first ring.
December 31, 2004
The baby-boomers of Japan (from
the 1980's economic so called bubble) are now coming of age. They are of child bearing age. So, Japanese are optimistic
about population numbers. It was on the decline. However, the huge group of retirees are wondering if they will be properly
taken of by these so called "Bubble Boomers".
December 2004
It's really mystical about how people
appear in our environment to help us or hurt us. It has something to do with karma, I think. Fortunately there is a
way to purify our senses and environment. Chanting nam myo ho renge kyo cleanses all.
December 2004
Here in Japan, one has to belong
to a group in order to receive consideration. Our neighbors in Kami Igata have offered a helping hand. But, the
neighbors in Matsuyama Town, where we lived for six years, didn't offer us any help. Probably because we didn't join
their neighborhood group where a monthly fee was required and also monthly cleaning activities of around the area were expected
of everyone living in the area. But, six years before we left there, we decided we wouldn't be living there for long, and
we didn't participate in the local activities. It was a decision that I now regret.
December 2004
In my generous tendencies, I have
offered some thoughtful help to people I have known in Japan. They weren't a member of any group of ours. And,
I was turned off by their reaction to my offers of help. It was almost like they didn't want to feel obligated.
I am not sure about this, but it was just a feeling.
December 2004
I was advised one time, "Howard,
don't get too close to people." The advice could have meant...something like...Don't visit their homes, get to know
their families...etc. (as I had thought it meant), but recently I think it meant, don't get too 'physically' close to Japanese.
Well, Japanse require additional space. Also, Japanese are taken aback by my loud voice. (Americans use their diaphram
to extend their voices into the wild blue yonder.) Japanese tend to whisper. And, my booming voice tends to upset them
and make them want to run away.
December 2004
I always imagined that the great
pyramid in Egypt was so huge. But, I was told that it is about 130 meters high. Well, the Asahi Kasei chimney is only
180 meters high. And, it doesn't seem so high, especially when one looks at it from the top of Atago Mountain.
They say that the Asahi Kasei chimney
is the same height as Atago Mountain. But looking from Atago Mt., the chimney looks smaller. ... Taniguchi
If the temperature suddenly decreases
in Autumn, we can have beautiful red, autumn leaves. This year, the temperature fell gradually. So, we won't be seeing
a very different scenery around Nobeoka this year, 2004.
I stopped at a Takoyaki place on
Route 10, Kadogawa. My order only took a few seconds to get. They must have cooked everything in advance.
And, they must have heated my order in a microwave. Well, it wasn't especially delicious. Everyone's trying to cut corners
during these deflated times, I guess.
The Melon Pan shop located near
Homewide in Idekita Town, Nobeoka, sells fresh sweet bread for 120 yen each. People are lined up to get their orders.
The price is twenty percent higher, so it may be a sign that the economy of Nobeoka is picking up. But, the jury is still
out on that one.
Konchan Ramen, Idekita, Nobeoka,
in front of Homewide is said to serve a great bowl of noodles.
A student of mine told me of his
uncle that grew natural vegetables. He sold what he could, and gave the rest to his relatives and friends. His
uncle told them that he wouldn't eat them, because he used a lot of fertilizer to grow them. Well, at least, he was
honest about it. And, the people go on wanting brightly colored fruits and vegestables.
They say that we can change a good
or a bad habit in just 23 days by changing our behaviour.
December 8, 2004
Tontan is pig's feet.
Kantoujin people believe expensive
is best.
Kaiten means open, Heiten means
closed.
There may be a new satellite television
station available to us in Japan. It's called CS1.
A Mijin Baiten is an unmanned shop.
Oseibo is an end of the year present.
Ochuugen is a present given in the
summer.
Joke:
A Japanese man asked the front desk,
"Please call me takushi." The front man says, "OK, takushi." Fifteen minutes later, the same Japanese man asks,
"Please call me takushi." The front man says, "OK, takushi." Fifteen minutes later, the same Japanese man asks,
"Please call me takushi." The front man says, "OK, Nice to meet you, Takushi."
Howard says jumping in place may
be the best way to exercise. It's less dangerous than walking on the streets and can be done in a warm place.
Howard says that he is 52 years
young.
December 7, 2004
Since the start of the "bubble economy"
of Japan, 1980's, many "bubble babies" were born. Many have grown into mature adults of child bearing age.
So, Japanese are hoping that the birthrate will go on the incline.
Gomokuro Hiroba is the name of the
"Square" in Yamashita Douri, Nobeoka. There is a ceramic school called Keisei where one can learn ceramics for 5,000
yen a month, four times a month for an hour at a time. Gomokuro is also the name of a fish that prowled the waters of
Gokase River long, long ago.
The word, tip" comes from the old
days of English barber shops. The hair cut was offered, but there were no established prices at the time. A "tip"
was given up by the customer as an encouragement to insure prompt service.
Foreigners in Japan often refer
to Calpis as "Cow Piss". Japanese refer to it as "the taste of 1st love". They say that Calpis is boiled water
and yogurt.
Some Japanese like to play games.
One game is called Shichinarabi or poker.
Someone said that Vodaphones are
going for 1 yen. On them one can watch television for free.
Kijou is the Japanese word for one's
neighbors.
WHO announced that the Bird Flu
might kill 7 million this year.
Joke:
Three robbers are arrested and sentenced
to hanging over a river. The first robber's head slips through the noose and escapes, likewise does the second
robber. The third robber tells the executioner to make sure that the rope is tight, for he said; "I can't swim."
Students were given homework.
They are to use the five steps to getting to know someone;
1. look,
2. comment or compliment,
3. conversation,
4, lightly touch them, and
5. get their telephone number by saying,
"Maybe we could have coffee sometime...Here's
my telephone number....(hand it to them)...What's yours? (wait for an answer)
A Hataraki-bachi is a busy bee.
A Jou-bachi is a queen bee.
Dan-jiri is a festival in Kadogawa,
held on the second Sunday of November each year. It began 900 years ago. The shrine where it is held was built
250 years ago. Boys and men ride on an omiki (a cart carried by several men) and there are fights that ensue.
Some are injured and some even die. Women and children are not allowed to participate. Some have been seriously injured and
some have died during this festival.
November 25, 2004
We talked about the "idiot light".
My wife watched the red oil light go on several times during the past three days. When the engine stared to smoke, she
decided to have it checked. She was informed that the oil was low. The red flashing light is called the idiot light,
because...
Someone suggested that I take my
broken down computer to Iwamoto Musen, Hyuga. The man is 50 years old and he charged reasonable prices. Tel: 0982-52-3917
November 24, 2004
Entrance fees to the golf tournament
at Phoenix were:
5,000 per day on Saturday.
6,000 per day on Sunday.
The prize money for the top man
was 40,000,000 yen.
1. I was offered fried quail from
my daughter. She spent last Sunday at Toneru No Eki, Takachiho. (Tunnel Station)
2. I was advised to visit Umakase,
Hyuga. (I asked if it was similar to Asahikase.) I was told that there are some steep cliffs, hang gliders at Kome no yama,
and about Green Park where there are some fancy statues. Someone mentioned Isegahama swimming area. It's one of the nicest
beaches around.
3. The fourth Thursday of November
is Thanksgiving, I was reminded. In Canada, it is the second Monday.
August 19, 2004
Wednesday at 10:00 AM
The Bon Odori Dance is not a religious
ceremony. Hideo Murata sang the Bon Odori Song. However, the Samba Bamba was invented three years ago. This new version is
a bit more upbeat.
Yamaga City in Kumamoto has a lantern
dance festival. One-thousand females dance with lighted lanterns. It all started about 1900 years ago when Emperor Keikou
had trouble finding the place on one foggy night.
I asserted that the Japanese media
needs to be more "international". The media needs to report the results of all the olympics, not just the results
of Japanese participants.
July 29, 2004
Cockroach Killer:
Ingredients: potato, milk, butter,
onion and boric acid (50%)
Mix the above and place pieces of
it around the house and say, "Die you silly looking bugs!"
Kawana Hifuku Byouin might be a
good place to treat your skin problems. It is located in Kamiosei Cho, Nobeoka. Ask anyone living near Miyazaki Ken Byouin.
Short Story:
I came upon a couple of young girls
in Hyuga. I spontaneously said, "Hello, how are you?" The one girl said, "What?" I said, "How are you doing
today?" She said, "What?" So, I said, "What's your name?" She, "What?" So, I said in Japanese, "Anata
no name wa nan desu ka?" She showed me her smile and quietly walked away.
What do you say when you don't understand
what's being said?
1. What?
2. Once more, please.
3.
Please write it down.
4. What does it mean?
5. Aloha.
Robbery in Nobeoka:
A 51 year old man robbed a bank
in Idekita Town with a knife. He wasn't wearing a mask. As he made his escape in his car with 580,000 yen (about
$600.00), a clerk noticed his license plate number. The next morning the police arrested him in Kitagawa. He denied
everything. But, his picture was in the bank camera. He is the owner of a bankrupt gasoline station located in
Northern Nobeoka. That's where everyone says, "What was that we just drove by?" He was desperate. (mikomi no nai)
Tip:
Read the Yukan Daily at
the library on a weekly basis. The Yukan Daily has so few pages to it, that it is more convenient to read several issues
at one time.
A boy and her mother saw me at Jusco.
The mother was staring at me. Then, she started to teach her son the English word, book. The boy was asked to
repeat the word, book several times. (I hope he doesn't think I am a book.)
During the war, some people of Nobeoka
went shopping in the countryside. The farmers there didn't want any money. They wanted to trade clothes for food.
The government military sometimes
searched homes and confiscated gold, silver, bronze, brass, and/or iron. The people had to use aluminum pots and pans
if they had them.
Tanabata is coming.
So, write your wishes on small strips of paper and hang them on any bamboo you can find.
I still want to start a "Romanji
Newspaper" in Nobeoka. Does anyone out there want to work with me on this?
Koizumi got a 5,670,000 yen summer
bonus.
Asashoryu could win his fourth straight
basho. Only four others have done it; Taiho, Kitanoumi, Chiyonofuji, and Takanohana.
Meriege has the best Nomihoudai,
"all you can drink beer night." On Monday night, one only needs to come up with 1,000 yen to be able to drink to one's
delight.
Old Riddle: Why does 8 fear
7?
Answer:
7 ate 9.
June 29, 2004
Tue 1200
There's a new English school in
Nobeoka called Peppy Kids or Peou Kizu.
Twenty six percent of some high
school kids think mosquitoes can give us aids with their bites. They believe even dogs and cats can bite us and give
us aids.
Some fifty-two percent of high school
kids in Japan think that aids can be transmitted genetically.
I now hear that all third year classrooms
at Nobetaka have air conditioning. And, I heard that ALL classrooms have air conditioning at Nobeoka Gakuen and
Shougakkan.
June 21, 2004
I asked
a student about her boss and she said that he was an old man. I asked her how old and she said that he was about
fifty. (Humm, I'm fifty-two)
The drinking district in Nobeoka is called Funagura. Some people say,
"Let's go to a Zakaiya!" A Zakaiya is a restaurant where beer and food is inexpensive.
Others say,
"Macchi no iku!" Or, "Nomi ya ga ii!" Or, "Nomi ni ikou!"
June 14, 2004
Nobetaka
will hold their Bunkasai June 19 and 20. It starts at 9:30, the opening ceremonies do. People will begin
to leave at 3 pm.
June 7, 2004
"Shussekisuru"
is attending a wedding.
"Tsukiai" is a friendship
before marriage.
Tofu and pineapple juice rubbed into the skin is said to thwart hair growth.
Father's
Day is not commonly celebrated in Japan. However, just after Mother's Day, my wife looked at me and said, "I didn't get any
presents."
May 31, 2004
"Kousoku is Japanese for by-pass
or toll-road."
We talked about jobs vs. careers. Japanese can't seem to tell the difference. To me,
a career is a pleasure to do. A job is something I must do.
Many are working overtime in Nobeoka.
June 22, 2004
Osu Kisu
Mesu, Man Kisses Woman.
Ai Miyazato won two golfing titles in two weeks. At the age of 19, she is the first
to do so.
One member of this class lives near the ocean in Kadogawa Town. One morning some crows were crowing
outside of her window. Most of the crows sounded like, "Gaa Gaa!" But, one crow sounded like, "Oghayo!"
There
are a lot of Tombi or Kite in the Kadogawa area.
"The crows seem to be smarter than the kites.
When the kites chase the crows, the crows head for the trees and the kites crash into the trees, because they are a lot heavier
than the crows, and they can't stop so quickly."
Roosters have a lifespan of 70 days. The cost ratio of
the feed to feed them and the average cost of a piece of chicken dictates so.
June 2, 2004
We talked about Father's Day.
It lies on the third Sunday of June. Of course, everyone knows that Mother's Day lies on the second Sunday of May.
Well, it's not a well practiced custom in Japan. Most fathers that I have talked to have said that they may have had
one celebration in their lifetimes.
June 23, 2004
What's
going on?
Kantarou Mimizu is a large earthworm, purple in color. It is said to spray out a kind of poison
when disturbed. It makes one's eyes blurry. (It may be a rumor, though.)
Of police cases in Japan,
one hundred sixty six (166) children were victims of child abuse last year. Forty two of them died.
June 9, 2004
According
to Japanese law, a relative is just six grades removed. So, my great great great great great grandfather is not legally
my relative according to Japanese law. I presume that it has something to do with property rights and taxes.
A
distant relative is a "touen". "Souzoku" means inheritance.
To die after your 80TH birthday is "tenju,"
a happy ending. We were drinking beer and telling stories as my neighbor, an 87 year old grandmother, lay on the
tatami a few feet away. It was a new experience for me.
By the way, Nishiko will merge with Higashi high
school within three years. This year was Nishiko's last entrance ceremony. So, there will only be two public high schools
in Nobeoka. There are two private high schools, Ursula and Nobeoka Gakuen. Higashi will teach business and subjects
of a technical nature. (Lower paying job requirements, not college entrance courses.)
June 3, 2004
It was
reported that there is a keen Pre-School that goes by the name of E Hon No Mori. It used to be called Gokase Youchien.
Anyway, someone said that they have a nice, children's library. Also, there is a place in Kijou Town, near Takanabe
that goes by a similar name.
Someone talked about the Giburi Museum, a collection of animation by Hayao
Miyazaki. I believe that someone said that it is located in Mitaka, Tokyo.
Giburi Museum information
June 23, 2004
Manami's
favorite singer is Hitoto Yo. She likes winter best. She once slipped and fell on her back. It was very
painful. Her favorite teacher is Shinko Taniguchi, a mathematics teacher, tall, slim and with short hair. Manami
thinks that Yagichi is handsome.
Yumi's favorite athlete is Ai Sugiyama. Yumi loves Cherry Blossoms.
Her favorite place is Kinkaku Temple in Kyoto. Her eleventh birthday was the happiest because she got what
she wanted for a present. She relaxes in their tatami room. Her dream job is to become a pro tennis player.
Ayana's
best movie is Tonari No Totoro. Her favorite vegstable is corn. Her car would be an F-1 racecar. She is most afraid
right after taking a test. Her favorite book is Harry Potter.
June 16, 2004
I asked Ayana if she thought that
Kanji was really needed in Japan. She said, "No!" "I am Japanese. Kanji was born in China."
June 17, 2004
I asked
for the name of a good optometrist in Nobeoka. We searched in our dictionaries for the meaning of optometrist. One said,
"kengan" and another said, "ganken". In the process, I never received an answer to my question.
Big News:
The
owners of Yamashita Douri decided to overhaul the Yamashita Arcade! It was front page news in the Yukan Daily, or is
it, Daily Yukan?
We also noted that Nobeoka has a great history. Howard gave his opinion that; the people
of Nobeoka are wary of strangers, because their ancestors experienced the bombing of downtown Nobeoka in the early forties
just over 50 years ago. And, they experienced the Seinan War (Seinansensou) where over thirty-thousand soldiers died
just North of Nobeoka at a place called, E No Take about 160 years ago. Many Nobeokers where slaughtered and many moved
away, but they returned to Nobeoka after the hostilities.
June 9, 2004
A "Rirekisho
" is Japanese for a resume.
"Sawa" is a mountain stream.
A man slipped and fell 16 meters near Mt.
Okue, Nobeoka. He was missing for about a month. He was unable to move and had eaten all of his provisions.
"Taishu Shokudou" is Japanese for eating place. I had lunch with Keiko this afternoon. Her fried
rice was excellent. My "Hayashirai-su" wasn't too bad. But, the prices were acceptable. And, the service
was friendly. Even one of the other customers offered to get us some glasses of water.
June 2, 2004
There are five ways up Atago Mountain,
Nobeoka.
Kouyou is Japanese for a look-out
station. Kouyou also means, "mukau umi; face the ocean". Kouyou is also the name of a restaurant. It is located
next to Nishimura-Yamaha - Music Store in Midorigaoka, Nobeoka. The food there is great during the daytime. But,
I can't recommend it for an evening dinner. Perhaps the cooking responsibilities change hands in the evening.
June 24, 2004
Megumi
Shigaki won the Amakusa Triathlon at Hondo City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Her time was 2:05:57. The marathon
was held on an island. The total prize money was $8,000.
Jyuukinetto is a system where information of residents
is placed in the computer by the local policeman. You know, the one that arrives at your house when you first move there
with a notebook in hand.
I was getting a new driver's license and I was upset when the officer was asking
me personal questions about my wife and daughter. I wondered how he knew. And, I wondered if he was being a little
discriminatory. Well, today I was informed that the police have access to the Jyuukinetto. They know when
you go to work, what time you return from work, the names and ages of all living in your home... little things like that.
I'm not sure I like that.
June 17, 2004
Sapporo
Ramen is great ramen.
Kintarou Ame (candy) has a milky taste. Pieces depicting Kintarou's face are
cut off and eaten. It cost about 300 yen.
Youkan candy is soft and yummy.
June 10, 2004
Ganpeki
is a high wave.
Dai Odani is a Big Valley in Hyuga, not a "big tick".
Many have fond memories
of typhoons in their early years. Mr. Kurogi mentioned that his mother used to prepare donuts. His family would
sit around large candles and weather the storm together.
June 3, 2004
"Hankouki"
is the period in a young person's life where contrariness is the order of the day. My daughter is twelve and she often
refuses to speak with me.
"Seishunjuhachi Kippu" is a set of three train tickets where the rider can ride
"nori-houda," until one's heart is content. The set costs 10,000 yen, but one may not use the "limited express" lines
where the train stops fewer times. The "dougo" is the loop train and it stops at every station.
The Seishun
Juhachi Kippu, meaning something like "Youthful 18 Ticket", is a seasonally available railway ticket, which gives you five
days of unlimited, nationwide travel on local and rapid JR (Japan Railways) trains for only 11,500 Yen, or 2,300 Yen per day!
June 25, 2004
Some
cities and at least one prefecture in Japan have rejected the Jyuukinetto, (Citizen Registering System). In view of
the fact that the police are now using the Jyuukinetto for police work, I tend to agree. My question is, Where
do the people of Nobeoka stand on this issue? And, Where does Sakurai stand. They have information like
cell phone numbers, times returning and leaving from work, birthdates, etc.
A Haka-gami is a red piece of paper
that was sent to draftees of the second world war. I wonder if anyone saved theirs. I know that I didn't save
my telegram (draft notice) that came from Nixon in October, 1972.
There is the San-kaiki, jyuu-san-kaiki and
the jyuu-nana-kaiki where people spend a lot of money on ceremonies for the third, thirteenth and the seventeenth anniversaries
of their relative's passing. I must start saving now.
Kuchi-sake-onna is a ghost that sprang up about twenty
years ago in Japan. A woman had plastic surgery that was unsuccessful. So, she ended up with a big mouth, etc.
Kuchi means mouth. Sake comes from the word for tear or torn. Onna means woman. The woman is said to have jumped
into the Japan Sea. Anyway, recently the legend has spread by way of the internet to South Korea. Children there
write the kanji for dog on their hands to ward off the ghost.
Some other ghosts of Japan are Hitotsune-kozo,
the one eyed man. Roku-Roku-Bi, the long necked woman. And, Zasshikiwarashii, a child that wears a kimono that
only children can see.
June 18, 2004
Typhoon
Jane was mentioned. Ms. Yoshida mentioned that she was the one that had to clean the glass lamp used during typhoons
in her household when she was young, because her hands were of the right size.
Mr. Kaharu mentioned that
he attends a UNESCO English conversation class on Wednesday nights from 7 pm in the Shakaikyouiku Bldg. The fee is 4,000 yen
per month, four classes. One of their recent topics concerned the use of chopsticks and how over 1,300,000 pairs are
disposed of in Japan every day. Japanese don't want to use plastic chopsticks because of handling problems and sanitation
reasons. And, forks and spoons are strictly out of the question!
I would have to assume that their teacher
is just out of college. When I graduated from college about 28 years ago, the same kinds of concerns were on my mind.
But, as I look around me these days, I don't see that any changes have taken place because of our ramblings on. It seems
that people don't act on anything until they are personally affected. So, we'll all go on using the wooden chopsticks.
I asked for the name of a good Shokudo, Japanese old style restaurant. I got, Yuu Hausu (Yuu House). It is
located near the Nobeoka Library.
Many are collecting Morotsuka, bamboo shoots or roots from the nearby
forests. They are boiled and placed in the freezer. They are sometimes eaten with soy sauce, a little sugar
and salt. I believe it's called, "Nitsuke".
June 7, 2004
I was
kindly informed that my computer might be covered by my fire insurance policy. My computer was damaged due to lightening
last week. Thank you, Yaeko!
"Zouri" is the name of the Japanese slipper made from "wara".
Wara is some kind of straw, I believe it is straw from rice plants.
The red dot painted on the forehead
of Japanese during a child's ceremony is a charm to ward off evil.
"Ukokkei" eggs are high in nourishment
and low in cholesterol. Eggs are laid only once in three days.
"Yuinoukin" is when the husband pays his wife's
parents about $10,000 dollars after the wedding. The wife's parents pay for the furniture, Hina Dolls, Amado; flying
carp streamers, and many others.
"Ubugi" is a baby's first kimono. It is given during the Miyamairi
ceremony which happens about one month after the baby is born.
June 25, 2004
I learned that there
are older temples and shrines in Japan that provide rooms and breakfast at very reasonable prices, as low as 2,500 per person!
I need to visit a travel agency to get maps and addresses of these places.
June 5, 2004
Tel: 0982-37-0806
"Waka-Ayu
Lady" is the title for Miss Nobeoka. Waka means young and Ayu is the name of the local trout, Sweet fish.
June
12, 2004
Mieko mentioned that she likes "chewy"
rice. I asked her for the Japanese word for moist rice. She said that "shimetta" is the word. Some
day, I hope to learn how to cook Shimetta Rice.
