M em
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JAPAN ese Culture Journey (Shrine)
Illustration - Rai Wang
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Prices for products generally do not include sales tax.














JAPANese Road














2021. January

no. 411
The special exhibition “Anonymous Masterpieces” is being held from December 19 to February 28. This is a virtual reality version of the fictional art exhibition seen in the 2006 anime movie “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.” On the VR social networking site “cluster,” visitors walk around part of a computer generated Tokyo National Museum and admire its masterpieces. Entry: 290 yen.












www.kunjudo.co.jp
This is a popular ekiben from Fukui Prefecture. It’s made with water pumped up from the basement of the manufacturer’s own premises. It is a type of “oshizushi,” which is made by stacking ingredients onto vinegared rice and pressing them together. However, since the pressure applied is weaker than usual, it is easy to eat. A package of 12 pieces sells for 1,600 yen, including sales tax.














Ekiben: boxed lunch sold at train stations

AROMA Cord
This cord-type incense can be cut to your desired length. Besides having a delightful fragrance, it can also be used as a string or ribbon for wrapping presents with. It has a deodorizing and antibacterial effect. There are nine fragrances, including “Deep Ocean,” “Fruity Flowers” and “Smoky Forest.” Each is sold for 800 yen plus sales tax.







Gift for five people. You can't choose the fragrance. 5


In Japan, when we finish a drink from a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle, we take off the cap, wash the inside of the bottle, remove labels from the body and the neck, and separate it from other garbage for disposal. Although this is for recycling purposes, many people feel that it’s a bother.






Recently, “labelless” products, that is PET bottles without any labeling, have been released onto the market one after another. This is because people are spending more time at home due to Covid-19 and as a result are buying water by the case.





Since Coca-Cola (Japan) Company Limited’s “I LOHAS Natural Spring Water Label-less” went on sale in April, many people have made comments such as, “It’s a big help as it saves me the hassle of peeling off or separating the label from the bottle.”







The company conducted a survey of 400 men and women at the end of April into “Attitudes about Sorting Garbage.” The results showed that 70% of the respondents were more stressed by sorting their rubbish than by the necessity of staying in during spring.


Also, Japan Trend Research conducted a survey in September, asking “Do you think a label necessary on PET bottle drinks?” A total of 1,500 men and women took part. According to the survey, the most common reply was “somewhat unnecessary (31.9%).” Taking into account those responding “definitely unnecessary” (25.5%), the results showed that more than half of the respondents thought it was unnecessary.





trend-research.jp/4768/
Government Moves to Do Away with Personal Seals
1. In Japan, from receiving deliveries to submit- ting documents such as birth certificates to local authorities, personalized stamps are used for just about everything.
4. However, stamps will continue to be used in important instances such as transferring own- ership of real estate and the registration of new companies.
3. In a move towards digitization and to stream- line operations, the government is doing away with unnecessary seals.









Current Topics
5. In line with this trend, the major manufactur- ers of seals are developing electronic stamp sys- tems and services.


TEXT
2. In addition, stamps are used for other official purposes by government offices.
however real estate of ownership transferring
and (new) companies of (the) registration such as
important instances in
this trend in line with (the) major (manufacturers) of seals
electronic stamp systems are developing and
services [started]
birth certificates such as documents
for (just) about everything (personalized) stamps are used
do away personal seals to
moves government
seals is doing away with operations
(and) to streamline in a move
in addition stamps government offices by
(other) official purposes for are used
datsu hannko he
ugoki dashita seifu
ya kaisha no touki nado no
juuyou annkenn ni tsuite ha,
hikitsuduki nokosu to shite i masu.
seifu ha dejitaru ka wo sususme, fuhitsuyouna
hannko wo yamete gyoumu wo
ennkatsu ni shiyou to ugoki dashite i masu.
sono hoka, hannko ha kannkouchou de,
koutekina mokuteki no tame ni tsukawarete kimashita.
kono nagare ni awase, oote innkann gaisha ha
dennshi innkann shisutemu wo kaihatsu shi,
sa-bisu wo hajime mashita.
kara jichitai ni teishutsu suru
shusshoutodoke nado no shorui
2. What’s a “kaou”?
3. What’s a “jitsuin”?
4. What’s a “mitomein”?
JAPANese Test
English Japanese AUDIO
TEXT
12
Culture > Hanko Tradition
Questions
a stamp actually used in a contract

a stamp registered with the local authorities





a stamp on which an official name is engraved












a stamp impressed on a document written on washi (traditional Japanese paper)



a stamp used when confessing to a crime




an informal stamp used when, for example, receiving a delivery



a stamp used when agreeing to a marriage or a divorce







1. In 1590, TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi, who had almost achieved the unification of Japan, planned next to subjugate the Korean peninsula.



3. A small island, Tsushima is located in the Sea of Japan, 130 kilometers away from mainland Japan and 50 kilometers away from Korea.


4. The island served as a trading base between Japan and Korea, so, having deep ties with Korea, it was unthinkable for Yoshitoshi to invade.



2. Hideyoshi ordered SOU Yoshitoshi, who had been govern- ing Tsushima with his stepfather, to lead the charge.


1
English Japanese AUDIO
almost (who) had achieved Toyotomi Hideyoshi
next (the) Korean peninsula to subjugate
planned
to lead (the) charge ordered
Japan and Korea between (a) trading base
as (the island) served so Korea
with having deep ties to invade
(it) was unthinkable (for Yoshitoshi)
(a) small island Tsushima
Korea from fifty kilometers away
(the) Sea of Japan in is located
Daitannna koudou de
hobo tassei shita TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi wa/ha,
tsugini Chousen’hantou no seifuku o/wo
mokuromimasu.
Tsushima o/wo osamete ita SOU Yoshitoshi ni,
sono sendou’yaku o/wo meijimashita.
Chiisana shima no Tsushima wa/ha,
Nihon’hondo yori hyaku sanju/130 kkiro,
Chousen yori goju/50 kkiro hanareta
Nihonkai ni ichi shite imasu.
Nihon to Chousen tono boueki chuukei’kichi
toshite naritatte ita tame, Chousen
towa/ha shinkou ga fukaku semekomu nado
kangaerarenai koto deshita.

“Craftsmanship” to be Listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage
Close Up JapanClose Up JapanClose Up Japan








3. The Intangible Cultural Heritage list includes such things as traditional craftsmanship and social customs, which would include festivals and the like.
2. It is expected that it won’t be long before Japan’s “traditional skills, techniques and knowledge of the conservation and transmis- sion of wooden architecture” will be added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
1. In Japan, so-called “shokunin” who create things with their specialist skills can be found in all kinds of fields.
2

4. As of 2020, the list contains 463 items from around the world with 21 of them from Japan, including kabuki, Japanese cuisine and Japanese handmade paper craftsmanship.
5. Skills from 17 areas will be included under the “traditional building skills” listing.
English Japanese AUDIO
festivals includes (such things as) social customs
and the like (which) would include
Japan’s traditional skills
techniques and knowledge (it won’t be) before long
UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list to
(it) is expected (that will be added)
Japan in their specialist skills
with (who) create things shokunin so-called
[people] all kinds of fields in can be found
twenty-twenty [year] as of around the world from
four hundred sixty three items contains
Japan from kabuki Japanese cuisine
and handmade paper craftsmanship including twenty one of them with
(the) list
listing traditional building skills
will be included
mokuzou kennchikubutsu wo uketsugu tame no
denntou gijutsu” ga, mamonaku
touroku sare masu.
ni yotte mono wo tsukuru “shokuninn” to yobareru
hito tachi ga samazamana bunnya ni i masu.
mukei bunnka isann ha denntoutekina kougei gijutsu,
matsuri wo fukumu fuuzoku kannshuu
nado ga taishou desu.
yonnhyaku rokujuu sann kenn ga touroku sare,
nihonn deha kabuki, washoku,
touroku sarete i masu.
niha, juunana bunnya no gijutsu ga
fukumarete i masu.




3. Representatives who win the majority of the vote thanks to a special group of supporters will push policies beneficial to those supporters, cre- ating an extremely solid support base.
4. There are quite a few people in power who practice politics to benefit special interest groups that support them or their own party, rather than for the benefit of the people as a whole.
1. In a democracy, the nation’s representatives are in principle chosen by the majority of the electorate.






Democratic Principles Called into Question
English Japanese AUDIO

5. That’s why in many cases people who didn’t vote for them or those who supported the oppo- sition do not stand to benefit.
Nihongo Spirit
2. In practice, however, if the actual voter turn- out is, say, 70%, the majority is only 36% of the voters. That is, you can rule the country if you get 36% of the electorate to vote for you.





who didn’t people or (the) opposition
those (who) supported do not stand to benefit
(a) democracy in the nation’s representatives
the majority of the electorate by
chosen are in principle
seventy percent say (the) votors
of (the) majority only thirty six percent of is
that is (the) electorate to vote (for you)
(of) thirty six percent only if (you) get
(the) country (you) can rule
a special group of supporters thanks to
(the) voter (the) majority of (who) win
representatives (those) supporters beneficial to
policies will push [it] extremely
(support) base a(n) solid creating
called into question democratic principles
(the) people as a whole of (for) the benefit rather than
(that) support them or (their own) party
special interest groups to benefit politics
(who) practice people in power there are quite a few
kokuminn zenntai no rieki deha naku,
jibunn ya tou wo shiji suru
tokubetsuna rieki danntai no tame ni seiji wo
okonau kennryokusha ha sukunaku ari masenn. shikashi jissai niha, kari ni touhyouritsu ga
nanaju ppa-sennto to suru to, touhyousha
no kahannsuu ha sannjuuroku pa-sennto desu.
tsumari, yuukensha no shiji wo
sannjuuroku pa-sennto dake erarere ba
kuni wo shihai dekiru no desu.
sono tame, ooku no baai, touhyou ni
ikanakatta hito ya hanntaiha wo
shiji shita hito ha onnkei wo ukerare nai no desu.
tokutei no shijisou no okage de
touhyousha no kahannsuu wo kakutoku shita
daihyousha ha, shijisha no rieki ni naru
seisaku wo oshi susume, sore ga kiwamete
kyoukona shiji kibann wo kizuki masu.
minnshushugi deha, kuni no daihyousha ha
yuukennsha no kahannsuu no ikenn ni yori
erabareru noga gennsoku to sarete i masu.
towareru minnshushugi no gennsoku




















“Warabi-mochi” is my third favorite. Even though it is called mochi (rice cake), it has noth- ing to do with rice. It is a jelly-like confection made from bracken starch and coated or dipped in kinako (sweet roasted soybean flour). 3






In second place comes “zunda-mochi.” This is a pairing of boiled mochi and a topping of sweetened mashed edamame (green soybean). I was surprised that edamame could be eaten as a sweet. The sugar actually brings out the sweet- ness and nuttiness of edamame and has more flavor than regular savory edamame. The texture of edamame is also unique. Even though the edamame is mashed, it still has a firm texture. The mochi underneath also enhances the favor of the edamame since it is so plain and not over- powering. 2












“Taiyaki ” is my number one choice. Taiyaki is a small waffle-like cake that is filled with sweet red bean paste and cooked in a metal mold. They are not expen- sive at all; around 100 yen or roughly one dollar apiece, so it is a quick treat that warms my belly. When you take a bite, you can taste the crispiness of the dough and the sweetness of the red-bean filling. Taiyaki is also very easy to find in Japan. There is a small cor- ner shop just few minutes walk from my home. Every time I walk by, I cannot resist the smell of freshly cooked taiyaki. I know it is about time to spend 100 yen! 1

1 100
1












Sushi? No, It’s Wagashi Time

Readers' Contributions Section

(1) I am a French woman who has just started learning Japanese. (2) One day while walking in Ginza with a Japanese friend, I saw a mobile phone fall out of Japanese woman’s bag. (3) So I picked it up and handed it back to her. (4) She took it and said “sumimasen” (I’m sorry). (5) Afterwards, my Japanese friend explained to me, that instead of “arigatou,” “sumimasen” can also be used for appreciation. (6) Sometime later, I was on a jam-packed train and accidentally stepped on a man’s foot. (7) I said to him, “arigatou.” (8) Then he stared at me. Why?
Are you being Apologetic or Appreciative?


(9) Of course he would stare. (10) While “sumimasen” can be used in place of “arigatou,” the reverse is never true.
emphasis suffix




(5)








(9)


27 From December issue, 20102010
12 llustration: YOSHIDA Shinko




I Japanese (who) has just started learning (a) French
woman am one day (a) Japanese friend with Ginza in walking
while Japanese woman’s bag out of (a) mobile phone fall [that]
(I) saw so I picked (it) up and her to handed (it back) she
took it and sumimasen (I’m sorry) said afterwards (my) Japanese friend sumimasen
appreciation for also arigatou of instead [often] can be used that
explained (to me) sometime later (a) jam-packed train (I) was on and <when>
I accidentally (a) man’s foot stepped on I
arigatou said (to him) then he me stared at why
of course (he) would stare arigatou of in place sumimasen can be used
while the reverse is never true
Watashi wa/ha Nihongo o/wo manabi.hajimeta bakari no Furansu.jin
josei desu. Aru.hi Nihonjin no tomodachi to Ginza o/wo aruite iru
to, Nihonjin josei no baggu kara, keitai.denwa ga ochiru no o/wo
mimashita. Sorede, watashi ga hirotte kanojo ni watashimashita. Kanojo wa/ha,
uketoru to, “sumimasen” to iimashita. atode, tomodachi wa/ha “Sumimasen” wa/ha
kansha suru toki nimo “arigatou” no kawari ni yoku tsukawareru to
setsumei shimashita. Sorekara shibaraku shite, man’in densha ni note ita toki
watashi wa/ha ukkari dansei no ashi o/wo funde.shimai.mashita. Watashi wa/ha,
“arigatou” to iimashita. Suruto kare wa/ha watashi o/wo niramimashita. Naze desu ka.
Touzen, niramimasu yo. “arigatou” no kawari ni “sumimasen” wa/ha, tsukaemasu
ga, sono gyaku wa/ha ariemasen.
Ayamatte iru no desu ka
Nihongo no setsumei
Highlights: Shrine Deities



.

Which shrine is visited by three million people (the largest number each year) as the first visit of the New Year to a shrine?


Which reason for describing why so many Japanese people visit a shrine in the New Year is inappropriate?


As a regular event or a kind of recreation.



To pray to a deity so that a wish will be real- ized in the New Year.


To seriously visit the shrine as an act of faith.


Which shrine causes controversy each time a Japanese minister visits it?


Which is the most appropriate explanation of the general feeling the Japanese have about dead people?


Misdeeds committed during a person’s lifetime will taken into account after death.


Misdeeds will not be taken into account after death.



Misdeeds will be forgiven if the person’s rela- tives make a sincere apology at a shrine.



JAPANese Cultural Journey

(Japanese as Culture Assessment Questions)

30
Who is Worshiped at Shrines?
4. T: Shrines are Shinto buildings where deities are worshiped; these range from the Sun god to the spirits of impressive natural features such as mountains, rivers, rocks, and forests, to ani- mals, and even great human beings – anything that inspires awe or a sense of mystery in human beings.
2. Teacher (hereinafter T): Though people usher in the New Year by making wishes at a shrine or temple, for the majority this is a New Year’s event, rather than something religious.
3. FS: I understand that temples are Buddhist, but who is worshiped at a shrine?








Behind the Scenes
1. Foreign Student (hereinafter FS): Most Japanese seem to visit a shrine or temple in the New Year. Are the Japanese that religious?











English Japanese AUDIO
1
T Shrines Shinto buildings are where
deities are worshiped the Sun (god)
from human beings in anything that inspires awe
or mystery a sense of mountains
rivers rocks (and) forests such as
(to the spirits of) impressive natural features to animals and
great human beings even (these) range
FS temples (are) Buddhist that (I) understand
but (at a) shrine who is worshiped ?
teacher hereinafter T the New Year
(people) usher in <celebrate> (a) shrine or temple at
wishes by making though (the) majority
for something religious rather than
(a) New Year’s event (this) is
foreign student hereinafter FS the New Year in
most Japanese (a) shrine or
temple to visit seem [but]
the Japanese that religious are ?
detain/learning/(person) with this/below correct/month
Replace the Sound of Japanese with Pictures





By visualizing an image, you should be able to memorize the word “ame” in seconds. Also, once you have connected the word “ame” with the picture, you will recall it every time it rains ensuring you never forget it. These mnemonics are called “MAMA (Memory Aid Magical Alternative) Method” and you can refer to the Japanese sounds with illustrations of our suggestions for their replacements on the MAMAcon list.

Alternative)


However, you do not have to memorize the list beforehand. When you have looked up the Japanese translation of an English word, you can find an illustration for its stand-in on the MAMAcon list, and picture an image which will easily help you remember that word. In this way, you will be able to memorize anything you see, or any action you do, and will be able to review them each time you come across the same scene.

Words Are Tools to Get What You Want


Most language teaching materials start with an explanation of the grammar. Students are told to patiently memorize this and are made to believe that that is what language studies are about. However, you see babies mastering vocabulary without using textbooks. This happens because they use words as tools to realize their desires. And, by combining words, they come to understand that they can express themselves in more detail.











Studying Japanese, but Not Getting your Point Across



In fact, we often hear from Japanese learners who say that although they studied Japanese with traditional teaching materials, they could
35
Japanese Study Revolution
Being an Apprentice Taught Me the Value of Well-Made Products


Eric CHEVALLIER Strategic Coordinator for Overseas Demand Development



Sakai in Osaka Prefecture is a historic city that prospered from international trade and as a merchant town during Japan’s civil war era (15-16th centuries). It has various traditional industries and is particularly well-known for its cutlery, especially for Japanese-style kitchen knives.

15 16










Frenchman Eric CHEVALLIER is promoting this cutlery mainly to overseas tourists at the Sakai City Industrial Promotion Center. He is renowned for his courteous explanations in French and English and many foreigners now visit the Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum, where he is based.
France


center








Eric’s interest in Japan began through a friend who introduced him to the Japanese language. “I thought it sounded beautiful and started teaching myself while in high school. I then entered the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations and seriously studied Japanese,” says Eric. While there, he became interested in archaeological sites in Japan and learned about Sakai, where the Mausoleum of Emperor Nintoku is located.
Sakai Traditional Craft Museum






Having Been an Apprentice Myself, I Could Give Him the Push He Needed



Mariko CHEVALLIER gave Eric, her husband today, the opportunity to work as a blacksmith’s apprentice. They met while she was studying abroad in France. “Eric was studying Japanese, but he could only speak a little. If we spoke in Japanese for any length of time, he sometimes went home saying, ‘I have a headache.’ It seemed like switching from French to Japanese was hard for him,” she recalls.



France









Mariko had worked in Japan as a kimono tailor. Sewing kimono manually from rolls of cloth is a job that requires special skills. “After studying kimono-making at a vocational school, I trained for three years as an apprentice living in my master’s home.” She says it was a hard life during which she was busy from morning to night cleaning the house and preparing materials for her master. “My training included using a needle with no thread for three months on hard sash padding so that the stitches look the same on both sides of the fabric. My salary was next to nothing. So I would pluck and eat grass from river banks.”



















kimono kimono
Joris VERMEULEN
Konishi Brewing Company
www.konishi.co.jp






46
http://www.konishi.co.jp
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