Discover Japan!

Mom

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 15:50:00 +0000

Hi! It's been waaaaay long time since I posted my last one. I just wanted to write that I started watching CBS new TV show, Mom which is hilarious and touching at the same time. It's about a mom and her mom who used to be alcoholics and try to be sober up. Also the tv shows talk about other topics like those moms friends who committed a crime and had to go to a prison and who has a cancer. It's not just a comedy but also describes real lives for real people. I highly recommend this TV show and I strongly hope that some Japanese ｔｖ station finds about this and put on Japanese TV. In that case, I am curious how all jokes would work in Japanese. Anyway, it's a great show to watch!

Hi there!

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:33:00 +0000

How are you doing everyone who is excited to read my next post?

I am sorry, I said I will upload new post soon, but I never did it!

Well, things around me is hectic and I lost goot time to re-start my blog.

The reason why I started this blog is to improve and maintain my English skill by writing since I came back from Vancouver, Canada (yes, I lived in Canada for 6 months).

However, this blog becomes a tiny tiny bit popular and now it's like not only for myself!

I would like to update something interesting about Japan soon. (this time, seriously)

I think I want start this in December or from 2009.

I am actually going to NYC for a week in December, so hopefully after that.

Or I can do it today if I finish packing!

Anyway, you will see.

mayuko from Discover Japan

Photos

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:19:00 +0000

http://www.flickr.com/photos/discover-jp/

I uploaded the photos of Mountain climbing.

I will write about this later, so check the photos first!

New Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:58:00 +0000

Hello everyone who visits my blog, "Discover Japan".

Here is the news. I'm coming back soon!

I am thinking to renew my blog style and shere Japanese culture, my thoughts, photos and more.

So, I will post my articles constantly again.

I hope to have all of you again.

See you soon :)

Annoucement

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:56:00 +0000

Thank you for visiting my blog :) I like providing everything about my culture, Japan. Also, I think this is great to share ideas with you from all over the world.

Now, for some personal reasons, I will take a short break here. Hopefully, I can write my blog soon :) I will be back again!

Thanks for reading.

Shibuya

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Tue, 06 May 2008 03:19:00 +0000

Photos of Shibuya

The Soul of Japan, Bushido

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 07:29:00 +0000

If you are ever fascinated by Samurai or Ninja, you definitely should read this book, called “Bushido (武士道)”. This book is not only talking about Samurai but also about how Japanese interprets matters and how they act against it.

Bushido is the book about “The Soul of Japan”. You could know the basis of Japanese soul a (Behavior, Loyalty, Duty, Education, Etiquette etc), and how special country Japanese is from this book. For example, when you give a present for someone, what do you say or do? Probably, you tell the person how nice the present is. However, Japanese people say “Tsumaranai Mono Desuga(つまらないものですが)” which means “Please accept my small gift” which might sound strange to some of you. Japanese people think that no gift is enough for the person who receives it. The gift is like a symbol of feeling toward the person.

The writer of Bushido is Inazo Nitobe (新渡戸稲造) who was painted in Japanese 5000 yen bill before. He was born in 1862 in Morioka prefecture, Northern Japan. He became a Christian in his agricultural school in Hokkaido. He went to Johns Hopkins University in the U.S and Universität Bonn in Germany. In 1891, he got married toMary Elkington who was an American. Inazo eventually became an administrative vice-minister for the United Nations. He wrote Bushido in English during his medical treatment. The book was translated into many languages, and it affected people all over the world.

I recommend this book even to Japanese people. This is interesting to see Japanese culture from the outside. Things we do is normal for us, but sometimes it is very special and even curious when it is compared to other countries. Check out this book, and find out Japanese soul!

Yokohama Bay Stars V.S. Hanshin Tigers

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:55:00 +0000

I went go baseball game again! Today's game was Japanese professional baseball game.

Hanshin Tigers V.S. Yokohama Bay Stars in Yokohama stadium.

Again, Japanese charactors on the board. Does anyone feel strange? lol

This is how Japanese baseball fun cheer up their teams. They sing all the time...

I was at Bay Stars side. You can see blue color all over. That's the team color.

The other side is Tigers'. Yellow is all over!

And this picture is after the moment Takahiro Arai in Hanshin Tigers acheived his 1000th hit!

Yokohama Bay Stars' Dance performance. The charactors look cute :) Their faces are star.

Today's game was awsome. After Arai's 1000th hit,

Timonori Kanemoto acheieved his 2000th hit!! What a great show!

He is 37th player who made the 2000th hit record in Japan. Omedeto!!

Sakura in Shinjukugyoen

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 07:47:00 +0000

I went to see Sakura(cherry blossoms) in Shinjukugyoen (新宿御苑) whish is huge and histrical park in Shinjuku ward in Tokyo. Here is about Shinjukugyoen.

Shinjukugyoen has 58.3 ha and the perimeter is about 3.5 km. Here is the map.

It was clowdy when I went there, but Sakura bloomed beautifully.

It was a garden for the Imperial Household, but became national park after war.

I think Japanese people are most crazy nation for Sakura.

People love to just watch and do Hanami party under the trees.

You can get in the part at 200 yen for an adult. I think sports stuff is not allowed, but you can lay down on the ground and relax, and even lunch :)

MLB Opening Game in Tokyo on March 25th!!

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:01:00 +0000

Tokyo Dome. It looks really beautiful at night with light up.

It was really crowded... I saw many people had snacks, bento, and beer in their hand. Before people enter the dome, they had baggage check.

People, people, people!! All seats are sold out on this day, of course.

Manny Ramirez in Boston Red Sox.

Kurt Suzuki in Oakland Athletics. His grandparents are from Japan. He is originally from Hawaii. I think nobody in Japan know about him until this match that there is a Japanese player in Athletics.

Here are Daisuke Matsuzaka!

Dice-K seemed pretty tense at the very begining of the game. he got a home run in the first inning. This is the moment, you really can's the ball though.

Is this information is only in Japan? My foreign friend said this is very Japanese.

The game was nice. I was concentrated on eating hot dog at first :P Anyway, I stayed there till 8th inning. I wanted to stay there but I had to leave there early to avoid crowed. In 10th inning, Okajima in Boston Red Sox pitched and won the game! (I'm sad I missed the inning!)

MLB Opening Game in Tokyo

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 01:30:00 +0000

On March 25th and 26th, there will be season openers in 2008 of Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics in Tokyo, Japan.

This is third time to have the opening game in Japan (NY Mets vs. Chicago Cabs in 2000, NY Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays in 2004)

Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston Red Sox will be a starting pitcher.

I will watch the game on 25th. Hopefully I can show you some photos and write about the game soon!

White Day　-It’s Boys Turn-

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:21:00 +0000

Just right one month later of Valentine’s Day on March 14th, there exist “White Day” in Japan.

Girls present chocolate to boys on Valentine’s Day (refer to Valentine’s Day) and it is the day that girls confess their love to boys. Then what is White Day? If you receive chocolate on Valentine’s Day, you “have to” give them back sweets like candy, marshmallow and white chocolate to girls. This day is originally born in Japan.

These days, I see boys are buying sweets preparing for White Day. It is said that it is manner to give back to girls something deserves three times. So, boys simply can’t give cheep sweets to girls.

White Day custom is carrying out in Taiwan and Korea as well. I know there are black day, yellow day, rose day etc about love romance in Korea. What about in your country?

The Japanese Sword Museum

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 08:01:00 +0000

Ninja, Samurai, Daimyou…People outside Japan are fascinated by the Japanese culture, especially boys.

There is one maniac museum in Shibuya word, The Japanese Sword Museum (日本刀博物館). Katana (Japanese swords) are displayed all over in the museum. It has a collection of 120 pieces of swords and sword fittings including National Treasure and important Cultural Property.

The fee is 525 yen for an adult and you can get brochure in English. The title of brochure is “Manual of How to Handle and Take Care of Swords”. I found it is quite interesting even you don’t have any Katana. For instance, “Whether drawing out a Tachi or Katana, one must hold the cutting edge up and grasp the scabbard from underneath in the left hand in a forward holding position. Then, hold the hilt from above with the right hand” quotation from the brochure.

I admit the Katana are shinny and beautiful. There are even art. However, I felt it was OK because only Katana are displayed (there is an old Japanese armor displayed though) and maybe girls are less interested in this stuff. If you are Katana mania, this is must-visit place for sure.

The Hip-Hop Black Guy Who Finds Japanese Soul

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 08:34:00 +0000

ジェロ(JERO, Jerome White, Jr) is such an awesome black guy who made his debut as an Enka singer in Japan!

ジェロ was born in 1981 in the Pittsburg, the U.S. His grandmother was Japanese (already passed away), and he was affected by her who loved Enka (演歌, a traditional-style Japanese popular song).

The guy who learned how great Enka from his grandmother went to Pittsburg University majored in science. Since he was fascinated by Enka a lot, he came to Japan to be an Enka singer in 2003. While he worked as a computer engineer in Japan, he was keep singing as an armature Enka singer. In February, 2008, he made his debut as a professional singer with the song, “海雪(Umiyuki, ocean snow)” from Victor Entertainment.

Here is his first song music video, 海雪 by Jero. Check this out!!

You would believe “Japanese” sings this song if you hear only the song itself. The gap with Jero’s appearance which is just like hip-hop guy attracts people in Japan. Jero himself and that singing style (even hip-hop dance with the Enka song shown in the music video) are very fresh and innovative idea.

Now, Jero’s 海雪is in top 10 in music chart in Japan.

*By the way, he says he is not interested in hip-hop songs. He only sings Enka!

Happy Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:55:00 +0000

It's a bit late, but I wish you had had happy Valentine's day!

Here is the link about Valentine's day in Japan from my old post. How was your valentine's day? Did you have good time?

Valentine's Day

Okinawa Sweet, Chinsukou

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 07:47:00 +0000

I’ve never been to Okinawa(south island in Japan), but I am into Okinawa sweet, Chinsukou (ちんすこう) recently. When people went to Okinawa, they definitely would buy it as a Okinawa souvenir.

Chinsukou is one of the traditional sweets in Okinawa. It is made of flower, sugar and lard mainly. It is like a crunchy sweet cookies and good much with Japanese green tea. In acient time, only a royal family and nobles were allowed to eat it when they have some celebrations.

There are so many kinds of Chinsukou; cheese, chocolate, purple sweet potato, pine apple, nuts, raw sugar, salt and so on.

Now that Chinsukou is famous Okinawa sweet, you can buy it in Tokyo or Kanagawa easily. It probably isn’t sold in small supermarkets, but you can find one in big ones.

See more Chinsukou

Out with the demon and in with fortune!

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:39:00 +0000

Setsubun（節分), the day before the calendrical beginning of spring, is one of the traditional events in Japan. The word “Setubun” comes form “dividing the season” originally.

On February 3rd, Setsubun, people scatter roasted beans in the house saying “鬼は外、福は内!/Oni-wa-Soto, Fuku-wa-Uchi! (Out with the demon and in with fortune!)” After scattering beans all over the house, people eat beans as the same numbers of their age. For instance, if you are 23 years old, you need to eat exactly 23 beans.

Beans are considered to have power for cleansing a person of evil influences. Therefore, people take powerful beans into their bodies and it means that beans will have fortune in their house.

Hey, it snowed today in Kanto area. This is my first time to see snow lie on this much here in Yokohama!

Too Beautiful Politician

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 11:02:00 +0000

Yuri Fujikawa (藤川ゆり) is getting into the news as a young and beautiful member of *Hachinohe city assembly. She looks pretty attractive and has idol-look face. *Hachinohe is the city in Aomori prefecture in Tohoku area.

Yuri who has father formally member of Hachinohe city assembly ran for nationwide local elections in April, 2007, and she won the election top. She was born in 1980, and just 27 years old now.

After graduation from Teikyo University, she started to work in an institution of caring old people for a few years. When she turned to be 27, her father tried to win at the election to be a member of the prefectural assembly but he failed. Then, she announced to stand as a candidate for member of city assembly after her father’s fail.

Since people are attracted by Yuri’s youth and beauty, she got really popular and that even made her website down because of too much access.

You will see how she is cute and beautiful visiting her official website. Yuri says she wants to work hard on welfare, but I think she is more likely to bring big economic effect for Hachinohe city. People will visit Hachinohe to see her, or even city may produce some souvenirs or novelty about her. Then, I think her beauty will save the town!

Movie from Youtube, Yuri Fijikawa.

7 Days and Planets

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 02:34:00 +0000

Some of the readers here may already know how to say the day of the week, but I want to introduce them and how to remember them.

Here is the list of the day of the week.

日曜日（にちようび / Nichiyoubi）…Sunday

月曜日（げつようび / Getsuyoubi）…Monday

火曜日（かようび / Kayoubi）…Tuesday

水曜日（すいようび / Suiyoubi） …Wednesday

木曜日（もくようび / Mokuyoubi）…Thursday

金曜日（きんようび / Kinyoubi）…Friday

土曜日（どようび / Doyoubi）…Saturday

In Japan, the week usually starts with Sunday. You can see most calendar has Sunday first.

The only you need to remember is the word before “曜日/ Youbi”; 日、月、火、水、木、金、土. Those words are called “七曜 / Shichiyou” and stands for 7 planets you can see with the naked eye.

日 = Sun
月 = Moon
火 = Mars
水 = Mercury
木 = Jupiter
金 = Venus
土 = Saturn

People say just like日(Nichi)、月(Getsu)、火(Ka)、水(Sui)、木(Moku)、金(Kin)、土(Do) when they count the day of the week. For instance, you can say “土、日は休みです。（どにちはやすみです / Do Nichi wa Yasumidesu” means “I’m off on Saturday and Sunday.”

I know Chinese call the day with numbers, 1, 2, 3 …How do you call the day of the week in your language? Does it also have planets name?

Here is the link about planets on my blog "8 Planets on the Solar System"

Matsushita, National, Panasonic → “Panasonic”

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 02:24:00 +0000

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. has announced to change its company name to “Panasonic” to strengthen the world brand name on 10th January. (The company productions; Lumix for digital camera, Diga for blue-ray disk recorder, Viera for plasma TV etc…)

Matsushita has distinguished the brand name for products; digital electrical appliances for abroad such as plasma TV are called “Panasonic” and white goods for domestic is called “National”.

The company is aiming to appeal the name in foreign markets to compete with other brand by uniting “Matsushita”, “Panasonic”, and “National”.

The origin of “Panasonic” is the created word, “Pan” and “Sonic”. Pan means known throughout the country, and Sonic means sound. Therefore, it totally means/wishes to let the sound of company be known throughout the country.

I think this is a good idea to unit all brand name in one, I somehow feel a bit sad to loose Matsushita and National name at the same time though. Anyway, it is likable to compete and appeal electronic brand in the world, them it will bring costumers good effects.

Do you have any Panasonic product?

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:07:00 +0000

Hi there, this is late but let me say Happy New Year! I hope you will have great year.

Here is a tip, how to say Happy New Year in Japanese.

あけましておめでとう in Hiragana

明けましておめでとう in Kanji

(Both are pronunced like "Akemashite Omedeto")

So あけましておめでとう everyone! I will start to write article again soon :)

Happy Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:36:00 +0000

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!

I wish you happy new year. Lots of love.

Christmas cake that I baked

At my friend's houes

We cooked special dishes for Christmas

Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 01:33:00 +0000

Have you heard of Asimo (アシモ) before? Asimo is humanoid robot which Honda developed. The word Asimo comes from “Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility”. It is not a big surprise anymore that it can go up and down the stairs.

The first Asimo was officially announced in 1996. It has 130 cm tall, and 52 kg. The speed of walking of “Asimo 2005” is 2.7km/h, and can run 6km/h. It is not put on the market yet, but you can lease it from Honda at the cost of 20,000,000 yen per year. Asimo succeed in ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange as the first creature besides human.

In December, Honda announced new technology this year. The new Asimo can avoid people or leave his post to make way for them in front of him. Even some Asimo can exchange information each other by radio, so they cooperate together, for instance one Asimo lead a guest to the table and another asimo brings drink to the guest. What is more impressive, asimo charge battery voluntarily before the buttery run out.

More information about ASIMO

New York Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:26:00 +0000

I was traveling to New York for a week. This post may not be suitable for this blog theme, but let me show you photos of NY I took.

New York Beauty

Family Tree in Japanese

noreply@blogger.com (kayanon) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:46:00 +0000

When you introduce yourself in Japanese, introducing your family might be necessary. Let’s look at a simple family tree in Japanese. You are “Watashi”.

Here is usuful expressions.

I have a elder broterh.

→　(Watashi ni wa) Ani ga imasu. /（私には）兄がいます。

I have a elder sister and younger brother.

→　(Watashi ni wa) Ane to Otouto ga imasu. / （私には）姉と弟がいます。

How many brothers/sisters do you have?