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Posts under ‘Culture’

May 5th is Children’s Day!

May 5th, 2008
by Tina.
1 comment

March 3 of every year is Girl’s day in the Japanese culture and May 5th of every year is boy’s day, also known as Children’s Day. It used to be called Tango no sekku (meaning feast of the banners). On girl’s day the doll’s are displayed, but on Children’s day the carp-shaped Koinobori flags are displayed, as pictured below.

My family never had boys so we didn’t celebrate much of this. However, it was an excuse for us to eat Kashiwa mochi (which are mochi rice cakes wrapped in Kashiwa (oak) leaves.

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Celebrating a taste of Japanese Culture: Hinamatsuri

Mar 3rd, 2008
by Tina.
3 comments

Although I was born and raised in America, my parents have kept me in touch with my Japanese culture. One of the Japanese holidays we celebrate is Hinamatsuri (Girl’s day), also known as momo-no-sekku (festival of peach blossoms) on March 3rd. There are several components to this festival.

  • Display

    Before March 3rd, we put out a display of dolls called the Hina Ningyo on red platforms, as pictured below. The two dolls on the top platforms are replicas of the ancient emperor and empress. On the lower platforms are the subordinates. There are many different kinds of displays and this is just one style. Legend has it that if it this display is not put away after March 3rd, the single daughter can never get married.

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Some cultural nuances in the traditional Japanese culture

Jan 17th, 2008
by Tina.
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  1. Respect

    The culture is based deeply on respect, whether it be business or casual friends. One way to show respect is through formal greeting, where one bows their heads. When visiting someone’s house, it is respectful to say “sumimasen” or excuse me to enter the person’s house.

  2. “Enryo”

    When Japanese people host guests, they often bring out tea or little snacks. It may be considered rude if when they ask you just say okay or yes and start garfing it down. Most Japanese will enryo initially meaning hesitate or say no thank you, but if they insist you are to go ahead and eat, again by saying excuse me. I never got this part of the culture. Perhaps because I am Japanese American and rather outspoken. Usually when I say no I mean no and when I say yes I mean yes. It keeps it clear.

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