Japanese culture - Japanese wedding

Many weddings take place in fall or spring in Japan.  A Japanese wedding ceremony may be Shinto, Christian, Buddhist, or non-religious styles.  It doesn't necessarily match with one's religion.
In modern Japan, a marriage partner could be found by free love, but there are still arranged marriage calls Omiai.
People who can't find anybody they like, can ask a person called "Nakodo san(go-between person)
and she introduces somebody who might match to him(her), so family members will be able to know what kind of family, education, interest, personal background he(she) has before they see each other.  If they don't like their face or his(her) background, he(she) can refuse to see him(her) and ask Nakodo-san to introduce  a different person. 

Either way(regular type and arranged married), once both families agreed in marriage, most couples have traditional Japanese engagement ceremony calls Yui-no and Yui-no gifts are exchanged.
Yui-no gifts are different in each area, but here are the most common things.

Groom brings:

Konbu - Dried sea tangle = wish large family

Surume - Dried cuttlefish = For lasting marriage

Suehiro(Hakusen) - Folding fan = wish lasting household prosperity

Naganoshi -  abalone shells used to be very costly and are widely used in Japan to express well wishes.

Shiraga - The Japanese term for hemp = Symbolic of ties and cooperation of marriage.

Katsuo-bushi - Dried bonito = This is one of the primary ingredients in typical Japanese cooking.

Kinpo - Money   
On a money envelope it is written down that the money is for the obi and usually has about $10,000 to $15,000 in that envelope.

After the groom gives Yui-no gift to the bride, she gives back a gift, too. (Yui-no Gaeshi)
This depends on the person, but usually they like to give money(it's not a lot compare to the groom side),
or a valuable gift such as a watch and/or sake.

Wedding ceremony - Western style weddings are held at the chapel or hotels, and traditional ones are held at a shinto Shrine.

Shinto priest conducts the ceremony with only family members.

After the ceremony the couple can have a reception party.  At the party a nice couce meal is provided and they enjoy several speeches and songs(Karaoke).- (tell the truth I don't know why they do Karaoke though..)

Brides and grooms change their dress several times. For example if they get married with a western styled wedding, they change to a kimono style the second time and another dress on the third time. (I don't know why they need to change so much - They mixed everything. Drink sake with kimono and next they cut wedding cake with wedding dress. Funny!!)

By the way, who pays the wedding ceremony fee depends on each couples.
It is paid mostly by half and half or the groom family pays more than bride's.

Japanese culture - Jugoya- Tsukimi (moon viewing)

The custom of moon viewing held in mid-autumn is called tsukimi, Jyugoya. Tsukimi takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar. It falls on September 22nd in this year.
It's said that this moon viewing custom started around Heian periods (about more than 900 years ago.)

The moon on Jyugoya isn't always full, but it's said that the moon on this night is the brightest and the most beautiful in the year.
Traditionally, we decorate with susuki(pampas grass) and Tsukimi dango (rice dumplings) and celebrate the beauty of the moon.

Japanese believe that a rabbit is making a rice cake on the moon. That's why you see many rabbits and moon motief products in Japan.



rabbit shaped sweets-Wagashi

Here is the famous rabbit story - Once upon a time there were monkey, fox, and rabbit living together.

The three of them met an old man tired down the street(he was a Taishakuten- one of the buddhist gods) and they decided to help him.

The monkey gathered nuts, and the fox caught a fish from a river, and they gave it the old man as food, but the rabbit couldn't get anything, no matter how he tried.
The rabbit was sad, because he couldn't do anything for him and jumped into the fire, in order to give the old man his own body as food.
The old man watched it and let the rabbit rise up to the moon.
After that, all the people remember the goodness of rabbit, every time they look up the moon.

If you focus on a white part of the moon, you can see a man in the moon. - but for me it's hard to see that way  : )

If you focus black shadow, you can see a rabbit is making rice cake like a picture.    - Please try !!

Ganbatte kudasai!!

がんばれ～！！

                                       

               

Japanese culture - Japan /Western culture difference

Princess Masako

    
I have been in the US for a pretty long time.

If I say how long, you think "Oh my gosh, __ Years? Her English is horrible!" so I won't say
how long. : )
Anyway even though I have been in US for __ years, there are many things I still can't get used to and
I think I never will be able to.

1. Going in somebody's house without taking off shoes.
- Sorry, but if it's dirty, I can : )

2. When I go to an American friend's house - Go into their kitchen and get something to drink.
- I just can't do this. Opening somebody's refrigerator feels like I see something I am not supposed to see.

3. When guests come to my house, they come into my kitchen and watch me cook.
    - If they are American and are not used to the Japanese way, they ask too many questions.
     "What is it? -What are you making? - Wow, you use chopsticks for cooking? etc..."

4. When somebody comes over to my house and offers something to drink. Even if they say "NO" -
       I still feel like I need to give them something. -Enryo shiteru kana?(you really don't want anything?)

5. When I go shopping - if I say thank you when I receive receipt, they say "you're welcome"
    -Why you're welcome? -- I am customer !! Docchi ga Kyaku da~!!(Whichi is customer?)

6. When I go to the store and walking down a small isle - if employees come from the other side,
     I have to give them a way.
     -Doushite Nanda~!!(Why!!!!!!!!)

7. I still can't pronounce the American way for Japanese words. - Karaoke, Karate, Toyota,
    Pockemon, etc...
     - It sounds like " Caraoki, Kurari, Toyara, Pokimon. NOOOOOOOOOOO!!- Chigau zo~!!
          Chanto hatsuon shitekudasai. Please pronounce correctly.

8. Japanese does not have plurals. So I just can't get used to it when people put S on Japanese words like
    Tsunami, Kimono, obi etc...
    -Tsunami wa tsunami daro~!

9. Celery and peanut butter combination
    -Cerery and Japanese Mayo is the best!! Kimochi ga warui desyo? - For you.

10. Raw salad bar - like Broccori, peas, mushrooms.
     -Mazui desu! Yak!

11. On business, nobody takes responsiblity. For example I went tov a walk in care when I was sick.
      It was Saturday and my primary doctor was closed. I got a $300 bill later and I called walk in care
       and they said they would take care of it. In this month, I got the same bill.
       - In Japan they have to say their name to let them know who took care of it. If something happens
         after, it's their fault.

12. Unit - like inches, Ft, yard, pounds, ounce, acre, gallon, Fahrenheit.
       -I still don't have any idea~! I still use Japanese themometer, kg scale, cm ruler etc : )

13. American way of social conversation. For example if somebody says, " I will call you tomorrow," or
     "Let's get together next weekend," "Go to lunch next week," etc..- I take it as commitment but not
      for them.
      -This is so complicated to me.

14. Hug!! I still don't know when I should hug people, to who, when etc...Like party, give a hug to this

       person and that person is not?

       Also greeting kiss like picture??  I just can't do this.  -  It's kind of embarassing  : )

  Konna Watashi desuga yoroshiku onegai shimasu.

MegaMall Japan-New Listings

                                                           

                                          Announcement (Oshirase)

We have a couple of  NEW LISTING COMPANIES on MegaMall Japan !! 

KIMONOCARDS

Handmade greeting cards using antique and vintage Japanese kimono fabrics........
Each design on their greeting card is cut by hand, then placed on a high quality card.  They also accept bulk order discount or custom order  for weddings and parties.

They have kimono, yukata, obi, kasuri, shibori fabrics, too!!

KIMONOCARDS  - Website.

                      Japanese-Armor.com

They have full line of authentic reproduction Japanese Samurai Armor (Kikou or Armour), Samurai Helmets (Kabuto), Japanese Swords (Katana), and Japanese Weapons. 

Their Armor has been seen in Movies such as Last Samurai TV Shows like CSI: Las Vegas, Unnatural History, Heroes, History Channel and  Learning Channel; as well as museum, restuarants, hotels, offices and homes all over the world.

Japanese-Armor.com  - Website

                                  Kaz Style Creations

Kaz Style Creations is simple & clean designs by using bright, colorful, and high quality Japanese materials. They are one-of-a-kind, traditional and new Japanese style!

              They use vintage kimono, obi, yukata, shibori and high quality cotton fabrics.

   

              Kaz Style Creations items are great for the gifts, too.

              Kaz Style Creations  - Website

Japanese culture - Japanese and blood type

Most of Japanese people know their own blood type.  The blood type topic is an everyday conversation in Japan.
Why? - because personality depends on your blood type and they believe it.
It started around 1930 and the Japanese embraced the idea of matching personalites with one's blood type.
This blood type distinction almost seems like a superstition for western people, but this is right !!
For example, when you go to party and starts talking with somebody.  - "What is your blood type?"
-This is a common conversation to get to know each other.  -"Oh, AB?" and then the girl will think(-he won't match with me!")  -{ Sorry, this came from my experience - I never had a date twice with AB type guy.  - they just didn't match with me}
 If he answered "Mine is A" - I thought "Perfectioniest! - so you care about small things don't you?" - I dated with blood type A guys but none of them lasted long.

My friend has every blood type in her family.  O, A, B, AB - Her family is very unique and each one has their own personality that matches their blood type.  Tell the truth, I don't know how she handles life with those different blood types.  
My family(in Japan) is all blood type O and my family in here is all O, so we are sooooo SIMPLE.

 I will explain the personality of each blood type, but remember, this is coming from me ( O blood type ).

A
Calm, high standards(Perfectionists) - They are really strong minded.  Type A is artistic and can be shy,
conscientious, trustworthy and sensitve.  They tend to avoid confrontation and feel uncomfortable around people.  They are a perfect employee and student type - but not that fun to be with.

B
Always my way-blood type.  Looks like they are not strong-minded, but they always like following their own rules and their own ideas.  Self centered, following its impulses, and feelings regardless of the consequences, but these blood types are fun to be with.  Unpredicability, Optimisum. They change their mind quickly.

AB
Like an alien - mysterious. They are hard to categorize and understand.  They have a character of A, B, and AB.
rationality, coolness, sensitive, careful, moody, negative.  They don't mind doing favors or helping out as
long as its on their own conditions.

O
Simple !!  Outgoing and very social, creative, popular, love to be center of attention and self confident.
Most flexible type - it seems like matching to every blood type person(surface) even they don't like that person.  Easy going.  Totally different of blood type A - They are not a perfectionist but they think they do things perfectly.
O is very real fun to be around. They have a warm heart : )   O is the greatest!!!  Yattane !!

I don't know this fits to western people, because most of the people don't know their blood type.
If you have Japanese friends, why don't you ask their blood type?