Japanese Things 1-2 Flashcards
(12 cards)
Manga can be both entertaining and educational.
Manga is an important part of Japanese popular culture. It is entertainment for men and women of all ages. But it’s more than just entertainment; it can be educational too.
There are many themes, from science fiction to sports to love. There are also manga about history and about famous people.
The most famous manga artist of Japan is perhaps Osamu Tezuka. He created many great manga including Astro Boy. The subjects were often science fiction and educational. Astro Boy has been made into anime and it became the first Japanese anime broadcast abroad.
It’s a part of Japanese art.
Both TV and movie anime are important entertainment for the Japanese. Those who were born in the 60s (sixties) or later have been watching a lot of anime. Most anime are for children, but there are artistic works too.
Although it is Walt Disney that first spread animation around the world, many great animation works have been produced in Japan as well.
The most famous anime creator today is probably Hayao Miyazaki. His works are internationally known and he has received an Academy Award for animation. Have you watched his famous international works, The Wind Rises, Spirited Away or Howl’s Moving Castle?
They are loved by women of various age groups.
There are several boy bands that are extremely popular in Japan. The most popular boy bands amoung women, for example SMAP and Arashi, belong to a talent agency called Johnny & Associates. Stars that belong to this agency are generally referred to as “Johnny’s”.
These men are good-looking, and many can sing, dance, act, and host shows. They are loved by women of all age groups - from children to successful career women, and even elderly ladies.
If you ask a Japanese woman, “Who’s your favorite Johnny’s?” or, “Who’s your favorite member of Arashi?” she is likely to answer right away with a specific name.
There are various after-school activities.
In many Japanese high schools, studends must join at least one after-school club. There are clubs for many activities. Most high schools have clubs for sports such as tennis or baseball. Students can also join clubs for hobbies, like reading or cooking.
The clubs are often an important part of school life. They often go on camps. Many students make lifelong friends through their clubs.
Club activities can become very serious. For example, high-school baseball is very competitive and the national tournaments are broadcast nationwide. Baseball players who are both skilled and handsome have passionate fans!
Opening of the Chuo Shinkansen line is planned for the year 2045.
The Shinkansen is one of the world’s fastest trains. It travels at 250 (two hundred fifty) kilometers per hour or faster. As of 2014 (two thousand fourteen), the Shinkansen network connects all major cities across Japan except those in Shikoku.
Since going into service in 1964 (nineteen sixty four) the Shinkansen has been getting attention from the world as one of the fastest trains in the world and as a symbol of Japanese technology.
Currently, a project is underway to build the Chuo Shinkansen line in 2045 (two thousand forty five). It will connect Tokyo and Osaka in just over 60 (sixty) minutes at 500 (five hundred) kilometers per hour. It has the possibility to be faster than the French TGV, which is said to be the fastest in the world right now.
Enjoy the traditional architecture and accommodation style.
In Japan, there are two types of inns. One is the Western style hotel, and the other is the traditional Japanese style inn called a ryokan. In many ryokan, you can enjoy the old-style accommodation, Japanese food, and hot springs.
When you enter your room, you will find tea, sweets, and a yukata. Yukata is a kimono-style sleepwear. You can also wear this to the public bath or to the public eating area.
At night, you sleep in a futon on the tatami floor. The futon you sleep on is a thin folding mattress. The top futon is like a comforter. The staff prepare the futon on the floor at night.
They simulate nature.
Many shrines, temples, traditional inns, and large houses have Japanese gardens. These gardens often simulate nature. For example, mountains are simulated by piling up earth, and water is drawn to create small rivers.
Most Japanese gardens are simple in design. They don’t have many flowers like in Western gardens. You will see many trees, moss, stones and pebbles.
Perhaps the most famous Japanese garden is the Ryoan Temple Garden of Kyoto. This very simple garden does not use water. It is only made of pebbles, stones and moss, This garden is said to represent Zen philosophy.
It’s a traditional-style Japanese spa.
The Japanese people have loved hot spring spas for a long time. Because Japan has many volcanoes, there are many hot springs. The spas help you relax and heal your body.
Many spas also have an outdoor bath. You can relax in the open air. Most spas are public baths and we bathe naked.
When you enter the bath, you will see a washing area with stools an maybe a shower. Use the shower or the basins near the stools to wash yourself. When you are clean, you can go in and enjoy the wonderful hot spring.
You can lift your dishes when you eat.
Many different bowls and dishes are used for Japanese food. We use flat plates, rice bowls, soup bowls, and muti-purpose bowls. We also have a Japanese-style teapot and teacups.
On a table you will see small items like chopsticks, chopstick rests, and small plates that are used for dipping food in soy sauce.
You can lift your dish when eating. To do so, use the hand that is not holding the chopsticks. When lifting your cup of tea, try to hold the side of the cup with one hand and support the bottom of the cup with the other hand. It is best not to pick up the flat plates.
It’s rice wine.
Sake is a Japanese rice wine. It has been enjoyed in Japan for a long time. You can drink it hot or cold. its alcohol content is about 15% (fifteen percent).
Sake is brewed by fermentation of rice with malt and water. Clear sake is made by filtering the fermented product. After filtering, it is stored for six months or longer. Just like with wine, making clear sake is a delicate job.
There are many brands of sake. Every area in Japan has its own local speciality sake. Some are sweet and some are dry.
It’s Japanese vodka.
Shochu is a Japanese vodka made from rice, barley or rye. Sake is fermented, but shochu is distilled. Some brands are also made from sweet potato, unrefined sugar or corn.
Shochu has an alcohol content of about 25 (twenty-five) to 45% (forty-five percent). It is normally mixed with hot or cold water. The production process is similar to that of vodka. The Kyushu region is famous for making shochu.
Shochu goes well with many other drinks, so it can be enjoyed as a cocktail. A popular cocktail called chuhai is shochu mixed with soda water. Shochu is also good with fruit juices.
Sushi is a food made of seasoned rice and a topping.
The word sushi in Japanese means a food made of seasoned rice and a topping. The topping is often fish, but can also be other things. Many non-Japanese people do not distinguish sushi from sashimi, but they are different things. Sashimi is sliced raw fish without any rice.
Sushi may seem simple to make, but some types, like the famous Tokyo style, need professional skill. This type of sushi is a treat for special occasions.
The Tokyo-style sushi is a ball of seasoned rice topped with a slice of fish. You enjoy this in one bite. At home, people make rolls or just seasoned rice with their favorite toppings.
