Furisode is a kind of kimono, and has long sleeves.

They are usually worn by girls and unmarried women.

We don’t wear it so often,  only for special events.

Maybe there are 3 or 4 times for us  to get the chance to wear it in our life.

For example shichi-go-san, graduation ceremony, coming of age day, other’s wedding party and so on.

If you want to know more about Furisode, please click here.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furisode

about shichi-go-san

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shichi-Go-San

Seijinn-siki is the coming of age ceremony.

It is usualy held on the second Monday in January.

In the ceremony, some people give speeches ,and celebrate each other.

If you want to know more, please click this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seijin_shiki

Hatsumoude means first visit shrine during the first three days of January.

When we visit the shrine, we pray for our health or good luck.

This is Japanese traditional action.

Besides we have “sansya-mairi”, it means to visit three shrines.

If you want to know about this, please click here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatsum%C5%8Dde

Osechi are traditional Japanese New Year foods.

These are in special boxes called jubako, which looks like lunch boxes.

The dishes of Osechi have a special meaning to celebrate the New Year and to wish for our health.

For example, Kuromame is a kind of beans, and has the meaning to work harder.

It is interesting that each food has a special meaning.

If you want to know more about Osechi, please click here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osechi

http://www.bento.com/fexp-osechi.html

Fukuwarai is a Japanese traditional toy.

We almost play with this at New Year.

Blindfold the player, and they put the parts of face on the paper drawn the face.

Other people enjoy watching that, and must laugh!!

I found this site to know about Japanese culture.

I think it help you to know more about Japan.

http://haradakun.cool.ne.jp/nihonbunka/newyear_asobi.html

Kagami-mochi is two rice cakes and put a mandarin on top of the rice cake.

 At New Year, we display it in the room.

 In Japan, there is the old belief that at New Year Gods come home, so Kagami-mochi is an offering for the Gods.

However recently we put it as a decoration of New Year.

If you want to know more about Kagami-mochi, please click here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagami_mochi

Many Japanese decorate the front door of houses with a”Kadomatsu” during the New Year holidays.

 “Kado” means a gate and “Matsu” means a pine.

 ”Kadomatsu” is made of bamboo and decorated with flowers and ribbons.

It is said that this is the appropriate way to welcome gods.

If you want to know more about Kadomatsu, please click here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadomatsu

Okonomiyaki is a kind of Japanese food, Japanese style hot pan cake.

We can cook this with any ingredients.

The name of Okonomiyaki means “as you like it “.

We eat with okonomiyaki sauce.

This is very delicious.

Please try to eat Okonomiyaki!!

If you want to know how to make this, please click below.

http://www.eigotown.com/culture/story/kodansha/cooking1-2.shtml

apanese-style hot-plate pizza

This is a traditional Japanese food.

We call it Nikujaga, and this is my favorite food.

It contains potatos, carrots, onions and beef or pork.

We simmer them.

If you want to know how to cook Nikujaga, please click this site.

http://www.eigotown.com/culture/story/kodansha/cooking1-3.shtml

Today, I will introduce one of Japan’s most popular traditional toys, the spinning top.

We call it “Koma” in Japanese, and it is popular among little children.

 I used to play it when I was a kindergartner. 

When we play with it,  we wrap the string around the point and spin it on the ground.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=ONtKfUKlqf4

http://koma.iaigiri.com/

If you want to know more about tops, please click below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top