Stars that Meet Once a Year, Looms that make God Protect Rice Fields and Men… They Want Better Handwriting!
Seems like enough to create a festival around! Why not?
Tanabata means ‘Evening of the Seventh’. It’s known in Japan as the Star Festival. It actually comes from the Chinese Festival called Qixi. The original story and celebration of Tanabata comes from the meeting of two gods Orihime & Hikioboshi (The stars (the ones in the sky) are Vega and Altair).
By custom and how the story is told, these two stars (gods) are separated by the Milky Way and they are only allowed to see each other once a year. Which so happens to fall on the 7th of the 7th month. It varies a bit from regions of Japan, but the festivities usually start on July 7th. It will be held from July to August normally in Japan.
The Tanabata ritual was originated to Japan by the Empress Kōken around 755 AD. It came about because of the “Festival to Plead for Skills”, the Chinese name is Qixi.
The festivities grew in popularity among the public and by the early Edo age, when it became commingled with various Obon or Bon rituals and traditions, and grew into what most know now days as the Tanabata festivities. Ever increasing popularity for these customs concerns the festival changed a bit from one region of Japan to the next, but overall women hoped for better sewing craftsmanships, and men hoped for better hand-writing by jotting down their hopes and dreams on strips of kami-paper. Around this time, the ritual was to use dew on taro leaf to create the pen-ink used to scribe hopes and wishes with. But as time went on, Bon is now held on 15th of the 8th month from the solar calendar, these two are very close together but over all, Tanabata and Bon festivals and events are separate from each other.
Tanabata was read as “Shichiseki” at one time. It’s believed that a Shinto cleansing ritual was invented around the same time, in which a Shinto miko wove a unique piece of cloth on a loom called a Tanabata and offered it to a god to pray for protection of rice and for good harvests. After awhile this ritual intermingled with Kikkōden to become the Tanabata festival event.
What Differences to Expect When Going to School in Japan
Good Japanese Students are Seen Not Heard, American Students are Loud and Opinionated
There are a few things to understand about Japanese Schools and how they relate to American standard schools, and it comes down to the way you are taught, what the teacher expects from you and how you are graded.
In American schools, there is a lot of freedom to expression opinions and to ask questions. In fact, it’s said to be that those who take advantage of this idea are the ones who get the most of out classes in America and get the best grades. Whereas those who go to school in Japan will notice that it’s not as appropriate to ask questions in class, it’s more appropriate to ask questions after class or to ask your friends and classmates instead. It’s more of a virtue to be quiet during class, and by being ‘quiet’ you are seen as a good student in Japan, and with that, your grades can and many times will improve simply based off of that fact alone.
There is no eating or drinking in the class room or sitting on desks in Japan classrooms, whereas in America this custom is beginning to be the normality of going to school. When it comes to studying in Japan be it from 1st grade to University, the teacher will simply write down notes on the blackboard, and you will be responsible for taking down those notes and remembering them. Whereas in America the teachers do not use the blackboard as often and ask questions of the students while teaching. In Japan, it’s not very often you will see a teacher asking questions to their classroom.
When it comes to examinations, American classes rooms will expect you to be able to write down facts, names and history, but not only that but to form your opinion based around it as well. In Japan the notes you took while in class are simply the answers for many examinations, and you simply must just remember the facts. Although these two systems seem very opposite, the formulation of the illegal standards of Common Core in America is quickly leaving American school children behind. At this point although the Japanese system is a bit odd to us westerns, Japan is ranked #2 in schools in education in the world (from 2014) just under South Korea, whereas America was ranked #14.
So either way you want to look at it, Japanese students and the way they teach seem to be working much better then the American standards. No matter what the cultural shock may be, this remains to be a fact. But I often wonder with so much freedom overall given to American students if it creates a different kind of education, more of an opinionated one that could very well be the American spirit of freedom to do what one wishes. If one wishes to become more educated the platforms of doing so are there, as I’m sure it is in Japan if one wishes as well.
If you are interested in going to school in Japan I’d recommend checking out a non profit organization called Go Go Nihon, they will help you find a school in the area you’d like to study in for free (of course you still have to pay to go to school). I’d also suggest checking out my free Japanese learning resources here that will help you become more proficient in speaking, reading, writing and understanding Japanese.
So now you know the differences between Japanese Schools and American Schools!
Everything You Need to Know About Japanese Onsen Etiquette + How to Onsen with Tattoo’s
Japan in it’s history was lavish with tattoo’s, but as times change in Japan (as they often do), the Japanese culture became more and more strict with the usage of tattoos, until now, still in 2016 we see many onsen, santo (bath houses), gyms and hotels will still turn people away who have tattoos that are visible.
Overall this custom bans anyone from entering their facilities if they have a tattoo. So beyond now knowing that tattoos are considered taboo in Japan over all, what else do we need to know about etiquette when it comes to Japanese onsen? (hot springs). Be sure to read through till the end to find out how you can still enjoy the Japanese hot spring (onsen) experience whilst pimping out your favorite ink!
Be sure to fully wash yourself before entering into an onsen or santo. You’ll want to scrub yourself down, then rinse yourself. Many times there will be a stool you can use to sit on while washing.
Remember that in Japanese culture, baths are not for cleaning yourself, they are for relaxing. Many onsen and bath houses will expect you to bring your own towels and soap for cleaning, so be sure to do so. Plus you can save money by avoiding having to purchase the bath houses soap and towels.
Once you’ve cleaned yourself before entering, clean up your area and make it ready for the next customer after you. Also note that taking pictures in an onsen is kind of weird and you should not do it. Although some will allow, I’d say, be respectful of the naked people around you!
Etiquette Rules #2
You can use your towel to cover yourself whilst walking about the onsen or santo. Do not dive or splash in the water, do not wring your towel out in the water. And when you are in the water place your towel on your head. You can also set the towel to the side on a rock if you’d rather. If you need to wring out your towel, don’t do it in the onsen.
Don’t be a pervert. Pretty simple
Do not swim in the onsen, this is time for relaxing, if you want to swim go to a pool.
Etiquette Rules #3
Do not wear a swimming suit or bring a towel into the water to cover yourself. You’ll need to get over being naked in the onsen or santo. This is how things are in Japan, no body really cares. Overall bringing things into the water is shown as dirtying the water. So don’t do it!
If you want shared gender bathing experience go to a konyoku bath. You can also look for a kashikiri-buro bath which is used for families and must be reserved beforehand.
Etiquette Rule #4
Remove your shoes, many onsen have traditional Japanese flooring called tatami mats. It’s customary to remove your shoes before entering upon a tatami mat, so before entering the onsen area with the tatami mat, take off your shoes, and don’t label yourself the biggest gaijin in the world.
Etiquette Rule #5
Be sure to understand what changing room is yours. The women’s dressing room will usually be a large red curtain with the kanji for woman on it 女. If you end up going into the woman’s changing area, you’ll get slapped, head butted then possibly arrested for being a hentai 😛 so don’t do that.
Etiquette Rule #6
Since all onsen and santo are basically buck ass (nude only), you’ll need to place your clothes in a certain location. In the changing rooms you’ll find baskets that you can place your clothes in, many times you’ll have a locker. Don’t leave your stuff just hanging out all over the place, it looks trashy and it’s super rude!
Etiquette Rules #7
If in doubt, ask. Many onsen will have specific rules about their onsen or santo. You can read signs on the wall or simply ask if you are unclear.
This is where many times people with tattoos will need to address the issue if they are unsure the onsen allows tattoos. Still to date, many of these onsen do not allow tattoos but its become more common now days that you can find onsen that allow tattoos or at least be able to cover them up.
So unless you want to reserve a private onsen experience, you’ll need to know the rules of the onsen about tattoos. Tattoos in Japan have a few bad connotations. First is that the famous Japanese gang the Yakuzas have tattoos and second people were tattooed when they were in prison to show that they are criminals. So these ideas are still somewhat strong in Japan and thusly why some onsen don’t want to deal with Japanese or foreigners with tattoos!
But there are a few things you can do if you have a tattoo in Japan and want to enjoy an onsen or santo, gym or hotel. You can simply find locations that allow tattoos (Use Tattoo Spot (it’s in Japanese)) or if your tattoo is small enough you can use a water proof sticker to cover up your tattoo.
Still check with the onsen before hand to avoid any conflicts with patching your tattoo, but many onsen are now allowing patching up their tattoos.
You can purchase Japanese onsen tattoo patches here.
Now you know some simple Japanese bathing etiquette! By following these basic etiquette rules you will impress the owners and the Japanese, and help pave the way to more leniency for tattoos and foreigners moving into the future. Being someone that has a small arm tattoo I’ve been doing my research very thoroughly so I hope you can trust my advice and you can also enjoy the Onsen experience in Japan!
Please the Japanese Train Etiquette Gods by Knowing the 8 Mortal Sins of Train Travel in Japan!
There are some simple things that one should know when moving, traveling or teleporting to Japan. When you ride the train, you should be aware of some simple etiquette. If you fail to do so, you’ll not only get weird, odd and sometimes mean looking faces staring at you, but soon after getting off the train, a ninja may or may not lobe off your head… of course it all depends on what you failed to understand when it comes to etiquette on Japanese trains.
So here are the do’s and don’ts when it comes to riding the Japanese train ways!
Or the ‘How to Ride Trains in Japan’ … or ‘How to Not SIN in Japan’
Here’s a quickie for those that may not believe in the Japanese Train Gods. This is similar to those who don’t believe in god (Christian), yet still show up to church on Christmas Eve. So take it kind of like that for those.. Not so sure about these legendary beings!
Waiting in Line at the Trains and Letting Passengers Off
Make sure you stand in the right line when getting on the train. There will be markers and writing on the ground to let you know where to stand. When the train finally arrives, it’s best to stand off to the side while the passengers depart. Just make sure you get it right…. those train gods can be hard on foreigners, but it’s only so they get it right! Just like a strict parent.
Don’t Chikan and Watch out For Women-Only Train Cars
First of all, it should be rather known, NOT to grab a bunch of butts while in a crammed train car. So I shouldn’t need to go into that, but if you are unaware, this is a major problem in Japan. It’s called Chikan, it’s where a man (mostly) will grab butts and whatever else he can while everyone is smashed in like sardines.
They do this because overall, they know they can get away with it and no one will know, except the chikan’ed (new word?). But because of this there are a growing number of all women train cars emerging. Just make sure you are a woman if you got on one, otherwise, you may get beat up.
Don’t smoke on the Train..
Now days, smoking in public places is not illegal in many parts of Japan. You will end up with an annoyance called a fine if you get ratted out, and trust me, you will. It’s so well known that you do not smoke on the train that they don’t have any signs or recordings tell you not to do it!
There are many times smoking rooms in the stations where you are allowed to smoke. I guess the best bet is… if you don’t see a go ahead and smoke sign. Don’t do it. There will be available smoking rooms and areas not only in stations, but at festivals and in public areas.
Do not eat or drink on the train
There is no eating or drinking in the cars. Wait until you leave the train to continue on munching… as stated above there are certain trains you can eat on, but for overall purpose trains, it’s not recommended… that is all 😛
When Waiting for the Train – Wait BEHIND the Yellow Line.
The yellow line is also called the ‘suicide line’. It’s basically a no go when waiting for the train, do not step over it. It’s also got bumps on it so the blind know it’s there as well. This is also on Japanese sidewalks as well.
No talkie on cell phony!
This is most likely one of the most known rules by foreigners when they hear train etiquette, but that doesn’t mean they still listen to it. It’s best to finish up your call before the train arrives, and if you get on the train while still on the phone, you have a couple more seconds to wrap it up before you literally waken the Japanese train gods and horribly upset them.
But, there are loop holes to the Japanese train gods etiquette rules on the train. You can answer a phone call long enough to let the person know that you are on the train and that you can call them back once you arrive at your station you are getting off on.
It’s best to always have your phone on silent mode. The Japanese actually call this ‘Manner Mode’. There are many message announcements in both Japanese and English that will remind you to have your phone on ‘Manner Mode’.
Trains overall are quiet. So any noise that erupts from a phone will be noticeable.
Give up your seat for Pregnant, Handicapped, Injured, Older Individuals and People with Young Children
This is pretty simple and it comes down to giving up your seat to individuals who more so need your seat then you do. There are priority seating areas on the trains, but many times these people will not use these seats. It’s because of the politeness factor and the ‘I don’t want to be a bother’ syndrome in Japan that this happens.
But either way, there will come a time when these select few of heroes come on to the train and will need your seat. Many times you will know they want your seat by staring at you. If you ask them if they want the seat, they will pull the ‘I don’t want to be a bother card’, but don’t pay any attention to their ‘no it’s okay’s’ just give them your seat. This will make the Japanese train etiquette gods very happy and you will not be slain when you leave the train.
Instead, you’ll be allowed to live another day and you get 1 free get out of jail card which can be used when you accidentally break one of these train etiquette rules! Pretty useful for not being struck down later in your train riding career.
Being Gross and Riding the Train = 3 Public Lashings
Just because there is a lack of deodorant in Japan doesn’t mean you want to me sticking it up in a cramped train. In fact I just watched a very interesting video that explains the reasons Japan doesn’t have very much deodorant in Japan to choose from, and it basically comes down to genetics. Check it out here.
But when it comes down to it, be aware of your stinkiness. Best bet would be to carry some kind of deodorant with you while you travel about Japan especially on the trains! But overall, be sure to avoid heavy metals in your deodorants as that causes cancer. So be selective with your stink be gones, avoid cancer and please the Japanese train etiquette gods all at once.
So that’s it, you now know these very important religious rules from riding the trains in Japan. You may also want to understand the all important Chopstick Etiquette guidelines in Japan… least you be punished by the Chopstick gods.
Some of this information was gathered from this blog here.
Anybody who plans to go to Japan ought to possess a nodding acquaintance using the vocabulary to be able to communicate the locals a bit more bearably. It was discovered out that 75% vacationers who frequent Japan have no understanding of Japanese at all. And if you believe it or not, even the easy words that are utilized daily by the locals. These guests frequently discover it difficult to interact with the native Japanese people, particularly when they are lost or if they want some thing done for them.
These are in my opinion the top 10 Japanese words (categories more so) that can help you while you’re in Japan.
1. Yes and No
These are no brainers when you get down to, you should at least know these words right?
The word for ‘Yes’ is ‘hai‘ (sounds similar to the word ‘high’ but a more pronounced and strong ended)
The word for ‘No’ is ‘iie‘ (which pronounced is ‘E..A’ basically)
It’s better to always answer in a specifics then hand gestures or nodding in Japan.
2. Greetings in Japanese
Japan is a very polite place and it’s known for it’s greetings. Knowing these simple greetings through out the day is a great start to speaking simple Japanese.
• “Ohayou Gozaimasu” is used before about 10:30 am in the morning
• “Kon-nichiwa” — is used after 10:30 am for good afternoon
• “Konbanwa” — is used for Good Evening
• “Oyasuminasai” — this is used for when you or someone is leaving late at night, or going to sleep. For family you can simply say ‘Oyasumi‘
3. Is it Arigato or Arigato Gozaimasu?
“Arigatou” is brief for thank you. The total type is “Arigatou Gozaimasu“. A few of the locals make use of the slang “domo” once they are inside a hurry.
Arigatou (Ah-ri-ga-tou) (R’s are pronounced like an R and L put together) is thank you. But there is a way to make it more polite and by doing so you just have to add ‘Gozaimasu‘ (Go-Zai-Mas). You can also use ‘domo‘ but it’s mostly for in a hurry or for family.
4.Oh Excuse me, “Sumimasen”
If you happen to bump into someone slightly on a train or while walking about you would the word ‘Sumimasen‘ (Sue-Me-Mas-Sen). You can also use this word to get someones attention, which you could then use to ask a question. You would ‘gomenasai‘ if you ran into someone really hard or hurt someone, or did something a bit more abrasive then what you would ‘sumimasen‘ for.
5. Asking for certain things in Japan
Here is a list of commonly asked question statements you can use while traveling in Japan.
• ‘Korewa nan desuka?‘ — asking what a particular object is
• ‘Wa doko desuka?‘ — asking for path or direction
• ‘Nanji desuka?‘ — asking for the present time
• ‘Ikura desuka‘ — just how much will be the item/service? (monetary)
6. Time to say goodbye – “Sayonara”
This is the most ‘Goodbye’ word in Japanese, there are many other words that indicate a fair-well, but ‘Sayonara‘ (saw-yo-na-ra) (remember the r+l pronounciation) is for if you are leaving for a long while (mostly).
You can use ‘jane‘ (Jah-Nay) for friends and for short goodbyes if you will. If you are saying goodbye to a teacher or boss you would use ‘Dewa Mata‘ (Day-Wah Ma-Ta).
7. “Tasukete” — ‘Help’
This word is another way to ask for assistance or to make it simple it’s the word for ‘Help’, similar to ‘Sumimasen’, but it’s mostly used to request for assistance with something in particular you in the present time need assistance with. ‘Tasukete‘ (Tah-Su-Kay-Tay)
8. Pretty Please with Sugar on Top! … okay just please…
There are a few ways you can say please in Japan. One way is by saying ‘Dozo‘ (Doe-Zoh), which is mostly used to request an action from someone, like. Come inside, please drink, please eat.
You can also use ‘Zehi‘ (Zeh-He) to express hope and request. (this is a little advanced, just ‘know it’ for now)
But when in doubt use ‘Onegai shimasu‘ (Oh-nay-guy shi-mas) for please when asking for something.
9. “Wakarimasen”
When beginning to speak Japanese you will be slow to hear words and to speak them, you can say “Wakarimasen” when being talked to and you don’t understand what they are saying. It means basically ‘I don’t know/I don’t understand). (Wa-Ka-ri-Mas-Sen).
10. Bathroom
To avoid leaving a mess in your pants, the best way to ask for a bathroom in Japan is to say “Toire wa doko desuka?”
To-e-ray wa do-ko des-ka
‘Toire‘ is toilet
‘Wa‘ is a particle for is in this case
‘Doko‘ is where
and ‘desu‘ indicates that the ‘wa‘ is used as an ‘is’
FUKUOKA – A rare white namako (sea cucumber) has wowed visitors to an aquarium in the city of Fukuoka recently, prompting many to make their wish for good luck on the marine creature.
The white sea cucumber is thought to be an albino, with its pigments mutated for unexpected reasons. The rare marine life recently debuted at the Marine World Uminonakamichi aquarium in Fukuoka.
Aquarium official Takumi Orii pitched the new exhibit, saying: “It may bring good luck. We’d like people to come and see it.”
The namako is about 15 cm long and weighs 75 grams. A local fisherman found it in January and offered it to the aquarium.
With the assistance of aquarium staff, visitors can even “feel” the namako by touching it, the aquarium said.
So what is all this talk about Japan and their population declining? Some say that they have enough people crammed over there already so whats the big deal? Well lets go through this and really analyze the situation so we can both better understand the decrease in birth rate in Japan.
Right now the Japanese population has one of the lowest birth rates in the entire world. But at the very same time we see that they have the longest living populace. So Japan is leaning more towards the elderly. So if you are looking to learn Japanese, it’s best to start speaking the elderly language (which you can begin learning here).
But to continue on, just a few years ago Japan peaked 128 million people living in the bounds of Japan. The population is set to decline by around 1,000,000 people every single year from now on. It’s said that by the year 2060 it’s estimated that there will only around 80-85 million people living inside Japan. More then half will be 60-65 years of age.
At this pace Japan will not have enough people to take care and support all of the elderly that have retired. This will create huge problem in the long run. But maybe Japan’s robot city will come to the rescue?
But Why is the Japanese Birth Rate So Low?
Well if you checked out my post about how to properly say the word sake (Sah-Kay) you’ll also remember an anime called ‘Welcome to the NHK’ where a hikikomori name Sato locks himself in his apartment, playing games, watching porn and basically just not mingling with the outside world. This syndrome is a real condition in Japan. Most of these hikikomori’s end up shutting themselves in their apartments or at their parents house with absolutely NO human contact beyond those who take care of them.
In fact there are a few government out reach programs whose sole job is to help them come back into society. There is even a program where female outreach therapists known commonly as ‘rental sisters’ come to push the hikikomori out into the world again. Many times these hikikomori’s will become recluse’s because of a rejection by a woman or by general embarrassment in society.
But this can’t be the only reason why the society as a whole is dropping the birth-rate ball? Well, it’s a huge part but it’s also because many people in Japan are no longer getting married, and it comes down to a woman being tied down strictly to raising kids while their husband works 50 hours a week, hoping that koroshi (death from over work) doesn’t sneak in and steal away their husband in the dead of night.
A Japanese husband on average will help with the children and housework 1 hour a day, compare that with western men who help 3 hours a day. It’s a huge difference, and because of this many woman are not looking forward to getting with anyone and starting a family. The Japanese government is looking to push further incentives for house wives to have children and be able to work to pay for their family by offering more government assisted programs for day-care so they no longer have to choose between being able to survive, have children and a husband and not jump in front of a train.
So there you have it, over worked husbands, higher costs of living and hikikomori’s…
As you can already see I attached the first episode of “Welcome to the NHK” above. I’ll be adding this series in the Anime and Manga section soon!
Kongo Gumi – The Oldest Company in Japan is a Construction Business!
Kongo Gumi Co., Ltd. is the world’s oldest continuously running independent company ever to exist, Kongo Gumi can be traced back to 578 AD when it first started. Until 2006 when it was absorbed as a subsidiary. Can you imagine being apart of a company that’s existence has been around 1,400 years?
(PRESS THE CC BUTTON IN THE VIDEO FOR SUBTITLES) A huge three meter (seventeenth century) scroll draws a line back 40 generations to where this humble Japanese construction company began. The company was passed down through sons and a daughters since son-in-laws would be taken into the family name.
Sadly in 2006 they liquidated their assets to a company called Takamatsu Construction Group. Before things fell apart this company had over 100 dedicated employees and a 7.5 billion Yen annual business. ($70 Million USD). Kongo Gumi was a specialist in constructing Buddhist temples. The very last president of this noble construction company was Madakazu Kongo, which was the 50th president of this family to run the company.
Although they are not fully independent they still operate with Takamatsu Construction Group.
The Most Important Japanese Word You’ll Ever Learn!
Prepare yourself for the most epic, of epic, the hero of all words in Japanese.
Sake: It’s very important to know the word Sake (SA-KAY)…. (-_-)….. Yeah I know what you’re thinking. But just wait a minute and let me explain why I want you to know this word… and correctly.
Why is this the most important Japanese word ever? It not only gets you the goods (alcohol), but the real reason I’m writing this is actually to bring you out of your complete Gai-Jin’ness (just created a new word), and make sure you don’t look like a dummy when you say this word in public.
You can read a bit about sake here, but don’t believe everything wikipedia has to say. It’s not saki, that’s a no! Now, if for some reason some Japanese say saki, cool, cite me some references, but ever since learning Japanese (15 years ago), I’ve never heard it pronounced saki.
It’s SA – KAY. Saki (SA – KEY) is not Sake (SA – KAY), it’s not even close, in fact it’s the difference between fermented liquids and a hot blooded Japanese female name Saki. Just because you might be a Western of some kind, doesn’t mean you got to act like one you know? I mean, c’mon. Let’s step up that Japanese and really show your friends, families and best friends girlfriend’s mother what you really know about the Japanese language.
If you can’t order a drink in Japan because you’re asking for a girl name Saki when you say it wrong, you’re not only going to look the fool, but everyone will be confused. Are you looking to hook up with a girl name Saki or you asking for some booze?
Also here’s a super pro Japanese FYI: Sake (Sa-Kay) refers to simply alcohol, it doesn’t always refer to Japanese rice wine. If you want sake in Japan, you can ask for Nihonshu (Ni-Hone-Shoe). Then you’ll get some goodies that way.
Perhaps if you’ve ever seen “Welcome to the NHK” you’ll know this by the sweet ‘innocent’ girl in that anime. Her name was Ms. Saki. But for now you’ve learned a very valuable lesson, and you make it far… Very far in life in Japan by knowing the difference.
You can check out a in-depth informative history of sake piece here, and just to make sure you continue down the right road with your Japanese abilities, you might want to check out my favorite free Japanese learning program online called: Nihongo Master. You can also check out an in-depth list of my favorite free Japanese learning resources here.
I know, this post is crazy, but you’d be amazed how many people don’t know this simple word and its used pretty frequently and it’s not even said correctly. I’ll be sure to keep nitpicking away at other words, just to be a troll. But for now, you are now more Japanese then you were. Congratulations
An over view of the Japanese chopstick etiquette guidelines set in stone by the chopstick Gods themselves.
So here it is, a basic list of etiquette when it comes to eating with chopsticks in Japan. I thought I also give you the regular punishments that happen in Japan for disobeying the chopstick gods. The punishment must be appropriate to the offense, may the Chopstick Gods have mercy on your soul!
I hope my utter nonsensical punishments help you remember your manners when eating with chopsticks! Remember, a the chopstick Gods are ALWAYS watching you, judging every move you make with your chopsticks, so pay attention, and stay alive!
1. Be sure to hold your chopsticks toward the ends. Eating with chopsticks using the very front, makes you
look childish. Practice eating with chopsticks a quarter past the middle. Punishment? Wait? You don’t think looking childish in front of a bunch of people is enough :P?
2. When not using your chopsticks place them on your chopstick placer (which is usually a piece of wood)
or you could if it’s a disposable pair, set them resting the paper cover it came with. Make sure you lay them down
in front of you with the tips to the left, if you place them to the right… well. Just don’t! You don’t want to know what happens.
3. Hiroi-Bashi – Avoid at all costs of being cast into the ocean by passing food from your chopsticks to another’s. This practice is purely used at funerals which involves the bones of an ashed and cremated body.
4. Tsukitate-Bashi – Avoid ever sticking your chopsticks straight into your food, especially into gohan/rice. This is another act done at funerals with gohan/rice that is put into an altar, doing this could get you shipped off to Pyong-yang in North Korea.
5. If you spear your food with chopsticks, a kung-fu master will spear you.
6. Utsuri-Bashi – If you pick a piece of food up and then decide you don’t want it and you put it back down to pick something else up.. That’s called a no-no, soon after you will start to see black and white spots in your vision from the local Shinto priest casting magical spells on you under the direct guidance from the chopstick Gods.
7. Mayoi-Bashi – If you’re indecisive about what you want to eat from your plate or community platter, avoid hovering your chopsticks over food. This is seen as greedy, and you’ll be sleeping with the pigs that night!
8. Sashi-Bashi – If you point with your chopsticks, your Grandmother will be sent to the disposable chopstick work camps based in Hokkaido where she will work until her end of days.
9. Koji-Bashi – Avoid digging for that perfect water-chestnut or french onion, always pick up food from a bowl or dish that’s easy to get to (you know, the top). You’ll be headbutted by the nearest Japanese person if you do so.
7. Waving your chopsticks in the air or playing with them will get you sent to the kiddie table.
8. If you need to tear a piece of food apart, use your chopsticks. This takes practice! But you know you can do it. It’s acceptable to pick up larger pieces of food like tempura and take a chomp out of it.
9. Don’t spread Koodies, if you’ve eaten food from your chopsticks, don’t pick up food from community platter or shared plates with the eating end. Turn your chopsticks around and take from the plate that way and bring it back to your plate first before eating it. You’ll not go to chopstick heaven when you die.
10. Namida-Bashi – Dripping liquid from your chopsticks whilst in the middle of bringing food to your mouth is also a mortal Japanese sin and it will eventual lead to epic sadness throughout the world. You can prevent this by putting
your free hand under the chopsticks while bringing it to your mouth.
11. Yose-Bashi – If you feel frisky you can play with and move your dishes and plates around with your chopsticks. But do this with extreme caution as you will wake the Japanese fang-gore beasts and they’ll eat the cutest puppy and kitten you’ve ever seen right in front of you. (@_@) You’ll need years of therapy..
12. Neburi-Bashi – By licking the ends of your chopsticks, you will not only look like a total gaijin, you will be asked to pay the bill for your entire party and if you don’t, your Grandmothers freedom again is at risk. Don’t be licking the ends of your chopsticks! Very important to remember.
13. Do not swirl your chopsticks in your soup. Why? Because you just don’t do such things in Japan. Be respectful, do that behind closed doors.
14. If you cross your chopsticks when putting them on the table you evoke great wrath from all those around you. This is another touchy moment for the Japanese as it’s another symbol which is used in funeral ceremonies.
Many many moons ago around 1200 BC the Chinese were using what today we would call chopsticks. Around 500 AD these tools of the feed my face trade flew into areas like Vietnam and Japan.
The first chopsticks that have been noted and found were in the ruins of Yin, in the Henan province in China. There were examples of Chinese ascribed scrolls, paintings and pottery that shown the first known chopsticks being used, which were a bronze chopstick set found in tombs.
These chopsticks were available and used for stirring and moving food that was cooking. So at this time chopsticks were more so a cooking utensil. Chopsticks came about because a population increase all across China which sucked up all the resources in city areas and it forced cooks in these aread to start creating ways to develop cost-saving techniques.
Food was being chopped into more fine pieces which required much less cooking (fuel and resources) then before. But whats more perfect then some chopsticks to be able to grab these tiny pieces of food then a chopstick? So as this continued things like knives became obsolete. The chopstick era truly began because of Confucius. Being that Confucius was a vegetarian he saw knives and stabbing utensils as something that would be used in a slaughterhouse.
Confucius also had a mighty strong belief in Feng Shui and he thought that knives evoked warfare, killing and violence which over all destroyed the pleasant feeling and vibe of eating during meals. Afterward this idea sprung into action across Asia. Of course many Asian countries use chopsticks a bit different then some. For example, Chinese chopsticks have more of a blunt end to them, in Japan chopsticks had certain sizes for both genders (7 inches for woman and 8 inches for men).
Around 1878 the Japanese were the first country to make disposable sets of chopsticks made from bamboo and wood. Of course more economically sound families would eat their meals with chopsticks made out of brass, coral, jade, ivory and agate. Most well off families would and still use silver based chopsticks, which are said to turn black when they touch poisonous food.
There you have it, a brief history of the mighty chopstick!
Ha-shi or はし is chopstick in Japanese, which can also mean bridge!
So, はしおください。（ha－shi o kuda－sai）。 Chopsticks Give Me Please!
Be sure to check out my Japanese Chopstick Etiquette Here. (will be posted once it’s complete)
This documentary comes from a series called Begin Japanology. I’ll be sure to be sharing all their goodies with you, because honestly. Their episodes are quick and to the point. Nothing like learning new information about your favorite place on earth right? So sit back, grab some 茶（tea: cha/ocha).
So without further ado, here is
Sushi 寿司
For those in Colorado I suggest checking out: Kazoku on Colfax!
Sushi (すし, 寿司, 鮨?) is a Japanese food consisting of cooked vinegared rice (鮨飯 sushi-meshi?) combined with other ingredients (ネタ neta?), seafood, vegetables and sometimes tropical fruits. Ingredients and forms of sushi presentation vary widely, but the ingredient which all sushi have in common is rice (also referred to as shari (しゃり?) or sumeshi (酢飯?)).Sushi can be prepared with either brown or white rice. Sushi is often prepared with raw seafood, but some common varieties of sushi use cooked ingredients or are vegetarian. Raw fish (or occasionally other meat) sliced and served without rice is called “sashimi”.
Sushi is often served with pickled ginger (ガリ gari), wasabi, and soy sauce. Popular garnishes are often made using daikon.
So I thought today I would go through a basic run down of the history, the quality, the process of brewing and a great course on how to properly drink sake and the rituals based around this wonderful beverage. By the way, PLEASE. It’s pronounced… “SA KAY” not “SA KI” 😛 Now you know.
Sake Basics
There are many types of sake and they are designated to a certain quality group over all. In fact the Japanese government has actually created a list of the types of sake and how they can end up using these labels when marketing. You can view that list near the bottom of this page, but it should show you how important sake is to the Japanese culture over all. English refers to sake as rice wine, but sake in Japanese (or o-sake) can also mean alcoholic beverages over all.
This alcoholic beverage is called ‘Nihonshu’ which basically means ‘Japanese Alcohol’. There are four basic ingredients in Nihonshu. Water, Rice, Koji, Yeast and at times an alcohol filler called Jozo Alcohol. (Not more then 10% in many cases can be used of Jozo)
The way sake is brewed (fermented rice) which is a grain, is more closely related to brewing beer. But it’s easily more adapted to wine then anything. Fun fact about sake is that it has the highest natural alcohol content of all alcoholic drinks. Up to around 22%, but after the brewing process, it’s watered down to about 15% to make it so that more flavors are recognizable.
Although you can purchase undiluted sake which is called Genshu.
But perhaps you are thinking, what about liquor like vodka, rum, whiskey, maotai or cognac? It’s interesting to note that before the distillation processes in these liquors, they only have an alcohol percentage of %6 to %9 percent on average.
Thusly making sake the highest naturally fermented alcoholic beverage found in the world. The sake mash has a alcohol percentage of 22% like stated before.
Sake Brewing Process
In olden times, sake brew masters would operate from autumn to spring, when it’s the easiest to control the temperature. Where as today, sake is brewed all year long because of cooling equipment.
The Process in Detail
Sake is a fermented alcoholic beverage. It contains 11-17 percentage alcohol on average when bottled. It’s viewed as a wine much because it’s created by using rice, which is a cereal grain. But, unlike wine, Nihonshu (sake) has no additives, preservatives and contains no sulfites unlike wine. So from this view point, o-sake is more so a beer because the starch from the rice is transformed into sugar and the sugar is used to finally become alcohol.
The Importance of Water in Brewing Sake
The pure nectar of sake is only as good as it’s basic ingredients, so skipping out on high quality water would be a disaster. High quality water, say from places like Kumamoto-shi in Kyushu (the lower Japanese island) are prime waters to use in sake brewing.
The most suitable water for making sake is high in phosphoric acid, magnesium and potassium. It must also have low levels of manganese and iron. These minerals can cause the sake to lose flavor and can also discolor the final product.
Rice Quality in Sake Means Everything!
Since rice is the main key to the quality of the finalized product. It’s important to pick the highest quality rice so the preparations of creating the sake brew is easily adapted through the rest of the process.
Sake’s over all quality is determined by how much of the outer kernel-husk of the rice is milled off. Milling of the rice removes the fatty acids and protein, which then simply leaves the starch-inner in the center. Which then is used to ferment into sugar.
The more the rice is milled the more the sake increases in flavor and quality by giving it more of a light delicate taste in the mouth.
Koji and Yeast – The Method and Process
Once the rice has been milled / polished to whatever size the brewery is attempting, they then soak and steam the rice. This is when the waters quality really comes in handy for premium sake. 15-25 percent is steamed and set aside to make what is called Koji. The rest is then steamed and cooled and is used for the fermentation in the sake brewing process.
Koji is basically plays the same role as yeast does when brewing wine or beer. Koji is created by dusting fungi spores (aspergillis oryzae) on the steamed rice and set in a high-humidity, high-temperature location for 2 days.
Koji then is placed in water with some yeast and mixed up. The steamed rice placed aside for fermentation is then added, and at this time the yeast will then increase and multiply, this is when fermentation truly begins in the process of sake.
Soon the fermentation will start to create a mixture of solids and liquids. The liquid is removed by filtration, which then becomes sake. Once it has been extracted, it’s then pasteurized at about 62 C (or 140 F) to terminate the enzyme activity in the sake. It can also be filtered extra fine to remove the enzymes instead.
Can you Cellar or Store Sake?
Overall, no. It’s not recommended. It’s best to drink sake within a couple months (unopened) after purchased. Once it’s open it’s recommended to drink it within a couple weeks and its recommended to keep it in the refrigerator at that point.
But there are many factors when it comes to cellaring Sake for the long term. This type of sake is called Koshu. And it’s recommended to store it in sub-zero for the long term. But some brewers have some sake from the early 2000’s that they left at room temperature that they are finally cracking open and selling to their customers. Koshu sake is sort of considered a bit taboo when it comes to it’s process and drinking. But more and more people are finding that this is a brave new world when it comes to sake. I’d say do your research if you plan to personally age your sake to Koshu and perhaps buy some before attempting the long haul of cellaring it.
The History of Sake
Sake has a history of more then 2000 years and counting. The origins of sake can be tracked down to the Yangtse River Valley in China which then dates as far back as 4,000 BC! Sake made it’s way to Japan in 300 BC and it was the Japanese that took the opportunity to mass brew this most delectable beverage.
Since the beginning of sake’s emergence in Japan it has been controlled. At first sake was only brewed for the Imperial Court in Kyoto as well as for Shinto shrines and temples. A department of sake was established in the Yamato Era in the Nara area. This department was created to insure that there was a good harvest of sake for annual festivals, which of course tied into religious offerings.
Before it was known that koji could be used to create sake, it was very common that in these early days of sake that a whole village were involved in what they call “Kuchikami no sake” (chewing mouth sake). Which basically means that a bunch of people chewed rice and nuts and then spit into a barrel in the middle of the village, which then would later become the base for brewing their sake.
I’d say that overall that wouldn’t fly today. Thank god for koji right?
During the Meiji Restoration (1868), it was passed as law that the general Japanese people could start construction and operate their own sake businesses. Soon after this law passed (1 year exactly) over 30,000 breweries opened up inside Japan. (kind of reminds me of the Marijuana business in Colorado).
But with this came HUGE taxes on these breweries, and after a couple decades there was only 8000. (just like the MJ business in Colorado).
Sake is a high taxable product in Japan. In 1898 more then 40% of the general tax income was from sake alone! Today sales tax only equates to around 2% of their total tax income. The quality of sake gradually went down during and after WWII when the Japanese government limited the possibility of using rice in production of alcohol and thus glucose was added which created a very poor quality sake.
Since then, the quality of sake has been improving steadily even into the 21st century. But to date the JSBA (Japan Sake Brewers Association) now represents only 1,800 brewers in Japan. From the tip of Hokkaido all the way to Okinawa.
Sake in Religious Ceremonies
For the 2000 years that sake has been brewed in Japan, it has been used in every sort of ritual, festival and ceremony you can run across in the Japanese culture and history.
Sake is a main part of many Shinto purification rituals. It’s similar to say the wine of the christian and catholic churches. Shinto have several different cleansing ingredients that can be used. Water, Salt, Fire, Sand… and of course Sake.
These temples and shrines started to brew sake in the 10th century, which then became the center of sake production for over 5 centuries. Shinto festivals are responsible for a common sake ritual used even today. During their festivals there was a ceremony called kagami biraki which means ‘opening the mirror’. It’s referred to Kagami mochi (which means – ‘breaking up the rice cake’). Kagami mochi is when wooden casks of brewed sake are opened with a mallet. Which usually takes place at temples, company openings, weddings, election and sports victories or any other type of significant event.
This sake is called iwai-zake which means celebration sake and is freely given to all to spread good luck and good fortune. During the new year, many Japanese will drink a health tonic sake called toso, which is made with Chinese medicinal powered herbs. Toso is similar to iwai-zake and this concoction is soaked over night, and children will even take a sip of this tonic.
This new year sake ritual was borrowed from the China by Japanese aristocrats in the Heian era (794-1185 AD). The ritual consists of three sizes of cup, called sakazuki. The smallest is the first filled with tososan and each family takes a sip starting with the head of the house hold.
Once the first cup is drank, the second and third are filled with different types of sake to be passed around.
Over all there are two basic sake types. You have Futsuu-shu which is Ordinary Sake and Tokutei meishou-shu which is a special designation sake. Futsuu-shu is the equivalent to table wine. Futsuu-shu accounts for the main portion of sake brewed over all.
Tokutei meishou-shu is a premium based sake and it’s degrees of quality are based on how much the rice has been polished. The quality of Tokutei meishou-shu and rice polishing ratio is displayed below:
Ginjo-tsukuri method, good characteristic flavor and appearance
Daiginjo-shu
rice, koji, jozo alcohol
up to 50%
at least 15%
Ginjo-tsukuri method, Excellent characteristic flavor and appearance
Junmai-shu
rice, koji
–
at least 15%
Good flavor and appearance
Junmaiginjo-shu
rice, koji
up to 60%
at least 15%
Ginjo-tsukuri method, good characteristic flavor and appearance
Junmai daiginjo-shu
rice, koji
up to 50%
at least 15%
Ginjo-tsukuri method, excellent characteristic flavor and appearance
Tokubetsu Junmai-shu
rice, koji
up to 60% or special process
at least 15%
Excellent flavor and appearance
Honjozo-shu
rice, koji, jozo alcohol
up to 70%
at least 15%
Good flavor and appearance
Tokubetsu honjozo-shu
rice, koji, jozo alcohol
up to 70%
at least 15%
Excellent flavor and appearance
*1. The rice used must pass an inspection indicating a certain level of quality
*2. Amount of distilled alcohol should not axceed 10% of rice weight.
*3. Label must indicate that actual seimai-buai conforms with sake regulations
*4. Definition of ginjo-tsukuri: Usually refers to the process of using rice with a low seimai-buai (highly polished rice) and cold-temperature fermentation to create the characteristic fragerance of ginjo-shu
Ginjo (吟醸)
Ginjo-shu is made with rice grains from which more than 40% of the outer layer has been removed by milling. Fermentation occurs at lower temperatures and takes longer. Distilled alcohol equivalent to up to 10% of the weight of the polished rice may be added.
It has a fruity fragrance, called ginjo-ka, with a light, that is low in acidity. “Light” does not simply mean “mild” or “diluted.” The sake should also have a smooth texture (mouth feel) and a good aftertaste.
The specific characteristics of ginjo-shu vary by brewer, with the more fragrant varieties designed to highlight ginjo-ka and others designed with more emphasis on flavor and less on ginjo-ka.
Daiginjo (大吟醸)
Daiginjo-shu is a form of ginjo-shu made with even more highly polished rice from which at least 50% of the outer layer of the grain has been removed. It has an even more refined taste and stronger ginjo-ka than ginjo-shu.
Junmai, Tokubetsu junmai (純米・特別純米)
Junmai-shu and tokubetsu junmai-shu are made only from rice, koji and water, highlighting the flavor of the rice and koji more than other varieties. There are no requirements regarding polishing ratio. Junmai-shu is typically high in acidity and umami, with relatively little sweetness.
Junmai ginjo (純米吟醸)
Because ginjo brewing techniques are used in making junmai ginjo-shu, the acidity and umami are toned down and there is a clear ginjo-ka.
Junmai daiginjo (純米大吟醸)
Junmai daiginjo-shu is regarded as the highest-grade sake. The best products in this class deliver a good blend of refined taste with acidity and umami.
Honjozo (本醸造)
In honjozo-shu, the emphasis is on flavor and there is little ginjo-ka or aging‐induced aroma. It has a reasonable level of acidity and umami and rather than asserting the aroma and taste of the sake itself, it helps to bring out the taste of food.
Sake varieties are also distinguished by brewing method.
Shinshu (新酒)
Sake brewed during the current year.
Koshu (古酒)
Matured Sake that has been stored for a long time.
Period of maturation can be authenticated.
Genshu （原酒）
Undiluted sake. Many genshu have a high alcohol content and have strong taste, because there is no addition of water after pressing.
Tezukuri （手造り）
Hand-made
Junmai-shu or honjozo-shu that has been brewed using certain traditional methods.
Namazake (Nama-shu) （生酒）
Usually, sake is pasteurized twice before being bottled.
Namazake （Nama-shu) is sake bottled without being pasteurized at all.
Nama-chozo-shu （生貯蔵酒）
Nama-chozo-shu is sake pasteurized only once at bottling after maturation.
Namazume-shu （生詰め酒）
Namazume-shu is bottled sake pasteurized only once before maturation.
Kijoshu （貴醸酒）
This term derives from ancient Japanese book Engishiki, which records a unique mixing process, shiori, using sake instead of water in the brewing process. There are sub-varieties of Kijoshu, such as koshu, namazake etc.
Ki-ippon （生一本）
The term means junmai-shu brewed at only one brewery, rather than having been blended from more than one brewery.
Taruzake （樽酒）
Cask sake. sake that has been kept in a cedar cask, has its own special aroma.
Hiyaoroshi （冷やおろし）
This is an old-style way of marketing namazume-shu. It refers to sake that has been pasteurized only once and aged from the winter until the following fall before marketing.
Nigorizake （濁り酒）
The moromi is filtered through a coarse cloth which produces cloudy sake, called nigorizake. In the past, it was unpasteurized and contained living yeast. However, these days, much of the nigorizake is pasteurized to stabilize the quality.
I did a little digging today to learn something about Tokyo I was unaware of. Here are a few things I took out of today’s research about the mighty Eastern Capital!
1. Tokyo use to be Called Edo
It started as a small fishing village, first migrated to and settled in 3,000 BC.
Edo continued to grow in Japanese society because of it’s role as the main center of power for the Tokugawa shogunate, which happened to rule the country for around 250 years until 1868. This area was called the Edo period while it went through great change in cultural and economic growth. By 1720 Edo had more then 1 million people living in it. Thus, making it one of the larger cities in the world. Edo changed to Tokyo (which means Eastern Capital) around 1868 when the shogunate period came to a hault and a new emperor, Meiji moved in to Tokyo.
But it’s interesting to note that it’s not officially ever been noted to be the ‘ACTUAL’ capital of Japan. Kyoto has been said to be more of the official capital of Japan over the years.
2. Tokyo Houses More People Then any Other Area Like it in the World!
Tokyo houses around 35 million people inside it’s grasp. More then 13 million reside inside the city center. The city spreads out for more then 5,000 square miles and has been divided into smaller self governing sections over the years. Which include 23 ‘special wards’ that create the inner core of Tokyo, 36 smaller cities, towns and villages and a line of far off islands.
But interesting to note with all the area Tokyo has and being one of the most densely populated cities around, you’ll find it interesting that more then 1/3rd of the bigger metropolitan area has been designated as parkland under the protection of the Japanese political structure.
3. Tokyo is Home to the Oldest Monarchy EVER.
The Japanese Monarchy dates from around 660 BC. The imperial house of Japan has homed over ‘One Hundred Twenty Five!’ monarchs. They’ve been placed on what is called and known as the Chrysanthemum Throne. In 2005 a panel recommended removing the laws restricting monarchy to just men. Obviously nothing since then has happened. The current emperor of Japan is Akihito and he stepped into the throne in 1989.
Fun fact about Japanese Emperor’s. They are never allowed to eat Fugu fish!
4. The Earthquake that Destroyed Tokyo
On September 1st 1923 a monster of an Earth Quake hit Tokyo, hitting 8.4 on the Richter scale, it hit around 30 miles south of Tokyo and unleashed a gigantic burst of terror that damaged both Tokyo and Yokohama. This was called the ‘Great Kanto Earthquake’, it destroyed nearly 50% of Tokyo and killed more then 135,000 people.
Which single handedly makes it the most deadliest natural disaster in Japans history at that time, and it’s second only to the Tohoku earthquake hit back in March 11th 2011. Interesting fact to take to mind about the Tohoku earthquake is that afterwards more then 5,000 Koreans were murdered as the Japanese ‘heard’ rumors about Koreans looting (which were never truly verified). It’s thought they also killed them because of the still touchy 1910 annexation of Korea. Either way, it still shows that things that happened over 100 years ago can still affect peoples attitudes when there is great stress and trauma.
Over all I witnessed more working together then ever before. But it is interesting that, that would still happen.
5. The Bustling Metro System in Tokyo
Tokyo first opened their metro system back in 1927. The mass transit system of Tokyo is the busiest bar none then any city in the world. 9 million commuters traverse this transit system daily and 3 billion annually. Interesting fact, there are employees called oshiya (“pushers”) whose jobs are to actually push more people into the train cars.
Today I was playing around with these two words with Sasha (my wife). At times I at least have a total brain fart when it comes to these two words. Muzukashii and Murasaki. The first being ‘Difficult’ (Muzukashii むずかしい) and the second being purple (Murasaki むらさき).
So I thought I’d make a quick post about these two words in Japanese.
Here’s a great break down for additional ways to use Muzukashii to remember it even better!
Here are several different ways to use
Muzukashii while speaking Japanese.
Muzukashii = is difficult
Muzukashiku nai = is not difficult
Muzukashikatta = was difficult
Muzukashiku nakatta = was not difficult
So there you have it murasaki ha muzukashiku nai!
If you are looking for a great free way to learn Japanese, I high suggest checking out NihongoMaster.com – spaced repetition for the win! Or you can check out several different free methods I suggest here.
At the beginning of this month (February 2016) I randomly thought to check to if it was a Japanese holiday of sorts. Funny find out, on the 3rd (when I checked) it was! Of course already a day late for me, over here in Colorado, USA. But I found that it’s considered to be the start of spring in Japan. I also found something interesting fun facts about it. For example, on this day it’s custom to eat an Ehomaki sushi roll which consists of several different ingredients, then you are suppose to take the Ehomaki roll and eat it in the direction of the ‘new year’ (whatever zodiac that maybe). It suppose to be for cleansing and good luck. But, over all I thought I’d copy a bit of wikipedia over as it explains Setsubun and Mamemaki. There is a bunch of interesting traditions with the throwing of beans.
Check it out:
Setsubun
Also called Bean-Throwing Festival, Bean-Throwing Ceremony
Observed by Japanese people
Type Religious, Cultural
Significance Day before the beginning of spring
Date February 3
Frequency annual
Related to Spring Festival (Harumatsuri)
Setsubun (節分) is the day before the beginning of spring in Japan. The name literally means “seasonal division”, but usually the term refers to the spring Setsubun, properly called Risshun (立春) celebrated yearly on February 3 as part of the Spring Festival (春祭 haru matsuri?). In its association with the Lunar New Year, spring Setsubun can be and was previously thought of as a sort of New Year’s Eve, and so was accompanied by a special ritual to cleanse away all the evil of the former year and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come. This special ritual is called mamemaki (豆撒き?) (literally “bean scattering”). Setsubun has its origins in tsuina (追儺?), a Chinese custom introduced to Japan in the eighth century.
Mamemaki
The custom of Mamemaki first appeared in the Muromachi period. It is usually performed by the toshiotoko (年男) of the household (the male who was born on the corresponding animal year on the Chinese zodiac), or else the male head of the household. Roasted soybeans (called “fortune beans” (福豆 fuku mame?)) are thrown either out the door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni (demon or ogre) mask, while the people say “Demons out! Luck in!” (鬼は外! 福は内! Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!?) and slam the door. This is still common practice in households but many people will attend a shrine or temple’s Spring festival where this is done. The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them. Then, as part of bringing luck in, it is customary to eat roasted soybeans, one for each year of one’s life, and in some areas, one for each year of one’s life plus one more for bringing good luck for the year to come.
The gestures of mamemaki look similar to the Western custom of throwing rice at newly married couples after a wedding.
Ehōmaki (in the picture above)
Ehōmaki (恵方巻, “lucky direction roll”) is a roll composed of 7 ingredients considered to be lucky. Ehōmaki are often eaten on setsubun in Japan. The typical ingredients include kanpyō, egg, eel, and shiitake mushrooms. Ehōmaki often include other ingredients too. People usually eat the ehōmaki while facing the direction considered to be auspicious that year.
What is the Tanabata Festival?
