************************************** 　　　　　　　　　　　　"Treasure Box" - Discovery of Japan <Vol.12> 　　　　　　　　　　　　************************************************** 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Web Site:　http://www.jpn-miyabi.com Date: December 19th, 2003 Christmas is closing at hand! We are fascinated with glittering illuminations and gorgeous ornaments hanging from huge trees at hotels, party spaces and halls of various places. Recently the number of people who take after native's custom of decorating houses with Christmas ornaments have been increased in Japan. Such kinds of custom are tend to escalate year by year if we are addictive. The other day, a house with Christmas decoration located at the suburbs of New York was introduced on TV, the owner said that he used several thousand lights and spent over US$1,000 per month for the cost of electricity. The native's act is large scale isn't it? Well, we have a lot of chances to touch traditional events and special customs in Japan seasonally. Of course we are going to introduce them at this number and please have fun! By the way, in the article of recommended restaurant "TERAO" of the previous number, did anybody take notice at some of the unique expressions used? For Japanese folks who wish to learn more of English, here's some deeper insight into a colloquial expressions used: <Japanese> 　もうすぐクリスマス！各地のホテル、イベント会場、ホールなどに 　置かれた巨大ツリーはきらびやかな電飾やオーナメントをまとい、 　思わず目を奪われてしまいますね。最近では本国を真似て、日本で 　も家にクリスマスの飾り付けをする人が増えてきました。こういう 　ものは一度ハマってしまうと年々豪華になっていくようです。 　先日ニューヨーク郊外にあるお宅がＴＶで紹介されていましたが、　 　電球の数は数万個、１ヶ月の電気代は１０万円を超えるとか…。 　さすが本国はスケールが違いますね。 　さて、季節柄、日本でも伝統行事や固有の風習に触れられる機会が 　多々あります。今号もボリュームたっぷりの内容でご紹介しますの 　で、どうぞお楽しみ下さい^_^ 　ところで、前号のレストラン紹介コーナーの英文で？と思われた方 　のために遅ればせながらここで補足させて頂きます。 　３段落目３行目 "T'is the season to be jolly, and when 　there's an empty stomach to filler’up, you won’t …."の 　中に出てくる　T'is と filler'upですが、 　T'is = It is　 　Fille'up = fill it up （燃料をいっぱいにする）のことです。 　これはトムソーヤの冒険によく見られる表現で作者Mark Twainが 　好んで使った古き良き時代（大恐慌の前）のくだけた言い回しです。 　T'is はクリスマスシーズンによく使われます。 m(^^)m ********************************************** "Treasure Box"では相互広告して下さる方を募集しています。 こちら jpnmiyabi@aol.com　までご連絡お願いします。 ***************************************************** ============================================================ *** CONTENTS *** <JAPANESE LESSON #12> A sweet conversation for the love birds in the town for this article. The English phrases we used may be useful for Japanese as well. http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.12/conversation12.html ============================================================ <CULTURE> "Shiwasu (= December)" "Shiwasu" is another term for December in Japan and we often use the phrase "it's almost shiwasu" in our... Sequel of the above is here. Please click now!! http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.12/shiwasu-e.html (English) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/vol.12/shiwasu-jp.html (Japanese) ============================================================ <EVENT> "Seeing the old year out" In Japan, we call the last day of the year "Oh-misoka" and typically follow a Tradition to eat soba ... An introduction to a traditional Japanese custom that is observed on December 31st. Check this column out to delve deeper into traditional Japanese sentiments. http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.12/toshikoshi-e.html (English) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/vol.12/toshikoshi-jp.html (Japanese) ============================================================ <TOPIC> "Fly like a bird to the world!" Ai Miyazato dropped 2 meters of winning putt in the cup at Miyazaki TV Cup Dunlop Ladys Open Golf Tournament on... This column is written about a girl named Ai Miyazato who became the youngest professional golfer. Please click now! http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.12/aichan-e.html (English) <Japanese Title: "世界へはばたけ藍ちゃん！"> http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/vol.12/aichan-jp.html ============================================================ <RECIPE> "Tarachiri Nabe" Cod is often used as an ingredient of hot-pot cook in Japan. With dipping Ponzu soy sauce, try a tasty cod that is loaded with fat.（←yummy） http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.12/recipe10.html ============================================================ <RESTAURANT> As we announced, our recommended modern Japanese restaurants are here! Please check it out! http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.12/restaurant-6.html ============================================================ *** PREVIEW *** <JAPANESE LESSON #13> We are going to continuously show useful phrases for the ove birds. *^0^* <CULTURE> 2003 is the year of Sheep. What’s the meaning of this? We Japanese have the twelve horary signs, the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Hare, etc. each having specific meanings and a unique story about 12 animals. History and origin of this calendar is introduced here. <EVENT> Depending on the country, it’s different the way to celebrate a new year. Let’s look at many traditional Japanese events on the next number! <TOPIC > "My experience of culture shock" <RECIPE> Have you tasted "Omochi (= a rice cake)" which is used at a celebration and has peculiar feeling in your mouth. During a new year period and winter season, we eat what is called an "ozooni" and "oshiruko" which mainly uses rice cakes. <RESTAURANT> Recently we find many restaurant menus noting "Creative Dishes". We are going to introduce such kind of restaurant in Aoyama area. ============================================================ *LIVING INFORMATION 1) Entertainment 2) Hospital 3) Hotel 4) Japanese Alphabet 5) Postal Service 6) Supermarket 7) Taxi 8) Telephone 9) Travel(Metro Map / Flight Information / Travel Agency) The above subjects are shown on our HP. Please click now ^0^ http://www.jpn-miyabi.com ============================================================ *BACK NUMBER : http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/backnumber.html *CONTACT US: Please feel free to send your request or question of Japanese life. e-mail: jpnmiyabi@kza.biglobe.ne.jp See you at the next number ^_^/ Please access the following URL, if you would like to register or unsubscribe. http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Menu/magazine-top.html (C) Copyright 2003 JPN-MIYABI All Rights Reserved