| *************************************************** "Treasure Box" - Discovery of Japan <Vol.13> ************************************************** Web Site: http://www.jpn-miyabi.com Date: January 2nd, 2004 Treasure Box wishes you a Happy New Year and hopes that this will be another wonderful year for you! How have you spending your time during the new year days? While there exists various customs and traditions by different regions of Japan, one of our popular and nation- wide customs is to write and receive many greeting cards called "Nengajou", which is delivered exactly on New Year's Day. Since Nengajou are delivered to each house's mailbox in the morning of a new year's day, it is quite a pleasure not only for children but also for adults to find how many Nengajou one receives. We write some customary message on Nengajou such as "Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu" which means to celebrate the coming new year and "Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu" as a greeting. As the mainstream, we put an illustration of animal of the year's "Eto" on Nengajou by using computer and/or painting by ourselves. One's individuality is clearly shown in Nengajou, sometimes printed with family and children's photo, or lavishly decorated with illustrations. We've included some description on the aforementioned zodiac called "Eto", and other traditional events and customs in this issue. Many thanks for your continued patronage. We'd like to make this web-zine more informative and enjoyable than ever for this year as well. <Japanese> 明けましておめでとうございます。皆さんは、どんなお正月を お過ごしですか？ 日本のお正月は各地方によって様々な行事や風習がありますが、 そのひとつに外国でいうグリーティングカード同様、年賀状という ものがあります。前年のうちに投函するときっかり元旦の朝に配達 されるというシステム。元旦の朝、ポストにはたくさんの年賀状が 届いているので、何通の年賀状が来ているかと子供だけでなく大人 にとっても楽しみのひとつになっています。年賀状には新春を祝う 「明けましておめでとうございます」や「今年もよろしくお願いします」 といった幾つかの決まり文句を入れます。また、挿絵としてその年の 干支にあたる動物のイラストを入れるものが主流です。 イラストは自分で描く人もいればパソコンを使ってお気に入りの画像 を入れたり、更には子供や家族の写真を入れたりと、人それぞれの 個性が出て楽しいものです。 干支や、この時季のその他伝統行事や風習については今号でご紹介 していますので、どうぞお楽しみ下さい。 それでは、今年も皆さんに楽しんでいただけるようなメルマガを お届けしていきますので、どうぞ宜しくお願いしまーす！ 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 *** <TOPIC> "My experience of culture shock" The road network covers almost all the area in the U.S. However, most of them are free. Although tool roads... Click to read more on this sequel: http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.13/cshock-e.html (English) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/vol.13/cshock-jp.html (Japanese) ============================================================ <CULTURE> "Eto (The twelve horary signs)" Japanese have a zodiac based on our birth years called "Eto", much like the constellation of horoscope in western world. The origin, history and unique story of Eto are described on this page. Please click following URL and try to find your Eto out! http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.13/eto-e.html (English) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/vol.13/eto-jp.html (Japanese) ============================================================ <EVENT> "Japanese New Year's Day" (English) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.13/shougatu-e.html (Japanese) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/vol.13/shougatu-jp.html ============================================================ <JAPANESE LESSON #13> A short skit for the love birds in town. The English phrases we used may be useful for Japanese as well. http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.13/conversation13.html ============================================================ <RECIPE> "Ozouni" Rice cakes are typical Japanese food and we often eat them in the winter, which there are several recipes. One of them, "Ozouni" is for New Year's celebration, with mochi simmered with a tasty broth. http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.13/recipe11.html ============================================================ <RESTAURANT> Creative dishes abound at "NOS", an eatery located in the heart of Aoyama. Check it out! http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.13/nos-e.html (English) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/vol.13/nos-jp.html (Japanese) ============================================================ *** PREVIEW *** <TOPIC > "Repeated medical troubles" <CULTURE> Here's an introduction to the world's oldest form of orchestra called "Gagaku". <EVENT> We are recognized as an adult when we become 20 years old. In the next issue, we are going to introduce about the ceremony of becoming an adult and it's history. <JAPANESE LESSON #14> How's Mary and Steve going? Let's learn some useful Japanese phrases through their conversation! Of course the English phrases maybe helpful to Japanese folks as well. <RECIPE> When we ask young girls whether they can cook, most girls answer, "I'm good at cooking of Nikujaga". The reason is it's one of typical home cooking. The combination of sliced beef, onions and potatoes is delectable! <RESTAURANT> Chinese restaurants exist all around the blobe. While Yokohama is well known for it's Chinatown, in the next issue we are going to introduce good Chinese restaurants in the Metropolitan area. Don't miss it! ============================================================ *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/magazine.html (C) Copyright 2003 JPN-MIYABI All Rights Reserved |