| *************************************************** "Treasure Box" - Discovery of Japan <Vol.15> *************************************************** Web Site: http://www.jpn-miyabi.com Date: January 30, 2004 As institutions and customs of winter, "Kamakura" event is observed at Yokote region in Akita prefecture located northeast of Japan. A Kamakura is an igloo-like snow house, about 2m (= 6 feet) square, in which an altar is set up to dedicate the deity of water. At night, children gather and enter Kamakura to enjoy eating rice cakes, mikan (= a kind of orange) and sweet mild sake called "amazake". The shining light coming through Kamakura in silent dark night creates fantastic world. It is said that the origin of Kamakura event is the combination of two events; one is to worship the deity of water to avoid a shortage of water and the other one is burning decorations for New Year such as "shimekazari" and "matukazari".(*) Nowadays, Kamakura is known as a happy event for children, and its activities are broadcasted on TV. Children who live in snow-less region wish to get into Kamakura once. Even for adults as I am, I still want to do… (*) As for decoration of New Year, it's introduced at article "EVENT" in Vol. 13. http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.13/shougatu-e.html <Japanese> 日本の冬の風物詩として秋田県横手地方に古くから伝わる「かまくら」 という行事があります。縦横２mくらいの雪室をつくり、中には祭壇を設 けて水神様を祭ります。夜になると子供達が集まり、各かまくらに数人 ずつ入って餅やみかんを食べたり、甘酒を飲んだりします。 静かな夜の闇にかまくらから漏れるぼんやりとした灯りは幻想的な世 界を創り出します。かまくらの由来は水不足に悩まされたことから水神 様を祭った行事と、しめ飾りや松飾を焼く行事が一体になったと言われ ています。今では子供の楽しい行事になっており、ＴＶでもその様子が 放映され、雪の少ない地方に住む子供などは、一度かまくらの中に入っ てみたいと思うものです。私などは大人になってもいまだに入ってみた いなぁと思いますが…。 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> "Repeated medical troubles" Click to read more on this sequel: (English) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.15/mtrouble-e.html (Japanese) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/vol.15/mtrouble-jp.html ============================================================ <EVENT> "Setsubun" (The day before the beginning of spring) Setsubun is a traditional Japanese event observed on February 3rd or 4th, which is the day before the beginning of spring. On this day, people hold… Click to read more on this sequel! (English) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.15/setsubun-e.html (Japanese) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/vol.15/setsubun-jp.html ============================================================ <CULTURE> "Shodo" (The art of calligraphy) In this issue, we are going to introduce you about Japanese calligraphy called shodo. Please click the following URL. http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.15/shodo-e.html (English) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/vol.15/shodo-jp.html (Japanese) ============================================================ <JAPANESE LESSON #15> Let's learn more Japanese Phrases! Of course the English phrases we used here should be helpful for Japanese readers as well. http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.15/conversation15.html ============================================================ <RECIPE> "Shougayaki" "Shougayaki" is one of the most popular recipes of a home- cooked meal. Satisfaction guaranteed for the pork and ginger lovers! (English only) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.15/recipe13.html ============================================================ <RESTAURANT> We introduce a stylish Yakitori restaurant chain. If you have never been to there, please check it out! It should worth visiting! (English) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/Vol.15/toriyoshi-e.html (Japanese) http://www.jpn-miyabi.com/vol.15/toriyosghi-jp.html ============================================================ *** PREVIEW *** <JAPANESE LESSON #16> Practice makes perfect! Let's learn some new Japanese phrases. <CULTURE> "Ikebana", the Japanese traditional art of arrangement of flowers which has the history of it goes back to 500 years and more. Let's look into "Ikebana" world! <TOPIC > The Japanese baseball named "Yakyu" <RECIPE> A popular recipe, "Buta-jiru" will be introduced in the next issue. It's a kind of Japanese stew which has a harmony of miso soup, pork and vegetables. <RESTAURANT> Hot and spicy foods has been more and more popular in Japan these couples of years. Many ethnic asian eatery could be found everywhere in Tokyo. Please check our recommendable Thai cuisine at the next issue. ============================================================ *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/Menu/backnumber-top.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 |